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5 days ago....
*Bang!*
Countless gunshot was heard all throughout the field.
Athena observed him from a distance, they are on a firing range. Semper is currently practicing his shooting skills when it comes to firearms.
"That's him?"
She blankly said, assessing his body proportion and his looks.
"Yes CEO."
Her Assistant, Lia Haze agreed, giving her the brown envelope she asked Cain to make.
She checked what is inside.
"Semper Fausters. The 2nd Son of the Fausters Group. Despite being the 2nd Son, CEO Arthur Fausters said that he is a promising candidate for the seat."
She scanned the profiles inside the envelope. Informations all about him. His age, birthday, blood type, travel histories and etc.
'Not bad...'
She thought to herself as she saw his achievements.
Semper Fausters.
At the age of 19, already a 3rd Year college just like her. He likes art and music. Won numerous painting contests for 5 consecutive years. A multilingual. Can speak English, Korean, Nihongo, Mandarin and French fluently. An overachiever and one of the highest grossing student of his school year with an average of 1.1 GPA. He's visually pleasing and a heart-throb on his school too.
Wise, Talented and Rich. All that you can ask for a man of your dreams.
"What do you think?"
Athena asked Cain who just arrived, leaning on the railings of the lobby and watched Jake fire his bullets.
"Well if you're talking about assets, talents, appearance and prestiges... He's a top candidate indeed."
Cain made it simplier than ever. One wrong word and he'll transcend to heaven.
"Besides, I think the two of you will click. He's the most suitable partner."
He winked at Athena. Athena just looked at him blankly but with disgust.
'partner... You say....'
"Should we set a meeting tonight, Ms. Cha?"
Athena looked at Lia, giving her Semper's profile and started to walk to the stairs.
"I'll try and meet him first."
She said, finding Semper just finished his practice session. Lia bowed her head while Cain just stared at her, watching her leave the lobby and go towards Semper's position.
She reached the firing range, walking with confidence. Everyone are stopping on their tracks just to look at her.
"Mr. Fausters?"
Except him.
Athena held his shoulder the moment they bumped into each other but he didn't even noticed her presence.
Semper looked at the hand on his shoulder, then glanced on Athena's eyes with a blank expression.
"The second son of the CEO of the Fausters Group, Semper Fausters"
Jake just looked at her hands on his shouldwr once again and swept it away from him.
"That's not me."
He nonchalantly answered and walked towards the exit door. Haerin followed him...
"I am Athena Saavedra of the Nexus Group. Does that ring a bell to you?"
She asked him with a smirk. Semper halted on his track, slowly turning around.
"No."
He shortly replied, finally leaving the firing range. Athena was flustered and shocked. She ran towards where Semper walked in.
"Stop wasting our time Mr. Fausters, I am here for the business."
"You're just wasting your time Ms. Cha. And mind your own business."
Semper didn't even looked at her and proceed to walking towards the parking lot.
"I suppose the chairman of the Fausters group already told you about me so you can refuse all you want. But deal is a deal. Can you just hear me out for a second?"
Semperp stopped. They are already on the parking lot and in front of his car. He walked so fast to the point that Haerin was almost running just to keep up with his pace.
" Is this all about the marriage proposal?"
Athena nodded her head.
" What do you think about it? This will benefit the two parties in the future. It's not just on our side, but on yours too."
She asked him. Semper looked away.
" I'm not interested."
" You're not interested with taking your father's seat?"
" Yeah. Not at all. "
'Unbelievable. '
She thought to herself with disappointment and fluster.
"and how come?"
"My brother is better at me when it comes to handling things. You should marry him instead."
He opened his car door. Before he can even went inside, Athena pushed it back to close it and leaned unto the door, preventing him from opening it again. Semper locked her with his arms and stared at her eyes.
" Move. "
They tested each other by glaring into each other's eyes. No one wants to break the eye contact. No one wants to lose.
'Something is not right about her...'
He thought to himself, gazing at her.
Semper began his stream of thoughts, analyzing her moves and words one by one.
" I heard you fell in love already Mr. Fausters."
'She' s playing mind games.... '
"I bet she's no better than me."
'Way too confident?'
"You judge people too quickly Ms. Saavedra. "
His face went closer to hers. Athena didn't even flinched and relaxed her back on the car
'No- Arrogant.'
"We all did. Aren't you judging me too?"
"Fair enough."
Athena smirked and looked around, seeing no one on the parking lot.
"So then what about me? Have you finished your assessment, Ms. Saavedra?"
Athena looked at him with mischief, trying to figure out what he is thinking.
"You made it sound like such a bad thing Mr. Fausters." She fixed his collar and looked at his eyes. "But aren't you doing the same thing right now?"
'Cunning.'
Semper faked a smile, Taking her hands away from his suit and putting them down.
"I think you are taking this business too personal Mr. Fausters."
Athena flashed a smirk. Semper smirked back.
"I see... What do you think about this marriage proposal of yours Ms. Saavedra?"
He asked again. Her eyes were now enveloped with confusion, as if the question was formed out of the blue.
"As i've said, It's business."
'egotistic.'
"I figured you'd say that."
"A mutually-beneficial arrangement. Isn't that fair? I can't see any problem."
"You think a marriage like that will last? "
Semper cupped her chin and raised her upward. Haerin smirked with the tease.
"I believe that's the only kind that can actually last."
'and cold.'
Athena closed her eyes and waited for Semper's lips to clash unto hers. His face moved slowly towards Athena's, closing the gap between their lips.
But before their lips can even meet, Semper pulled away, leaving Athena hanging.
"I get it now."
He looked at her boringly.
"Why it seems like i hate talking with you right from the start." Athena slowly opened her eyes and looked at Semper's."I'm sorry but unlike you, a shallow relationship like that..."
He made sure to put emphasis and patience on his words so that Haerin can understand.
"It doesn't interest me in the slightest"
He sharply said and pulled her wrist towards him and away from his car.
He leaned unto her and whispered something memorable.
"Please go HIRE someone else to marry."
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