Chapter 4 Interested

• Arianna cursed under her breath when she saw her ex-boyfriend with his girl entering the FREX hotel. The hotel that owned by the Carters.
• “Did they choose my hotel to do their shit?” she whispered.
• She halted the moment the two steps inside. Through her blazing eyes, she watches their every move.
• It was just eight in the morning and she thinks her day was already ruined because of what she witnessed. Miles knew that they owned it—it was her hotel for Pete’s sake. He’s such a thick-face jerk.
• When they got the key, Brenda snaked her arm on Miles.
• Arianna winced and seems disgusted. Well, she doesn’t care anyway. Things happened and are already done; she can’t undo them anymore or travel back to where it all started. All she must do is move on, and she’s achieving it.
• When those stray cats were out of her sight, she went in. They have a meeting about their new project. Arianna’s Dad told her that there was a new member of the board. This means to say, that person owns almost one-third of their profit. They may build another hotel here or abroad. Especially when that director is good at handling. It will benefit them and the company.
• Arianna is the acting CEO, but her father is still the Board Chair. She doesn’t want to, but she doesn’t have a choice. She’s the only heiress, after all.
• When she arrived at their meeting area, she greeted her father and kiss him on the cheek. All personnel were almost there, there was only one vacant seat left, and he or she will be the new one.
• “Oh, my lovely daughter. You’re early. I’m expecting you to come to half of the discussions,” said Mr. Carter. The people inside laughed as if the old man cracked a joke.
• Arianna’s father knows her well.
• “People change, Dad. And I’m so curious about our new member of the board,” she said and sat down. “These won’t take long, right?”
• “Impatient. Are we again my daughter? You might love the new director—he’s young. He’s way better than Miles,” said, her father.
• Arianna lazily looked at her father’s place. She thinks it’s time to tell him the good news. “We’re over.” She composed herself and sat properly. “Miles and I already broke up.”
• Arianna’s Dad smiled from ear to ear. “Great. I told you, he’s no good for you. That scumbag is a man whore.”
• “Wow… how did you know that?” she asked, curiously.
• He shrugged. “Well, I caught him once kissing a brown-haired girl inside his car a few days ago when you tell us you two were officially on,” he replied. And that brown-haired girl is Brenda. “That’s why I don’t want him for you. But you are so head over heels for him, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
• Arianna’s eyes widened. “What the—Why didn’t you tell me, dad? For years, he’s cheating on me?” She’s mad right now but at the same time, she feels relief that she did a great decision in her life—that is to cut ties with that Miles.
• “That piece of shit,” she mumbled.
• “I told you, I don’t want you to get hurt and you’re not a kid anymore, for you to find out what the problem is,” her father said which makes her roll her eyes.
• “When do you plan to get married, Ms. Carter?” asked, Mrs. Samillano. She shifted her gaze to her.
• She smiled. “It’s not on my list yet, Ma’am,” she answered, politely.
• “Why not? You’re beautiful and one of the top professionals in the country. Don’t you think it’s time to settle in?” the old lady asked.
• Arianna winced but manages to let out a smile. As much as possible, she’s avoiding a sensitive topic like this. She’s just into a break-up recently and now someone is asking her when do she plan to settle down, out of the blue?
• “I always tell her that, Mrs. Samillano, but this daughter of mine, has no plans yet in getting married,” her father, replied. “Sometimes, I’m thinking of an arranged marriage, but I still respect her decisions. I can’t force her to marry someone she doesn’t love. That’s why I just let her do things as much as she wants. But to tell you, I already want to have grandchildren,” Mr. Carter, added.
• Arianna was about to defend herself when the door opened and it catches all their attention. A man in a suit came in and to her surprise, she knew who it is.
• Giovanni.
• He smiled as he greeted ‘good morning’ to them. He walked toward the empty seat, pulled the chair in front of Arianna, and sat down.
• “Sorry for being late, Sir,” he said to Mr. Carter. The old man smiled at him.
• Is he the new member of the board?
• Is this fate or just a coincidence?
• Arianna squinted her eyes and look at him. ‘What are you planning Giovanni Harris?’ said the corner of her mind.
• “Before this formal meeting begins, Van, I want you to meet my only daughter, Arianna Carter,” said, Mr. Carter.
• Van then extended his arms.
• Arianna then reached for it and did the handshake.
• “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Arianna,” he said and the corner of his lips twitched up, giving a slight smirk.
• Arianna just let out a strained smile.
• “My hand,” she said as Van still holding it and all eyes were on them.
• But Van just smiled and tighten his grip. Arianna looked as if she was warning him. And she hates the idea that it may give an idea to each of those people inside the room. They may get the wrong one. Especially her father, the latter may play cupid.
• “Oh, my bad,” he said, still his tricky smile flustered on his face.
• ‘Damn you, Van!’ she cursed, silently.
• “It seems like you like my daughter, Mr. Harris.”
• “Of course, Mr. Carter. She’s lovely,” Van replied.
• “She’s single, you can take her out for lunch after this. Or maybe dinner,” Mr. Carter, suggested.
• “Dad?” she yelped. “Can we just start the meeting?”
• Her father laughed. “Oh… sure,” he said.