Desire Play

A new deal it is then

I looked up and he was staring intently towards me. I could not see his intent gaze. I immediately grabbed Martha’s hands to help me. I might have agreed for marriage but am not ready yet to face him alone. She pressed her hands on mine and assured me. I nodded without looking at him and proceeded to my dad’s study for a little quiet. I could hear his footsteps behind me and his eyes on me. I turned the knob of the door and switched on the lights, still feeling the presence of my dad working on his laptop behind the desk. As if on cue he cleared his throat and I mentally facepalmed myself “He is behind you. Be confident.” I turned around and felt awkward. He was a total stranger, what if he is going to kill me and feed to his dogs. What if he sells me in black market or worse make me his s*x slave. Overthinking again. “Please come in and have a seat” I welcomed him in the study. “This is the second time I am entering this study and looks just the same.” My inner monologue was astonished at this revelation. My stomach was in knots, he knew dad. He continued speaking looking at a distance from the window. “I was 19 when my father died due to cardiac arrest. I had joined him recently and his untimely demise left me in utter loneliness. You see Eve the business community can be intimidating for newcomers. Well, I was not a newcomer, but I was inexperienced. Your dad supported me. I am in debt to Charlie and Catherine, always will be. He is like a mentor to me. Without his support my empire would be lying in dust. He not only gave me his advice but a family and a friend too.” He turned to look at me ”I remember one time you came in to ask his permission for a trip.” I was staring at him. I do not remember meeting him. I realized he was waiting for me to speak. I straightened my back “I do not remember meeting you.” He chuckled and took a seat in front of me. “Let me formally introduce myself. I am Andrew Knight.” I took his hand and gave him a confident handshake. His hand was so warm and touch felt so familial, I bet hugging him would be more fun. I shut up the inner talk and smiled at him. “I am Evangeline Smith. You can call me Eve.” He grinned. “ This is the exact line you told me when we met earlier.” I gave him a puzzled look. How can my mind forget this hottie in front of me. Never mind.

“I have a proposition for you. Martha, your well-wisher thinks you will be well off if you get married with carefully drafted prenuptials. But why do I sense you are not ready for a marriage. Honestly neither do I. My mom is excited though.” So his mom also knows me. I am worried, my mind slipped these many people.

“I have been told that our position in the market is not good and we need investors. But the investors are not ready to invest until we give them off a large chunk of our business. So here you come into the picture as a merger.” I completed in a breath. I know the consequences of a yes and a no, it would be disastrous and we need him now.

“Okay. I know this. But instead of jumping to a marriage, we can walk on a different route, dating. Eve would you like to date me?” I blinked my eyes. “Why?” I said that out loud and he started laughing “So you are sure you want to marry me?” I felt embarrassed and I was blushing profusely. I looked at him, he looked so carefree to be a billionaire. “Jokes aside. I don’t need you to marry me to help you. This merger will happen and the conditions will be the same. We need to lure in more investors and to accomplish this task we are going to date and you will be my fiancé. When time comes in we can depart to our own ways. If you want you can lead your company with me assisting you or I can do it on your behalf, your wish.” I can have my life back was the only thought in my mind racing.

“Why a sudden change?” I enquired, genuinely curious what made him change his mind.

“You. A merger should not be the reason for such a lovely relationship.” My heart skipped a beat. A gentleman. “This way we can increase the trust of other investors and the company is in good hands. Once you have established yourself then we can decide further course of actions. What do you think?” Sure and I will be a free bird and my company will be mine and am happy in a really long time. “Yes.” I nodded. We got up and made our way back to the living room. They must be wondering why our discussion is taking a longer time. Martha's eyes were questioning me, I nodded and took my seat. Andrew explained everyone about our decision. Martha asked a few questions and gave me a hug. “You, my sweet child, have the power to change the course. Best of luck.” Andrew was talking to his lawyer and I was looking at him trying to understand what made him change his mind. Since 3 weeks they were adamant for the merger and a marriage but suddenly he is rearranging everything. He approached me with eyes entirely on me. “So fiancé`, when are we going to make it official.” I blushed. He touched my cheeks, and I am very much aware that we are the last two persons remaining in the room, everyone left. Tia barged in breaking the moment. “A little celebration, Love birds.” I could not be more embarrassed. I want to strangle her to death. He gave a hearty laugh “And you must be Eve’s friend because she is a single child.” I could not turn and say something meaningful. “Handsome and brains. You are a deadly combination.” Tia purred in my ears but it was audible enough for the entire room. Andrew grinned, shook his head and expectantly asked me “Can I meet Catherine?”