The Prince from my dreams

Chapter 2 – Conceited fool

Ria’s POV

Didn’t uncle Cory say some representative from Walton group was here to talk to us? Why would the CEO himself turn up to make small talk? I wonder if he is still the same cold, arrogant, proud and menacingly sinister person as he used to be. Full of himself. I snorted. The mere thought of him being in the same office brought me goosebumps.

We were seated on the couch in the waiting area. There were a total of twenty researchers in the AI department. Most of the women were beaming and few were touching their makeup. The men seemed excited about meeting Walton Group’s CEO. Overall, everyone was looking forward to meeting Elliot Walton. But I, on the contrary, wanted to head back to the lab and continue tweaking my algorithms and command my machines. I didn’t want to see him. But on second thoughts, I didn’t do anything shameful to hide from him. In fact, he is the one who owes me a big one. So I hold on to my seat with sweaty palms and cold feet.

Ms. Parker stepped in with a young man beside her. He was wearing a plain white shirt with black trousers. “This is Mr. James Dawson from Walton Group. He is incharge of today’s interviews.” She said pointing at the young man beside her.

Mr. James Dawson nodded at Ms. Parker and she left, leaving the researchers at the mercy of James. He looked cold and devoid of expressions. If I had not known any better, I would have mistaken him to be one of the human robots from our lab.

He pulled out a list and called out, “Henry Lupin!” glancing at the crowd, when he spotted Henry get up he added, “You can go inside.” pointing at the door to the conference room.

Henry went inside almost skipping, hiding his smirk. After all, its not everyday you get to meet a business tycoon even lesser chances of being interviewed by him.

He came out drenched in cold sweat after five minutes. One after the other, my colleagues went in when called upon. Only to come out with faces hung low. Soon the lobby turned noisy, with people asking about the interviews. Here is a gist of what I hear.

Researcher 1: How did it go?

Researcher 2: Bad. Worst I must say. He asked me technical questions on advanced AI techniques. He also gave me an algorithm to home automation and asked me to find the flaw in it.

Researcher 1: So? Could you answer him?

Researcher 2: This guy is unbelievable. No matter whatever fix I propose, he comes up with one glitch or the other. I never thought a CEO could be knowledgeable on technical stuff.

My! My! Looks like Elliot is definitely flaunting his skills today. Lets see if he can beat me to it. I smiled. Finally, I know what was coming and everything related to AI was my territory. I chuckled internally.

I was the last one left. Everyone else left, leaving me alone in the lobby with Mr. James Dawson. Finally, he peered down the list and called out, “Ms. Ria Walton!”

“Ahem! Ahem!” I cleared my throat and said, “Abbot! Ria Abbot.” I corrected him, flashing my ID card in front of his eyes.

He smiled for the first time since morning. Confirming he wasn’t a robot. “Sure you are.” He said as he walked me in. Now this is new. He stayed outside all the while. But decides to stick around when its my turn. I have a bad feeling about it. But then, I don’t think the mighty Elliot Walton would remember me and cause trouble. Also, we barely knew each other back then.

I went in, with my nose held high.

Elliot’s POV

Finally, she is here. I looked at James exasperated. He intentionally saved her turn for the last when he knew I was dying to see her. He definitely knows how to torment me. No wonder nosy Mr. James also finds himself a comfortable seat to watch the drama unfold. While Ria walked in, he stood behind her making faces at me.

I ignore him for the time being and watch her movements. She looked beautiful. She was no longer wearing her black rimmed glasses. She looked more mature and her movements more elegant. She was still wearing her lab coat and had her hair tied up into a neat pony. He eyes shone brightly with confidence. Her tiny nose turned red. As my eyes moved to her rosy lips, they parted and she said, “Good morning. I am Ria.” She extended her hand towards me for a handshake.

My eyes feasted on everything in front of me. The fair and slender neck, those pink ears behind which she tucked a strand of her hair, her angular jaw, her tiny pointed nose. I forced myself to look away and focus on the task at hand. Her Hand!

I shook her hand, feeling her soft skin against mine and asked her to sit.

Ria’s POV

As soon as I stepped in, I saw Elliot, seated on the other side of the table. The sunrays falling onto him from the glass walls, made his outline shine adding to his aura. He was as handsome as ever. But his cold demeanour was a major set back. Poor thing.

The way he looked at me, confirmed he did not recognize me. For which I was grateful. Finally I relaxed, shook hands with him and sat down.

“Ria Walton?” he asked looking at my name in the list.

“Ria Abbot!” I said, waving my ID card at him.

He smiled. “I wonder why it says Ria Walton in the list here.” With a glint in his eyes.

What does he mean? And whats with that smirk? “May be your secretary messed it up. Ask him.” I replied expressing my contempt.

“Hey” I heard Mr. Dawson’s voice.

“That’s okay James. Please wait outside.” Elliot cut him out.

I smirked at James as I saw him retreat. I was tired of seeing him act all mighty and haughty in my territory.

“Okay! I checked your academics. I see that you don’t have a graduation certificate.”

All thanks to you. I scoffed internally, though I remained silent outside.

“Do you want to explain how you landed this job as a researcher without a graduation certificate? Walton Group wouldn’t recruit someone just like that.” he asked.

His audacity! Is he nuts?

“Mr. Walton. Before answering any of your questions, I would want to clarify a few things. I don’t work for you. So I am not answerable to you. What did Cory Hamilton promise you to make you so delusional as to question my employment?” I spat, not hiding the irritation in my tone.

I knew he was not used to being disrespected like that. I was sure he would lash out at me. When I was waiting for the worse, he smiled brightly. I couldn't believe my eyes, he looked amused while I stared at him too shocked to react. I stared at him for quite sometime, waiting for the worst. But all he did was smile.

“Like what you see?” he said after sometime.

I was taken aback for a while. “What?” I asked.

“You were checking me out. Weren’t you? Like what you see?” he repeated.

“Dream on! I have never seen someone as conceited as you.” I said. I wanted to swear at him but was at a loss for words at the moment.

He laughed even louder, tilting his head while he looked at me and said, “Its same as the first time. Conceited Fool! You said I was a Conceited Fool back then.”

I gasped in disbelief, so he remembers.