The billionaire's lost game

Chapter 16. Humiliation

Marie was scared to the bone, “how could he invite her to such a huge meeting? Now everyone was glaring at her,” she thought to herself.

She raised her head a bit, meeting eyes with Verena. She hissed under her breath. “This is exactly what she was avoiding! Embarrassment and such rowdy attention,” she sneezed, pinching her nose to avoid noise.

Vincent was curiously focused on her, ignoring the meeting and its chaos. She could feel Vincent's gaze from where she sat, but she avoided his eyes.

“Can I interfere a bit,” Verena said from her seat, without standing up and the hall went quiet. Of course she carries power and pride. As the only female CEO in the board meeting, she draws attention and control.

Marie raised her head, directly staring at Verena. Unsure of what she wants to say. While Verena drifted her attention to Vincent.

“Mr. Vincent! I thought this meeting was a board meeting for CEOs and share holders? How come I’m seeing something unusual?” She mocked, raising her eyebrows. She turned towards Marie who already pulled her face down.

“Please! This board meeting is not a child's play!” She fired at Vincent.

Vincent already knew where her mockery was coming from, but he couldn't say a word. Being that the board meeting was to finalize the contract they started for months. He couldn't afford to say a word, or get her angry at that moment.

“I'm so sorry, but they are just here for clarification purposes. I'm sure they will leave immediately. They are done with what they are here for,” he said politely with a little bow. Marie buried her head in shame.

Marie swallowed so hard, that her anger increased to its peak. “Did Verena just humiliate her, and Vincent said nothing?” She growled silent, her fist tightening. “She could have just disobeyed him, humiliated him first before getting humiliated like this,” she muttered to herself. At that moment, the only thing on her mind was to walk out of the meeting room, but she wouldn't dare do that. Not when a contract is at stake. If she does anything that would affect the company, she doesn't mind facing Vincent but her respect for her mom's husband can never be overemphasized. She just kept mute and the meeting continued.

Immediately the meeting was concluded, Marie walked out without notice. She entered her office and took a long deep breath. She paced up and down, recalling what just happened in that meeting. She was furious and going crazy at the same time. “How could she say that in the presence of everyone? Did she hate her that much as to humiliate and embarrass in a business meeting?” She mumbled, raising her hands on her forehead.

Just she was about to settle down, the secretary came around. “Boss, wants to see you in his office,” she said and left immediately, not caring whether she heard it or not. She stared at her already gone figure.

“Why is everyone treating her with such attitude?” She whispered in confusion. The secretary just looked like she wants to tear her apart. “How long could she survive this?” She muttered as she picked up a document and headed to Vincent's office.

She reached the office, but his PA asked her to wait for him inside the office. “Please, he asked you settle down while waiting for him.” She went into the office and sat down. She couldn't wait for him standing, the day was already piled up with embarrassment and stress. At some point she stood up and headed towards the window, she looked down only to see Vincent and Verena engaging in a serious argument.

She watched with keen interest, if only she knew what they were arguing about. Verena looked like she wanted to throw a punch at Vincent, but Vincent looked like he was not agreeing to her words. After a while, Verena brushed him off and entered her car. She saw Vincent run his hands through his hair and turned towards the entrance.

She stepped out from the window, went straight and sat at the office chair, waiting patiently for him to come in.

“Hey!” He said from behind.

“Hi,” Marie replied without looking his way. He went straight and sat down. Running his hands on his forehead. He looked straight into Marie's eyes.

“Look, I'm sorry for her outburst, I…..”

“It's okay!” Marie cut him short even before he could conclude his statement. “I should go if that's why you called me,” she muttered as she stood up to leave. “By the way, I blame myself for all this, I could have disrespected you when you asked me to join the meeting!” She mumbled silently.

“I heard that! Clearly!” Vincent chuckled moving from his seat to where Marie stood. Marie looked him from head to toe, rolling her eyes at him.

“You were meant to hear it, afterall!” She scoffed.

“No matter how hard you are, just know that in this space, I am your boss. So the earlier you understood that, the better for us all,” he said tucking his hands into his pockets.

“And who is dragging your, Boss title, with you? She threw nonchalantly. “Please excuse me, Mr. Boss!” She hissed and turned to leave. Vincent dragged her by hands, pulling her to himself.

Marie could smell his firm masculine perfume, his breath was all over her face. He pulled her closer by the waist, such that she could hear his heartbeat. That air alone sent chills down her spine.

“You are crossing the line!” She whispered, moving her head away so they don't collide with his.

“Oh! Are my?” He mumbled I'm her ears.

The tension and emotions between them became intense that they looked deeply into each other's eyes. Marie was forcefully trying to pull away, she couldn't handle it anymore. Her whole body was burning hot, even under the air condition.

Just then the office door flinged wide open.