DOMINIC HARTLESS

💍 CHAPTER 5 💍

"What kind of a lowlife company is this?" The most powerful man of Westwood wasn't impressed with what he saw. To him, this isn't what a top company should be like! It was way below his standards!

"Is this a joke to you, Ethan?" His hard gaze washes over his assistant who nodded negatively immediately.

"Please calm down, Boss. I know this doesn't suit your taste, but you haven't seen their designs yet. I promise it is totally worth it. Just look beyond the poor appearance." What Ethan said didn't suit well with Dominic's dissatisfaction.

"Get the car ready, Ethan. I have other appointments to meet. I don't have any spare time to waste here" The cold man turned and was more than eager to leave. Dominic was a man of great principle and power, who likes everything done perfectly. He isn't the type to tolerate a company this disorganized or so to say. He was just about to leave when Mr. Maxwell spotted him. The overly excited man exclaimed;

"Oh, Mr. Hartless, you're already here! What a pleasant surprise!"

Dominic turned and his eyes glanced up and down the short man walking up to them.

"It's such an honor to meet you, Sir. I'm Jonathan Maxwell, director of Exmo Clothing and Fashion. It's such an honor to have you in our midst, Mr. Hartless."

"Let's get over with the pleasantries, Mr. Maxwell. I don't have all the time in the world so show me what your company has to offer." Dominic headed straight to the point. He didn't see the need to familiarize himself with anyone. It was even a miracle for him to have reconsidered leaving.

"Of course, Mr. Hartless. This way." Mr. Maxwell chuckled and got down to business. Dominic was shown all of Exmo's latest designs. The truth of the matter, the cold man of slightly impressed. He wouldn't have imagined a low-life company like these will have such amazing clothes.

"So, what do you have to say, Mr. Hartless? "

Dominic already concluded in his heart; this company doesn't meet his standards. Yes, their designs are top-notch but their management was extremely poor. He was about to say what was on his mind when his eyes landed on something or rather someone and gently, they dilated.

There, on the other side was Melina, who was busy overseeing the works of the novice fashionistas. Dominic's eyes landed on her and suddenly, the cold man couldn't look away.

The way her brown eyes held both seriousness and friendliness, her full pouted lips plastered with a charming smile any time she commended a worker and her long wavy and silky brown hair stood out, giving a perfect match to the jumpsuit she was wearing, Dominic suddenly couldn't take his eyes off this woman.

The way she confidently spoke, her hands moving simultaneously to what she was saying, Dominic Hartless was impressed or rather, speechless.

"Erm, Boss. Mr. Maxwell is asking what you think." Ethan muttered when the cold man didn't say anything. He traced what Dominic's eyes were fixed on and seeing who he was staring at, Ethan's eyes widened in shock.

Wait a damn minute...

Is his Boss checking...a woman out?! A whole Dominic Hartless is looking at a woman... intensely?!

This is a miracle!

"Who is this woman? " Dominic finally demanded.

"Oh, that's Melina Throndsen, our head fashionista, and model. She's an expert, our number one best employee."

"A quick secret, Mr. Hartless. Most of the clothes I've shown you were all her ideas and design." Mr. Maxwell spoke in a whisper. Dominic was even more impressed.

"Mr. Maxwell, I want a cloth designed for me but I want her to be the handling my clothing contract" Dominic suddenly demanded and Ethan was even more shocked.

What happened to his Boss wanting to leave this low-life company? And now he wants cloth designed by them?

"Erm...but...Mr. Dominic, she already has a lot of contracts she's handling now. We have other experts who can carry out your... "

"No! I want her to handle my contract. It's her or no one else! " Dominic insisted.

Ethan was speechless. This was so unlike his Boss.

"How much should I pay for her service?"

"Wow. Calm down, Mr. Hartless. Let's go discuss that over in my office. Shall we?" Mr. Maxwell would never let an offer go past him.

Dominic agreed and a few moments later, Melina was called into Mr. Maxwell's office.

"Melina, I would like you to meet our guest, Mr. Hartless, and his assistant, Ethan."

Ethan's jaw dropped to the ground after getting a closer view of the woman his Boss was gazing at. Now he understood why his Boss couldn't take his eyes off her. She was simply breathtakingly beautiful!

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Hartless." Melina flashed a pretty smile that got Dominic's heart skipping but he kept a blank expression and kept staring intently at her.

There was something about this woman that felt familiar, especially her eyes, like they have met before but he couldn't pinpoint where or when.

Melina was told what she needed to do and she gladly accepted. To her, it was an opportunity to win the most powerful man of Westwood over with her skills.

With that, she and Dominic went to her office to get his measurement.

"Should I come along, Boss?" Ethan flashed Dominic a sheepish smile.

"Get lost!"

"Yes, Sir" He retreated immediately.

Soon, Melina was done taking the necessary measurements.

