Business Always

6 months later…

The wheels of his car come to a halt outside the building. I sit in the passenger seat for an extra second, recollecting my thoughts before the presentation I have to take part in.

His hands reassuringly hold mine, giving them a quick but much needed squeeze. His touch is warming and calming as always. I shoot him a smile.

He gets out the car, walking round to my side and opening the door for me. The small gesture puts a smug smile on my face.

"Always the gentleman," I say.

"When I've got a woman like you, I can't help but be one."

I involuntarily blush and reward his sweet words with a peck on his lips. His eyes linger on me for a moment longer before he leans in for another longer, deeper kiss. My eyes widen at the gesture, but I eventually relax and kiss him back. He grins in the middle of the kiss, obviously enjoying it, so I have to be the one to pull away.

He groans. "Being a little late won't hurt anyone."

"I have to be the one who gets this company. I can't afford to mess up," I say.

"I think you're forgetting that I have an incredibly successful company too," he shamelessly brags. "But I'd still rather be here with you."

I roll my eyes and take his hand in mine, literally dragging him behind me into the building.

It’s a meeting with many of the top businesspeople in the country, which is why he came with me as well. It’s more like an auction of who can offer the best deal for new emerging companies to work with them.

Usually, I'm not the type to attend these degrading things where I need to beg people to work with me. But this time, the company is an engineering company that I know Eva Enterprises will heavily benefit from.

The security at the building checks us both in, and we walk towards the elevator. I press the button to call it down, aimlessly staring around the large glass and metal interior of the building.

A small gasp escapes me as he swiftly grips my waist, his large hand encapsulating me. The elevator rings, and the doors slowly open.

I'm pleasantly surprised to see that the elevator, which is already fairly small for such a large building, is empty.

"After you, my lady.” He smiles, gesturing for me to go forward. I roll my eyes but smile at his continuation of being a 'gentleman.'

The building has 70 floors, and it is exhausting just to look at the buttons on the elevator.

"We're on the top floor," I tell him so he can press the button.

"We have a lot of time on our hands, then," he murmurs lowly.

"Yes, we do." I place a hand on both of his shoulders, pulling him closer to me.

My breath hitches in anticipation of his kiss. His lips haven't even touched mine, and I can hear my breathing already getting heavier. He smirks knowingly before placing quick kisses on my neck, which is exposed due to the lower-than-usual neckline of my blouse.

His hands rest on my bum as his lips travel up my neck and finally rest on mine. He kisses me twice. One is a short kiss from which he quickly pulls away, looking at my face briefly before diving in again.

The second kiss is slower, deeper, and makes my heart beat faster. My hands move so one is on the back of his neck and the other is holding his face.

I can feel the sharp bone of his jawline, which I trace with my fingers as his lips fight mine. We both try to dominate the kiss, like 2 swords clashing in battle.

One of his hands travels up and settles in my hair. I’m worried my hair will be ruffled for the meeting, but I don't care enough to ruin the moment between us.

"I can't believe you're mine," he breathes out, resting his forehead on mine.

"Better believe it." I smile and give him a small peck.

I look at the small screen in the elevator to see that we're on the 68th floor and will be arriving to the meeting soon. I look in the mirror that the elevator had and fix my dress and hair to make myself more presentable.

The top floor is one entire massive meeting room, and I can see that everyone is already there and waiting for us as we come out of the elevator.

My face instantly goes red at the embarrassment, but he's unfazed.

"Mr and Mrs Chopra. Finally!" Mr Russo excitedly greets us.

I look around the meeting table, and everyone is already there.

Mia Alesky.

Hiroto Takahashi.

And Xavier King.

I chuckle awkwardly at what Mr Russo says, avoiding eye contact with Xavier, who's staring at me like a hawk. "We're not Mr and Mrs Chopra yet." I show him my hand, which has a gorgeous sapphire and white gold ring on it. "See? No wedding band just yet."

"Shall we get started, then?" Alexander's prominent British accent breaks the brief silence. Everyone nods in agreement, and we all settle down.

I sit opposite Alexander at the long rectangular table with people I don't know around me. Xavier sits on the same side as me, but he’s far away enough that I don't have to see him, and I’m sure he can't see me.

I haven't seen him since the day I left him in his office, and seeing him for the first time since I’ve been engaged to another man probably in't the best way to face him again.

