CHAPTER TEN: A DATE WITH THE MONSTER

BEATRICE’S POV

The dreadful day that I had long avoided slowly slipped in like a thick fog consuming the sky, and now I knew it was either I faced it head-on or lost my job, and the latter wasn’t an option. I patted my face with the powder foam for the umpteenth time as my heart thumped loudly against my rib cage. It was funny how I had changed my hairstyle into something more elegant, just like my son advised. But what could Xander be up to this time? What was his plan? Did he know about the kids? 

My hands trembled at the thought, but I straightened out the unseen wrinkles on my Red gown. The choice of colour was the only way to intimidate him, accompanied by my red lipstick. Call me unprofessional, but I wasn't about to let him have the last laugh. 

The meeting was due in an hour, and the company was forty-five minutes drive from my house. 

“You don’t have to go if you don’t want to. I can always support you and my grandkids.” Aunt Silvia reminded me the second I got into the sitting room. She was still dressed in her nightgown and a bonnet. My eyes ran over her pretty yet ageing face, and I realized how lucky I was to be loved by her.

“I can’t run forever, Aunt. I need to do this.” I said in an attempt to convince myself instead, and she nodded. Making her way towards me, she squeezed my shoulder gently.

“Let me know when you need me to beat him up.” She said jokingly, and I sent her a smile. Soon, I was driving into the company’s compound. The tall glass building looked like it cost a million dollars or more, maybe. 

“What took you so long? He is almost here.” Alpha Lee scolded as he ran his palm over his shiny head. I could see his hands shaking, which made me slightly glad to know that I wasn't the only one who didn't want to be in the same closed space as Xander. “Remember, you are to do everything to make him accept the deal, even if it means licking the dirt off his shoes.” 

I couldn't tell if he was joking or serious, but I laughed it off. Maybe I might need to call Aunt Silvia on my boss instead. We settled in the meeting room, awaiting his arrival ten minutes later. 

“We shouldn't partner with someone who sees us as a joke.” The words slipped from my lips, and I quickly added, “Just an opinion.” When Alpha Lee sent me the coldest glare, sharp enough to slice through a skin.

“Keep it to yourself.” 

The door was pushed open, and he strolled in in an intimidating manner, her scent filling the air. 

“I am late. Had a meeting with Xnfity. Can we start?” He said without a hint of remorse, and I rolled my eyes at him for being a prick. I wanted to believe he caught that because he sent me a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Xnfity was one of our top competitors in the business, known to produce exceptional technologies.

I caught Alpha Lee's discomfort, and I wanted nothing more than to get out of there. Picking up the carefully designed proposal, I stepped forward and began. His eyes followed my every move, his gaze stern as he rolled the pen in his hand while my boss kept glancing from me to him. Alpha Lee seemed uncomfortable, evident through the half-baked laugh he kept sending Xander’s way. Deep down, I felt so bare and saw as memories of us having sex played through my mind, causing a small amount of electricity to course through me. 

“Not bad.” Xander finally let out the second I was done, and I clenched my teeth angrily. The CEO himself had read this proposal, and he loved it, so how could this Monster with horns not be impressed? “I believe it needs something more, but we can talk about it over dinner.” 

Alpha Lee was sitting close to the edge of the chair now. I wouldn't blame him, and we were running out of cash due to his endless dating scandals with ladies twice his age, most of them were married. “Is that a yes, Mr Evans?”

Silence hung in the air as Xander twisted his lips, staring hard at him. 

After an eternity, he finally responded, “I wouldn't come here to say No.” 

A sigh of relief escaped my lips, and Alpha Lee’s expression brightened.

“Thank you so much for this opportunity. We promise you won't regret it.” The CEO said, beaming hard while trying to shake Xander, who seemed unfazed by it.

“I don't have regrets, Mr Lee. I’m a businessman. The project flops, and you lose everything to me. The company and all that lies in it.” Xander informed me, and I froze. How? That was unprofessional. It wasn't part of the deal. It wasn't even supposed to exist. It was glaring that Xander was up to something, but why couldn't Alpha Lee tell?

Alpha Lee’s hand froze mid-air, his eyes widening while the two female staff with us in the room glanced at one another, mouthing something.

“Well, you do not expect me to invest billions of naira in a collapsing business for nothing, do you?” His lips thinned after he spoke, and he dropped the pen. 

Alpha Lee looked confused for some seconds, accompanied by a forced smile. “We can adjust the conditions in my office alone.” 

Xander looked like he wanted to protest, but he didn't. Instead, he nodded. “Fine, think about it. I will have my Beta draft and send my terms to you.” 

I could feel my blood boiling as I squeezed the lower part of the document I held so hard. He was pushing us around and treating us like minions. Like fools.

He stood up, walking towards the door until he stopped, turning around with his palms in his pockets. “About the dinner?” 

Alpha Lee laughed dryly, clearly affected by the terms and conditions. “We…we can do that now.” 

Xander nodded before his eyes landed on me as though expecting a response.

“I have someplace to go to. The others can attend the dinner, right Alpha Lee.” I let out and watched his jaw tighten.

“I don't remember telling you the dinner was for them.” He frowned as he spoke, then turned to Alpha Lee. “Beatrice here has a dinner date with me to talk about the project and changes that could be made.”

My boss’s mouth fell wide open, and he looked transfixed. 

“What do you say?” Xander added, sounding impatient while my annoyance multiplied. It was taking everything in me not to snatch the vase from the corner of the room and throw it in his face. The made-up image of him grunting in pain gave me a little closure.

“Beatrice, go with him.” Alpha Lee finally said, and I froze.

“No!” I let out, then quickly added, “Respectfully, sir, Mr. Xander here can always discuss business in the office. Going on a date wasn't part of my job requirements.” I threw the words at him, not minding if it might cost me my job. I didn't run from him for years to end up with him again.

Another silence. Alpha Lee had no words to say.

“If that is so, then I take my leave.” Xander inputted, turning around to twist the door knob.

“Wait!” Alpha Lee groaned, his eyes searching the floor. “Beatrice will go with you.” My jaw dropped as he turned towards me. “We need him, Beatrice.” 

My eyes darted from him to Xander, who now had a smile. I let out a soft grunt and squeezed my eyes briefly.

“Fine,” I responded and caught the gleam in his eyes. The ‘I told you so’ type.

At that moment, I vowed to make it the worst date of his life.