Business Only （BOOK 2 OF BUSINESS TRILOGY）

Chapter 1

Prologue

You threw me to the wolves without a second thought.

As I was slowly hunted.

But I am no prey.

Now my darling, you will pray.

Because I am out of my grave

Your downfall is what I crave.

I will put you through hell, for sure.

For it is what I have endured.

My tears were true, your love was fake.

As you lose, I will take.

I was never quite silenced.

CHAPTER 1

XAVIER POV

The chauffeur stopped the car outside the big hotel. The road outside the hotel is 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 saunter into the hotel.The hotel reception was decorated immaculately in white and a soft blue in order to compliment the purple lights.

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

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 begins " it is an honour to present the Annual Business-"

He gets cut off by the large double doors reopening. A small gasp leaves the crowd, at the audacity of someone possibly interrupting Mr Ivan.

Quiet mutters throughout the room are heard, the words 'disgraceful' and 'mannerless' repeated multiple times.

I lean back in my seat, waiting for the commotion to commence.

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

Her eyes have a cheeky glint - she knows she's going to get away with being late since she looks absolutely breathtaking.

Lia.

She's wearing a tight nude dress, sprinkled in 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 since the divorce, in person. Her dirty blonde curls were now a deep chocolate brown, making her look more sultry and daring.

"I'm sorry I'm late." Her voice is like melted caramel. It's been 4 years and she still has an alluring energy that captivates me.

"No worries," Mr Ivan awkwardly shakes off, you can tell he's hypnotised by her beauty.

He clears 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 quickly became one of the top companies in New York.

I'm guessing she used her divorce settlement money to jumpstart her business and it worked very well, she was amongst the top billionaires in New York in only 4 years.

"...and now for the recipient of the Businessperson of the Year award." Mr Ivan's voice re-catches my attention. I fix my tie and get ready to stand up. I've gotten this award for the past 6 years.

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

"Miss Amelia Davis." He announces.

Shit.

This is so embarrassing. I play it off and begin clapping - standing ovation.

She slowly gets up, and so seductively walks to the stage, her hips swaying. Before climbing up the steps of the stage she looks at me.

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

And she winks.

I just stand and continue clapping with everyone else, congratulating her with my gesture.

When the applause dies down and I'm back in my seat, she clears her throat before speaking into the microphone. It would normally be too short for her but her heels make 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's 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 and investors or partners?" Mr Ivan asks her.

"It's quite simple," she pauses and looks at me dead in the eyes "dependence leads to disappointment and I don't need anyone anymore."

She flashes a quick smile and poses for a photo before walking off of the stage.

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

Helplessly I follow her. I don't know what it is but my legs move to follow her and I manage to catch her before she leaves.

"How can I help you...Mr King?" She says my name like a question, I don't know if she's playing with me or if she's genuinely has no care for me.

Her eyes have no emotion, not even hate or disgust. She's just forgotten me. My eyebrows furrow as I analyse her from closer.

Her makeup is done in a way that makes her irresistible, dark eyes and blood red lips. She looks like tease and from what I've seen today she acts like it too.

She waves her hand in my face to catch my attention, I realise I've just been staring at her.

"U-um" I clear my throat. "I just wanted to congratulate you on your win, last time you were here," I begin 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 smirks and holds her award in a way like she's showing it off.

"I already have 6 of those Miss Davis." I deadpan, she wasn't going to be the only one who made me feel uncomfortable.

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

CHAPTER 2

AMELIA POV

I slip my feet into glossy black heels as I apply a final coat of clear lipgloss onto my lips. A shower of perfume and I'm ready to leave.

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

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

I glance at my watch, it was the first thing I bought 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 smile at my watch, it was a symbol of my hard work and effort I made to get this far.

I used the 20 million dollars as an investment into starting Eva Enterprises, which sold medical equipment to hospitals and private healthcare 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 for Xavier in that sense.

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

I ask the driver to start the car as soon as I get in and we get 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'm super late and every single person has gone inside.

Damn it.

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

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

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

I shrug apologetically and go into the event room.

"Be nice and charming." I whisper to myself before the big double door creek open.

A loud collective gasp escapes the room, why is everyone so shocked that I'm late.

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

I could tell he was hooked on 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 announces.

A whirlpool of emotions, mostly pride and happiness overtakes me but I keep my calm. I walk to the stage, and see that Xavier was stood up, probably as he thought he was going to get the award.

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

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

When I receive my award I just thank 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'm guessing the presenter, who's name I learn is 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 asks me.

I look under my eyelashes and set my eyes on Xavier whilst saying my answer.

"dependence leads to disappointment and I don't need anyone anymore." I say bluntly.

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

His face is a little shocked - I don't know if it's at my words or at the fact that I looked him dead in the eyes whilst 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 strut to my car, where my chauffeur is kindly waiting for me, and sit down. He was about to get out the car to open the door for me but I stop him and get in myself.

Before I could close the door I see the last person I want to talk to.

Mr Xavier King.

He hold my door so that I couldn't close it. I roll my eyes in annoyance and ask him what he wants.

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

He reminds 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 smirk, I didn't feel bad as I know he would've done the exact same thing.