Chapter 639 Kingsley, What Exactly Do You Want?
Kingsley's request made sense, and Amara couldn't really say no.
But after last night, things were a bit awkward.
Amara slipped on her shoes and headed to the bedroom, saying, "I'll check on Jesse."
As she passed the small dining table, she kept her head down, avoiding Kingsley's gaze. Once she was in the bedroom, she realized her heart was pounding.
Jesse was sound asleep.
Amara sat down and looked at Jesse's peaceful face, which helped her calm down a bit.
The bedroom door opened, and Kingsley walked in.
Amara wanted to say something but couldn't, worried it would make things even more awkward with Kingsley, especially since Hailey was still around.
Kingsley came over, leaned in close, and gently stroked Jesse's little face, just like she did. Occasionally, his long fingers would brush against her hand, making Amara want to pull away.
Kingsley just chuckled in her ear. "We were all over each other last night, and now you're feeling shy?"
Amara blushed but didn't want to show weakness. She shot back, "Are you reminiscing about last night?."
Kingsley nodded. "Yeah, I do miss it."
His warm breath brushed against her ear as he shamelessly added, "We're at an age where we all have needs, right?"
Amara didn't expect him to say that! She definitely didn't want to agree, so she snorted, "Just you wait!"
She thought he'd get mad, but Kingsley didn't. He straightened up and said, "I'll be waiting for your call anytime! You've changed, you know, with a much stronger desire."
Amara, furious, threw a pillow at him.
Kingsley caught it with one hand and just looked at her, his gaze clear.
Amara turned her head away, indifferent.
Kingsley gently put the pillow down and didn't push her further. Just then, Hailey called for dinner.
Amara wanted to stay with Jesse, but Kingsley gently patted her back and said softly, "Let's eat first! Jesse's grown up; he's not that fragile."
Amara felt a bit dizzy as she walked out.
Logically, after their argument this morning, Kingsley should be mad. But why was he still at her house, eating with them?
Kingsley staying for dinner made Hailey quite happy.
Kingsley glanced at Amara and then smiled at Hailey, saying, "I've been feeling unwell lately and need to nourish myself."
Hailey was delighted. "Exactly, they say lamb is good for winter nourishment, but you need to nourish yourself in spring too! Mr. Hawkins, eat as much as you like."
Kingsley nodded. "Thank you, Hailey."
Hailey beamed with joy. She thought their relationship was completely over, but it seemed they still had feelings for each other.
After dinner, Jesse was still asleep, even close to nine o'clock.
Amara was working on the sofa. She closed her laptop and looked at Kingsley, who was watching Tom and Jerry. How childish!
She said softly, "It's getting late; you should go."
Kingsley didn't linger. He got up to check on Jesse, grabbed his coat and car keys, and was ready to leave. Amara got up to see him off.
She changed her shoes, and Kingsley went downstairs first.
Amara went downstairs and found Kingsley leaning against his car, smoking. He was tall and well-built, wearing just a dark gray shirt and casual pants, looking pretty good.
He looked at Amara in the dim light. "What's up?"
Amara lightly held her coat collar and thought for a moment before saying, "In the future, can you visit Jesse on Saturdays or Sundays? I'll bring him to you."
Kingsley laughed. "Can't I see him during the week? Afraid I'll get in your way?"
Amara didn't want to argue with him. "Fine, come whenever you want!"
Kingsley put out his cigarette, opened the car door, and was about to get in when Amara couldn't help but ask, "Kingsley, what do you really want?"
Kingsley leaned on the car door, seemingly thinking for a moment, then retorted, "You don't know? Amara, I felt pretty good last night."
With that, he got in the car and drove away.
Amara stood there for a while before going back inside. Jesse was still asleep.
Hailey brought over some sunflower seeds and said softly, "I think Kingsley wants to get back together with you. But even if he does, you must maintain a proper relationship! Has he broken up with Hannah?"
Amara shook her head. "I don't know. I haven't thought about the future."
She wanted to say they weren't suitable, but Hailey knew about last night, so she lacked confidence.
Hailey got it perfectly. She patted Amara's hand and smiled. "It's up to you! By the way, Billy's career is going well. The boss who connected him last time values him a lot. This morning, he got another lucrative deal. Billy said this deal could earn him no less than a hundred thousand dollars. I think he might be exaggerating, but not by much."
Amara asked a few questions and found it quite reliable, feeling happy for Billy.
Amara understood Kingsley's intentions. She thought he would persist, but he didn't show up for the next few days, allowing her to focus on work.
The financing issue was urgent, and after two days of silence, Amara was about to contact Floyd. But before that, Rufus suddenly visited.
Amara was working in her office when her secretary came in and said softly, "Ms. Butler, Mr. Palmer is here to see you. He wants to invite you to lunch."
Amara twirled her pen, guessing his identity, and then closed her files. "Ask him to wait in the reception room."
The secretary nodded and left.
Amara quickly searched for Rufus's information and prepared herself before going to meet him. As expected, it was Rufus. Today, he was dressed less formally, looking younger.
She put on a professional smile. "Mr. Palmer, why didn't you call ahead? I could have prepared."
Rufus stood up and smiled. "I was afraid if I made an appointment, you wouldn't see me."
Amara was slightly taken aback but then smiled. "Why would I! You're Floyd's son, a valued guest of the Carter Group. How could I not welcome you?"
Rufus said softly, "Amara, I'm not here for business. I'm not my father's employee. I just want to invite you to lunch! So, can we not talk about business?"
Amara thought, 'You're not Floyd's employee, but you are his son!'
But outwardly, she readily agreed. "Sure! How about the restaurant across the street from the company?"
Rufus agreed happily.
