It All Started With A Bet

Chapter 4

Aaron POV

"Good morning, Mr. Blackford!! Reporting today's schedule. The contracts and files have been arranged on your desk, waiting for your signature. In the evening, you have a meeting with Mr. Smith and at night you have to attend the family dinner. Your mother specially called me yesterday to remind you." my secretary, Violet came by my side as soon as I entered the CEO floor of my company.

"Mr. Smith will be an important client so arrange for his accommodation near the company. Send a car to pick him up from the airport and also remember that he prefers a very clean environment. He is also allergic to Seafood. I want nothing to affect our cooperation. So make sure that everything went well or you will be fired" I ordered, walked into my office, and took a seat on my chair.

"Noted!" She spoke up.

"What about the information that was asked of you yesterday?" I looked at her eagerly waiting for the file.

"Here is all, I could get. Her identity seems special. It is like someone is purposely trying to hide her information" she handed me a thin black folder.

My eyebrows knitted in confusion.

"My team is best at digging information about a person. If they can't find it then she must have someone powerful behind her." I thought.

"Continue searching for it. I need details!" I told her.

"I will try my best" she replied

"You may leave now!" I dismissed her.

As soon as she left the office, I leaned back on the chair and opened the folder. I was surprised to find only a single sheet in it.

"Sera!" I spoke the name on the paper.

With a bang of the door, someone scurried into the office. I rolled my eyes while reading the document.

"Can't you come in with manners!" I taunted without looking up.

"No, my mother forgot to teach me some!" he sat on the seat in front of me.

"What are you doing here?" I questioned while looking at him.

He sighed then spoke up

"Father had some taken me to meet some clients, your office was on the way back so I decided to give you a visit"

Violet came in with two cups of coffee. As usual, Liam eyed her like an X-ray machine.

"You can leave now!" I said in an annoyed voice.

"You are no fun, Aaron!" he rolled his eyes at me.

"I like to keep business and fun separate"

"What are you looking at?" he asked.

I handed him the page

"Name: Sera Lucas

Age:23

Gender: Female

Studied at Paris French School

Lives in France

That's it? You got to be kidding me!" he spoke my mind. I picked up the hot coffee mug and spoke up.

"You think that she is sent by Elijah?" I suspected.

"Yeah, that's a high possibility! It might be his new trick to defeat you!"

"But why didn't she take action, yesterday? I gave her the chance!" My mind was confused as hell.

"Maybe her purpose is to gain your trust first and then took you by surprise when you are at your weakest moment. I bet, you will meet her again very soon" he declared.

"She had succeeded in that!" I mumbled as my thoughts wandered to the girl with grey eyes and night-black hair. She was a definition of a seductress. With a mature yet innocent glint in her eyes, I could tell that she was a strong girl. Her actions displayed that she loves to be in control. I couldn't get that picture out of my mind when her delicate body with a fair tone wrapped in a short black dress ground against me. She smelled as sweet as honey and as addicted as a drug.

"What did you say?" Liam's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Let's see what she is up to," I smirked at the thoughts running through my mind.

"So are you coming to family dinner tonight?" Liam asked while drinking his coffee.

"No, I don't want to see his face" I reviewed the document that was to be signed.

"Your mother gave me the task to bring you home at all costs. How about we go there for only half an hour? We will leave right after dinner" Liam tried to persuade me.

"Tell her that I have an important meeting tonight" my eyes didn't leave the file in my hand.

"That excuse is used way too many times. She won't believe that. Moreover, your mother told me that your father is gonna discuss something important with your brother tonight."

This perked up my interest

"Could it be about the upcoming shareholder meeting?" my eyes darted at him.

"It could be!" he let out.

"I will be there by eight" I announced.

"See you tonight!" he got up and left the office.

________________________________________

"Aaron!! I missed you" Cristal hugged me upon opening the door.

A smile made its way to my face upon seeing her after a long time.

"Step back, I don't want to be drenched in a sweet girly perfume" I teased her.

"Why are you so mean, brother?" she whined.

"Because I was born this way" I smirked and walked past her into the house.

"Mom! Brother is back" Cristal shouted from behind me.

My mom came from the kitchen. My breath hitched when I saw a dirty apron wrapped around her waist.

"Mom!" I tried to smile but failed to do so.

"Aaron! You are finally home. Sit, today I will be making dinner. Get ready for a delight" she said excitedly.

"But mom, you will be tired. Why don't you let the cooks cook the food? Come and sit with me" I tried to change her mind.

"I won't be tired. You came home after a long time. I must let you eat my cooking so that you will be home more often" she went inside the kitchen.

"Why didn't you stop her?" I whispered to Cristal.

"I tried, but she was bent on making dinner for her son" she walked with me into the living room.

"God bless our stomach!" I sighed.

"Well, I am on diet. Good luck bro!" she laughed.

"Let's see if mom will let you off the hook or not" I sat down on the couch and shuffled her perfectly arranged hair.

"Aaron!!" she threw the cushion on my face.

I was about to hit her back but stopped as my father walked into the room.

"Father!" I stood up to greet him.

"I thought you don't remember that your parents are still alive" His thick cold voice reached my ears.

