Together Forever
Chapter 3

*********

What the actual hell?

Why does he have to be Ethan Jones? Couldn't he be anyone else?

It wasn't supposed to be, was it?

I just bumped into the one and only Ethan Jones and was staring like a fool God knows for how long!

Now he would think I have never seen boys in my life! Though I have never seen someone like him!

I shake off the thoughts and look at his outstretched hand.

"Hello, Mr. Jones. Nice to meet you." I say as I raise my hand to connect with him.

The moment he touches my hand, it feels like a thousand volts of electricity strikes me, sending shivers through every vein of my body. His hand is cold, my whole body gets stiffened, I literally struggle not to quiver at his touch.

Oh God, is he electro-man?

"It's already late, better if we start now, Miss Gray." He says in a business-like tone as he slowly lets go of my hand.

"Yeah, sure. Let's go." I reply and he nods.

He starts walking through the corridor and I follow him. The strong scent of his cologne engulfs me which I know for a fact Clive Christian Imperial Majesty. Though I don't use perfume for myself, I like men's cologne.

We pass the booth area and enter the big hallway. The long corridor of the hallway is painted cream with golden curtains hanging on the wall beautifully. There are rows of tree tubs on either side of the corridor The hallway is so quiet that our footsteps echo throughout the place, like a horror movie scene.

Soon we appear in front of a big wooden door. He opens the door and enters inside without waiting for me.

I see you are not a gentleman!

I step inside and see a big conference room with a big projector and a long wooden table in the middle. Even the conference room is so gorgeous here.

There is also a man sitting on a chair typing on the laptop. He is pretty good-looking and looks in his mid-twenties like Mr. Jones. When he sees us, he gets up from his seat and moves towards me. He stands in front of me and extends his hand,

"Hello, Miss Gray. I am Matt, Ethan's assistant, and friend. I am so happy to meet you." He says smiling.

"Thank you, Mr. Matt. My pleasure." I shake his hand.

"Please, call me Matt." He smiles cutely.

"Oh Alright."

"But if you call me Matt, I shouldn't call you Miss Gray. Then what will I call you?"

"Call me Evie, it's my nickname."

Our moment gets interrupted by a throat clearing and both of our heads snap in the direction of the sound. My eyes fall on him and I see him staring at us with a frown and with an annoyed expression.

But why?

We were just introducing ourselves and when people introduce they shake their hands, isn't that normal?

"If you guys are done, let's get started with what we are here for. We are already late enough." He says curtly.

Rude

He and I sit at the two opposite ends of the table and Matt sits adjacent to him. Meanwhile, I didn't miss the slight smirk on Matt's face.

What's happening?

"So... Miss Gray, let's just come to the point." He announces looking at me,

"I had heard that this year Grayson company has ranked in one of the most successful business industries in the world and is also spreading worldwide. Hearing that, I got interested and gathered more information about your company and found it applicable to consider making a contract between us."

"So last week, Mr. Grayson and I had a meeting and he also agreed to consider the proposition and we fixed another meeting. But then two days ago, Matt told me that he had to leave New York urgently and you will take over for the next six months. So, please clear up this issue."

He says in a breath and I nod sitting straight.

"My father had to go to London for an urgent trip. There is a very important project we had invested earlier a great amount of money but now there are found some defaults from the other party and if we don't settle this problem quickly, we would have to face a great loss."

"That's why he left for London hurriedly and told me to come here and take over our company because the head branch can't be managed without a CEO and as I am the co-owner of our company. I was in Canada for my study so when dad called me I moved here in short order three days ago. I think now it's clear to you." I say and he nods in understanding.

"So you live in Canada?"

"Yeah, I have been living there for four years. And after dad comes from London, I will go back there." I reply.

He clears his throat and starts the conversation again,

"I thought it would be profitable making a partnership agreement between us since partnership demands equality and also an expert person as a partner. No doubt how experienced Mr. Grayson is. But now in his absence, how assured can I be that this agreement will work or not?" He says, raising an eyebrow.

Now he is doubting my efficiency. How dare he?

I take a deep breath, put my hands together resting my elbows on the hard surface of the table. Ready to give an insolent reply.

"Mr. Jones, since I will have to work with you if we make this agreement, so I think by assurance maybe you want to know something more about me. As I said before, I just finished my graduation, that is to say, my study isn't finished yet as I am willing to get an MBA. But I have been handling our business with my dad for about 5 years now."

"Moreover, when dad has depended on me to work on the contract with you, I think you can depend too, I won't disappoint you. And that's it." I finish and exhale deeply.

I look at Matt to see him staring at me amusingly and Mr. Jones looks down thinking something with a serious expression.

For the one hour that I have been here, I haven't seen him smile for once, rather just talking with a moody face. Why do all the CEOS have to be grumpy, rude, arrogant? Can't they be smiley smiley? It's true I myself hardly smile but still, I smile.

"I will take your words, Miss Gray."

His words cut me off guard,

"Yes?" I ask to be sure what he said.

"I want to say that I was interested in diving into the partnership from the beginning. Now that everything is clear, I am willing to make this contract. So what is your opinion?" He asks and I just stare at him blankly.

Did he just agree?

Yes, yes, he did.

"Miss Gray?"

"Huh?"

"I said do you agree?"

"Yeah, of course. I do. " I say quickly, nodding my head.

"Matt, give me the papers." He asks Matt and he hands him the papers. I get up from my seat, walk forward, and sit beside him. After his signature, I read it properly and when I replace everything correct, I sign my

name.

Done!

I take my copy and shove it into my bag. I am so happy. Dad was a bit nervous about the contract and I did it finally. I can't believe it. I can't wait to give him the good news.

"Miss Gray." He calls me as I turn

around and my head slightly strikes against his hard chest.

Why is he so close?

Is there a lack of space in this room that he had to stand right behind me?

I look up at his face just to be overwhelmed by the second shock of fascination. He is really an artwork, god-gifted debonair. He is staring down at me with the same unknown emotion he was a while ago. His strong scent engulfs my nostrils and I can't help but breathe in that scent. Then I take into consideration how close we are.

I try to step back quickly but my back hits something which I assume is the desk as I was standing against it before being mesmerized by this godly man. I don't know why but suddenly I start feeling nervous. I look around hoping Matt would be here but to my disappointment, he is gone.

"Where is Matt?" I ask slowly.

"He left to call my driver. He is outside." He replies in a steely voice, his eyes not leaving mine.

"Oh."

I am getting uneasy because of the closeness. He seems to notice that but he ignores it. I can't even say a word like my mouth is stitched. He puts his hands on either side of me on the desk trapping me and all the while I keep staring like a dumbstruck person. I push my body back as far as possible but the stupid desk doesn't even move a bit.

What the hell is happening?

I won't work with you if you come any closer! Go away!

I open my mouth to say something against this 'not like business' behavior but it seems like I forgot English. Our body is touching and our faces are inches apart. I am not liking this position. The event of today morning comes rushing to my mind when I first met him. I again feel numb, no strength to move.

Then he smirks and brings his face closer to the side of my face, causing my heart to beat a thousand times faster.

Oh god, what is he going to do?

I can feel the hotness of his face against mine. Tingles start to form all over my body and I feel like my face is steaming. I want to run away but my body doesn't help.

Before turning around and walking away, he whispers something in my ear that makes my eyes widen in shock and my heart skip a beat,

"Don't disappoint me, princess."