Chapter 4

Chapter Four

/-Isabelle-/

I didn't understand what was happening.

Why was he being so cold to me all of a sudden?

Was it because I looked different?

“Well?” He leaned back in his seat, and I racked my brain for something to tell him. I couldn't bring up our relationship in the past where we were estranged lovers.

Who would believe that tale to begin with?

“I… I am here to model for your company!” I said suddenly, even though I had no idea what I was doing or what was going to be involved in modelling for anyone.

“I'm not sure I heard you correctly,” he said, narrowing his eyes at me.

“I said I want to model your products. Let's work together,” I repeated confidently.

“Have you ever modelled before?” He asked and I shook my head. “And you believe my company is the best place to start?”

“Absolutely,” I shrugged.

An irritated expression crossed his face.

“Listen carefully, Miss Delgado, my company is not hiring new models and even if we were, you wouldn't fit in the job description,” he stated.

My chest was heavy with disappointment. I was trying my possible best to get close to him but he was constantly putting a wall between us.

“Why not?” I asked.

“Because you are not qualified,” he sounded exhausted and pissed.

“I don't understand. Is experience the only criteria for qualification?” I demanded.

“You know absolutely nothing about modelling, not even the basics and you come in here expecting to be hired?” He scoffed. “Typical of a spoiled brat.”

I felt insulted. I might not know much about Annabelle Delgado but that didn't give him the right to address her in that manner.

I was just about to give him a piece of my mind when I noticed his lingering gaze on the necklace on my neck.

It was the infinity necklace the strange woman had returned to me.

“Where did you get that?” He demanded.

“It's mine,” I answered. “Does it look familiar?”  I asked, clinging to the littlest flicker of hope that he might recognise it.

His brows furrowed, a clear indication that he was trying hard to remember.

“It was given to me by someone special,” I added, hoping he would take the hint but his face suddenly became a blank mask.

For some reason, he couldn't remember the necklace and that was already a big discouragement because if he recognised the necklace, there was a big possibility I could make him remember me.

Now, it seemed like I was going to have to win his heart from scratch.

“So what do you have to say to my offer?” I asked.

“Try somewhere else,” came a cold response. “If that is all, have a nice day, Miss Delgado.”

There was nothing more to say to change his mind.

I walked out of his office without arguing further and headed home.

If he thought turning down my offer would make me back down, then he had another thing coming.

I would find another way to get close to him and he wouldn't even see me coming.

A smile played on my lips as a new plan hatched in my head.

“Watch out, Damian, I'm coming for you.”

3 Months Later.

“You?!”

The harshness of that tone startled me. I found myself whipping around at a speed that had me bumping into a hard wall.

A cinnamon scent teased my nostrils coated with the sweet smell of champagne.

My soaked shirt was plastered on my body, but before I could grumble about the embarrassing sight, my eyes caught the grey suit before me, generously stained with gold.

Shit!

“I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to…” I took out my handkerchief, frantically wiping the stain on his suit, hoping it would come off.

“Just. Stop.” A familiar silky baritone seethed.

“I really didn't mean…” The words died in my throat when I met those steel-grey eyes. “Damian?”

His eyes dropped to the mess I made of his shirt. Irritation crossed his face.

“Mr Salvatore. We're not friends,” he corrected stiffly.

“Noted,” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

“Just how clumsy can you be?” He hissed. “What are you even doing here?”

“I'm so sorry about that,” I apologised, attempting to wipe it once again.

He caught my hand and I could feel the electricity shoot up my spine.

“You haven't answered my question,” he stated and I moved away from him, retrieving my hand from his grip.

“It's a business conference, what do you think?” I retorted.

“A conference for the beauty line. Your father does not own any beauty line to the best of my knowledge,” he stated.

“This is not my father's company but mine. Lumina Luxe, does that ring a bell?” I asked and his eyes widened.

The company had been in the spotlight for two months now. It was fast climbing up the business ladder and making waves in both investments and sales.

I was pretty sure he had seen it.

“You can't be serious!” He exclaimed.

“I am. I came to you, offering to be your model, but you rejected me, claiming I knew nothing about modelling,” I reminded him.

“You started a company because I rejected you? Do you know how petty that is? If you want to start a business, do it because you have an interest in it, not because you want to prove something,” he stated.

He had a point but I wasn't going to give in to him like that. He belittled me for coming for him and insulted me.

“I don't have to listen to you. I can do whatever I want,” I spat. “You saw nothing good in me so why is my little company bothering you?”

I stepped closer, challenge in my eyes.

“Unless you see me as a threat.”

“A threat?” He chuckled darkly. “For a company, I could easily drive out of the market? Think again, sweetheart.”

A frown settled on my face. Driving me out of the market didn't sound too good. I had little idea about business, but I put a lot of effort into this company.

“Or I could let you buy me out, we merge and take down SkinGlow Enterprises together. Thomas Anderson is the real threat here, not me,” I told him. “Think about it. It is a good way to expand your company.”

“You planned this, didn't you?” He narrowed his eyes suspiciously at me.

“Did I plan for you to threaten me?” I wiggled my brows. Crossing my arms, I stared squarely at him.

“What's it going to be? We partner up and I model for you.”

“I'm going to get this stain off my shirt,” he said simply and walked away.

I got myself another glass of wine, determined to make the best out of the day when someone tapped me from behind.

I turned with a smile that evaporated the minute I saw Thomas.

“Miss Delgado,” he smiled, “I'm Thomas Anderson, CEO of SkinGlow Enterprises,” he introduced, extending his hand for a handshake.

As much as I wanted to leave his hand hanging, I couldn't. I wasn't strong enough to have him as a rival yet.

I took his hand and he planted a soft kiss on it. My skin crawled with disgust.  

“I have heard so much about your company and I must say I am impressed by its rapid growth,” he said.

I forced a smile.

“Thank you.”

“I was hoping we could discuss some more. I see potential in your company and I know if we team up, we will be unstoppable. Let's partner up” he said

“That sounds very lovely, Mr Anderson, but I am afraid we cannot reach any form of agreement right now,” I told him.

I could see the arrogant look in his eyes.

“Why not? I am offering you the opportunity to partner with SkinGlow Enterprises, do you know how many would kill for that opportunity?” He asked.

“I understand your point. Your company is indeed one of a kind but my company has already found a suitable partnership,” I inform him.

“With who?” He asked curiously.

“Me. Do you have a problem with that?” Damian joined us.

“Him?” Thomas asked with amusement.

“Yes, him,” I answered. “My company has chosen to partner with his.”

“Well, let's just hope you don't regret that,” he chuckled.

“I am pretty sure I won't. It was a very careful decision,” I stated.

“We'll see about that, won't we? I hope you're ready. Ask Damian here, he knows how we play,” Thomas threw a deadly smirk before walking away.

“Cocky bastard!” I cursed and looked up to see Damian staring at me. “So we have a deal now?”

“Whatever,” he huffed, looking away.

A smile played on my lips as I stretched my hand to reintroduce myself.

“I’m Annabelle Delgado, the new face of LuxeGlow companies and inarguably, your partner for life,” I said sweetly with a small wink.

He took my hand.

“Damian Salvatore and I think you are fucking delusional.”