"I was busy" I mumbled and sat back on the couch.

"You should learn from Elijah. Look how successful and busy he is yet he remembers his old parents and takes care of us unlike you.........." I wanted to stay away from his lecture-filled voice.

I was about to get up and leave when Liam came in.

"Hi! uncle, how are you?" he said with a wide smile.

"Hypocrite!" I rolled my eyes at him.

"Liam! I am fine. How is your father? Send my greetings to him" my father patted him on the back.

"Father invited you to play golf on Sunday and send this wine for you. He wanted to come but an urgent meeting stopped him" he told him.

"No problem, I will meet him on Sunday" he assured him.

"Valerio, call to check upon Elijah. Ask him when will he arrive?" Mother shouted from the kitchen.

"Brother, come with me. I want to discuss something with you" Cristal grabbed my hand to get up.

I eyed her but got up. Liam followed us as we went to the garden of the mansion

"What is it?" I was curious.

"Mom's birthday is coming next week. I want you to come with me and pick a gift for her" she told me.

"Why don't you select it yourself? I am not good in this field" I denied her.

"Don't you wanna meet our sister-in-law? I heard that she runs a boutique store" she whispered in my ear.

My eyes widened at the information

"Sister-in-law? Who? When? How come I don't know of this and how is she related to this gift selection?" I said in a low voice.

"Well, a few days ago, I heard father talking on the phone with someone. He selected a wife for Elijah. I don't know her name or her information. I only know that she runs a store named wardrobe." she explained.

"A wife for Elijah? What else did you hear?" I asked as I made her seated on the chair on the lawn.

"Father is gonna announce the engagement at mother's birthday party so I thought we can meet her before mother's birthday. We will go there as customers. Remember not to disclose our identities" her excited voice reached me.

I looked at Liam. His expression told me that he had the same thoughts as me.

"Looks like father had made his mind. But I won't let him do that to me!" I thought.

"Are you coming or not?" she inquired.

"I will arrange the plan for tomorrow" I declared looking at her.

"Remember to bring Liam along with you" she whispered in my ear.

"As you wish" I smiled at her.

"Thank you, brother! You are the best" her eyes wandered at Liam.

"You and your crush" I rolled my eyes at her.

She got up from her seat

"You cold-hearted man won't understand it!!" she shouted as she made her way back inside.

"What did she say to you?" he asked as he sat in front of me.

"Nothing, you have to come with me tomorrow. Let's see what his father is up to

this time!" my cold voice seemed loud in the silence.

"Do you have any idea who she might be?" he asked while looking around.

"To be honest, No! There are many candidates. But whoever she is, her family must be a strong one. Father aims to make a firm hold on Elijah. I have to stop this or I would never be able to become the President of the company." I mumbled.

I heard the sound of a car being parked in the garage.

"Speak of the devil and he is here. Let's head inside. I want this dinner to be over soon" I got up to head inside.

Liam nodded his head and we walked back.

"Elijah, how considerate of you. I will book an appointment with the doctor soon" I heard my father praising Elijah.

"You should take care of your health, dad!" he spoke up as I entered the living room.

"Elijah! Why are you here? I thought it was a family meal" I snickered.

"Aaron, Mind your words!" My father exclaimed.

"Am I wrong? He............" Mother interrupted me.

"Can't we sit in peace and have a meal" her soft voice calmed me.

I sighed and sat at the table where a variety of dishes were served. All of them followed my action and sat in silence.

I took a small portion of food because I knew how would it be like.

"Food is delicious, mother!" Elijah broke the silence. I rolled my eyes at his boot-licking behavior.

"Eat more, then" she smiled at him.

I slowly took the first bite. As ton as the food hit my taste buds, I realized that it was not as terrible as before.

"Your cooking improved!" I smiled and tried to compliment her.

"What does that mean? Was my cooking that bad, Valerio?" she gave her best puppy dog eyes to dad.

"My wife cooks the best. This brat doesn't know how to be grateful" he consoled her and glared at me to shut my mouth.

I smiled at my mother and resumed eating. My heart warmed at the love between them. The rest of the dinner went in usual small talks.

After dinner, I was about to leave when my mother pleaded with me to stay. I tried to deny her but her fake tears got the best of me and I agreed to stay but only for one night. Dad asked Elijah to stay too. Like a filial son, he obeyed his command.

I talked with my mother for a while and then went to my room to rest. After a while, I suddenly remembered that I left my mobile in the living room.

"Do you need anything, Mr. Blackford?" a maid asked.

"No" I replied flatly and picked up my mobile.

On my way back to my room, I walked past my father's office. I found it strange when I saw the light on from under the door.

"Didn't he go to sleep?" I thought and walked toward the door to check it out.

My hand paused on the door handle when I heard dad's voice from inside.

"Blade enterprises is dominant in the industry. Moreover, Stella is a promising girl. She is young and beautiful and she studied business management in France. She will help you in the future and her father will help you to become the President. It's a good deal. What do you think about it?"

"I have no objection. If you think it's the best for me and the company then I will marry her" Elijah affirmed.

"Stella is back, When?" shock struck me to the core.