A Game With The Billionaire

Chapter 5:

Emma:

I have been expecting a call from the Hart family, so when Old Master Hart, Jeremy’s grandfather called this morning that we should have breakfast together, I wasn’t surprised.

I pull up in front of the Hart’s family mansion, it’s exactly as I remember. Tall wrought-iron gates opens into a long, curving driveway lined with a marble statue, I breathe in. I am going to need it. Getting out of the car, I walk into the mansion. I straighten my shoulders, not being intimidated by everything.

From a little age, I have learnt that if you want to survive, you have to be bold. People will trample over you if you show the slightest bit of weakness.

“Is that Emma I see?” Old Master Hart appears, wearing a smile. This man commands billions of dollars, I mean, the Hart family is a big deal in New York, even overseas. The Hart Group is an empire, having its hands in everything: finance, technology, luxury real estate, media and other powerful divisions.

“Old Master Hart.” I say warmly, walking towards him. I outstretch the box of herbal tea that has been resting at home. I had intentionally planned to give it to my grandmother, but she wouldn’t mind. “I got you this, it’s good for the body. Initially, I wanted to get it for my grandmother.”

Old Master Hart’s eyes light up when I mention my grandmother, Old Mistress Roberts, I don’t know why but their feud has been since when they were little and even at their present age, they are still battling for the spotlight.

“Ah, Margaret will understand.” He takes the box and hurriedly passes it to a nearby housekeeper. “I was happy to know that you and Jeremy have gotten back together. Come, come, let us eat.” He starts walking towards the dining room and I follow behind him.

Old Master Hart is known for being ruthless, both in business and in his personal life, still it’s evident in the way he cares for his family.

No one knows, aside from my friends about what happened in Chicago, everyone simply assumed we broke up, because if Old Master Hart knew what his grandson did, he might kick him out of the family.

‘You’re still trying to protect him.’ A tingling voice says in the back of my mind and I hurriedly dismiss it.

Old Master Hart and I sit down in the enormous dining table that’s filled with dishes.

“Most of the family lives in this mansion, but no one wants to have breakfast with their old man anymore.” He chuckles, picking up the spoon. “At least you love me enough to eat with me.”

I laugh, he still has his humour.

“You must be wondering why I called you here.” He looks around, before his heavy gaze lands back on me. “You and Jeremy make games right?”

“Yes, grandfather.” I say, my hand suddenly trembling.

Old Master Hart sighs, as if he’s not impressed by my answer. “I supported Jeremy when he created his own company. When I asked him to link his company under Hart Group as a division, he completely refused. I need a favour from you, Emma.”

I look up at him. “What is it?”

“You’re Jeremy’s girlfriend now, the whole Hart family knew how crazy he was for you, he listened to everything you had to say. He was going to propose, you know that, right?”

I freeze and slowly, I lift my eyes to him.

“What?” I ask, my voice too soft, I am trying to be calm but my insides are screaming.

He looks at me, his eyes softening, as if he’s remembering a story. “He came to me one night and told me he’d found the woman he wanted to marry. Said you were....stubborn, outspoken and impossible at times.” He chuckles lightly.

I tighten my hand around the spoon, my heart pounding so hard.

“But then he said, ‘She’s the only person who makes me feel human, Grandfather. The only person who looks at me and doesn’t see a Hart, just Jeremy.”

My heart clenches so hard it hurts.

Old Master Hart sets his knife down, leaning back in his chair.

“And then,” he says quietly, “he came to me a month later and said it was over. Wouldn’t tell me why. Only that he’d lost her and that it was all his fault.”

My throat feels dry, my hands trembling slightly as I drop the fork. “I didn’t know.”

“Of course you didn’t.” Old Master Hart says. “Everyone in the family was jealous of your relationship with my Jeremy, I don’t believe in soul mates, but when I saw you both together when you were younger, I thought, ‘This is the definition of soul mates.’”

Tears sting at my eyes, but I don’t let them spill. It’s so freaking hard to remember about the past, I have spent those six years trying to forget about everything but it’s so hard.

