Billionaire Enemy wants me

Chapter 2

Andreza Smith

Today is Sunday and during lunch, I talk to my father about what's happening with Stela and ask him to schedule an interview with Ivan so she can complete and submit her work on time.

My foolish cousin always makes up an excuse not to see us, but with Mr. James Smith calling personally, he can't refuse.

As I expected, as soon as Dad calls Ivan, he quickly finds time in his schedule to meet with Stela.

But I'm not letting this go easily!

Ivan is my cousin and always tells me I'm his favorite, but lately, he's been acting strange, to the point where he didn't even want to see me when I went to the group headquarters with Stela a few days ago.

As if I had to make an appointment to talk to him at our company's headquarters.

But I'll deal with that later in person when I see him, because I urgently need to tell Stela the news right now.

I give Dad a hug and rush to call her.

I need to share this news as soon as possible and calm my friend who has little time to finish the work and meet the deadline.

***

Ivan Smith

Just what I needed!

Today, on a Sunday, my uncle calls wanting me to meet my cousin's friend for an interview that's part of their university work.

As if I didn't have enough work already, now I have to find the time where I have none to fit this girl in and give this darn interview.

This has Andreza written all over it, that's for sure.

A few days ago, she was at the group headquarters twice wanting to talk to me, but I couldn't see her because I was too busy.

I always joked with her, saying she was my favorite, and I think she still sees me as the Ivan from a few years ago.

Little does she know my life changed completely after I took over the company from my father.

My cousin is a good girl, I love her very much, but I don't have time for games, much less to be as I was before.

I lived in Montreal, Canada, and when my father died, I had to return to California and take his place in the company.

Being an only child, this responsibility fell on me.

There's also my cousin, Carlos, who could take over the company, but he prefers to work as an operations manager so he can have time to enjoy life, as he says. He's already rich enough as my uncle's heir, so he doesn't take life too seriously, and it ended up falling to me, knowing that Andreza will never take over the company either.

My father and uncle built the company together from scratch. With a lot of effort and work, they managed to make it one of the largest in the business sector, with several branches worldwide, which only increases my workload.

Carlos helps me a lot, but the real work, the heavy part, falls on me, taking up all my time.

I used to be a good person, but not anymore.

In the business world, you have to be sharp, fast, shrewd, cold, and emotionless because if you're not, you lose everything, and people take advantage of your weakness.

In this world, you can't have feelings; after all, only power and money matter.

That's how I became one of the most successful businessmen in the world. Almost everything in this city belongs to me, which has tripled the value of my fortune and my uncle's.

People say I'm a machine, a robot without feelings, without relationships, without love.

I don't get involved with women; for me, they only serve to satisfy my physical needs.

Nothing against those who like dating and serious relationships, but for me, that's not my thing.

The only women I care about in this life are my mother, my aunt, and my cousin. No one else matters.

***

Stela Gomes

Andreza just called me and said she managed to schedule the interview with her cousin for tomorrow. From what I understood, she asked her father to contact him and set a time.

Now I'm more nervous because I know I only got this done due to Mr. James's intervention, as even she couldn't speak with her cousin.

I'll get everything ready for tomorrow morning to avoid wasting time and risk being late.

***

God, why does it have to dawn so quickly?

It feels like I only slept for a few minutes, and I'm still exhausted.

Last night I stayed up late catching up on the subjects I missed on the days I was absent, but I'll get up soon, after all, I don't want to be late for my appointment this morning.

I look in the mirror and am satisfied with my appearance, a smart but modest outfit, and light makeup.

I don't like anything extravagant and much less drawing attention.

I quickly have breakfast, as after the interview, I'll go straight to the university.

I kiss my grandparents and leave the house heading to the Smith group.

Arriving at the building, I take the elevator to the top floor, where the Smith group's presidency sector is, and the CEO's office is located. In other words, Andreza's feared cousin, who Andreza insists is a good person.

As soon as the elevator doors open and I enter the presidency floor, I'm promptly greeted by the CEO's secretary, who asks me to wait a moment.

I do as she asks while she makes a call and announces my arrival.

— Mr. Smith asked the young lady to wait a moment — she says as soon as she hangs up the phone.

— All right — I reply to her with a smile.

She shows me where I can wait.

Everything here is very beautiful and luxurious, and for a while, I get distracted observing the place, but after two hours of waiting, the feared CEO finally asks me to enter his office.

As soon as I enter, I see Mr. Smith with his back turned, talking on the phone, so I stand in the middle of the room, waiting for him to finish the call.

But what I didn't expect happens, as soon as he turns in my direction, I can't believe what my eyes are seeing. He is the same handsome, cold, and arrogant man I bumped into the other day.