"I'm done, Mr. Hartless"

"Hmm."

"Your clothes will be ready in three days. That is all you. You can go now."

Dominic suddenly smirked and covered the distance between them much to Melina's surprise.

"Mr. Hartless..."

"You're the head fashionista, huh?" Dominic's eyes quickly traveled down to her lips before moving back to her eyes. He stared intently into them and for a moment he forgot what he wanted to say.

"I will like to see what you've got" He muttered instead.

"Don't disappoint me, Miss Melina." He whispered the last part before leaving. Melina stared blankly at nothing, surprised.

After doing the other necessary stuff, Dominic and Ethan finally left Exmo Clothing and Fashion, expected to be back in three days.

The moment they both entered the car, Dominic stated,

"Find out everything about that woman. I want her profile on my table tomorrow"

"Yes, Sir"

The next day and Ethan presented Melina's profile just as Dominic demanded.

"Boss, she's single and I'm sure she's ready to mingle. But can you believe she has two kids already? Twins, to be exact. They are six years old; a boy and a girl. And their names are Shantel and Le...."

"Did I ask for your explanation, Ethan?" A brow was raised at the blabbermouth who immediately kept shut.

"Sorry, my bad. Go ahead, Boss. I will be waiting outside" Ethan bowed and immediately left.

Dominic stared at the document about Melina in his hand with all focus. So many questions ran through his head.

"She's a single mother of two. Does it mean her husband is dead, left her, or is a coward who abandoned his responsibility?"

Dominic didn't understand why but...he was suddenly interested in this woman he just met.

TWO DAYS LATER

Dominic tried on the last of his clothes with Ethan, Mr. Maxwell, and Melina waiting for him to step out of the dressing room.

"Wow! Amazing!Splendid!" Ethan clamored in awe when he finally stepped out, dressed in an amazing suit. Indeed, Melina didn't fall Dominic. All the clothes she designed for him were just perfect, Dominic couldn't find a single fault in them even though he badly wanted to.

"So, what do you have to say, Mr. Hartless?" Mr. Maxwell asked. Dominic glanced at Melina who did the same and their gaze locked. His gaze softened a bit and without realizing it, he blurted.

"Gorgeous"

"Gorgeous?" Ethan was confused.

"Boss, which is gorgeous, the fashionista or the clothes?" He asked in a whisper.

"The clothes, Ethan, the clothes are gorgeous!" Dominic glared at him. Once again, Melina smiled brightly.

"I'm glad you like the clothes, Mr. Hartless. I guess I didn't disappoint you"

Dominic smirked. This woman was unbelievably confident and had amazing skills. The cold man finally decided;

He wanted this woman at any cost!

The next day and Melina was given amazing news, more like an offer that left her speechless and shocked.

"Mr. Hartless wants you to start working for him at his new clothing company back in Westwood"

It turned out that after, being satisfied with Melina's work yesterday, Dominic didn't hesitate to offer a huge deal to Mr. Maxwell. An offer to release Melina to him. Ethan once again was rendered dumbfounded.

The most powerful man of Westwood, wanted a worker from his presumed lowlife company to start working for him.

Something is definitely wrong with his Boss! The moment Ethan realized that was when he didn't even have to remind Dominic that he had an appointment with Exmo that day. Dominic was the one who reminded him instead.

Dominic paid off Melina's contract with EXMO, times two of it actually, and also paid off her termination contract that same day without battling an eye.

Melina narrated everything to Barbera and the old woman didn't hesitate to say,

"Take the offer, Melina. This is your chance to expand more in your talent."

"But, Aunt. I don't want to go back to that city. I've already moved on with my life so what's the point of going back to the past? I'm ok with my life here. I have a good career and can take of Shantel and Leon all by myself so what's the point of moving? " Melina was scared of going back to her hometown.

"If you have really moved on, my dear, you will accept this offer. This is a huge opportunity for you, I don't want you to lose it. The most powerful man of Westwood wants you to work for him, he knows what you're talent is worth. Accept it, my dear."

A few weeks passed by and after thinking things through, Melina finally accepted the offer. Shantel and Leon were told that they will be moving to Westwood the next week and the two brats were more than excited.

"You know I overheard Mommy and Grandma one certain time talking about our Daddy. I heard Grandma say he is in Westwood" Leon revealed.

"Really?!" Shantel beamed greatly.

"Yes. So which means if you move to Westwood, we can finally find our lost Daddy."

"And when we do, we will have him marry Mommy and we will all live together like a normal family!"

"Exactly, Shantel. But for that to happen we have to stop fighting all the time. We need to start working together as a team but not just for a day. We need to do so from now on if we want to find our Daddy."

"So, tell me. Do you agree to work with me?" Leon stretched out his little hands to Shantel who gave him a suspicious look before finding locking her hands with his.

"Let's do this, Leon. Partners?"

"Partners!...