It's 4pm and Natasha went home early to prepare for her meeting with Howard. She wore a sophisticated red seductive dress and head to the venue by 7 pm. She let her blond curl medium length hair loose beneath her shoulder and colored her lips with red. Her thin straight nose matched well with her daring brown eyes and her delicate womanly scent lingered as she walked around the venue.
The meeting is set in a fabulous restaurant in New York City and a staff greeted her when she entered.
"Do you have any reservation tonight, ma'am?" the staff smiled.
She returned the greetings and speak with her soft voice while still maintaining her classy posture.
"Yes. I am with Mr. Howard Clemente."
The staff recognized the name immediately and guided her to her table.
"This way, ma'am."
She followed the waiter until they reached the second floor of the restaurant. She led her to a table on the right corner where the magnificent view of the city lights can be seen. She was impressed by his choice of place, it has a wonderful view.
When she turned to see the table, she saw a man in a blue long sleeves polo waiting for her. She noticed his black tidy hair and got mesmerized by his blue eyes when his gaze suddenly locked to hers. She flashed a smile and he stood up to pull the chair across him for her. She did a little research about him so she already knew what he looks like. She is also impressed by his achievements, he have helped a lot of foundations and participated in charity events. He also have a lot of rewards and has been held as one of the most successful CEO in the country. He is a billionaire that can just easily get whatever he wants.
"Thank you." She said and sat down.
"We'll deliver your orders in a few minutes," the staff said and turned to leave.
"I hope you don't mind that I have already ordered food for us," he started.
"Oh, I don't mind. Not at all." She said, waving her hand.
She didn't expect that he is this handsome, she is attracted by his sweet fragrance and wanted to sniff him but stopped herself from doing so. She only saw him in pictures on magazines, billboards and internet, this is actually her first time meeting him in person. Natasha can't help but to notice the slight similarities of the man in front of her with Jacob, they looked like brothers. Now that she thought about it, she remembered Jacob telling her that he has a brother he really despised but he never introduced him to her. He never even mentioned his name. They have known each other for eight years but she never saw Jacob meeting his brother or addressing him publicly whenever he’s getting an award.
She starts to wonder what Howard Clemente needs to tell her urgently.
Howard kept on staring at her with a smile and she is not so comfortable with it.
"So why do you want to meet me?" She said when she can no longer bear the silence.
He leaned closer to her and reached for her hands. It's soft like fabric. He slowly held it and played with her fingers. He never saw the day when he can finally held her hands, but now, it has been so easy and he don’t want to let it go but Natasha was the first to move her hands away and smiled at him uncomfortably.
“Let’s proceed with the meeting, Mr. Clemente. What do you want from me?” she asked firmly.
"I just want.." he said, cutting his words for a while to move his face closer to her.
His straight thin perfect nose is close to hers and his scent is seducing her to pull him much closer. She almost thought that he's going to kiss her when she felt his lips brushed to her ear.
"I just want to spend this night with you." he mattered huskily in her ear and turned back to his seat as if nothing happened.
She was stunned with what she heard. She doesn't understand how a man as successful as him have noticed her and ask for an urgent appointment just to spend a night with him.
She was about to speak when he suddenly let out a laugh.
She raised her brows and looked at him unbelievably.
"Don't take it seriously, Ms. Lucero. I was just kidding." He said between his laughter, but he knew that deep inside him, all he wants is to spend all of his nights and days with her.
Natasha can't help but notice the way his eyes shrink when he laughed, Jacob was like that too. She stared at him and thought of her intentions of coming here tonight. This man should be able to help her on bringing Jacob down. Her life is ruined now, the man whom she cherished the most cheated on her for a worthless secretary. She have imagined and planned her future with Jacob, but now that he have betrayed her, she must do everything in her power to make sure that he will regret leaving her.
Just right when Howard finished the remaining laughs inside him, a waiter came and served their food.
Howard poured her a glass of wine and Natasha suggested that they should eat first before finally starting the meeting.
Once done, Natasha was the first one to start the conversation.
"So, Mr. Clemente, can you tell me the urgent matter now?" she asked.
Howard grabbed his table napkin and wiped his mouth before speaking.
"Ah, yes. My company needs a partnership with Anderson's corporation, but it's really hard to get on their good side. I did a little research and found out that your brother is married to this woman named Alexine Anderson who is the daughter of the company's CEO."
She remembered Alexine, she's a sweet girl who got married to her brother just few days ago abroad.
