Chapter 26 The investor
ViolaAll text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.
“Why did I do this to myself?” I said with a sigh as I entered my room and lay down on the bed. I was so embarrassed, the memory of Elizabeth walking in on me and Kade was so mortifying that I was certain I will never be able to look her in the eye again.
My phone buzzed so I looked at it and panicked when I saw that it was a message from Elizabeth.
” Dinner is in fifteen minutes, get dressed and act like nothing I saw today happened between you and Kade, else one of my father’s spies may think you two have sealed the deal.”
I dropped my phone and stared at nothing in particular as I wondered, ” so Kade’s father would be spying on us to know whether or not we’ve had sex?”, ” What if there’s a camera in kade’s room and we do not know it?”
I jolted when my phone started ringing, it was Elizabeth. She was probably wondering if I got her text so I answered the phone.
” Hello?”
” didn’t you get my text?”
” I did, I’m getting ready right now.”
” Well you could’ve told me that instead of not replying!” she said harshly and hung up.
Why was she so harsh about it? It’s not like Kade and I actually had sex, it was just nice foreplay. Foreplay that I’m sure Kade would want a sequel to.
I smiled at the thought, at least if we can’t have sex there are other ways to enjoy ourselves. I got up and took a shower hurriedly before I got dressed for the dinner. Some guests were already coming in and I was pleased by how few they were.
I greeted and smiled at people I didn’t know while seating beside Kade who was surprisingly holding my hand in his. Maybe it was just an act, I guess he didn’ want his business partners thinking he can’t even handle having a wife let alone handling his business.
When dinner was served, they barely ate anything. All they did was talk about forex and politics.
” You should try out one position at least. We’d support you,” Alfred was saying. He was Kade’s financial advisor but it seems he preferred politics more.
” I’m good Alfie, I don’t need anymore drama in my life.”
” Then you shouldn’t have married her.” Camille, his media personnel said and I gasped, wondering how she could say that to my face.
” Camille, please don’t start.”
” What do you meam? Women adore you and your brother. Now you’re married to a woman they absolutely hate and you want to launch a new phone? They’ll never buy it!” she exploded in her french accent. Gosh she was so annoying, she made it look like I forced myself on kade. I mean, that’s what everyone is saying about me on social media – that I seduced him and now he’s lost his mind and married me.
” She’s my wife Camille, if you want to keep your job I suggest you show her some respect. If anything, our marriage has caused enough buzz to make people buy whatever I put out there, people will buy it.” Kade said and she scoffed.
” I’m telling you Kade, except you never mention your wife on all your press meetings and whatever, women won’t buy nothing you put out – even your male admirers won’t buy it!”
” I think I’m going to need a new media advisor because you’re missing the point in all this. The man women used to obsess over and claim was their boyfriend was an image my father made me have. The image I’m going for has nothing to do with women! If they’re mad then they can buy other phones. My phone is for people who have interest in using phones that are advanced and smarter than the average smart phone, did you hear that? It’s not for sixteen-year-olds who just want to FaceTime their boyfriends – it’s for intellectuals.” Kade said.
” Now just get out before I get security to throw you out.” He said, wiping his lips clean with the napkin and tossing it on the ground in annoyance before he gave her THE GLARE.
” Mr Harold, it’s not that I don’t understand what you’re saying it’s just that you can never really escape the image your father built for you and your brother. That’s literally one of the reasons your cars sold out quickly. I’m only saying you should use it to your advantage.”
” I don’t need that image Camille, leave if you’re going to obsess over the need for it.”
” Fine, you’ll regret this and soon start begging me for my help.” She said, grabbing her purse and walking out with so much ego. Where all French people like this?
” I told you not to include anyone from your father’s panel.” John said, he was…well I didn’t quite catch his role in the company.
” I know, look I’m tired for today. I’ll just check out the files and we can have an actual meeting about work tomorrow. Let’s just eat and retire to our homes.”
” What? Retire to our what? The press is outside waiting for us to –”
” – shit he’s here.” Amanda said, she was the head Engineer for the phone. I remember what her role was because I was impressed by how she was comfortable with Engineering as a woman. She was dressed elegantly but she still wore glasses that gave her a very nerdy but sexy look.
