Chapter 19

Executives of "Romeo's group" were here from other packs for this important meeting. Romeo was heading this top notched meeting in the conference room. The environment of the room was quite tense as they were all extra careful and extra perfect.

I was there as the Acting CEO and as his mate. It has been two weeks since I have become their Acting CEO. News has really traveled fast that I live with Romeo and he is my mate. My father would be so engaged. Thinking about all of that brought me back to the meeting, which was conducted by him. I had heard that he conducts this meeting once a month. Moreover, I informed him about some suspected funds which he promised to look into.

"This is the third time in a row that we have lost this deal". Larry said, hitting the table with his file. "And this is the third time in a row Michael's group has cut it under our noses".

"Now, I need to know the results! Who is the traitor?" All the executives were quiet listening to Larry's aggressive tone. Only the top heads of concerned departments were called for the meeting. I have only seen the friendlier side of Larry. This side was an alien to me.

"Larry, we even changed the quotations this time. I don't know how in hell, this is happening". Liam, the chief operating officer, spoke.

"I seriously think we should hire someone professional to dig deep. Because whatever this is, it's going to be dirty". Max, the finance department head said. They were bringing in their suggestions trying to avoid Romeo's wrath. They were all trying to get to his good side.

This was my first meeting with Romeo and my second meeting with the heads. Romeo had asked me just to attend it for the sake of it. Throughout the meeting, everyone was speaking, pouring suggestions, showing concerns and aggressiveness.

Everyone except Romeo. He was on his phone oblivious of his surroundings. They all seemed accustomed to it like this wasn't his first time doing it.
The unexpected knock on the door made everyone go quiet.

Mrs. Ann Montgomery, an aged woman who was Romeo’s office assistant entered the room with a professional smile on her face.

They all knew Romeo never liked interruptions in his meetings. He hates being interrupted. Though he never misbehaved with his employees. But usually, his cold and calculated eyes used to be enough to wet anyone’s pants.

“Sir Romeo, we have got the man here.” She told Romeo and then turned around when Romeo merely nodded.

A man in his late fifties entered the room. He was short, heightened and bald in the middle. He was plump and chubby around his waist. His face showed nothing special but just an ordinary face with ordinary features. But if one would look in his eyes, he would notice a gleam which could be taken as intelligence.

Mrs. Ann left the room. The man nodded at Romeo and without any pleasantries put a file on the table before him. The file was labeled as CONFIDENTIAL in bold letters.

Romeo opened the file and went through its pages. Everyone was quiet not understanding what was going on? Or what was going to happen? Who was that man?

After a few minutes, Hunter raised his head from the file and looked at the man. The man nodded in his direction as if confirming his suspicions and then left the room.

Very casually Hunter glanced at all the members then straightaway looked at Liam. “Do you have any friends working in the Michaels group?”

Liam swallowed audibly not at all expecting this. “What is this supposed to mean?” Liam raised his voice slightly. His forehead was sweating profusely. He removed his glasses to wipe away the sweat from his eyes. Though the air conditioning of the room was perfect.

Romeo was still very calm and cool, “Is that friend … a girl? Is she your girlfriend?”

“This is something very personal, Romeo. I still don’t understand that …”

“Answer my question, dammit.” Romeo was now fuming with anger. “Don’t make it nastier.” He growled between his teeth.

“I am happily married and I would never …” Liam tried to be loud but his voice was shaking.

“Should we call your girlfriend and ask her? Does she know you are married?” Romeo’s tone was icy, running a chill down me. I was watching the drama unfold. He should just confess before he loses his temper because if he does, it won't be good for any of us here.

“Why personal attacks, Romeo? You would take Elizabeth’s words against me?”

“Did I say that we are talking about Elizabeth?” Romeo smiled and that smile was everything but friendly. It was evil, it was cynical.

“Here look at this picture. The man kissing this girl in the bar resembles you a lot I guess.” Romeo threw the file before him. All the photographs inside the file were scattered on the table. In all those photographs Liam was not only kissing but also doing much more … that too without any clothes.

“Romeo! I can explain this. I……”

“You are fired,” Romeo announced casually as if he was talking about the weather.

“Get out. Your dues will be cleared during this week. The check would be mailed to you. No need to show your face here. Ever again.” With that Romeo stood and started to leave.

“Just thank God I am not trashing this worthless piece of your body. Just thank your stars I'm not hungry for blood.” With that Romeo left the room taking long strides towards his office.

Just then, two guards appeared out of nowhere and headed towards Liam, “I swear. I didn’t do anything. Please,Larry. Talk to him. Tell him I am sorry.”

They all could hear Liam even after he was taken away. l was rooted to my chair. The way Romeo had dealt with the man, made her frightened for some unknown reason but I knew he could do more than that. I'm glad he didn't take it too far.

I entered my office feeling exhausted already. All I could think of was to sleep. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw Romeo behind my desk. I thought he had gone. So, he was still here. He was busy on his phone as usual.

When he heard the sound of the door opening, he looked up and smiled at me. He looked more relaxed now than then.

"Hey, you are back". He said dropping his phone on the desk.

"Yea, I thought you had gone".

"No. I was waiting for you. To bid you goodbye". I nodded and went closer to him sitting on his lap.
"I'm exhausted". I said pouting. He chuckled and kissed me on my forehead.

