Chapter 5

• Chris entered the hall for the party and immediately looked for the CEO of MINES company, Josh, the two exchange pleasantries warmly and he took a seat beside him.
• “I thought you won’t be coming today, I specially asked your girlfriend to make sure she kidnaps you here” Josh said as he handed over a glass of wine to him.
• “I just don’t understand why you will waste time to organize such parties and also, Mira is not my girlfriend” Chris replied and drop the glass in his hand.
• “Don’t tell me you are still playing with the girl’s heart, everyone is totally shipping you two together and she is a perfect candidate to be your wife”
• “Why don’t you marry her then, I am sure your parents will be elated to hear about it” Chris replied and sat down on the seat beside them while Josh quietly sip at his drink
• Laura arrived at the venue for the party much earlier and has since been looking out for the CEO of TT companies.
• She already rehearsed what to say and also try to see if they could work together at least.
• After spending an hour without any sight of him, she was already getting fed up and decide to leave when she sight the familiar figure sitting at the end of the hall with someone and quickly make her way towards him.
• Laura checked her makeup once again before getting closer to him and took a second to check his navy blue outfit finding herself drooling at his handsome face.
• Laura stare at him in awe shocked at his transformation, back in high school he always dresses casually and only have one hairstyle like a little boy.
• His picture really didn’t do any justice to his looks.
• Laura suddenly lose the confidence to approach him directly and hide beside a table to hear their discussion first before deciding on whether it’s okay to speak to him.
• Laura heard Josh tease him about a girl and is somehow feels relieved that he has also moved on and relaxed knowing he has forgotten all about her and their past.
• After waiting for a few more minute, Josh stood up from his seat to attend to other guests and Laura saw that as an opportunity to approach him as an idea popped into her head.
• “Hey Chris” she said as lovingly as she can.
• Chris raise his head to see who it was surprised to hear anyone aside his mother call him by his name after such a long time and he is surprised to see the last person he could ever thought to see tonight.
• Laura make sure the smile remained on her face and she keeps nodding her head calmly waiting for his response but seeing the way he stared at her like a stranger she felt awkward and quickly apologize putting the smile away from her face.
• “You probably don’t remember me right? I am Laura your…” she stopped before she could say the word fiance and used “classmate” instead.
• She always teases him with the word fiance ever since the day he came to her after the official engagement between them but now the word felt strangely weird.
• “You are…” she heard him say after another few seconds
• “I am Laura, you must have forgotten but we were friends in high school” she answered and smiled at him once again disappointed that he doesn't remember her at all.
• Chris frowned his face after hearing her description of their relationship
• Of course he knows who she is but did she just say they were friends? He thought and chuckled before he could stop himself. Laura also continue to smile nervously embarrassed to keep standing.
• “Can I sit?” she asked seeing that others are beginning to notice her. Chris nods his head gently to give her a go ahead and watch her take the seat with a thank you to him.
• “Like I said I am Laura, the president of Lovelies group of companies and I will like to have a word with you as the CEO of TT companies” she said after sitting.
• “How did you find out about that?” he asked not surprised she is the one who has been trying to find out information about him.
• “Things like that are very easy in this industry” she answered
• “Why are you making so much effort to get my identity?”
• “Your company just got a huge deal and I know you need the partnership of a much bigger company to execute it” she answered. So she wants to work together with him? He thought and stopped one of the waiters,picks a drink and gulps it down his throat
• “So you are asking us to work with you? But why would a big company like yours be interested in working with us?”
• “Hmm... the thing is we actually showed interest in the deal first but we lost it to you, I personally have a great interest in it and would love to work with you” she explained
• “I have other companies willing to work with us already” he said turning his face away.
• “Lovelies is the best company you can get to work with you” she retort.
• “What will I get if you choose your company?” he asked after keeping quiet for a few seconds
• “We will offer you the best resources we have” she answered happy that he seems to be yielding.
• “I don’t think the resources is enough” he told her picking up another drink.
• “Anything you want” Laura quickly said without thinking
• “Anything means nothing. how about we do it like this, I will give the deal back to your company and you will grant me whatever I want” he said excepting her to think about it for a while before getting back to him but Laura literally yelled okay into his ears grinning with smile and he almost dropped his glass.
• “You are not joking with me are you?” Laura asked to be sure
• “Hmm”
• “How about an official appointment then?’ she requested
• “Let’s meet up on Tuesday at the office by lunch time” he answered and Laura felt relieved.
• She couldn’t believe that he will offer to return the project to her and squealed with excitement then stood up and without thinking grabs his hand and shakes him.
• “Thanks a lot, see you then” she said and hurried away before he could change his mind making sure to record every bit of their conversation.
• Chris giggles and watches her leave feeling amused for unknown reasons but even more so to see her get so excited despite not knowing what his intention is.
• He wasn’t expecting her to approach him so casually and even refer to him as a friend; maybe he is not all that invisible in her eyes.
• Josh came back to talk with Chris but paused when he saw him talking to a very pretty girl and even saw him raise the corner of his mouth in a smile.
• Knowing how rare it is for him to smile, Josh guess whoever it is must have some skills, expect Mira who loves to follow him around like a puppy; he has refused to get closer to any girl and sees them as annoying.
• Josh waited for her to leave before he walk up to Chris and tap him on the shoulder, the smile on his face immediately disappeared and Josh couldn’t wait to tease him.
• “You don’t have to pretend, I already saw you with her” Josh said and sat beside him
• “What did you mean?” he asked like he doesn't understand
• “You seem to like her don’t you?” Josh answered instead
• “She is the CEO of Lovelies group of companies” Chris told him and Josh stare at him in disbelieve.
• “Are you pulling my legs? Why would someone like her approach you?” he asked while taking a seat.
• “How will I know that? She wants to work together with my company” Chris answered confused to see him get excited.
• “Really? I can’t believe you got the mighty Laura to speak to you, she is known to ignore every guy and even rejects the little prince of the Brooks’ family.
• “She is that popular” Chris murmured
• “But wouldn’t Mira get upset, remember what she did to the last girl that approached you” Josh queries picking a drink for himself.
• “She is not someone Mira can afford to offend” he said nonchalantly
• “You sound like you know so much about her, is there a secret you are not telling me?” Josh asked curiously.
• “You said it just now that she is the mighty Laura” Chris reminded him
• “That’s true but why would she care to work with you? I guess her company isn’t doing well like the rumors said” he muttered to himself
• “What about the company?” Chris questioned, he has tried not to concern himself with anything of hers but can’t help but get curious now that she has approached him herself.
• “Don’t you know about it? Everyone says that she is not capable and there are rumors that her stepbrother will soon replace her”
• Chris nod his head quietly as he listen to Josh understanding the reason behind her over joyous act, that means the contract means a great deal to her then
• “Are you really interested in her? What about Mira?” Josh asked seeing that he is lost in thought.
• “I told you I am not in a relationship with her, I am leaving” Chris replied and drops the glass in his hand then left the party.
• As he steps out, his driver waiting for him downstairs sees him approaching and he quickly came down from the car to open the door for him then entered the car and quickly drove off.
• Chris took out his phone to look up Lovelies and is surprised by the information he saw online, he knew she was naive but didn’t expect that she wouldn't be able to handle the company well and even have her position threatened.
• He place his phone back in his pocket and rest his head trying to catch some sleep before going back to the office to finish up some work then his mind went back to his conversation with her and smirks.