"What do you want from me, then?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.
"I want you to introduce me to this Alexine and endorse me to her so I will leave a great impression."
Truth is, Howard can take care of the partnership between Anderson and his company but he used it as an excuse so he can get closer to her. Though he has his doubts that she won't agree with it but it's worth trying.
Natasha crossed her arms in her chest, "That's an easy task to do, and it's a deal if you will agree with my condition."
Howard didn't expected it. He can't deny that he was a bit confused when she agreed to meet him, and now he understood why, she came to negotiate a deal.
"Spill it," he said.
"You know Mavro's company right? I heard that the CEO have been trying to bring you down since you established your own company."
Howard has an idea where the conversation is going. He nods as an indication that he knows what she's talking about.
"I am thinking of ruining Jacob Mavro's reputation--"
"But, Ms. Lucero--" he tried to interrupt.
"Please, let me finish first." She said, raising her hand to stop him from talking.
Howard stay still in his seat and listened.
"Jacob Mavro treats you as his number 1 rival in the business industry, and we do not know what else he can do to drag you down. So, if you think about it Mr. Clemente, it will be a win-win situation for the both of us. You will help me to tarnish his reputation and you will be at ease because you will lose a tight competitor, plus you will have your partnership with the Andersons."
Howard considered it. He doesn't really care about the partnership, he can handle it on his own way. He don't also need to drag his brother down, that will only start a war between them but he had enough of his nonsense. He have always been understanding towards him, maybe now is the opportunity to end it. He should think about himself now and stick with his plan on building relationship with Natasha and settle down. Or maybe, he doesn't have to do it, maybe he can convince Natasha to just let his brother be and continue to live her own life.
"Why do you want to destroy him?" He asked after a long silence.
She smiled, but he could see a shade of sadness in her eyes that she's trying to conceal with her bright pretty face.
"In case you haven't heard about it, he was my boyfriend and I caught him naked with his secretary."
He did not know that she is this straight forward."Then, why not just move on?"
He heard Natasha heaved a heavy sigh and he also noticed her exhausted eyes. She looks like she’s about to cry but restraining herself to do so. It makes him adore her more for she’s not letting others see her in vulnerable moments. He wants to embrace and console her right now, he wants to assure her that everything is going to be alright but he should not. He don’t know what kind of reaction he would get from her.
“Just move on, Ms. Natasha Lucero,” he whispered but loud enough for her to hear him.
"Would you? Can you do that if the person you loved and have given your all for the past years made you look like a fool and hurt you?" She can feel her eyes watering and she is preventing herself from tearing apart. Crying is the last thing she wants to do right now. She does not have time for such weaknesses.
He stared at her tired eyes and realized how badly she wants to get over all of this. She doesn’t deserve this and it makes him want to go straight to his brother and punched him on the face.
“You know what? Never mind. I should not have wasted my time coming here. What was I expecting from a man like you?” she said and was preparing to leave when Howard held her by the arms to stop her.
"Deal. It’s a deal." He said absent-mindedly while getting lost at her eyes.
It’s Friday morning and Howard couldn’t take his eyes off the documents he is reading for his meeting with the potential investors a couple of hours from now. He wants to make sure that everything is settled and well. He is always hands-on with everything that is going on in his company and he doesn’t like it when anybody disturbs him from what he is doing that’s why he ordered James not to let anyone in inside his office unless it is very very important.“Good morning. Mr. CEO,” Howard heard the sound of his office door being opened and he creased his forehead annoyingly upon hearing James’ voice. He was prepared to scold him for disturbing him.“What is it James? I have told you not to disturb me because I am in the middle of something important!” he yelled without bothering to take his eyes off the documents.“I’m sorry, should I just leave then?” he abruptly looked at the direction of hi
Chapter 5It’s almost 6 pm and the notorious business owners in the country are invited to attend the most awaited event for tonight. The 65th anniversary of Mavro’s Company will be held inside the prominent hotel in the center of New York City. Everyone is anticipating the event because they see it as an opportunity to widen their connections in business industry.Jacob have been preparing for this event, he wants this to be special and he wants everyone to remember who he is and how successful he became. Mavro’s company is the legacy of his father who died in a car crash when he was 18, and he wants everyone to realize that he can handle the business without his dad.When Jacob arrived at the venue, almost everyone turned to look at him. He flashed a smile for the camera and greeted the audience. He wears a dark-colored navy suit and tie together with a navy trousers. He went around the venue and engaged with small talks with the g
It’s 9 pm and they went to a small pub just a few blocks away from the event’s venue. Natasha ordered a shot of tequila while Howard asked for Mojito. He doesn’t want to get fully wasted tonight.He thought this is going to be an easy night for the two of them, a night full of celebration for accomplishing their plan. To his dismay, Natasha appeared to be lost and discouraged.Natasha have asked him to order his men on sabotaging the video that is going to be played at the 65th anniversary of Mavro’s company and he agreed to do it. He was flabbergasted to know that Natasha did not received an invitation to the party when he knew she took part on planning the event when Jacob and her were still together. He needed to bribe the security team in order to get her way inside the venue and enjoy the show, he thought it will put a smile on her face once their plan have succeed but he was wrong. She still looks heartbroken and it hurts him.
