CHAPTER 3: Trusted Partner—NOT
"Daddy,” Miss Annika suddenly spoke, touching her father’s arm as if she was getting awkward of the question herself.
“Don’t ask Troy that.” She glanced at Sir Troy who was still silent beside me. “We’re both adults. We know what we’re doing—“
“Which basically tells me you two don't have a serious relationship.” Mr. Peterson concluded with a challenging look, his eyes still directed at Sir Troy.
“Dad—“
“Yes, we do not have a relationship, Sir. We both consented to what we were doing and that was it. We have made it clear between the two of us what we were from the very beginning,” Mr. Sanford said without even stuttering, cutting what Miss Annika was supposed to say to her father.
I stared at him with my mouth slightly opened, seeing how seemingly calm he still was despite what was happening.
He was basically interrogated by the father of her lover! I don’t know what’s more intimidating than that. For me, that is most intimidating. But maybe not for him. He’s called the devil incarnate in business after all. He must have seen and heard the worst. But still…
“But I assume talking about my relationship with your daughter is not why you have responded to my invitation to have a meeting with you, Mr. Peterson, isn’t it?” Sir Troy continued when the latter did have nothing to say.
I looked at Mr. Peterson and he still has this serious look, but I could also see the way he was calculating both the situation and my boss. As if he was trying to figure out why this man was still so confident, knowing that we all knew he was screwing—ahemm!—playing with his daughter.
Geez. If I were to be stared at like that, I would have pissed myself.
After a couple more seconds of just staring into my boss’s soul, Sir Samuel finally sat straight on his seat and inhaled deeply. “Indeed it isn’t,” he said.
I watched the elder man, seeing how he has gone from a very protective father to a formal businessman. Well, Mr. Peterson may be known to be a protective father, but his daughter is no longer a teenager for him to step in on her romantic escapades. She’s now a grown 27 year-old woman. He knows his limits as a parent.
“We are here to talk about business, as you’ve invited me to.” Sir Samuel continued. Sir Troy nodded at that.
Oh. So we were really here for a business meeting.
Realizing that, I fished out my phone out of my pocket, ready to take down notes for the minutes of the meeting,
“Let’s get straight to the point,” Mr. Peterson started. “You are asking for a partnership with my company.”
I started typing the subject matter on my phone. ‘Partnership offer with Peterson Estate.’
I know that has always been Mr. Sanford’s goal. That has been in talks for years. To expand Sanford Properties Inc. into a larger group of companies. And I know he’s long been eyeing on Peterson Estate. Which is part of the reason why I understand why he dated Miss Annika.
Alright, that sounded real judgy! But… yeah, I’m just judgemental like that.
“Yes,” Sir Troy nodded. “Peterson Estate would make a great partnership with Sanford Properties. Both our companies—“
“I need a trusted partner in business. I need someone I can really trust.” Mr. Peterson abruptly cut off Mr. Sanford with a very serious tone.
Sir Troy was quick to respond with confidence. “I can be trusted, as much as Sanford Properties can be.”
I mentally nodded. If there was one thing you could put your money on regarding Troy Sanford, it’s his capability in business.
Mr. Peterson leaned on his seat as he continued watching Sir Troy with calculation. “I do have my own set of standards regarding people I can trust.”
“I am sure we will fit in those standards. Sanford Properties wouldn’t be at the top of the chain if we couldn't be trusted.” My boss said with the same confidence, and I couldn’t agree more. Like I said, he is a great businessman, despite everything else that he is.
But Mr. Peterson shook his head. “That is the business world’s standard you are talking about, Mr. Sanford.”
Sir Samuel inched closer to the table and put both his hands on it with a calm look on his face, as if he knew he had the upper hand in this situation.
“Like I said, I have a standard of my own. I need to know I can personally trust the man I basically share my business with. The business that I built with my own blood, sweat, tears and time.”
I could see Sir Troy was getting confused with the latter. There was a very subtle frown forming on his thick brows. But he kept his cool and asked.
