Billionaire's Love Story

Chapter 9

Iris POV

Today I am going to go to LA. To start working in M&A industries. Packing is already done. Emily helped me a lot.

Eric was not happy that I am going alone. He is worried about me, Everyone is. That is why I didn’t tell anyone what happened 2 days ago in the party.

That day Ace helped me and I was really grateful for what he did for me. He even dropped me at my house on the next morning.

I was feeling many different things whenever he was around me. I couldn’t believe I let someone touch me and didn’t feel afraid. He kissed me twice on my face and I did not stop him, it was shocking for me.

My headache is killing me. I couldn’t sleep properly for past 2 days. I started having those nightmares again but I was successful in hiding my condition from Emily.

She was suspicious at first and kept asking what happened but I told her it’s just because of work.

I came out of my room and entered into living room. My family was waiting for me there. My father was happy that I will experience new things and he wants me to enjoy my life a little.

He has also found a new job in one of the advertisement company. He said now he will take care of their expenses so I can use my salary for myself. But I won’t do that, I thought.

I am glad that he is trying to move on in his life. I know, what he has done in the past was really bad. But he is changing himself that is why we all forgave him and gave him a chance.

My mom gave me many instructions like I am some kid going on picnic with friends for the first time.

Emily was also happy for me that I got such a big opportunity. But she was sad too because she will miss me as we two spend most of the time together when we are at home. I will miss them too.

Eric was still very worried. He told me to be careful. Sometimes he acts as if he is my older brother.

I hugged everyone last time before leaving. I reached LA. I rented a small apartment with a living room plus kitchen and a bedroom. Good enough for me to stay.

It was small but really beautiful and it has some countryside house vibe and nostalgic feel to it.

It’s night and I was done with the cleaning and unpacking. I ordered pizza because I am too tired today. Usually I don’t order and try to cook something so that I don’t have to waste money.

I know, now I can spend at least this much. But I can’t change my habits. I don’t like wasting money on useless things because we have suffered a lot without money.

As soon as pizza arrived I ate and called my family. We talked for a while and after that I went to my room and soon drifted off in deep slumber hoping I won’t get any nightmares tonight.

Morning came early and I got up to get ready quickly. I don’t do make up everyday. Only on some special occasions. Usually I only use lip gloss and mascara.

I took bus as a ride to my office and it took 30 minutes for me to reach. I was trying to look for an apartment near my office but couldn’t find it at reasonable price. So I rented the apartment in which I’m staying right now which is a little far from office.

I asked the receptionist where I should be going and after asking if I’m from Smith corporations, she told me to go to 35 floor. This building has 36 floors. I quickly went upstairs and found my other colleagues waiting there.

We greeted each other politely and suddenly elevator door opened. Ace I mean Mr. Miller came out. He also greeted us all smiling. He has beautiful smile.

You need to get a grip on yourself woman, I scolded myself in my mind.

Now we were seated in a small meeting room which was enough for all of us to fit in. He explained to everyone what will be our duties while working here and wishing us luck with our new position in his company.

It was impressive that he already new everyone’s name and it shows he values his employees. He was attractive in his all professional mode. Stop it Iris, I again scolded.

I was waiting for my turn. Now he was done with everyone else and looked towards me. And said “Iris I would like to talk to you in my cabin.”

I was taken aback at first but quickly gained my composure and nodded. I should behave professionally, I thought.

He stood and once again welcomed everyone and all of us replied with ‘thank you, Sir’. He frowned a little and then he said, “ please call me Ace. I prefer it that way. ‘Sir’ makes me feel older.” He joked making all of us laugh.

We made our way to his office on the 36th floor. He entered his office, me following him behind.

.................................................................

Ace

I was sitting in my cabin. When my driver Robert entered and told me everyone was here.

He was right now working as my assistant too. Because my previous secretary had some personal issues, she had to leave her job.

I was looking for one candidate now and today my search will end, I hope.

Iris was still in my mind. I couldn’t take her out no matter what I was doing. I wasn’t complaining by the way.

After that incident 2 days ago she was behaving differently when I was dropping her to her house. She was not that happy and humorous self of hers, which she was before the incident in party and it made me worried.

Usually all of my employees call me Ace. Very few call me Mr. Miller. Mostly other businessmen or outsiders call me Mr. Miller.

So I told everyone that I prefer Ace. After telling everyone what is their job and duty I told Iris to come to my cabin. Actually I had a offer for her and I hope she will accept it.

She is sitting in front of me waiting for me to talk. I started, “ So Ms. Iris, what I want to talk to you is that I have a offer for you.”

She frowned a little but didn’t say anything so I continued, “I was looking for a secretary for a while, who has handful of knowledge and skills in accounts. And when I saw how you managed to find about the problems in your company, I was impressed with your skills.” She said “thank you” but still she was confused.

“So I want you to be my secretary. I know it’s not your expertise. And you don’t have to perform all the duties of a secretary that job is mostly done by Robert my driver and assistant. I just want you to be with me.”

Her eyes widened and I wanted to laugh at how cute she looked. She said, “excuse me”.

“I mean whenever I am meeting with my client or other businessmen, I want you to be with me to analyze their proposals and reports for me”.

“And also you will work as my accountant in this office. All the reports coming from accounts department from all the offices should be going from your table to my desk.”

She was just looking at me while I was explaining all the things to her. I continued, “I know you must be thinking your workload will increase but don’t worry, you will be working your regular shift timing except in some unavoidable situations. And I am offering you the salary of both the positions. So it’s beneficial for you.”