My God, I can't believe this man is Andreza's cousin!

— So you're my cousin's friend — he says with a look that would scare anyone. — The stupid girl who doesn't know how to watch where she's going. Because of you, I was late for an important meeting — he adds with a look of disgust.

I don't even have the words to respond to anything.

"If I'd known it was you, I wouldn't have wasted my precious time seeing you. I'm a busy man and don't have time to give interviews to college students. Get out of here right now."

He insults me and throws me out without even listening to what I had to say.

I confess that I feel like shouting at him.

What an arrogant jerk!

He thinks he owns the world.

"I say the same to you, Mr. Smith. If I'd known you were the same jerk who can't accept an apology, I wouldn't have wasted my time coming here." I turn my back and leave the room, slamming the door.

I couldn't care less if he thinks I'm rude.

I stop in front of the elevator, devastated. After all, I couldn't do the interview, and the deadline for this damn assignment is looming.

I don't know anyone important, and I'm at a loss for what to do.

When the elevator doors open, I come face to face with Carlos, Andreza's brother.

As soon as he sees me, he breaks into a smile.

"Hey, Stela, I was just looking for you. Andreza told me you'd be here to interview Ivan. So, how did it go?" he says, all cheerful.

"It was awful, your cousin is a total jerk. He didn't even let me speak before kicking me out, after making me wait for two hours." I tell him everything that happened.

"Listen, I think I can help you," he says, looking into my eyes. "From what Andreza told me, this interview is part of a university project for you guys."

I nod.

"I'm not as important as my cousin, but we can say I also have a certain degree of importance as one of the heirs of the Smith group," he says with an amused look.

Wow, this is my saving grace!

How did I not think of this before?

For sure, Carlos is also an important person in society as the heir to his father's share in the group.

I don't think twice before giving him a tight hug; he's my saving grace.

"Let's go, I'll take you to lunch because I have something important to tell you, and then we can do the interview," he says, already entering the elevator, and I follow him.

We soon arrive at the parking lot and head to a restaurant.

And wow, what kind of restaurant is this?

It's a huge, elegant place, and I feel a bit embarrassed by how I'm dressed.

Carlos requests a private room, and the receptionist immediately escorts us. A waiter hands us the menu as soon as we settle in.

"Wow, Carlos, you didn't have to bring me to a place like this. I don't even know what to order; I don't recognize anything on this menu."

He looks at me and chuckles.

"Relax, Stela, I'll take care of the order, and I'm sure you'll love the food here."

He quickly places the order with the waiter, and I don't understand a word he's saying.

I hope the food's really good because I'm starving.

Once he's done ordering, the waiter leaves, and it's just the two of us in the room.

"Stela, before we start the interview, there's something important I need to tell you."

I notice Carlos has a strange expression, like something's bothering him.

— I want to apologize for what I did on Andreza's birthday night at the bar. I was already drunk and not thinking straight. I really hope you can forgive me.

Wow, I really didn't see that coming!

Carlos is trying to help me, and of course, I will forgive him.

— Of course I forgive you, Carlos. Let's put that behind us, but make sure it doesn't happen again. You gotta learn to control yourself and not drink so much.

— I'll keep myself in check, and next time I drink, I promise I won't kiss you — he says, laughing and winking at me. — Andreza told me what happened with your grandfather and I hope you know you can count on me for anything you need, anytime. Don't hesitate to call me.

His words really touch me.

Carlos is a good person, just like Andreza, totally different from his arrogant cousin.

— Thanks, Carlos, but everything's fine now. My grandfather has already recovered and is at home.

Soon our order arrives and we have lunch while chatting. I finally get to do the interview with him, and it couldn't have gone better.

I was impressed with Carlos; he really knows how to be professional when he needs to be.

As soon as we finish, I thank him and we say goodbye.

Carlos returns to the company, while I head to the university.

As soon as I get there, Andreza asks how the interview with her cousin went. I tell her everything that happened and even have to explain about the incident when I accidentally bumped into her cousin, not knowing it was him, on the day my grandfather fell ill.

— Wow, I don't get why Ivan acts like that, like he's some kind of ogre. He's changed a lot since my uncle passed and he had to take over the company.

— Don't try to defend him just 'cause he's your cousin. He was rude, didn't even let me explain, and just kicked me out of his office right away. Thank God your brother showed up and saved the day.

— Yeah, I don't know why I didn't think of my brother sooner, but I thought interviewing Ivan would be better for you.

— I know you meant well, Andreza, and I really appreciate it, but your cousin's not exactly sociable.

She starts laughing.

— Yeah, you're right, Ivan's really becoming like that. But let's get to class; we've got lessons for the rest of the afternoon.