Tangled In The Deal

Chapter 3

Damian's Pov

“Why is it so hard to get anything done in this office?!”

The blonde, young lady in a tight, mini skirt suit and stylish recommended glasses winced visibly at my retort.

She looked no more than twenty, suggesting she must have been a very bright student to have graduated from the university at a very young age.

She had been working with me for over six months and although she seemed like an intelligent woman, it seemed like working in a secretarial role was not her calling as she had terrible organizational skills.

Files were always missing, reports came in late, and she always clocked in after I had resumed for the day. In what universe did a secretary sign in after her employer?

At least she's hot.

“Damian, focus. We need that file.”

“Umm… I wanted t-to re-remind y-you about your invitation to the charity event coming up in two days s-sir.”

Great, when did I agree to attend a charity event? I don't even have the time for that. I've got a meeting with Collin that evening.

“Umm… just cancel and send an apology letter. Make it sound genuine and include a fat envelope. That should do the trick.”

“Noted, s-sir.” She made an awkward exit out of the office and started punching at her phone.

“Well, that's that. I need to call Collin about our forthcoming engagement.”

I hope he has some good news for me. I can't wait to get my hands on that bastard.

“Hey, Collin. How's everything going? You sure about that? What? No, no…. Yeah, that's fine by me. Sure. Yeah, let's go with that. Alright then. Good night.”

As I tried to sneak out my bottle of whisky, Jade catwalked into the office with a little more confidence than she had displayed in our earlier discourse.

“I'm afraid, I've got disturbing news, sir.” Her face betrayed nothing, leaving me even more curious about what she was about to inform me.

“Go on,” I murmured warily.

“I just received an email from the event organizer for the charity event and she insisted that she wanted you to attend the charity event personally.”

Jade adjusted her glasses the way they often did in anime and a picture of her playing beach volleyball in a two-piece bikini set flashed through my mind.

The f**k. I keep seeing s**t. I need to get laid. Soon.

“In her words, ‘We don't need your I-can't-be-assed money or insincere letter of apology. If you agreed to do something, then be a man of your word and go through with it…’

I didn't realize when the tip of my right eyebrow touched the edges of my hairline and the interlocked fingers under my chin tightened grimly.

‘...We'll be expecting you at the event, sir, and my apologies if I'm coming off as rude. I just hate it when men say one thing and end up changing their minds last minute. Your presence will be immensely appreciated at the event and I look forward to meeting you. Take care and enjoy the rest of your day.’

These are the words she asked me to relay to you, sir. How should I respond?”

In my entire thirty years on earth, no one had ever dared address me in such a manner. Much less, a woman.

I think I'd like to see what this woman looks like. She's got guts if she could address the third richest man in the country like he was her ex-boyfriend who left her standing at the altar to elope with her best friend.

“Tell Collin to meet me at the charity event instead. I'll just make a brief appearance and we'll head out. After all, I should be a man of my word.”

I saw the look of pure disbelief etched across Jade's face and chose to ignore it. I knew what she was thinking and I was having the same thoughts.

When did I start allowing any human's words to get to me? I have never cared about how people viewed me or what they said about me behind my back.

Or so I thought…

“Do you need anything else?”

“N-no, sir. I'll go inform Mr. Collin about the recent ch-changes in your sched-dule, s-sir.”

One would think I hired a stammerer as a secretary. But I knew why she was stammering a lot. Most people did while conversing with me because they felt uncomfortable around me.

My poker face was always on so they couldn't yell if I was pleased, displeased, angry, or even happy.

Over the years, I've gotten various nicknames and titles: Sub-Zero, Tin Can, WALL-E, and even The Beast because I live alone in a 30,000-square-foot mansion in Barrington Hills.

However, I seem to be gaining popularity among women in more recent times as I'm now more popularly known as “the most eligible bachelor in the state.”

Still, I knew that these women only sucked up to me because of my wealth. Everyone wanted to be on my good side with hopes of receiving something from me.

So who the hell is this woman who doesn't care about the status quo? I need to meet her.

I buzzed Jade on the intercom and waited for her thick, long legs to take their graceful steps into my office. The pink suit looked really good on her.

It somehow perfectly captured every curve and contour on her body, but not in a way that insinuated an ulterior motive. She seemed more like one of those Gen-Z young ladies who believed in body positivity and saw exposure as a way to reclaim their bodies.

“I want you to head over to Miles and get me a three-piece suit. Midnight blue. Then get a pair of John Lobb's while you're at it. Oh and get me a cup of coffee on your way back. Black. No sugar.”

Jade continued to scribble on her notepad for a few more minutes before replying. “Got it. Will that be all, Mr. Blackwood?”

“For now, yes. If I need anything else, I'll let you know.”

“Alright, sir. Please, excuse me.”

As Jade's petite back turned to face me, a sudden thought sprang up in my mind.

“Hold on. I do need one more thing from you before you leave.”

I noticed the flustered look on Jade's face and how it quickly vanished to be replaced by her practiced, plastic, professional smile.

“What do you need, sir?”

“Get me everything there is to know about this event organizer—her contact, social media handles, the university she attended, everything.”

I saw the look on Jade's face and a part of me agreed with her. I was acting crazy. Who the hell gets a background check done on an event planner?

Well, I did.

Just wait Little Miss Smart Mouth. Just you wait…

My eyes drove back to the documents sprawled in front of me and I felt a pulse in my left temple. Steeling the pain away, I watched Jade drop a perfunctory nod before leaving the office. She still had the bewildered look that told me I was acting crazy, but it was none of my business what anyone thought about me.

“I am Damian Blackwood. Third richest man in the United States of America and the most eligible bachelor according to The New York Times. I can do whatever the f**k I want.