“What is it, then?”
A small smile made its way on Mr. Peterson’s mouth.
“I need someone who is loyal, committed, and responsible.”
“I am all that. You can see its reflection in the business I built.” Mr. Sanford once again replied with a streak of confidence and confusion.
But Mr. Peterson shook his head with almost an amused smile on his face. “You play around. You don’t commit. A ladies’ man. And my daughter is just one of your pile of girls, unfortunately.”
A hint of anger and distaste crossed over his eyes, but he immediately covered it, turning a bit smug about how that seemed to strike at my boss.
Okay… Is he taking out his frustration in his daughter and my boss’s non-relationship by declining to Mr. Sanford’s business offer?
I looked at Sir Troy, and his frown was now visible. He was getting confused with how the conversation was going.
“Dad,” Miss Annika called. I looked at her, almost forgetting she was still there. I could see she didn’t like how her father was talking to Sir Troy.
Well, I can’t say I don’t understand Mr. Peterson. He is still a father. The father of the girl that was included in a mass of girls in Mr. Sanford’s list.
“Are you mad about my set-up with Annika?” Sir Troy straight up asked. I looked at him almost wide-eyed. Sheesh. The man was bold to say that straight to the girl’s father he was messing with!
Mr. Peterson leaned calmly on his seat and watched us with serious eyes. “No. Like you said, we are here to talk about business. And as a businessman, I don’t like your non-committing ways.”
“I get it. You are at your peak, still young yet already very successful. Of course, you want to have fun. But I don’t want those characteristics in my business partner. My business is a part of me, and I don’t want it ruined by someone still too young and carefree to know what real commitment is.”
Mr. Peterson straightened on his seat and continued. “I honestly would like to take offense to whatever is happening with you and my daughter, but I know I musn’t. And I am not telling you this requirement because of the non-relationship you have with her. That has just always been a few of my basis on whether I could trust a man or not. Whether in business or in life. Being committed in a relationship, loyal to his or her partner, and responsible for his actions with other people. That's it. And for many years in business, everyone that has passed that criteria of mine has been proven good as partners, even becoming my real friends eventually.”
Neither Mr. Sanford nor I could say anything after Mr. Peterson finished.
What has just… What?
I looked at Sir Troy and saw him shaking his head.
“Do you mean to say you want me to have a committed relationship with Annika, for you to have business with me?” I could actually hear the confusion in his voice.
For the third time, Mr. Samuel Peterson shook his head, as if we’ve never done something right by him.
“No, Mr. Sanford. I just want you to understand how commitment is very important for me. And I want that to be something I have in common with my business partners. If you don’t see yourself being in a committed relationship with my daughter, then don’t do it.” He crossed his arms and glanced at Annika.
“And after knowing that you both have been settling and content with that kind of set-up for almost half a year now, I don’t think I’d want to see you together.”
“Dad, please,” Annika once again said, her frustration audible in her tone. She looked like she, too, couldn’t believe her father was saying all these things to us.
Mr. Peterson didn’t mind her and took the napkin on his lap and wiped it on his mouth.
“I see we have nothing else to discuss about anymore.”
He started standing up even before we could say anything.
“Thank you for dining with us. We had a wonderful lunch,” Mr. Peterson said with a hint of a smile on his face. Sir Troy wasn’t moving on his seat.
I met Sir Samuel’s eyes and saw the satisfaction in them after everything he just dropped.
“I’ll see you around, Miss Hill, Mr. Sanford.” He nodded and immediately started walking out. Miss Annika walked towards Sir Troy and touched his arm.
“I’m sorry. I’ll try to talk to him,” she said and started walking quickly towards her father. But before she could get away, Sir Troy spoke up.
“You don’t have to.” I almost flinched when he angrily took the napkin on his lap and tossed it on the table. Then he took off.
“Troy,” Miss Annika tried reaching out to him but his strides were so fast she couldn’t get to him. He strutted straight towards the exit.