However, it’s better to see him now and get it over with as it’s inevitable. We’re both incredibly successful businesspeople both based in New York. I'd end up seeing him one way or another. In fact, I’m actually surprised I’ve managed to avoid him for 6 months.

"Hey, guys." A fairly young man leads the presentation. "We're Atlec, an engineering team ready and looking forward to working with one of you!" he says enthusiastically.

After an informative and well-displayed presentation, he allows us all to offer him deals. I, along with Xavier and Alexander, stay silent at the start of the deals to let the smaller competition die out.

It takes a good half hour before we start talking, and it's me, Alexander, and Xavier left in the room, along with Mr Russo and the Atlec team.

"Speak, billionaires." Mr Russo gestures for us to begin bartering.

"60 million," Xavier says monotonously. His eyes are fixed on the table, and he doesn't look up. He has moved so he's only 2 seats away from me, mindlessly fiddling with his credit card as he speaks.

I turn around to see the presenter's eye light up as he's finally seeing some better numbers.

"75," Chopra says.

Before I can say anything, Xavier drops the 100-million-dollar bomb, and the presenter's jaw drops. Russo lets out a small chuckle at his reaction.

"I really don't think a new company is worth more than 100 million," Chopra says and gets up to leave. "I'll wait for you outside," he mentions to me before leaving the office. I smile at him and continue the meeting.

"I'm not going to offer more than 110," I say first. "You guys are new to the market, and frankly, I don't think you're worth it yet."

His face drops.

Xavier laughs to himself. "Good luck getting a client with that attitude," he mutters, but I hear it and ignore it.

"But I think 110 is a fabulous deal. Also, I'm in the medical business—so your work would help save lives," I remind him.

"Are you willing to top her deal?" he asks Xavier.

"I'll match it," Xavier says. "So now, choose between me and her."

I can see the amount of pressure on his face as his eyes flicker between us. He's silent for some time as he visibly struggles to make a decision.

"It's OK. Take your time," I reassure him. "It's not an easy decision."

"It isn't a typically hard decision either," Xavier says, putting the guy down.

"It's your company, and it's your choice," I say. I don't want to pressure him to work with me and not Xavier or vice versa.

I don't want to have any unnecessary talk with Xavier, which could possibly lead to an argument in front of a potential partner.

"Would you guys be willing to work together? Split the money and share the ownership?" he asks, and I have to give it to him: it’s a smart deal.

"Give them a moment to think over it," Russo says.

"I would do that deal with Mr King," I say. It’s purely in my benefit—I would pay half the money, but I would definitely use the engineers more.

Kings Corporate is a company that mainly runs shipping and selling other companies’ products, and I know a medical company would need the engineering company more.

Immediately after I say that, Xavier speaks. "I'm not working with her," he spits out. "You work with just me or without me."

Mr Russo looks a bit taken aback. "Xavier, don't let personal and professional relationships get mixed."

"I'm not," Xavier replies. "She runs a medical company, and I do shipping. There is no common ground between us."

"Well, I'm willing to work with you, with or without Mr King's involvement," I chip in.

"Then the deal is yours, Miss Davis," he says with a massive grin on his face. I smile victoriously and get up to shake his hand.

"Good job, Amelia." Russo pats me on the back after the guy leaves.

"Thank you for making me come to this," I say.

I decide to wait in the room awkwardly until Xavier leaves, but he holds the door open for me. "Ladies first."

I mutter a “Thank you” and walk out the door, where Alexander is waiting for me. He offers his hand, which I gladly take in mine. As we're about to walk away, a certain voice stops me.

"Miss Davis," Xavier says.

Alexander drops my hand. "I'll let you two talk. I'll be in the car." He kisses my cheek and walks toward the elevator.

"How can I help you, Mr King?" I ask politely.

"Congratulations," he says.

"You could’ve easily gotten that deal. I think you didn't want it, actual—"

"I meant on your engagement," he cuts me off. "It's not like you to keep these things private for very long."

It bugs me the way he spoke. The only reason my engagement to him was public was because he wanted it to be. He wanted all the tabloids and media to be speaking his name, and that's why I wasn't private about our relationship.

"This time it's real, so that changes things," I reply.

"I see."

"Is there anything more I can do for you now? I have to get back to Alexander," I say, trying to end the conversation.

"No. You've done enough,"

I'm silent. I don't know how to reply to that.

"I'll see you around, Miss Davis," he says and walks right past me.

I get into the car with Alexander. it's a silent and uncomfortable drive home for me.