Chapter 8

JAMES

"Feisty huh." I watched with a smile as Silvana walked away. When I woke up after the night we shared, I didn't see her, so I guessed she left already. Like she said, it was a one night thing but I just couldn't accept it, and when I saw her again today, I was really surprised. I knew I had to talk to her and she did me a favour by leaving for the restroom.

Tucking my hands in my pocket, I left the restroom, and went back to the restaurant.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting." I said to the business partner I was having a meeting with.

"It's fine." He smiled, and I nodded, settling down.

"So..will you like to invest once again?" He asked.

"Hmm..." About five months ago, I invested in his business, but considering the dividend I got, investing again is not an option, because I barely got a percentage profit.

Standing on my feet, I smiled and shook my head. "I don't think so, doing business with you isn't as good as I thought. Learn more." I patted his shoulder and walked past him.

My personal assistant, Vince, also followed me. As I walked out of the restaurant, my eyes went to where Silvana was sitting with that girl, maybe her friend, but she was not there.

I got in my car the moment I stepped out of the restaurant. Vince got in the driver's seat.

"Where should I go?" He asked.

"The mansion." I replied and he nodded, igniting the car engine and driving out of the restaurant.

"Silvana, find everything about her." I said, switching on my phone.

"Silvana? Who is that?"

"The girl from earlier." I replied.

"Oh, the girl you followed to the restroom?" I looked up from my phone, to glare at him. He chuckled nervously when he saw me through the rearview mirror.

"Will do."

"Must be ready by tomorrow."

"That's a bit..."

"Must." I cut in.

He cleared his throat before nodding his head. I looked away from him and went back to my phone.

_______

"You are back early." Mrs Claire, my housekeeper said the moment I walked in.

"Yeah."

"You should have called. I haven't made dinner yet."

"It's fine, besides, it's still early." I said, heading upstairs. I walked into my room and closed the door behind me. Taking off my suit jacket, I dumped it in the laundry basket before slumping on the bed.

I sighed out and closed my eyes
and before I knew it, I was already asleep, but before it didn't last long cause I was woken up by a nightmare. The same nightmare that comes every time I sleep.

I palmed my face for a few seconds before standing up. I was still cladded in my clothes, but it was uncomfortable, so I took them off and walked into the bathroom.

______

I pulled up in the parking lot of my company 'THE STARLIGHT GROUP'. I stepped out of the car, and walked in.

"Good morning sir"

"Good morning boss"

My workers greeted me as I made my way to the elevator, but I didn't reply. It's a hassle replying to everyone one of them, so I don't bother.

I pressed the open button once I got to the elevator and it opened in a few seconds.

"Good morning, boss." Vince's face appeared.

"Morning." I mumbled and walked in. The elevator closed back.

"Did you do what I asked?" I asked, without looking at him.

"Yes." He scoured through his bag for a while before bringing out a file and handing it to me.

I opened it and Silvana's picture was the first thing I saw. A smile appeared on my face as I stared at her picture. I stared for one minute straight before going to the next page. There, all her information was computed nicely, but the elevator opened, and I had to go out.

I sat on my swivel chair with Vince standing in front of me, as I opened the file to read it. A small smile on my lips as I read through it. She is an orphan, She graduated from Harvard and she is divorced... I stopped reading when I got to that part.

"What's this about?"

"Which one?" Vince moved forward to peer at the file.

"Her divorce." I replied, saving him the stress.

"Oh, She got divorced a few days ago." He said.

"How?"

"I could not really find much, but her ex husband was seen going around with a lady recently. I found out through that."

"So, he cheated?" A frown appeared on my face.

"Seems like it."

I closed the file loudly and he jerked backwards. "That bastard."

"Find out everything about him, including the woman he is with." I said.

"Err...let me tell you the rest since it seems like you won't read the file again." He said and I looked at the file in my hand before dropping it loudly on the table.

"Tell me." I closed my eyes and leaned on the chair.

"There is not much left, just that she is taking over her father's company that she handed to her cousin five years ago.

"Her cousin?"

"Yes, but he mismanaged it so the company is in ruins right now. She is holding a press conference today....it has probably started."

My eyes snapped open and I sat up. "I would like to watch."

Vince played it on his phone before handing it to me. She was already giving her speech.

"I will take over as the CEO of Hardin Corporation as of today. My aim is to develop it from its current state. I implore you all to support and..."

I smiled broadly when the press conference headed. I handed the phone back to Vince before standing up.

"Will be back."

"Where are you going? You have a meeting this morning."

"Postpone it if I'm not back in time." I responded and walked out of the office.

I was out of the company the next minute. Where am I going? To see Silvana cause I need to talk to her.

About an hour later, I pulled up in front of the Hardins corporation. I made my way out of the car and into the company. I was about heading to the reception when I heard a voice.

"What are you doing here?"

I looked ahead to see her walking towards me with an aging man beside her.

"Hey." I smiled when she got to me.

"I asked you a question."

"I'm here to see you." I replied.

"I don't think we have any reason to see each other." She said and turned to go but I blocked her. "I think we do."

"What?"

"I want you to be my business partner."

"Oh, really?" Her brows furrowed.

I nodded and moved closer to her. "You won't regret it."

"What if I say I'm not interested." She smiled tauntingly.

"You will be, maybe not now, but you will surely need it." I smiled back and placed my business card in her hand. With a wink, I turned around and left the company. She will surely need me.