I grabbed my phone and stood up. I ran just to catch up to him, seeing he was already walking towards the car waiting for us.
The car door slammed shut as soon as Sir Troy got in. I flinched at the impact. Man, he is angry.
I could see the confusion in our driver, Fidel’s, eyes upon witnessing that. I gave him a nod and I got inside the car.
“To the office. Now.” Fidel immediately turned the engine on and started driving when the boss said that in a clipped tone.
I didn’t know what to do in my seat. Should I talk to him? Should I just keep quiet and keep my thoughts to myself?
I looked to my side and saw how mad Sir Troy was. His bright brown eyes looked so fiery; so hot it could burn anyone alive in his line of vision.
If looks could burn, Fidel could have been ash right now.
Sir Troy was so angry, I could practically feel the air thickening at how intense he was feeling. And I don’t know if the shivers that ran down my arms were from the AC in the car or from the man who was gritting in anger beside me.
I should probably just keep my mouth shut.
CHAPTER 4: Talking To An Alien“Really?” I bit on my ice cream and nodded at Freda. It was Sunday and we were sprawled on a mat on the ground with Louisse and Mia running around the old park nearby our old neighborhood.“He said he didn’t want anyone uncommitted like Sir Troy. It was his philosophy, as if he would know the person through his relationships—awww,” I paused and grimaced when a brain freeze hit me.Freda tapped my back. “That’s what you get when you bite into ice creams.”I sat up. “Hey, it’s a different experience when you bite into it!” Freda just nodded at me, with her face uninterested. “Let’s go back to your boss and his first ever failed business arrangement.”I leaned my elbow on the floor again and watched the leaves swaying above us with the wind. “Yeah, since I’ve been his secretary, I’ve never seen a failed business deal done by Sir Troy himself. It was almost like he had this persuasive power that he could lure anyone he wanted—““Ah-huh, like girls like An
CHAPTER 5: The Deal “W-WHAT?!” I exclaimed after buffering for a couple of seconds. Sir Troy just looked at me in that same ‘Do-I-look-like-I’m-kidding?’ face of his. But I certainly want him to kid around right now! “M-marry you?” I repeated in shock. He nodded. “Yes. I have found the way to get the deal with Mr. Peterson. That is for you to marry me,” he said so calmly. Too calmly and business-y for my own liking. “W-wait, wait wait! You mean to say, you want to get married to me so you could have the deal with Mr. Peterson?” I frantically said, panicking. Well, who wouldn’t? “You just basically repeated what I said.” The boss said. Smartass! I shook my head. I breathed in and out. I looked at him again. “But why me? Why can’t you just ask Miss Annika to marry you?” I know I said something about that hurting the latter and she deserved better, but heck! My life is on the line here! “I don’t want to be tied up in a marriage—“ I cut him off and raised a hand in front of hi
CHAPTER 6: Knight In Shining Armour“2 weeks?! Are you out of your mind?!”I pulled my phone away from my ear when Freda screamed that. “I know, but I can’t just decline the offer. He just offered everything I needed,” I reasoned, glancing over the place. When I saw I was still alone on the floor, no one walking along the hallway, I focused on the phone call again.“Yeah, and that’s in exchange for lying to everyone.” I sighed, sensing how Freda still couldn’t grasp the idea. It even took me an entire day to start absorbing the fact that I just agreed to this. And even up until now, I still couldn’t fully believe I’ll be Mrs. Sanford in less than a month.I don’t even want to know how Miss Annika would react to this, nor Mr. Peterson, and the other employees—or just everyone who knew us. I’m just so nervous about this!I heard Freda take a deep breath. “But I get it. Who wouldn’t say ‘no’ to that offer? The amount of it is almost unbelievable. He’s basically offering you a new life
