Business Only

The chauffeur stopped the car outside the big hotel. The road outside the hotel was lined with a selection of expensive cars and successful people.

The Annual Businessmen Awards.

I cautiously stepped out of my limousine. As my foot pressed against the smooth concrete floor, I could hear the judgemental whispers of the crowd. 

Who is he wearing?

It's the 4th year he has no date.

I heard Kings Corp. is in loss.

I could feel the judgement from a mile away.

Regardless, I held my head high and sauntered into the hotel. The hotel reception was decorated immaculately in white and a soft blue in order to complement the purple lights.

The round tables, covered in white satin cloth, were scattered everywhere and seated high-class businessmen and socialites.

The bustle of light conversation was dying down as the presenter and sponsor of the event, Mr Ivan, was about to speak into the microphone.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," he began, "it is an honour to present the Annual Business—"

He was cut off by the large double doors reopening. A small gasp left the crowd at the audacity of someone who was interrupting Mr Ivan.

Quiet mutters throughout the room were heard, and the words 'disgraceful' and 'mannerism’ were repeated multiple times.

I leaned back in my seat, waiting for the event to recommence.

Her glossy black heels clicked against the sleek black tiles as her fingers danced to give a small wave across the floor to Mr Ivan.

Her eyes had a cheeky glint—she knew she was going to get away with being late since she looked absolutely breathtaking.

La.

She was wearing a tight nude dress that was sprinkled with jewels, which reflected off of the lights. Her perfect figure teased everyone's eyes as all the men and women alike couldn't stop staring at her.

I hadn't seen her in person since the divorce. Her dirty blonde curls were now a deep chocolate brown, making her look sultrier and more daring.

"I'm sorry I'm late." Her voice was like melted caramel. It had been 4 years, and she still had an alluring energy that captivated me.

"No worries," Mr Ivan awkwardly shook her off. You could tell he was hypnotized by her beauty. He cleared his throat before going on about the importance of business and other boring nonsense.

I couldn't get my eyes off of her.

She was here, representing her own company Eva Enterprises—which had quickly become one of the top companies in New York.

I guessed she used her divorce settlement money to jumpstart her business, and it worked very well. She was one of the top billionaires in New York in only 4 years.

"…and now for the recipient of the Businessperson of the Year award." Mr Divan's voice recaptured my attention. I fixed my tie and got ready to stand up. I'd gotten this award for the past 6 years.

I got up before he said my name, prepared to get up and collect my award.

"Miss Amelia Davis," he announced.

Shit.

This was so embarrassing. I played it off and began clapping—standing ovation.

She slowly got up and so seductively walked to the stage, her hips swaying. Before climbing up the steps of the stage, she looked at me.

I knew she was looking at me since I was the only loser standing up.

And she winked.

I just stood and continued clapping with everyone else, congratulating her with my gesture.

When the applause died down and I was back in my seat, she cleared her throat before speaking into the microphone. It would normally be too tall for her, but her heels made sure she can reach it.

"I would like to thank the association for believing I am good enough for this award. Thank you so much." It was short and sweet.

"Miss Davis, I think the question we all have is how? How did you manage to become so successful so fast without any investors or partners?" Mr Ivan asked her.

"It's quite simple." She paused and looked me dead in the eyes. "Dependence leads to disappointment, and I don't need anyone anymore."

She flashed a quick smile and posed for a photo before walking off of the stage.

I thought she was going to go back to her seat and remain for the rest of the event, but she left the hotel after collecting her award.

Helplessly, I followed her. I didn't know what it was, but my legs moved to follow her, and I managed to catch her before she left.

"How can I help you…Mr King?" She said my name like it was a question. I didn't know if she was playing with me or if she genuinely had no care for me.

Her eyes had no emotion—not even hate or disgust. She'd just forgotten me. My eyebrows furrowed as I analysed her up close.

Her makeup was done in a way that made her irresistible: dark eyes and blood red lips. She looked like a tease, and from what I'd seen today, she acted like it too.

She waved her hand in my face to catch my attention. I realized I'd just been staring at her.

"U-um." I cleared my throat. "I just wanted to congratulate you on your win. Last time you were here…" I began rambling. "…the situation was very different."

"Four years ago, I was here as your wife, Mr King. Today, I'm here as your competition, and from what I can see—I'm winning." She smirked and held her award in a way like she was showing it off.

"I already have 6 of those, Miss Davis," I deadpanned. I wasn't going to be the only one who felt uncomfortable.

"There will be no 7th when I'm around.” Her pure smile contradicted her words, and she rolled up the window of her car and told her chauffeur to drive away, leaving me standing there alone.