Half an hour later, Amara arrived, and Rufus had already ordered. He looked at Amara's suit. It was beautiful but always a bit too formal.
Soon, the waiter started serving the dishes.
Amara found the food Rufus ordered quite delicious.
Rufus tentatively asked, "So, about the Hughes Family..."
He really liked Amara, but a man's affection often came with conditions. For instance, if Amara could take over the Hughes Group, the marriage would be even more ideal.
Amara felt quite repulsed, but she just smiled. "I actually have no connection with the Hughes Family."
Rufus didn't know what to say.
Amara took the opportunity to clarify. "Thank you for your affection, Mr. Palmer, but I have no plans to get married or date right now. So, I can only discuss business with you; anything else is really not appropriate."
Rufus's expression stiffened.
He picked up his coffee and drank slowly. After a long pause, he said, "Aren't you afraid it will affect your financing?"
Amara replied calmly, "It's just business, nothing personal."
Rufus understood but was still unwilling to give up and asked, "What about Kingsley? Do you still like him?"
Amara just said, "It's none of your business."
She remained dignified and composed.
Rufus realized there was no turning back. Though disappointed, he felt a bit more admiration for Amara. Finally, he sighed. "I guess we just aren't meant to be."
Amara just smiled faintly.
Rufus, having been rejected, lost his appetite and left first.
Amara, however, found the food here quite good and decided to eat a bit more. Just as she was about to order, Kingsley sat beside her with several executives, though only he sat down.
He looked at Amara. "Having a date with Rufus?"
Amara looked around and then said softly, "Kingsley, did you have someone follow me?"
Kingsley chuckled. "I'm not that creepy! It was just a coincidence. Besides, Floyd loves to gossip. He called my parents early this morning to say you were having lunch with his son. It was hard not to know!"
Amara was speechless and wanted to leave, but Kingsley grabbed her arm. He seemed to be in a good mood and told the people behind him to sit down, saying, "Let's eat here! Ms. Butler is treating."
The perceptive ones started to speak up.
"I've heard the food here is good. I've been wanting to try it."
"Exactly! Thanks, Ms. Butler, for the treat."
Kingsley, being picky, called the waiter to clear the remaining dishes and ordered a whole new table of food.
Amara thought he was really shameless.
She pulled out four hundred dollars from her wallet. "This money is for the bill! I'm not staying with you."
She was about to leave, and Kingsley just said gently, "I'll come by to see Jesse tonight. Have Hailey make an extra portion of food."
Amara thought he was even more shameless, treating her home as his own!
She deliberately delayed until 8 PM before going home, expecting Kingsley to be there. But when she opened the door, only Hailey, Jesse, and Nicole were home.
Amara looked around the doorway.
Hailey asked, "What are you looking at? Did you eat? I saved you some food."
Amara shook her head. "I ate at the office! Hailey, did Kingsley come by?"
Hailey looked surprised. "No! He called this morning, saying he had a flight this afternoon for a week-long business trip. He didn't inform you?"
Hailey muttered for a while.
Amara didn't want to admit she had been played by Kingsley. She went inside, changed clothes, and played with Jesse and Nicole.
Late at night, still fuming, she sent Kingsley a message: [Is it fun to mess with me?]
About five minutes later, Kingsley replied lazily: [Making love is more fun!]
Amara was both shy and angry. Over the years, Kingsley had become really annoying.
She threw her phone aside and went to take a shower. When she came back, he had sent another message: [Do you miss me?]
Amara ignored him.
The next day at the office, after the secretary finished reporting, she asked, "Ms. Butler, should I schedule an appointment with Mr. Palmer?"
Amara leaned back in her leather chair, gently rocking it. "Not for now! He's probably still upset and won't want to invest in our company. Check what projects Synergy Ventures Ltd. has been involved in recently and see if there's any strong competition. If there is, we'll really need to find another investor."
The secretary nodded and left. Then Amara picked up the documents and reviewed them several times.
She suddenly remembered Kingsley mentioned he could invest. Amara admitted his offer was tempting.
But after thinking it over, she still felt it wasn't right.
Sitting in her current position, she should prove her capability and earn respect through securing Floyd's investment, rather than relying on Kingsley.
Neither Floyd nor Amara contacted each other.
Finally, one day, they ran into each other at a private club's golf course. Coincidentally, Zachary was there too, but Amara ignored him and went up to greet Floyd.
Floyd gave a sly smile. "Ms. Butler, long time no see!"
Amara smiled. "It's better to meet by chance than to be invited, Mr. Palmer. Long time no see."
Floyd aimed at the golf ball and swung. "Amara, you sure have a way with words. My son was quite upset for days after you rejected him. Ms. Butler, what should we do about that?"
Amara smiled faintly, "I'm here to apologize to you."
She nodded slightly, and her secretary presented the project contract, which shocked Floyd.
He sneered. "I don't think I've agreed to invest yet!"
Amara lowered her gaze, then looked up and said softly, "But I came here today with full sincerity, or perhaps with a sense of desperation! You know about my feud with the Hawkins Family. If you don't invest, I'll be at a dead end. I'll either have to resign from Mr. Carter or swallow my pride and cooperate with the Hawkins Group."
Floyd squinted slightly.
Amara continued, "If I cooperate with the Hawkins Group, I'll gain much more than just this financing. There are other projects from the Hawkins Group, like the hottest new energy sector in the past two years, which has always been a special favor from the Hawkins Group to you! Landon has always taught me that in business, one must maintain room for maneuver. Don't you agree?"
Floyd was furious and wanted to call Charlotte.
Amara's secretary was nervous, fearing exposure and ridicule if he made the call. But Amara remained calm and smiled slightly, "Please, Mr. Palmer."
She was betting on Floyd's pride.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