A fat man, along with his two bodyguards made his way to where we sat in the dining room and everyone stood up to greet him. His eyes didn’t leave my body for one second and I felt very uncomfortable. They kept trying to convince him to invest in the business but he kept throwing questions at me.
” I’m sorry, I know nothing about what you’re asking. I’m just here to support Kade.” I said with a smile when she asked how I predict the sales of the phone will go once it’s launched.
” Then you will learn a lot at meetings like this,” he said smoking a cigar and I nodded.
” Should I invest this incredulous amount of money into kade’s business?” he asked, smiling at me mischievously. Gosh he had no filter, I knew he wanted me in his pants but why was he being so obvious with his intentions. According to what they said about him before he showed up, he never stays at stuff like this for more than fifteen minutes but here he was almost going for an hour just so I would talk to him.
” Yes sir you should, I may not be able to convince you about how that would be beneficial to you but my husband can, he can tell you more.” I said and I saw Alfred smile.
” Right… well I don’t have interest in too much talk. I’ll invest in your business Harold but only because you have a wife that I’d give anything to have.” He said and laughed hard as if what he said was funny.
Kade’s hand was balled in a fist but he hid it under the table while smiling at the man.
” Thank you Mr Robert, I know you won’t regret this.” Alfred said and the man nodded.
” I’m having a party tomorrow night Miss Walden, I would love to see you there.” He said and I stared at him then looked at Kade. Oh he was angry, I could tell that he was losing his mind but this was a man he couldn’t cross.
” I’m sorry sir, I’m no longer a “Miss” and I have to take my children to their friend’s place for a sleepover.”
” Don’t be silly, you two don’t like each other. I know exactly what your father did Kade so there’s no need for you to act like you’re in love. Come to my party, I’ll give you a good time, right Kade?”
Kade forced a smile and nodded his head, ” of course, she’ll go and have a nice time with you.”
” Good! See Viola, no need for the pretense. Like I said, I know what your father did, such a cruel man to set you up with a woman you despise…good thing I like you Viola.” He said and beamed a smile at me. I couldn’t hide my disgust and he could tell.
” Oh she’s upset. Don’t worry, you won’t be so upset when I’m through with you tomorrow.” He said and then got up from the chair.
” Harold, expect the money tomorrow. See you all later, I’ve got other appointments.”
He left shortly after and I just sat down quietly, mentally telling myself to calm down. Only one thing was left now, the press in front of our house.
” Lets go deal with the press,” Kade said and we all got up.
The second we got outside the gates, the flashes became increasing intense and the questions kept coming.
” What was the outcome of today’s meeting Mr Harold?” one reporter asked.
” It was very successful and I’m happy to inform you that the phone launch will be sooner than you think.”
” Mr Alvarez left here looking very happy, it must be a really good partnership.”
” Yes, very good indeed.” Kade answered stealing a glance at me.
” Even if he and your father are sworn enemies?”
” He’s a good business partner, I’m not concerned with any enmity between him and my father. That’s their concern.” Kafe said and with that the press ended.
I took off my heels the second I entered the house and went straight to my room. As much as I didn’t want to, I cried. I can’t imagine another meeting like this with someone who thinks I’m just a whore.
The man wasn’t even concerned about what Kade had to say, he was just ogling me and probably thinking disgusting thoughts about me.
I heard a knock on my door and went to get it. It was Kade.
” What is it?”
” I came to tell you that you have to attend Alvarez’s party tomorrow. It’ll be good for business.”
” are you insane?! All that man wants is for me to sleep with him!” I argued, unable to even believe that Kade really just told me to go to that party.
” I don’t care, his investment lies in your hands since it’s you he fancies.”
” So you don’t care if I sleep with him, just as long as you get your money huh?”
” Well, you’ve never had a problem sleeping with men have you?” he said and walked out on me.
I was speechless and hurt by kade’s words but more than that I was infuriated. I will not be sleeping with a old hag for any reason, even if kade’s business fails because of it.