BILLIONAIRE'S SEDUCTION

Chapter Three: Cold to Soft

Meanwhile, Zachary spent the whole night in his office because of the paperwork. There was some information that the reports of the other malls were malicious and he needed to evaluate it carefully. For example, the Island Best Mall financial report was not tallied carefully. There were two million missing on the monthly report and it has not been used for maintenance. He then followed to review the others. There are so many anomalies. He just can’t tolerate the corruption happening in his empire. He immediately sent an email to all the managers of the mall that have been doing corruption. It was an emergency meeting tomorrow morning. He looked at the wall clock and it was almost 3:00 in the morning. He needs to rest.

Zachary decided to stay in the company's private room. It was intended for the employees who work overtime. While preparing himself to rest. He felt the hunger. He forgot to take his dinner because of those report. He's been reading and evaluating those reports for a week. All the documents will be submitted to him quarterly. And he needs to read it from the very first month til the end of the quarter.

Despite the hunger. Zachary decided to sleep. He needs more energy for tomorrow's meeting. Though the missing money was only little for him. Those employees will continue the corruption if tolerated.

In the morning, he woke up very early to find food for breakfast but he couldn't find any open restaurant. He decided to go home and coke his version of a burger. He has lived in the US for a couple of years. That is why he adopted the culture there.

It took 2 hours for him to stay in his house. He took a bath and even looked for perfect suits for today. He didn't have any help. His driver Dominic will go home at night. Eventually, he lives alone and takes care of his things all by himself. Zachary wanted to live a normal life though he is now a multi-billionaire bachelor.

He arrived at Good morning Company on time. It is the name of his late father. His driver Dominic was there already waiting for him.

"Goodmorning, Sir," Dominic greeted.

"Can you tell Agnes to prepare us food for lunch? I called for a meeting very late. I informed all the managers last night. So she didn't know."

Dominic nodded, " I will tell her, Sir, if she arrives."

"She's late?" he asked, but Dominic didn't answer. It's pretty obvious that his secretary was late. "Just tell her," he said and went to the meeting room.

Zachary entered the meeting room very cold. There were already managers inside yet it is incomplete. Everyone was very quiet.

"Some of you were fully aware why we have this emergency meeting," he started. He didn't want to wait for the others to come. It is not his nature. "I don't want to tell everything in detail. Before the reports from my office came to you first, I found some anomalies in the finance department... you don't want to speak?" he asked when the managers were in silence.

"Can you name what branch, Sir?" one of the branch managers asked.

"I better not say, they are not here," he answered. "I understand I am so new to you because you've been working with my Dad for how many years. Some of you were 20 years older than me. But it does not mean you can fool me. Don't ever betray me, I will put you in your place," he threatened everyone. "Meeting adjourned. If you want to eat you can stay here," he said. Zachary immediately leaves the meeting room. Agnes and Dominic were waiting outside bringing some food.

Zachary raised his eyebrows when he noticed something different from his secretary. "You used my money to darken your lashes and buy some clothes?" he asked the woman.

"As you said, Sir, do I look beautiful now?" his secretary asked.

"Shut up your mouth," Dominic said to Agnes.

"After you give that food to them, visit me in my office. We have a place to visit, both of you." Zachary leaves the two. Sometimes he really can't handle Agnes' attitude. But it's better than having a boring secretary in his office. Even if he treated Agnes so badly the woman remained composed.

He only changed clothes inside his office. While waiting for Agnes and Dominic he noticed a pink envelope in his office. He opened it and it was an invitation from Mr. Montreal. The Montreal empire was one of the leading suppliers of different agricultural products whether foods or materials, which is why Zachary invested huge amounts into the company. He didn't know that Mr. Montreal had a daughter. The party will be next week. He was about to view his calendar of activities when Agnes and Dominic went inside his office.

"Do I have some business meetings next week?" he asked Agnes.

"No, Sir. You're free."

"Good, you too will be coming with me next week. We will be attending a party." Zachary stood up and put the letter on the table. "Let's go."

"Where, Sir?" Agnes asked.

"Just don't talk, Agnes," he said. "Bring some extra clothes, we might be spending one night in Baguio City. Let's find some old buildings or vacant lots there, it is a good place for a hotel."

"Do you bring extra clothes?" Agnes asked Dominic while Zachary was in front of them.

"Of course," Dominic answered.

"I have no extra clothes, Sir. But I have your ATM card."

"You can use that when we arrive there. Buy also for Dominic."

"Thank you, Sir!"

Just right after they arrived at their hotel. Zachary borrowed the key to the company car. He even told Dominic and Agnes to go where they want to go because they will be busy tomorrow looking for properties.

He went to Burnham Park. The air was refreshing and the lake was so calm. Zachary sat down on the beach while reminiscing all the memories he had with his mother and father. They used to have picnics in this place. Now his happy memories were lost. He keeps on longing with his parents. His grandfather Sebastian is the only family he has. Sometimes, he makes a quick visit to the US just to take good care of his grandpa.

Zachary’s parents died when he was abroad studying for his graduate study degree. His parents visited Singapore for a business trip. Going back to the Philippines, there were some issues in the plane that were never checked by the personnel. After that incident, he seldom smiles. Sometimes, he needs to fake everything just for him to look okay.

He spent 3 hours in the park. When he got back to their hotel, Dominic and Agnes weren't still there. He suddenly felt hungry, he hadn't eaten any food since they arrived at Baguio. He grabbed his phone and called Agnes. The two were still busy buying anything using his money but Zachary never cared. That money was his allowance last month for travel abroad. But since all his business travel was free. He never intends to spend the money.

Zachary might be a rude and cold CEO in his company. But one thing is for sure, he is the kind of boss who shares everything he has. And even give huge bonuses to his employer. But what he doesn't like is when other people abuse his kindness.