"Will you come home with me then". If I go home with him, the probability of me getting a sleep is too small. He just wanna have sex with me. I know that!

"I will just take some rest here. I will be back home soon".

"I can see you are handling the company's affair well. You impressed me with the records today". He said.

"Thanks". I replied blushing incessantly.

"Have you eaten?"

"I only drank coffee. I will go for lunch. Later!".

"Let's go on a date then". He said.

"A date?"

"Yea, I want to take you on a date".

"When?"

"Now!"

"Romeo, I've got work to do". I said grumpily.

"No Ella. No excuse. I will pick you up in two hours. Round it up, okay". He said with full dominance. I'm really careful of his anger. He was already angry in the meeting room and I didn't want to add to it.

"Don't over exert yourself, okay". He said and kissed my hair. I nodded while he walked out gracefully.

************
I felt so nervous as I sat next to him in the moving car. Where could he possibly be taking me? We are going on a date.
I watched him as he turned the sterling. Gosh! This guy’s damn cute!!

He finally pulled over in front of a restaurant and my eyes beamed.
Oh my gee!!! Tell me we’re eating, please.

I gasped in excitement as I followed him out of the car. Seeing the restaurant actually increased my hunger.
He walked into the restaurant while I followed him behind, running my eyes round the sparkling place.

Gosh! It was so beautiful and classic.
He took the lead and found a table where we sat facing each other. And immediately, a waitress rushed to us.

“Good evening, sir. Good evening ma’am. What’re your orders, please?” She asked politely, her book and pen set to write.
Well, of course, I didn’t say a word but waited for Romeo to make the decision.
“Tell her what you want” Romeo suddenly said and I felt my heart skip. I thought he was mad at me.
I felt my cheeks heat up instantly as I looked at the waitress.

“Um….I think I’d go with some rice and beef stew” I replied and licked my lips.The waitress scribbled it down in her jotter.

“Okay. And you, sir?” She turned to Romeo who just sighed and brushed his fingers into his hair.
“Same thing she ordered” he replied and the waitress nodded and left.

After a while, the waitress returned with our orders in trays.

Huh?

“Eat up,” he said coldly. I took my spoon and started eating.

Well, like you’ve already known, Romeo isn’t the talking type. So, we both ate silently.
He just kept picking at his food while I rushed mine. Trust me, I chomped and devoured mine. I was 100% hungry.

By the time we were done, I felt a little full and relieved.
Hah! Thank goodness. The waitress came for her bill and after paying, we left the restaurant.Oh my! It was already dark outside! It's so dark already.

Crap!

Just on our way to the car, a little boy ran up to us, holding some dangling things in his hands.

“Hey, mister. Good evening. Um…so sorry to disturb you. But would you love to get something for your girlfriend? I’m sure one of these would fit her a lot because she’s so beautiful”. The little boy said fanatically, making my cheeks heat up again.

Huh??? Where the hell did he come from??
He was just silent and stared at the things the boy was holding. I do hope he will buy one for me. The jewelry is so pretty.

“Miss, if you convince him to buy from me, I’ll tell you a secret” he said with a wink and I smiled at him.
“I’ll get this”. Romeo said coldly when I was about speaking up.
Seriously?
He selected something from the boy, a pretty necklace and turned to me.

He came close and locked the necklace around my neck and my eyes beamed.
It's so beautiful.
He dipped his hand into his trouser pocket and brought out a huge sum, handing it over to the boy.

“What???? Mister!!! Thank you so much!! Thank you so much, mister!!” The boy exclaimed happily, his eyes beaming with excitement.

“This will go a very long way. My mom will be so happy, mister. You’re god-sent”.

Hmm. God-sent indeed.

The boy’s happiness brought smiles to my face.
“For this, she won’t be the only one I’ll be telling a secret to, but you as well! So….you’ll be getting double secrets from me!".

“I’ll tell you a secret about her, and I’ll tell her a secret about you” he enthused and I arched my brows in surprise.
Is he being serious???

He smiled and went closer to Romeo, beckoning on him to bend a little because of his height and Romeo complied.
He whispered something into his ears and to my greatest surprise, he cracked.

Whaaaaat??

Romeo cracked!!!

He cracked and almost laughed.
My eyes widened in shock as curiosity got the better side of me.
Hold on. …what exactly did he tell him? What secret of mine could he possibly tell Romeo?

“Your turn, miss” he beamed and beckoned me to bend a little and I did.
And softly, he whispered into my ears:

“He may act grumpy,
But he hates being alone”.

I felt a cold and enigmatic feeling struck me as soon as I heard those words.

Whaaaat??
I lifted my head to look at Romeo and caught him staring at me.
Then, I quickly lowered my gaze.

“Goodnight, mister. Goodnight miss. I know you aren’t married yet. But….you two will make a fine couple. Oh!! And don’t worry, It's just a special gift that runs in our family” he chirped and ran away.For a while, Romeo and I stood silently, just staring at the kid as he got lost in the dark.

*He hates being alone*

Those words replayed in my head. Romeo hates being alone? He has been alone for centuries. Who wouldn't hate being alone?

He pushed everyone away with his anger. I wonder how he coped for years.
“Let’s go” he interrupted my thoughts and proceeded to the car while I slowly followed.