She was hesitant, “Ace I don’t want to sound rude or offend you in any way but it’s not because of what happened between us, right?” she asked and I could see she didn’t like bringing it up but had no choice but to ask.

I smiled, “of course not Iris, I don’t mix personal and professional.” I lied. Well it’s true that I keep my personal and professional life separate. But in this case nothing matters, Only she does.

“And I mean it when I said I am impressed with your skills and work and I want to use this for my company’s benefit.” I said sincerely.

“And I think it’s a good opportunity for you too. You will be able to learn many things.”

She was indecisive and I was hoping she would accept it. I wanted to keep her closer to me.

She looked at me, “thank you so much for appreciating my work. I would like to work as your secretary. You are the most successful businessman out there and everyone wants to work with you. So I am grateful that you are giving this opportunity to me.”

‘Yess’ I shouted happily in my mind. But held a straight face. I got up from my seat and she did the same. I put my hand forward for a handshake which she accepted with shaky hand.

I looked up worried and asked, “are you okay?” she quickly took her hand away from my hand and nodded. “you are not looking good, are you scared of anything. Is it because of what happened in party” I asked.

She was trying to mask it with her strong personality but I could see the fear in her eyes.

Before she was not scared around me at least, I thought to myself.

I took a step closer to her but she took one step away from me. I stopped. I was not liking this. I didn’t like that she was scared of me.

She said, “I am okay. And wanted to tell you that what you did for me that day in party and after that as well, I am grateful. But I don’t want you to mention that night again. I don’t want anyone pitying me. I hope you understand.”

I said, “I am not pitying you Iris, I am really worried about you. But yes I can understand what you are saying so I won’t talk about that night again.”

She smiled weakly and once again thanked me. I called Robert and he showed her the cabin where she will be working. It was just in front of my cabin.

I told her to come to my cabin in an hour as I was going to take her with me on a lunch meeting with one of my business associates Mr. Wilson.

She left with Robert. She was acting strange. She was trying to keep distance from every male around her and I noticed it when she was meeting her colleagues. There was fear in her eyes.

May be you are thinking too much man, my mind said.

Actually I wanted to find out everything about her when I didn’t get my answers from her friend Mia. But what she said was true that it was not her story to tell. It was Iris'.

But I could not stop myself and I told Robert to dig some information about her because I wanted to know what has happened with her to make her like this.

Robert found out some details about her family and her regular life. He also got the information about what her father did. I am angry at her father but also feel relieved that he is trying to change.

But this doesn’t seem like the only reason to make her this terrified. Robert could not find anything else but he is still working on digging more information.

She entered into her cabin and saying that she was surprised is understatement. She was looking at everything with wide eyes.

Yes the cabin was beautiful but why is she this surprised I couldn’t guess. Her cabin wall was made of see through glasses, that is why I could see her.

My cabin walls were also made of glasses but it was one side mirror glass. So only I could see what’s happening outside and no one could peep inside.

She knocked on the door but I was already looking at her since she came out of her cabin, or maybe since she went into her cabin my mind retorted.

I smiled at my stupidity. She came inside and I told her about her duties that she will be performing and taught her some things that will help her to work with me as there was still some time before the meeting.

We drove to my hotel. In the car we talked about some work related things. She was not joking like she was doing in party making me miss her jokes.

We entered into the hotel. And my manager came to greet me. When we were about to go to our reserved table a voice made us stop in our tracks, “Iris”.

We both turned around and I found Mr. Wilson standing there with an old lady by her side. He was also looking confused as to whom that lady was calling.

I turned to look at Iris who had big smile on her face and was looking at the lady. So I also turned my face to look at that woman and she seemed familiar. She was the woman Iris helped when I saw her for the first time.

Iris started walking in the direction where Wilson was standing. I followed her behind.

“Mam, how are you and what are you doing here?” Iris asked. That lady faked anger and said, “ I told you to call me Melissa. I am also really surprised dear, I never thought I will see you here.” Melissa said smiling brightly.

I shook hands with Mr. Wilson, “hello Travis, how is everything going? And …. Who this beautiful lady might be?” I asked while looking at Melissa and she blushed a little and smiled brightly thanking me.

Travis who could not stop staring at Iris since he saw her now looked towards me and replied, “Hello, everything is good. And this is my grandma Melissa Wilson.” He again glanced at Iris before saying, “ You also have quite a beautiful company here.”

Now I was feeling angry because of how he was staring at her. “this is Iris, my accountant and secretary.” I told him.

Melissa spoke, “She is the woman I was talking to you about. She helped me a lot that day and was really nice to a stranger like me.” She held Iris' hands while looking at her with gratitude.

Travis put his hand forward for Iris to take as he introduced, “ I am Travis and thanks for helping my grandma.” Iris took his hand and spoke softly, “Iris, and no need to thank me. Anyone would have done the same.”

She took her hands out of his grip and I said, “we should sit and talk”.

We ordered and talked a bit while eating. Mostly Iris and Melissa were talking and we were just smiling, laughing or nodding. After that we talked about some business.

We are going to sign a project together. So we will be seeing each other very often.

All the time Travis was staring at Iris like he would eat her. He is also one of the biggest playboy of the country just like me. But I never break any heart, at least not intentionally and he was not like me in this matter.

He was a heartbreaker. He only plays with women and then leaves them heartbroken. This man is not taking his eyes off of Iris and I am using everything in me to stop myself from punching the hell out of him.

We were done with the meeting and all of us stood up in our places. After saying our goodbyes we were about to leave when Travis spoke, “ Iris, let’s go for a dinner.”

And now I couldn’t hold it in anymore.