"What is going on, Stacy?" The company broke out into unrest once I reached.
Hundreds of heads turned to me as I walked. Yet no one dared to say anything to me.
"Ma'am, it's complete chaos." Stacy seemed hesitant as she clutched the iPad in her hands anxiously.
What is she trying to hide?
Narrowing my eyes, I quickly snatched it from her.
"The tabloids, they..." She started.
"...They made me his bed partner?" My eyes went down to the screen, reading the headline of the article. "Just because we were dining out?"
"The rich heiress does not know how to separate her private and business life. Seen outside playing with the Billionaire Player, Aaron Atkinson. Is she the playboy's next conquest?" I read out loud.
"The reason why Atkinson decided to help Empire sign the large project with Richmond Corporation, was this all because the Empire heiress wanted to reap benefits and managed to
Aaron decided to answer the other question first, "Miss Ford is a hardworking lady who wants the best for her company. Without her diligence and patience, Empire couldn't be where it is standing today. Whatever project she takes, I can't take away the credit." "Do you plan on being partners with Empire and ending the rivalry that's been going around for years?" A man raised a question. "Rivalry?" Aaron's voice was magnetic, attracting everyone who was listening to him. "There was never a rivalry between the two companies. What we do is what we're best at, but yes. I intend to be partners with her for a long time." I stared at the screen, nervousness seeping into me, but I kept my face poker. Why are you doing this, you jerk!? "Mr Atkinson, you haven't answered my question." The woman from earlier told. She was envious of how everyone got their questions answered, yet her question was ignored when she even had evidence to prov
I felt myself shifting in my seat. Get a grip, Victoria! You can't be intimidated. You should not make yourself appear weak in front of him. Clearing my throat, I looked up at him. "Mr Atkinson, don't you think you have the responsibility of informing your business partner ahead of what you planned?" "You're finally admitting that we're partners, Miss Ford?" Aaron raised a brow, his voice filled with amusement. "Business partners, Mr Atkinson. I said, business partners." I enunciated, my expression blank. He only smirked in reply. An uncomfortable silence fell between us. You have already done enough damage to my image! Stacy arrived on time thankfully with a cup of coffee in her hands. Walking carefully, she placed the cup in front of Aaron Atkinson. "Stacy here makes the best coffee. Mr Atkinson will surely like it." I said as I watched him ta
An hour had just passed when my phone continuously beeped like a hurricane. I stared at the screen with knitted eyebrows. Why were people mentioning me in the comments? As I opened the app, my DMS and feed were flooded with people messaging and tagging me. At this moment, a gentle voice reached my ears. "V, is what they are saying true? Are you and him..." "Ben, people love to make rumours out of everyone and everything they find nowadays." I sighed. "Then your social media..." Ben hesitantly started. "Yeah, what is it? I have been receiving lots of messages and notifications from everyone. I was just about to open my profile when I got your call." "V, you won't like it... It's better if you don't see it." Ben advised me kindly. I knew he had good intentions, but keeping me in the dark would not help anyone. "I'm more curious now, Ben. Let's meet this week. Your
"Uncle Victor." I greeted him with a smile. "How're you? Taking your meds on time, right?"The elderly man chuckled. "I was hoping you would not ask that, dear."He was sitting in a wheelchair, dressed in a dark suit and his legs were covered with a black blanket.When he was in his early forties, an accident occurred and he lost his legs. He was one of my grandfather's partners and after his death, I would come to visit Uncle Victor Fernandez at least once a month.Although my and his age was years apart, the age factor did not stop me from befriending him. He gave out a vintage vibe, similar to my grandfather which made me closer to Uncle Victor after my grandfather Eric died.I had only some supporters I could rely on and trust and those were my friends, Uncle Max, Michael, and Uncle Victor."Good girl, did someone try to mess with you these days?" Uncle Victor asked nicely. He had a smile playing on hi
"...Is she your girlfriend, Uncle?" My lips arched up subconsciously. "Were you keeping a secret from all of us?" He was 28 and almost hitting 29 this year. Settling down was not too bad. "Pretty niece, are you trying to make your uncle angry?" Uncle laughed lazily, but I could make out the warning in his words. "I dare not, Uncle." I bit back a smile. Uncle could never be angry with me, that I was sure of. "Who's she? Can you let me see her face?" "Who're you talking with!?" "Hey, what are you doing-" This girl undoubtedly was daring. Making Uncle act unusual and jolty. "Hey, this guy here, I've borrowed him for some hours, alright! You can have him later." The voice shouted on the phone. It seemed familiar but I could not pinpoint it exactly. And Uncle let you borrow him and that too for hours? Maximus was a person who got impatient with everyone except for his l
1 Week Later"Miss Ford."I whiffed out a breath as I turned around. That cologne was messing with my mind badly.Don't pay attention.We were standing on the location of Mr Richmond's land and workers were sorting out the materials that would be used in the construction of the apartments."Mr Atkinson." I nodded."A week ago when I messaged you, I was left on seen. I was incredibly hurt, Miss Ford."I cocked a brow coldly, "That means you are bound to keep getting hurt, Mr Atkinson. Since I tend to be quite busy and only care to reply when it comes to business and friends and nothing else.""Miss Ford, are you indirectly saying that you want us to be friends?"Air got knocked out of my lungs as I whipped my head toward him at a frighteningly high speed that it hurt.Disbelief was written on my face. Even he could tell easily."From where did you get thi
"No!" We both shouted. "Ahem, we aren't." Ben coughed slightly. "We're friends!" I blurted. "Is that so?" The woman owner seemed disappointed. Having finished our meal, we both went to our homes respectively. Promising the woman that we would come here again with our whole group next time. After taking a long hot shower, my mind was rejuvenated. Holding my iPad, I settled on my brown couch and started to go through the designs I received via my email box from the Empire's architects. These architects were the best in town and Empire had left no effort in hiring them. I made sure no company could ever offer them the benefits Empire delivered. I also did not let go of the ones who were not registered– the young architectural designers who helped the architects. They were youthful and fresh but people wanted an experience. However, I took them in and decided to train them under the best of the architects in the industry. They could be valuable assets to the company. I was on th
"Grandma, Mom, this is..." Aaron was about to introduce me when the young girl who appeared to be in her seventeen came closer and looked at my face deeply. She had dark-coloured hair and rosy cheeks. "Are you my brother's new partner? You do know that my brother doesn't date, right? Don't you have a taste?" She had a sassiness in her voice. "I don't know what he promises you women, but leave him if you want to stay content." I stifled a laugh. Was she really his sister? "Angela!" The middle-aged woman in her early fifties chided. I assumed she was Aaron's mother. Honestly, a pretty-looking and decent woman. "I apologise for her rude behaviour, Miss." Aaron's mom quickly apologised. Her tone was soft and kind. I instantly liked her genteel personality. "It's nothing, Ma'am." After all, it was Aaron who got dissed and not me. "What? Didn't I tell the truth?" The girl whose name was Angela grumbled. Both the mother and daughter resembled each other. "You seem to ha