NOAHThe next minute the door opens and Brian steps in with a beautiful young lady by his side, her long brown hair falling down her back like a waterfall, her green eyes fixed on mine and I can see determination, something I don't often see.It takes me a moment to stop staring at those eyes of hers, as the sound of her heels drags my attention to her outfit. A navy blue pant and a white blouse, her arm and her chest are exposed, but she looks professional and confident.She approaches me with a handshake, "Hi, you must be George Wright, I am Aria Hayes."George Wright? She is here to see George? Why? Brian moves forward about to speak, and properly introduce me to her but I throw him a warning glare. If she is here to see George then I might as well pretend to be George.I stand up and extend my hand taking hers, "Yes, I am George Wright," I reply. "To what do I owe this visit.""I came here to personally deliver the-""Please sit," I say gesturing her towards the chair next to mi
ARIAThe sound of my alarm nearly gives me a heart attack, I sit up on the bed immediately hitting the alarm clock and rubbing my eyes. 9 AM?I can't believe I overslept! I quickly get out of bed and start getting ready for the day. As I'm brushing my teeth, I can't help but think about the meeting with George Wright yesterday. I'm still trying to process everything that happened. The way he looked at me, the way he spoke to me, it was all so... intense. And that smirk at the end, made my heart race. I try to shake off the feeling, he is a married man for goodness sake Aria, what the hell are you thinking? I have a lot of work to do and I can't let yesterday's encounter distract me. I can't let my thoughts be clouded by images of a married man. I get dressed quickly and send a message to Stephanie that I am on my way and she should attend to whatever issue might arise before I get there. Hopefully, she doesn't get another intern to ruin my day like yesterday.The drive to the off
ARIAHe chuckles, leaning back into his seat, "And when did you realize that I am not George.""Right now, I had been in a hurry yesterday and I forgot to confirm George's identity," I reply, not pleased by the sight of him. Not only did he lie yesterday about his identity, he had got me to write off 20% to him and proceeded to test me with those uncomfortable topics about his own mother. What kind of person is he? And why did he choose to hide his identity and go as far as to come to my office still pretending to be George."You should always do your research in serious situations like that, if it was something -""Why are you here Sir?" I ask interrupting him, the last thing I need from him is a lecture on how to run my business or deal with my clients. I go and take my seat staring at him, waiting for his response. "I think we both know why I am here," he says leaning back into his seat. "No, Mr. Wright, I don't think I do," I say, my voice firm and assertive. "You lied about yo
NOAHAs I step into my car, I know I should be pissed off by my encounter with her but I find myself smirking as I turn on the engine and drive off into the street.I can't help but think about how predictable she was. I knew she'd react that way, all fiery and passionate. It's almost... admirable. But, I have to focus on the bigger picture. Making sure she doesn't reveal this information to anyone, from her reaction I can tell she won't dare to do something like that. She seems intent on upholding her reputation, it's the reason why she had been willing to offer 20% of the refund to George, in hopes that he won't tarnish her image.As I drive home, a thought comes to my mind and I decide to make a call. I pull out my phone and dial a number, waiting for the person on the other end to answer."Yes, sir?" "I need you to keep an eye on Miss Hayes. Make sure she doesn't breathe a word about our little encounter. And if she does... take care of it." "Yes Sir," Brian replies."Also, has
NOAHI take a seat on the couch and Melissa joins me with a worried look plastered on her face. "Are you serious? She said something about surrogacy and I found it odd, I had it in mind to discuss it with you without her being a part of our discussion."I sigh, adjusting my tie, "There is nothing to discuss, I have made it clear to her that I do not want to get married or have a child.""Are you still on this decision of yours?" She questions. I give her a firm nod, it's been a decision I made for myself a long time ago. No kids, no wife, just me and my business. My mother probably hated the idea, but she didn't oppose it until this darn contract appeared.She still doesn't remember when she signed it, which I find odd, but she is hellbent on making sure I comply and not have the company and everything taken from me. Or maybe it's just her desire to make sure she doesn't get pushed to the sidelines after years of enduring her shitty marriage. "I know you have refused to tell me why
ARIAIt's been two days since the incident with Noah Wright, I have been so occupied with work that I barely had time to think about him or the nonsense stunt he tried to pull in my office the other day.I don't know who told me that handling a lot of projects at the same time was a good idea to stay relevant, I mean it is, but why haven't I gotten any sleep in two days...Ahhh!I go through the file in front of me for the second time, making sure I have not made any mistakes with the budget placement and the color theme. The door of my office suddenly opens wide, and from the heavy scent of the vanilla perfume I already know who it is and all I can do is frown even more as I watch Ryan step into the office with his hands in the air and a big smile on his face. "Hello love," he says rushing to my side and kissing me on my cheek. "I have been calling you for two days now, not even a single call back or a message. Like hey, sorry Ryan but I am busy with work."I sigh, dropping my pen
NOAHWhat the hell is she doing here? Or maybe it is I who needs to answer that question, Melissa had dragged me out for a lunch break and I had reluctantly agreed, hoping to get some fresh air and clear my head. But now, I'm faced with the last person I expected to see - Aria Hayes. And to make matters worse, she's sitting with that ugly-looking dude, laughing, chatting, and being all touchy. Who is he? I am familiar with her brother Arthur Hayes, I had been opportune to meet him during my meeting with Hayes Tech, so, I know that's not him. Perhaps her boyfriend? She didn't exactly strike me as the type who would have time for a boyfriend, maybe a fuck buddy, but not a boyfriend. Why am I even bothered by this piece of information and why am I getting pissed off at the sight of that guy touching her?What do I even care who she hangs out with? I'm here with Melissa, anyway. But my eyes keep drifting back to her, and I can't help but notice the way she's smiling, the way her eyes
NOAH"Go to hell," she kisses her teeth making her way for the door, this time I not only grab her by the arm, I shove her back against the wall until she has nowhere else to go. Our gaze locks together and for a moment we just stare at each other, her eyes blazing with anger as she grinds the back of her teeth and mine filled with a sinister plan that involves her. She tries to move to the side in hopes of escaping me, but I place my hands on the wall caging her. "Let me go, what the hell do you think you are doing?" "I'm not letting you go until you agree," I say, my voice low and menacing."Agree to what?" she spits, her eyes flashing with defiance."To the bet, to the fake marriage. To the chance to win 100 million dollars," I say, my eyes locked on hers."You're crazy if you think I'd ever agree to that," she says, her voice firm."But you will," I say, my smile growing wider. I have always gotten whatever I wanted, even her father's company which I failed to acquire still lin