The Billonaire's Forgotten Bride

Chapter 2: The First Meeting

Aurora's POV

The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual. Not because I was nervous, at least that was how I convinced myself.

I stood in front of my closet, staring at the rows of clothes, not knowing which to pick. Just then, Elena entered.

“Wear this”

She didn't wait for me to ask her before reaching for a simple and elegant black dress.

“Thanks, I love this.”

I collected it from her.

“Anytime, my love. You know you have no taste,” she teased.

“Shut up.”

I laughed and smacked her playfully. I wore the dress, and it was just perfect. My eyes caught my reflection in the mirror as I adjusted the dress. I've changed my look, my nose looks smaller now. I twirled my long hair in my hands, inspecting my appearance.

“Be fast, your driver is downstairs.” Elena reminded me, and I nodded.

I picked out some simple jewelry and long stiletto heels to match the dress. She handed me my phone and the folder she was holding after I was done.

The Ashford Proposal.

“Anything interesting?”

I asked while tucking my phone into my bag.

“Nothing we haven't already discussed.”

I opened it, and I flipped through the pages slowly; I didn't want to miss a thing.

“They are offering us more than market value.”

They are really desperate to get this partnership, I thought.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

She shrugged. “That's what we are going to find out.”

I closed the folder and returned it to her.

"Good."

She studied me for a moment.

"Are you sure about this?" She gave me a concerned look.

I looked at her.

"About the partnership?"

"About going there."

I didn't answer immediately. I thought about it before I replied.

"I'm sure."

Elena nodded, then she turned toward the door.

"Aurora?"

"Yes?"

"If you ever change your mind..."

I smiled faintly to reassure her.

"I won't.”

She took my hand and squeezed it gently. We entered the elevator, and I took another look at the proposal.

****

The Ashford Group headquarters building rose above the city as if it owned it. I stepped out of the car and looked up at it, nothing had changed.

People moved through the building in suits. Everybody had a controlled expression.

We walked through the revolving doors, and the receptionist immediately stood up.

“Good morning, ma'am.”

Before she could finish, Elena interrupted her.

“This is Ms Aurora Blake, the CEO of Blake Biotech.”

The receptionist's eyes lifted.

“Welcome, ma'am. Mr Ashford has been expecting you.”

As he should, I thought, but I gave her a polite smile instead.

“Then lead the way.”

As we entered the elevator and the door closed in front of me, I saw my reflection in the mirror walls.

My hands were steady, but my heart was beating crazily. I took deep breaths to calm myself. The moment the elevator door opened, a male voice welcomed us.

“Hello, Ms Blake.”

I looked up to see a tall man standing a few feet from us. He looked so much like Damian except for the blue eyes and the height. He is not as tall as him. I guess he is the half-brother that delivered the invitation.

“I am Collins Ashford.”

My heart skipped. My doubts were confirmed. He offered his hand for a handshake, i stared at it for a second before taking it.

“Aurora Blake.”

He held on for some time before letting go.

“It's a pleasure to meet you finally, Ms Blake.”

I forced a smile.

“Likewise.”

His eyes moved to look at Elena and he nodded at her.

“This way, ma'am.”

I nodded, and we followed him.

We walked down the hallway before we arrived at a large door that looked like a boardroom.

Collins opened the door.

“Ms Blake is here.”

It sounded more like a reminder to me than to them. I stepped inside, and everyone stood up to welcome me.

My eyes moved to scan the room, and they landed on Nelson Ashford, the director of Ashford Pharm.

Memories started flooding back to me. I stopped before they noticed anything.

I continued looking until my eyes landed on the man sitting at the head of the table.

Damian.

His piercing blue eyes met mine, and I could swear I saw something, but it disappeared immediately. My eyes lingered on him longer than they should have.

“Ms Blake”, he said.

His voice was calm, and his eyes were fixated on him.

“Mr Ashford," I answered with my almost shaky voice.

I took deep breaths to calm myself. I've planned this day for years, and I won't ruin it.

Collins pulled out a chair for me.

“Thanks.” I muttered to him.

“This is Ms Blake, CEO of Blake Biotech.”

“I believe everyone already knows that,” Damian said.

A few of the executives exchanged glances.