CHAPTER 7: The Not-So Sweet Text I can’t believe I didn’t even think about the drunk man that just drove his car up to a post, almost killing himself, and just kept thinking about how my lips still tingled on the kiss that my boss gave me. Not just once! Not twice! But THRICE! For starters, the drunk guy was just injured on his leg, getting stuck due to the crash that dipped his car’s front. So, he’s okay, and I can tone down my conscience about not thinking about him at that very hour. Second, the paparazzis indeed took dozens of pictures of Sir Troy and I, lip-locking (I still can’t believe there will come a time I was going to say that!) and things started spreading around our ‘relationship’. I asked Sir Troy if he knew it was going to happen—due to the very perfect set-up to save me and do that thing he did—but he said he just thought of coming to me when he also had to get something beside the coffee shop that he forgot to tell me about, and the perfect opportunity just came
CHAPTER 8: DrowningAs soon as I walked out of the door, numerous eyes immediately went to me.“Oh my word! The devil himself will worship you on your feet when he sees you, Miss Hill. You look ah-mazing!”I smiled sheepishly at Gloom. “You sure?”An aggressive nod was what I got from him and the rest of the team. “Why, yes! Miss Hill! You look absolutely stunning! This white dress screams elegance but hot at the same time! And you for sure have to show off those curves! Mr. Sanford would want to take you home as soon as you walk inside the venue!” They all giggled.I looked at myself in the mirror and turned to the side, wanting to see my back. The dress I was in was white that covered just enough of my front, but the back showed most of my skin, just stopping at the right spot before it could show people my booty. It was skin-fit, but not that uncomfortable, and I had make-up that didn’t look much, but totally accentuated my features. Most especially my green eyes. My dark hair wa
CHAPTER 9: The AnnouncementI know that after that kiss, there would be a little tensed atmosphere around us (because, of course! We just smooched!) but I expected a lesser awkward atmosphere (if that makes sense) and more comfortable feeling about being close with each other.But, when have I been right?As soon as we all walked towards the main venue for the event, Sir Troy and I became silent. We were in the middle of our little entourage and I didn’t know what to do.Why do I feel so suddenly awkward? Also, gone was his playful energy a while ago when he was doing all the acts and stuff. He just became silent and went back to being the cold stone—gorgeous cold stone, but still a cold stone that he was.I realized Sir Troy liked doing things unplanned for our act. Impromptu; which kinda makes it look organic and true—that I can agree. But since we still haven’t really discussed every tad bit of detail into this and basically winging most of these acts, I feel like I’m stepping on e
CHAPTER 10: Honey “I told you we were doing this in a month, not in 2 weeks—hey,” I smiled and waved a hand at Rachel, one of my co-workers when she gave a big wave at me from the other side of the place, too shy to come near us when she knew most of the media people around were focused on us. Well, not just the media people. Most, if not all people, actually. The main event has just finished, and the presentations were successful. The investors so far have been happy with what they were seeing, wanting to keep their investments, some even wanting to add more into the company. And most importantly, new ones decided to engage, which was one of the greatest goals of this event. It was successful and we could feel the hype of it all, but the huge news about our engagement added majorly to the hype we were getting, most especially from the media. Several reactions were made after the announcement. Most were shocked and surprised, some were happy, and some were mad—and we all know from
CHAPTER 11: ConfrontationI turned my back to the boss who was still smirking at me, dominated by my want to eat and not caring whether I was out of his protection from this foreign spot of popularity I was in. I’m too hungry to care. I might even just eat anyone who wants to stop me from eating right now.I approached the table of food and immediately immersed myself on it. Not long after, some of my co-workers approached me: Ria, Rachel and Rob. The 3 R’s.Reduce, reuse, recycle—just kidding.“You look amazing with this dress, Lia.” Rachel said, beaming at me while holding a cupcake. “Should I start calling you boss now? Huh? Huh?” She added and playfully bumped her hips against mine, teasing me with her brows moving up and down. It made the two laugh. I shook my head and playfully looked at her. “The boss told me about the 1-day delay of the finances for the materials for the malls. Including the employees’ salary. I also talked with the HR about it, and they told me they were ju
