Lured and Captivate

Chapter 1 : Cunning Fox

HER RESTING b***h face were undeniably attracting everyone's attention in the room. North who had been unaware of the thoughts of her employee lifted her brow

" While, I've reviewed your work, Everyone here has not " She spoke with a little indifference causing everyone to sit properly " The details were messed up even the project plan itself, What kind of rubbish thing your giving me? Do you even do your job? "

Her tone held irritation as she throw away the files in her desk. Those are nothing

Everyone face paled. Their Ceo is really scary this time

Ria, who is incharge of the new project panick the instant she saw the paper's on the floor. She was too flustered to speak. Her boss is a perfectionist maniac who want everything to be organized and clear

North was fuming in anger as the result. All the proposal that been handed to her was not even considered a proposal in the first place

" Don't say that I didn't give you all a lot of time to do it, But THIS! is this all you've got? "

There were silence after North said those

" What about the Marketing team? " She pointed at the last row " Where are your proposal? "

The marketing head was the one who stood and walk directly at the center. He is a little bit nervous upon seeing their CEO expression but he opt to do his job. Holding the remote control. A flask of pictures is seen together with the flowchart and the summary of their report. They been burning the time to complete the document on time and somewhat they are not still confident that their boss would accept it.

As he slowly turn the next pic , He talk about the project in a very persuasive manner, the people in the room is impressed on how the project is on the company's advantage bringing a 25% profit of the actual revenue return per year. This is a good catch! Everyone think

When the marketing head end his report. Everyone eye's shifted to the one sitting in the center. Their eyes held the same expression. Hope!

" Do you even think that spending 20 million to a 15 million project can bring a 25% interest? "

" Yees, That's exactly- "

" Then, Mr. Santos, Have you ever made a marketing campaign before? "

The person in the room held their breath as the savage line of their boss pierce each one of their ego

" I am " The marketing head were taken aback from the direct question he got from his boss

North softly chuckle. Her hazel eyes held no emotion as she retract her gaze

" I want a final revision of the project by the end of this week, Also to the HR department and Finance Department, I want a NEw one within this day " She all look at them one by one " I guese, we've waisted enough time for nothing, This meeting is dismissed "

Everyone sigh in their heart and leave the room immediately. Their boss is really angry this time.

North was left alone in the conference room. She close her eyes feeling tired from the meeting earlier. Her schedule were packed up this week and she barely get out from her office doors not unless it works related. Afterall, She is a woman who priorities money before anything else. She believe that money bring joy and that what she's doing now.Many would consider her as the woman of vision. At the young age of 23, She already rise her company to be on top, making it a fast grossing company in Italy. Fresh Art Corporation was her first love and her home. Since growing up with a separated family and was force to study abroad at a young age, North decide her faith to venture and Fresh Art is the first. During the one year of running the company. She really struggle a lot. No family support. No connection to start with but here she ir right now. A successful businessewoman and a stake holder.

Liah, her secretary enter the room

" Maam, Mr. Takushi want to talk to you "

North slowly open her eyes and nod

" Let him in "

Liah open the door and the guy who was wearing a pink trouser and a blue blazer enter her line of sight. North cringed at how the guy dressed

" What brought the famous Mark Takushi here in my office? "

North ask in a mocking manner. This guy is really unpredictable and looking at the man infront. North had a bad feeling about it.

Mark Takushi a famous designer and a business owner been pestering her life since she could remember. The guy were opt to recruit her to be one of his model for the upcoming launching of his collection but she always deny him

" North dear... "

She rolled her eyes when she heard him calling her name

" I already told you my answer Mark and that's final "

" No.. No No!, I came here for another reason "

Mark walk directly at one of the nearest chair and sat opposite to her

" What do you mean? "

" I got a business invitation from my business partners and it would be held at the sea but since i have arrive here a while ago and i don't know the place she mention. So, maybe if you could go with me? "

Mark was hoping to force this b***h to agree to him and beside he was not sure if the party is good for his image.

" No " North said firmly. How could she had a free time to enjoy drinking when she had lot's of paper waiting for her.

" Come on, Northy. Just this once okay and beside you need to enjoy once for a while " Mark said for a second time. The guy is really a hard headed b***h. He was opt to get her no matter what

North wave her hand indicating him to leave her alone and beside what would she gonna do there? It's a waste of time to socialize with other who only want to curry favor.