I took my seat, and Elena sat beside me. They sat back down, and Collins also walked to the other side of the table to take his seat.

Damian folded his hands on the table.

“Thank you for coming.”

“You're welcome.”

Nelson Ashford cleared his throat.

“Shall we begin?”

Damian glanced at him.

“Of course.”

A man sitting two seats away opened a folder.

“Blake Biotech's latest research has attracted a lot of attention in the industry.”

“I'm aware.”

He smiled awkwardly.

“Of course.”

Nelson Ashford leaned forward.

“We're interested in acquiring a significant stake in your company.”

I looked at him and bit back the response sitting at the tip of my tongue.

“Significant? No.”

The room went silent. I crossed my legs under the table, it gave me a bit of confidence.

“I don't sell pieces of my company.”

Nelson looked at Damian, but Damian didn't react. And I can swear I saw a bit of a smile on his face, but it disappeared immediately.

“Then perhaps a collaboration?” he asked.

“Perhaps”

He raised an eyebrow as if to question me. I met his stare without blinking.

“That's not a rejection.”

“No, it isn't.”

“What would change your mind?”

“That's what we are here for, isn't it?”

I asked with a raised eyebrow, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

“Yes.”

I returned the smile.

“Then let's talk.”

Damian leaned back in his chair, his eyes trained on me.

“Very well.”

He glanced at the folder in front of him.

“Let's discuss your terms, Ms. Blake.”

I opened my folder.

“Gladly.”

Damian opened the folder in front of him.

“Our proposal is for a thirty percent partnership.”

“That's too much,” I said immediately.

Some of the executives frowned.

“You haven't even heard the terms.” One of them replied.

“I don't need to.”

Damian looked up.

“Why?”

“Because I don't need Ashford Group to run my company.”

A few executives exchanged glances.

Damian leaned back in his chair.

“We're not trying to run your company, Ms. Blake.”

“Then why thirty percent?”

“Because your company is entering markets where our distribution network already has a strong hold.”

“I can build my own network.”

“You could.”

His eyes remained on mine.

“But it would take time.”

“And time isn't a problem for me.”

A man sitting near the end of the table cleared his throat.

“Ms. Blake, this partnership would give Blake Biotech access to…”

“I know what it gives me.”

I closed the folder.

“What I want to know is what Ashford Group gets.”

Silence

I saw that Nelson smiled from the side of my eyes.

“Straight to the point.”

Yes, you were too when you framed my dad.

“I'm here to do business,” I said instead

“Fair enough.”

Damian glanced at the documents in front of him.

“Ashford Group gets access to your latest research.”

“Not the research itself.”

His eyebrows lifted.

“Then what?”

“Distribution rights.”

One of the executives leaned forward to talk.

“That would reduce our return on investment.”

“Then the partnership isn't for you.”

Damian raised a hand before the man could respond.

“Continue.”

I looked at him.

“Blake Biotech retains ownership of all intellectual property, and Ashford handles distribution across its existing network. Neither company interferes with the other's operations.”

“And the percentage?”

“Ten.”

The executive beside Damian almost choked.

“Ten?”

I nodded.

“Ten”

Damian stared at me for a few seconds.

“Twenty.”

“No.”

“Fifteen.”

“Still no.”

“Thirteen.”

“You're negotiating with yourself.”

Collins laughed quietly, and Damian glanced at his brother.

“Something funny?”

Collins cleared his throat, and his face became serious.

“Nothing.”

I looked back at Damian.

“Ten percent. Nothing more.”

He studied me for a moment.

Ten percent, then.”

I blinked.

“That was easy.”

“I didn't say there wasn't a condition.”

I folded my arms, and gave him a stare.

“What condition?”

“The agreement must be signed within two weeks.”

“Three.”

“Two.”

“Three.”

“Two.”

I tilted my head, and leaned by back on the chair

“You're not very good at compromising.”

“Deal then?”

“Deal.”

“Welcome to Ashford Group, Ms. Blake.”

He held out his hand for a handshake, I smiled politely and accepted it. My heartbeat stumbled when his hand touched mine. His fingers closed around mine, and it felt familiar. I pulled my hand away almost immediately.

“I'm looking forward to working with you, Mr. Ashford.”

If only he knew what I was really here for.