When the Millionaire Fell Inlove

Eddie Thomson's POV "Eddie, can you join us?" one of the team leaders asked, standing in my office doorway. He already knew my answer but asked anyway, probably hoping for a different response this time. I glanced at him briefly before returning my attention to my laptop. "No," I replied curtly. "Again? Ed, you need to have some fun sometimes," he persisted, as if fun was an obligation. Fun? What's fun about being in a club, holding a glass of alcohol in a noisy, crowded room? "You all go. Just leave me alone here," I said, trying to sound annoyed enough to make him leave. This is my idea of fun. He stepped closer. "There's a new open bar with potential investors. It's not your usual environment, but they are investors. You can talk business while having fun," he explained. The word 'investors' caught my attention. I stopped typing and considered his words. "You said investors?" I confirmed. "Yes, Ed. Investors. We’ll be with our shareholders, and they might introduce us to their friends. Who knows?" he persuaded. "Fine, I'll go. But if I don't see any potential investors, I'm leaving," I said firmly. A hint of a smile appeared on his face. I turned off my laptop, stood up, and grabbed my suit jacket. "Business can happen even in a club. You might actually enjoy tonight, Ed," he said as he started to walk away. I shook my head and followed him out. I drove behind his car to the venue. The atmosphere was immediately off-putting. Even in the parking lot, the crowd made me uncomfortable. Women wore tight, glittery outfits that hurt my eyes. This wasn’t my scene. "Mr. Thomson, can we go now?" one of the shareholders asked. "Yes, of course," I replied, though I doubted the wisdom of being here. Despite my reservations, I followed them inside. It was nearly 1 a.m., but the energy was still high. The music was deafening, almost painful. A bouncer escorted us to our table. "I'll order your drink," one of my business partners offered. I let them handle it and scanned the room for potential investors. Minutes later, some businessmen approached, but they were already drunk. This was a waste of time. After almost an hour, I was still sipping my drink and surveying the room when I noticed a woman sitting alone at another table. She had long, curly brown hair and wore a black top and leather shorts that accentuated her figure. Her skin glowed like silk. She was attractive, sipping her drink and smiling sweetly at her friends. I couldn't look away. As I watched her, I realized I was drinking more than usual. Was I trying to feel something that only alcohol could help me achieve? "I never imagined you were such a heavy drinker, Mr. Thomson," one of the shareholders remarked. I smiled. "No, I'm not. I drink to help me sleep, but tonight feels different." I refilled my glass with whiskey and drank it straight. I stood up, feeling dizzy but determined. I went to the restroom to check my appearance. I brushed my hair and adjusted my coat. After a deep breath, I walked out. I was about to approach her when some men recognized me. "Mr. Thomson, I didn't know you were a party-goer," one of them said. I tried to place his familiar face but couldn't. "I was just invited," I replied formally, my eyes still on the woman. She seemed to be looking for someone. Was she leaving? "Excuse me," I said, even as he continued talking. I was almost there when three men approached her. I stopped and watched. One man was talking to her, but she looked uncomfortable when he put his hand on her shoulder. She was being harassed. The man was about to touch her again when I grabbed his hand. "Hands off," I said, my voice edged with anger. "Who are you?" he asked arrogantly. He was young, maybe in his twenties. "I said, hands off," I repeated. "And if I don't want to?" he challenged, ready for a fight. "Then I'll call security, or I'll buy your life," I said, raising an eyebrow. "Who the f*ck are you?" he spat, getting mad. "I'm Eddie Thomson," I introduced myself. The situation was escalating, but the bouncer intervened. "Ms. Mary, is there a problem?" the bouncer asked. I was about to speak when the woman beside me answered. "As usual. Harassment," she said as if it were routine. The bouncer took the man away. "Ms., are you okay?" I asked, now close to her. Her angelic face and intoxicating scent were distracting. "Are you okay, Mr. Eddie Thomson?" she asked, bringing me back to the moment. She had been talking for a second before I realized it. I blinked. "Yes, I am. Of course," I said frantically. Why did she make me feel this way? She placed her hand on my shoulder. "Take a seat," she said. Before I knew it, I was sitting at her table. "Why aren't you with your friends?" she asked, glancing at my table. "They're not my friends. They're my co-workers," I replied, trying to act normal. She placed her glass in front of me and poured a drink. The glass still had her lipstick stain. I hesitated, wondering if she would mind if I sipped from the same spot. "Sorry. I'll get another glass if you prefer," she said. I accidentally touched her hand to stop her. We both froze, realizing our hands' position. I quickly pulled mine away. "No, it's fine. This is okay," I said before drinking it straight. "Wow," she said, impressed. "Are you new here?" she asked. I knew the bar was newly opened. She chuckled. "I mean, are you new to this scene?" she clarified. Feeling the alcohol's warmth, I took off my suit jacket and hung it on the chair. "Yes, I am," I answered. "I knew it. I have most of the regulars' faces memorized. Yours is new," she said before sipping from the glass. We were now sharing the same glass. "I'm not usually a party-goer. I just felt compelled to be here tonight," I explained. The alcohol gave me the courage to touch her. I placed my hand on her back and caressed it. She didn't react, which surprised me. My vision was blurry, but her face remained clear. "I'm Eddie Thomson. And you are?" I said, realizing I hadn't introduced myself. "We're almost done with this bottle, and we're still at introductions? I'm Mary Sorrano," she said sweetly, offering her hand. I took it. It was supposed to be a simple handshake, but it felt like our hands were glued together. We both looked at our hands, but neither of us let go. It was as if a spark had fused us together. The evening had started with the reluctance to leave my office, but now I found myself drawn into an unexpected and intoxicating encounter with Mary Sorrano. The bar’s loud music, flashing lights, and vibrant crowd faded into the background. My focus was entirely on her. Mary’s presence was magnetic. Every movement she made, every word she spoke, seemed to pull me deeper into her world. I couldn’t recall the last time I felt this alive, this curious about another person. “Eddie, what do you usually do for fun?” she asked, breaking the comfortable silence between us. Her eyes sparkled with genuine interest. I chuckled. “You’d find it boring. Mostly work, reading, maybe some quiet dinners with close friends. This,” I gestured around the lively bar, “isn’t really my scene.” She smiled warmly. “Everyone needs a change of pace sometimes. Maybe tonight is your night to break free from the routine.” “I think you might be right,” I admitted, surprising myself. There was something liberating about being here with her, in this unfamiliar setting. As the night wore on, we talked about everything and nothing—our backgrounds, ambitions, random musings. The conversation flowed effortlessly. “I’m glad I came out tonight,” I confessed. “Thanks to you.” “I’m glad you did too,” she said softly, her hand brushing against mine. We stopped talking and we just stared at each other, It felt like we had known each other for much longer than a few hours. “Where do you see yourself in five years?” she asked suddenly, a playful yet serious glint in her eyes. “Honestly, I haven’t thought that far ahead,” I admitted. “I’ve been so focused on the present, on work. But maybe tonight has changed" she change something on my perspective. She change what I like. Why do I feel, the only thing I like to have right now was not the investors and high sales for my company, I want to be with her. I want her. It sounds funny but I think, I'm in love with her.