It was 3 pm when she woke up and searched her room for her phone but couldn’t find it. She tried to remember where she put it and went to her car to find it but found nothing.She heaved a sigh when she realized that she probably left it at Howard’s house. She has no choice but to pick up her car keys and drive back to Howard’s.“Good afternoon, ma’am,” the same maid greeted her.“Hi, did you happen to see my phone?” she asked.“Mr. Howard came here a while ago and I gave it to him. He told me he’ll just drop it in your office.”“This is exhausting,” she murmured and drove back to her building.She reached her office after 10 minutes of driving and went straight to her secretary’s desk.“Did Mr. Clemente drop my phone here?” she asked.“Yes ma’am. He’s actually waiting for you in your office right now.”
Natasha drove her red Bugatti, she does not know where she is going. She do not want to go home for the fear of remembering the moments she had with Jacob in every corner of her house. She just drove as fast as she could. The surroundings is getting darker, and she did not notice that she’s driving in the wrong side of the road. A car is heading towards her direction but it was too late for her to notice it. Fortunately, the driver of the other car maneuvered his steering wheel and avoided her car.“Watch where you’re going!” the driver yelled.She seemed shaken by what happened and abruptly stopped her car. She leaned her head on her steering wheel and the tears she’s been trying to hold finally stormed out of her eyes. She was so mad at herself for being stupid. She was furious at Jacob for fooling her. She feels so little and unworthy and lost that she just wished for the pain to stop.“You’re an asshole, Jacob!&rdquo
It has been weeks since Natasha disappeared without a trace. Howard stopped on trying to find her and focused on what is left with him. Finding her will be a waste of time. She will eventually need to come back to New York to deal with her own business here, she can’t just leave her company behind.“Make sure to close that deal if you don’t want to get fired,” Howard told one of his employee as he received the report that one of their business partner is trying to back out.“But, sir, he seems eager about it--” the employee stopped at the middle of his explanation when Howard dropped a pile of papers in his table loudly and darkly looked at him.“You’re fired,” he said while looking in his employee’s eyes with no remorse.The employee panicked and immediately apologized to him but he did not listen. He kneeled in front of him that made James enter the scenario. James have been watching beside the
Howard woke up on his bed the next morning, he looked at the photo on his table and felt a mixture of happiness and pain in his chest.“When are you coming back, Natasha?” he whispered as he stared at her photograph. He missed her every day and he always wished to see her every time he wakes up so he placed an image of her in his room to remind her that she is real, that she is not just an imagination he created inside his head. She’s someone who urge him to live. But sometimes he doubts himself from thinking that he met her because there is no trace of her that he could hold on to in order to prove that she exists and he once held her hands. And if she does existed in his life, would there be a chance of seeing her again? He is not sure about it. But the photo on his table reminds him that she is not just a dream, she’s real and he have to fight for her.Yesterday night at the bar, he told James about his plan of getting Mr. Guerzon in his side
Jacob Mavro is working on his desk inside his office when Kate suddenly knocked on his door and entered.“Hi baby,” he said when she closed the door and invited her to sit on his lap. He smelled the sweet perfume of Kate that lingers around the room.Kate, his secretary, walked towards him but she stopped in front of his desk looking serious. The playful smile on his face suddenly faded. She did not greeted him back.“What?” he asked impatiently, trying to find out why she has a serious aura early in the morning.“The board members called for an emergency meeting. They want you on the conference room this instant.”He stood up and walked closely to her. He brushed his fingers on her shoulder and whispered on her ear. “Just tell them I am busy.” He thought something really serious came up, but it’s just an emergency meeting so he did not pay much attention to it. For sure, the board members just