“So I want you to do a favour for me. Convince Jeremy to become the CEO of Hart Finance, the current CEO has resigned, I think it’s time for Jeremy to become CEO, or you can convince to link his gaming company under Hart Group as a division, can you try and do that for me, Emma?” he waves to a nearby maid to leave the room and now, we are alone.

I nod dazedly, and he claps his hand in satisfaction. “Good, good. Let’s eat.”

When I walk out of the mansion, my heart is pounding faintly. I go back to work and try to concentrate, but his words are still in the back of my mind.

Jeremy was going to propose.

He was going to get on his freaking knee, and say words and slid that freaking ring into my finger.

I stare at my computer screen for hours, my knuckles turning white as I tighten my hand around the edge of my table. My family requested that we have a family dinner tonight, with Jeremy involved. I can’t see him, I just can’t after hearing that he was planning to propose.

The door of my office opens and Nicole walks in, holding a white nylon. She’s wearing her signature Tom Ford jumpsuit that gives off that no-nonsense vibe. Her heels click on the floor as she walks over to me, dropping the nylon on the table with a thud. “Thank goodness I came with food.”

For as long as we can remember, Nicole does this surprise visit where she brings food she makes from home to our office- I, Arya and Emily. But ever since Arya got married to Devon, he has been bringing her food instead, she got married earlier this year to billionaire Devon Brookes of Brookes Technology, he’s also the father of their four year old, Vera, whom I adore so much.

“Thank you.” I say, and begin to pull out the Tupperware from the nylon. “Why didn’t you end up becoming a chef instead?” I say brightly as the scent of the food wafts through my nose.

“Very funny.” She says, Nicole Hart is more ruthless in court than she is in real life, she is a family attorney and also specializes in criminal affairs. She takes the seat opposite me, brushing the curl of her dark hair, she says. “I heard you had breakfast with my sly grandfather this morning. What did that old man say to you?”

Everyone knows how close Nicole and her grandfather actually are, they are almost the same, when they love, they love fiercely and when they hate, oh goodness, they hate murderously.

“He wants me to try and convince Jeremy to join Hart Finance as the new CEO.” I say.

“I knew it, my grandfather has been begging Jeremy to become CEO for one of the divisions for a very long time.” Nicole says, drumming her perfectly manicured fingers on the table.

“The family always fights whenever it comes to the CEO position of a division. I remember how Nicholas had to fight for the CEO position of Media against one of our uncles. I heard that even Aunt Vivi wants her son to become the CEO.”

“Aunt Vivi. What do you think of her?” I remember the woman who came to our house yesterday, hugging me. She seemed really fond of Jeremy.

“Oh her. She is grandfather’s younger sister, it’s weird. She was mostly never around but now she’s back for good, she even wants her son, Tristan, to be the CEO of Hart Finance. Anyways, be careful around her. After all, the ones who smile the most, who say they mean no harm...those are the ones you should fear. Nice people make the most believable monsters.”

Nicole and I chat for a bit before she leaves. I continue working, for some unknown reason, I can’t shake what Nicole said out of my mind. Damn, I need a drink, maybe two, but instead I have to have dinner with my family.

With Jeremy.

Goodness, can this night become more insufferable?

Kate enters the office, “Closing hours!” She announces happily. “All I have to do is go home, snuggle with my blanket and watch cheesy hallmark stories while you have to eat dinner with your family and your fake-boyfriend.” She cackles and I snort.

“Gee, thanks.” I say, not meaning it.

“Anyways, I just got off the phone with Jeremy’s assistant; he said that Jeremy will meet you outside your parents’ house. Goodness, his assistant is so freaking smug, I searched him up online and he was so tall, and so handsome, probably good for a night.”

“Kate!” I announce, my assistant knows no bounds. “Just get out already!”

She continues cackling as she lets herself out of the room.

I grab my jacket from the edge of my seat and exit my office, but still Old Master’s Hart’s words still keep ringing in my ears.

He was going to propose.......