" North Ferrer, Please! Im really begging you. I don't have someone i know here in Italy besides you " Mark voice were pleading. He know's the woman won't be easy to convince and he would do anything to make her agree

North sigh upon seeing how determined her cousin is

" You know how i hate party, right? " She said with a little indifference

Mark sigh. He know's his couzin well. The woman doesn't really like going out to socialize with others. Her aloofness makes her somewhat mysterious and captivating for many

" Tell me, how can i convince you? " Mark determine eyes linger on her

North shrugged

" Name your price " She lift her palm to challenge him. Since they came this way better to negotiate the price to her advantage

Mark look at her with disbelief. His cousin is really a money heist

" Tell me, How much your ' yes ' for you to come with me "

Nami laugh at the intend words

" Hmm, What about 1 million for every hour spent? "

Mark eyes widen the moment he heard those

" ARE YOU CRAZY? "

" Of course, Im not! "

Who said she was joking? Her time is precious and a businessman like her should not waist a time for something that is irrelevant and Money would always be her top priority

" That's too much!, 1million for everyhour spent? Are you trying to scam me? "

Mark couldn't be more shocked how his cousin is negotiating him to her advantage. His a businessman also and that kind of money is no joke. This is daylight robbery

" I am not and beside do you think me as of no value? my working hours could earn me 12 million in an hour, So how can a 1 million dollars replace that much money that i could lose if i ever accept your offer and beside that money is nothing compared to your wealth... " North gracefully tapping the table as she said those words " Consider it a helping hand for the need "

Mark didn't know wether to laugh or cry, his cousin is a heartless b***h who only looks for money in every oppurtunity she could get and he was her subject

Mark sigh

" Fine. I'll send the transfer once we arrive at the venue "

Mark came at Fresh Art Corporation to get help but in the end, He was robed by his own cousin who only look at him as a walking dollars in the street. He can't help but to rethink his decision wether it is a goodthing to came here for help

" Okay! the deal is close, I'll be waiting the money later "

North faintly smile and stand up

" One more thing, don't expect me to be friendly, you know me! " She tap her cousin shoulder before leaving him inside the room

She close the door and walk towards her office. She had lot's of work to do

" Liah, please bring me coffee and kindly re schedule the meeting for the board member on tuesday, I will be having a two days break starting tomorrow and if someone is looking for me, Kindly direct them to Race "

" Yes boss "

Liah nod and close the door

North open one of the folders stucked up in a pile and begun to do her work. She was reading and making comments on the reports she got from the different team who is in charge of their product launching this month.

a soft knock could be heard as her secretary enter the room and place her coffee beside her

" Thank You, Liah " She muttered without looking at her

Liah just nod and left her to continue what she's been doing

North has been immersed on signing the papers without knowing the time. So when a call from overseas call out her attention, She immediately answer the call

" Hello! North Ferrer speaking " Her formal voice echoed the room as she talk to the other person in the phone

" Hey honey "

Once the other line spoke with a little teasing, North already guessed who was it

" Hey, What's up? " She ask

She heard the other line. scoffed

" I thought you're going to ignore me forever " there were bitterness behind those words as North leaned on her swivel chair

She can't help but to roll her eyes inwardly

" How can i ignore the famous celebrity who bring a fortune for me "

" Tsk. You're no fun at all " Krisha bored tone was visible as she casually toss the phone on her bedshit

North laugh knowing how hot tempered this woman is.

" Tell me, How's the exhibit? "

Krisha was more irritated how her friend treat her as a manager rather than a celebrity she was but then she answer her right away

" The exhibit been open two days ago and it was a huge success, even the funder couldn't able to attend " She didn't forget to let North know how she didn't attend the exhibit even being the funder of it.

She chuckled

" I know! Im sorry for that " North sincerely apologize. She was too busy to take a flight to the philippines to celebrate the opening of their exhibit which she was the main funder of MoonBliss Group. An organisation of aspiring painters who connect themselves through their art. It was a pity that she couldn't meet them in their success

Krisha sigh " We understand and beside your work attract everyone's attention indeed "

North was surprise.

" What do you mean? which work? "

" The Red Girl " Krisha uttered " The crimson scene you paint, remember? "

North become quite. Her heart skip a beat. that painting is one of her darkest emotion she could ever paint and she didn't know wether to be proud on it's glory

" someone wanted to buy it " Krisha excited voice makes North unable to say something " Actually, the investor wanted to meet the painter behind it but knowing how aloof you are, we dicline him but ever since then, the investor double up the price, I think he is interested in you "

North become silent and her gaze look nothing in particular. she was in a deep thought

" Earth to North? "

" I'm listening " She muttered

" So, Ayon nga, what do you think? Should i accept the offer? "

North didn't think twice " Decline the offer and let him know that i don't want to sell the work no matter how high the price he set "

Krisha sigh. She already expected North rejection

" Can i even know why? "

Krisha doesn't understand why North want to decline the offer, Knowing the woman loves the money more than anything else.

North heave a deep sigh. Even she. herself couldn't understand why she could not let go of that painting. There's something about it that makes her so attach to that Red girl on that crimson scene.

" It's the irony of life "

North didn't further explain to Krisha about it and soon hung up the phone

The room fell into a deadly silent as her gaze hold nothing. Her hands were trembling

No one know's better than her about the painting. It was her dream. A very long dream and

A NIGHTMARE