I slipped my feet into glossy black heels as I applied a final coat of clear lipgloss onto my lips. A shower of perfume, and I was ready to leave.

I got into the white Range Rover that I had gotten in the divorce settlement from Xavier.

I wanted to get rid of everything he had given me, throw it all away and get it by myself, for myself. Unfortunately, the one he gave me was a very limited edition, and I wouldn't be able to repurchase it.

I glanced at my watch. It was the first thing I had bought for myself when my business first became a billion-dollar company—I wasn't a fan of buying deluxe designer items, but it was nice to treat myself every now and then, especially when I deserved it.

The diamonds on it glimmered in the rays of the evening sun. I smiled at my watch. It was a symbol of my hard work and the effort I made to get this far.

I used the 20 million dollars as an investment to start Eva Enterprises, which sold medical equipment to hospitals and private headrest services.

That money helped me a lot. I didn't need to get extra help from investors or partners, meaning my company was 100% mine.

I guess I was grateful to Xavier in that sense.

Lost in my haze, I realized it was 6:30. Shit, the awards ceremony started at 6:30, and I wasn't even there yet.

I asked the driver to start the car as soon as I got in, and we got there soon enough. It was in the city centre, not far from where I lived or from where my company headquarters were.

When we finally arrived at the hotel, I saw that there were no cars in the front. Either everyone was late, or I was super late, and every single person had gone inside.

Damn it.

This was the first time I was attending a high-profile business event and I was late.

"Stay here. I'll be back soon," I told my driver.

The 2 doormen gave me a look while shaking their heads. I guess it was really bad that I was late.

I shrugged apologetically and went into the event room.

"Be nice and charming," I whispered to myself before the big double door creaked open.

A loud collective gasp escaped the room. Why was everyone so shocked that I was late?

Regardless, I walked confidently to my seat, giving a flirtatious wave to the speaker on stage and apologizing for my lateness.

I could tell he was hooked by how I looked. I was internally disgusted but used it to my advantage to quietly go and sit in my reserved seat.

"And the recipient of the Businessperson of the Year Award goes to Miss Amelia Davis," the presenter announced.

A whirlpool of emotions, mostly pride and happiness, overtook me, but I kept my calm. I walked to the stage and saw that Xavier was standing, probably because he thought he was going to get the award.

I turned my head slightly, just to look at him, and threw him a cheeky wink. An 'I'm much better than you' wink. A cocky wink.

He couldn't do anything about it, so he just continued clapping along with the audience, but I could decipher his embarrassment.

When I received my award, I just thanked everyone for it. I didn't want to do a lengthy speech. No one in that room deserved to know the emotions I went through and all the work that went into achieving this award today.

I guess the presenter, whose name I learned was Mr Ivan, didn't want me to leave the stage so quickly after my speech, so he asked me a few questions.

"Miss Davis, I think the question we all have is how? How did you manage to become so successful so fast without and investors or partners?" Mr Ivan asked me.

I looked under my eyelashes and set my eyes on Xavier while saying my answer.

"Dependence leads to disappointment, and I don't need anyone anymore," I said bluntly.

It was true. If I hadn't trusted and expected happiness from Xavier, I would never have lost it.

His face looked a little shocked—I didn't know if it was at my words or at the fact that I looked him dead in the eyes while saying it.

After I took my award, I walked straight out of the hotel. The only reason I went was because I wanted to know who would win, and luckily, it was me.

I knew how these parties went. The first hour or so was formal—then, it was drinking and dancing and, ultimately, hangovers.

I didn't have time for that. I had my own company to run the next day as well.

I strutted to my car, where my chauffeur was kindly waiting for me, and sat down. He was about to get out the car to open the door for me, but I stopped him and got in myself.

Before I could close the door, I saw the last person I wanted to talk to.

Mr Xavier King.

He held my door so that I couldn't close it. I rolled my eyes in annoyance and asked him what he wanted.

"I wanted to congratulate you on your win. Last time you were here, the situation was very different," he said. Was this his version of a congratulations?

He reminded me of the past, when I was his wife and helplessly in love with him. The weak Amelia.

"Four years ago, I was here as your wife, Mr King. Today, I'm here as your competition, and from what I can see—I'm winning." I smirked. I didn't feel bad as I knew he would've done the exact same thing.

"I already have 6 of those, Miss Davis," he said cockily. He had not changed at all.

"There will be no 7th when I'm around." I smiled before shutting the door and asking the chauffeur to start the car.

I finally got a chance to admire my trophy when the car started moving. It was a bronze woman holding up a star.

It was mine.

I held it close to my chest as I watched the sunset, deep oranges and reds flirting with the blue sky.