CHAPTER 13: Wedding Jitters“Go on dates, huh?”I flipped through the clothes hanging on a rack in front. I didn’t answer Freda who was standing beside me, also shuffling through the wedding clothes inside the third boutique we were in.“And what facts did you write about yourself? I hope there’s some that would nudge his junior down there. Oh! And I wanna see his list!” Freda giggled. I rolled my eyes at her. I was about to talk when the wedding coordinator came to us.“That is actually really great, Miss Hill. That would suit well with the ethereal theme we were discussing with the team for your wedding.” Gwen, the pretty blonde wedding coordinator said. I looked at the gown I was holding in one hand as she touched it, feeling the fabric. I shook my head. “I kind of want just a simple gown,” I said, turning to her.I saw Freda raise a brow at my peripheral vision, but I ignored her. I smiled at Gwen who looked at me while covering her frustration. I have been rejecting all their
CHAPTER 12: Terms and Conditions “Sign this and we’ll proceed to the plans for the wedding.” I looked at the papers that the boss put on the table in front of me. We’re both inside his office; and today, he’s finally given me the contract he said we’d both be signing for this crazy plan we have. I read it, seeing everything we agreed on, but when I saw the terms and conditions… I looked up at the boss again; he was just waiting for me to sign as he sat on his swivel chair, all gloriously gorgeous on his throne. I sat straight on my seat and met his eyes. “I want to change some things in the terms and conditions,” I stated. Sir Troy’s brows raised in curiosity. He put both of his hands on his large oak table, squaring his shoulder as he leaned closer to where I was seated on the opposite side of it. He looked large even while just sitting there. “What is it?” I held my chin up. “I want all the intimacy clauses to be just effective when there are audiences around.” Sir Troy Sa
CHAPTER 11: ConfrontationI turned my back to the boss who was still smirking at me, dominated by my want to eat and not caring whether I was out of his protection from this foreign spot of popularity I was in. I’m too hungry to care. I might even just eat anyone who wants to stop me from eating right now.I approached the table of food and immediately immersed myself on it. Not long after, some of my co-workers approached me: Ria, Rachel and Rob. The 3 R’s.Reduce, reuse, recycle—just kidding.“You look amazing with this dress, Lia.” Rachel said, beaming at me while holding a cupcake. “Should I start calling you boss now? Huh? Huh?” She added and playfully bumped her hips against mine, teasing me with her brows moving up and down. It made the two laugh. I shook my head and playfully looked at her. “The boss told me about the 1-day delay of the finances for the materials for the malls. Including the employees’ salary. I also talked with the HR about it, and they told me they were ju
CHAPTER 10: Honey “I told you we were doing this in a month, not in 2 weeks—hey,” I smiled and waved a hand at Rachel, one of my co-workers when she gave a big wave at me from the other side of the place, too shy to come near us when she knew most of the media people around were focused on us. Well, not just the media people. Most, if not all people, actually. The main event has just finished, and the presentations were successful. The investors so far have been happy with what they were seeing, wanting to keep their investments, some even wanting to add more into the company. And most importantly, new ones decided to engage, which was one of the greatest goals of this event. It was successful and we could feel the hype of it all, but the huge news about our engagement added majorly to the hype we were getting, most especially from the media. Several reactions were made after the announcement. Most were shocked and surprised, some were happy, and some were mad—and we all know from
CHAPTER 9: The AnnouncementI know that after that kiss, there would be a little tensed atmosphere around us (because, of course! We just smooched!) but I expected a lesser awkward atmosphere (if that makes sense) and more comfortable feeling about being close with each other.But, when have I been right?As soon as we all walked towards the main venue for the event, Sir Troy and I became silent. We were in the middle of our little entourage and I didn’t know what to do.Why do I feel so suddenly awkward? Also, gone was his playful energy a while ago when he was doing all the acts and stuff. He just became silent and went back to being the cold stone—gorgeous cold stone, but still a cold stone that he was.I realized Sir Troy liked doing things unplanned for our act. Impromptu; which kinda makes it look organic and true—that I can agree. But since we still haven’t really discussed every tad bit of detail into this and basically winging most of these acts, I feel like I’m stepping on e
CHAPTER 8: DrowningAs soon as I walked out of the door, numerous eyes immediately went to me.“Oh my word! The devil himself will worship you on your feet when he sees you, Miss Hill. You look ah-mazing!”I smiled sheepishly at Gloom. “You sure?”An aggressive nod was what I got from him and the rest of the team. “Why, yes! Miss Hill! You look absolutely stunning! This white dress screams elegance but hot at the same time! And you for sure have to show off those curves! Mr. Sanford would want to take you home as soon as you walk inside the venue!” They all giggled.I looked at myself in the mirror and turned to the side, wanting to see my back. The dress I was in was white that covered just enough of my front, but the back showed most of my skin, just stopping at the right spot before it could show people my booty. It was skin-fit, but not that uncomfortable, and I had make-up that didn’t look much, but totally accentuated my features. Most especially my green eyes. My dark hair wa
CHAPTER 7: The Not-So Sweet Text I can’t believe I didn’t even think about the drunk man that just drove his car up to a post, almost killing himself, and just kept thinking about how my lips still tingled on the kiss that my boss gave me. Not just once! Not twice! But THRICE! For starters, the drunk guy was just injured on his leg, getting stuck due to the crash that dipped his car’s front. So, he’s okay, and I can tone down my conscience about not thinking about him at that very hour. Second, the paparazzis indeed took dozens of pictures of Sir Troy and I, lip-locking (I still can’t believe there will come a time I was going to say that!) and things started spreading around our ‘relationship’. I asked Sir Troy if he knew it was going to happen—due to the very perfect set-up to save me and do that thing he did—but he said he just thought of coming to me when he also had to get something beside the coffee shop that he forgot to tell me about, and the perfect opportunity just came
CHAPTER 6: Knight In Shining Armour“2 weeks?! Are you out of your mind?!”I pulled my phone away from my ear when Freda screamed that. “I know, but I can’t just decline the offer. He just offered everything I needed,” I reasoned, glancing over the place. When I saw I was still alone on the floor, no one walking along the hallway, I focused on the phone call again.“Yeah, and that’s in exchange for lying to everyone.” I sighed, sensing how Freda still couldn’t grasp the idea. It even took me an entire day to start absorbing the fact that I just agreed to this. And even up until now, I still couldn’t fully believe I’ll be Mrs. Sanford in less than a month.I don’t even want to know how Miss Annika would react to this, nor Mr. Peterson, and the other employees—or just everyone who knew us. I’m just so nervous about this!I heard Freda take a deep breath. “But I get it. Who wouldn’t say ‘no’ to that offer? The amount of it is almost unbelievable. He’s basically offering you a new life
CHAPTER 5: The Deal “W-WHAT?!” I exclaimed after buffering for a couple of seconds. Sir Troy just looked at me in that same ‘Do-I-look-like-I’m-kidding?’ face of his. But I certainly want him to kid around right now! “M-marry you?” I repeated in shock. He nodded. “Yes. I have found the way to get the deal with Mr. Peterson. That is for you to marry me,” he said so calmly. Too calmly and business-y for my own liking. “W-wait, wait wait! You mean to say, you want to get married to me so you could have the deal with Mr. Peterson?” I frantically said, panicking. Well, who wouldn’t? “You just basically repeated what I said.” The boss said. Smartass! I shook my head. I breathed in and out. I looked at him again. “But why me? Why can’t you just ask Miss Annika to marry you?” I know I said something about that hurting the latter and she deserved better, but heck! My life is on the line here! “I don’t want to be tied up in a marriage—“ I cut him off and raised a hand in front of hi