Nora’s POV
Ray quickly ran after Sandra, sensing her anger. Deep down, I wanted to play the pitiful person and ask him to stay, but I decided against it. He must have settled scores with her because he came back a few minutes later, looking slightly disheveled.
“I’m sorry about that…” he began, his voice laced with genuine concern.
“No, it’s fine,” I replied, trying to sound dismissive even though the encounter had left a sour taste in my mouth.
“Alright, where were we?” he said, smiling broadly at me, his boyish charm resurfacing.
“Actually, I’ll be taking my leave now,” I said.
“So early?” he asked, pulling off that endearing boyish look again.
Damn it. Back in Paris, I thought I was the stupidest girl to fall for a man twice my age. But looking at him right now, I realized almost everyone would make that mistake.
“Yes, I have things to do,” I responded, standing up from the stool and smoothing my dress.
“You didn’t even have the drink with me as promised…”
“Maybe some other time,” I said, trying to maintain my distance.
Getting up, he said, “Well, if that’s the case, I should drop you off,” he offered.
“No, that won’t be necessary; I came with my driver.” I quickly said, shaking my head.
Follow me? So he’ll know where I live and ruin my plans? Never.
“If you insist, then have a good night,” Ray said, giving me a light friendly hug.
“Thanks,” I replied, walking out, the cool night air hitting my face as I stepped outside.
Just outside, I called my driver, letting him know I was waiting. I stood there, scanning the busy street under the dim streetlights when suddenly someone grabbed my hands from behind.
“So, because you’re rich and influential, you think you can just get away with what you did?” Emma spat, her voice dripping with venom.
“Get your hands off me right now,” I said, glaring into her eyes.
“Or else what? You humiliated me in front of everyone at the party. Now you want to threaten me? You can’t even do anything. I’ll have you know this isn’t Paris!” She sneered, her breath hot with anger.
“I’ll also have you know that with wealth and influence, I can do anything. And those two things I have, but you… well, you have none,” I retorted, my confidence rising with each word.
“How dare you?” She asked, raising her hands to slap me.
“Don’t you dare,” I said, catching her hand mid-air. Our eyes locked in a fierce staring contest, and I could feel the tension crackling between us. She pulled her hand from my grip forcefully.
“Don’t think you can get away with this,” she warned, her voice quivering with rage.
“I honestly don’t know why you’re so pained, but don’t you dare cross paths with me… because I’ll start with you, then move on to your little family and the little company they run. I’ll make sure I reduce you to nothing,” I threatened, my voice steady and cold.
“How do you know about my family and my dad’s company?” She asked, wide-eyed and stepping back, fear creeping into her tone.
“When you have both wealth and influence, you know everything, even about insignificant peasants,” I said, turning away and walking off, feeling so satisfied.
I could feel her eyes boring holes into my back as I walked away, her anger visible in the cool night air.
They should all wait; one after the other, they’ll pay for their sins.
I smiled to myself, satisfied with the encounter.
The driver opened the car door, the leather interior inviting.
“Lady B, where to?” he asked, his tone respectful.
“Home,” I replied, my eyes glinting with determination.
The game’s just beginning.
Ray’s POV
There was something about Lady B that seemed weird; for some reason, I just wanted to be around her, and I had no idea why. What was even funnier was that I didn’t know what she looked like. She could even be way younger than I was.
I left the party shortly after her; it just didn’t feel complete without her presence lingering in the air.
The way she handled the situation with Emma was admirable. I couldn’t help but respect her strength. There were so many ways the situation could have gone south, yet she stood her ground.
My phone buzzed with a notification the moment I stepped into the house. It was from the person I had requested to investigate about Lady B.
Placing a call to him immediately, I asked, “What have you found out? Where is she from? Who is she?” My questions tumbled out in a rush, sounding so impatient.
“I’ve gathered everything there is to know about her; that was what I just forwarded to you,” he replied.
“Tell me; I’ll go through the file later. I want to hear it from you,” I said authoritatively.
“Well, her first outing in public, only the people present were positioned to see her. She was placed in a blind spot on the podium; every image of her is blurry. Secondly, someone mentioned she has children; however, there’s nothing on them either. From my research, she’s not related to Mr. Beaumont; however, nothing indicates how she came to be his heir.”
“That’s serious. Is she a ghost?” I asked, incredulous.
“I have no idea, sir.”
“Did you find anything on why she covers her face? Is it religious?”
“There’s nothing on that issue, sir.”
“Alright, thank you very much,” I said, ending the call, frustration bubbling inside me.
This is why I thought she was weird. How can there be nothing about someone? Is that even possible when she didn’t fall from the sky?
That night, all I could think about was her. I had even imagined what she looked like behind the hijab.
Isn’t like I’m attracted to her? I mean, I can’t be attracted to someone I don’t know. I’m just curious.
And I’m definitely going to clear my doubt.
The next day at work, she arrived wearing a short black office gown that beautifully accentuated her curves. This time, she had a pink hijab on.
“Welcome, Lady B!” I greeted, trying to keep my tone light.
“Thanks, Mr. McLaren,” she replied, hold on to her hand bag, she followed beside me as we made our way to my office.
“Please, call me Raymond,” I said, smiling broadly.
She raised an eyebrow. “Hmm, if you say so… Raymond it is then.”
“Awwn, it sounds even nicer coming from you,” I said in a flirty tone. “I hope I can move on to the first-name basis with you aswell ?”
“You’re actually on my first-name basis already, Lady B, remember?”
“That can’t possibly be your real name,” I said, walking after her.
“But it is, actually. Lady B… say it.”
“Lady B.”
“See? It sounds sexy coming from you.”
Is this lady kidding me right now? I know Lady B isn’t her real name, but what I don’t understand is why she’s so protective about giving out her real name. Why is she even so guarded about her identity?
Well, two can play this game. I need to know what she’s hiding.
“Ha ha, that’s very funny. You could have picked something better, you know.”
“Are you mocking my name?” she asked, feigning annoyance.
“I wouldn’t dare,” I said, raising both hands in a surrendering manner.
“Good. Where will I be working today?” she asked, changing the topic.
“Well, because of the importance of the project and the fact that we’ll have lots of work to do together, I’ve requested they modify my office so we could share it together.”
“Your office?” she echoed, surprise flickering across her features.
“Yes, don’t you like it?” I asked, trying to gauge her reaction.
“Sharing an office with you is totally unnecessary. I don’t need to be in close proximity with you to do a good job. Get me another office.”
“Unfortunately, all the offices are occupied, and the only few that aren’t are on the ground floor. So you see, it’s not like I enjoy sharing my space either.”
“So what you’re trying to say is I don’t get an office of my own?” she asked, her tone serious and angry.
“Actually, with the way they worked on it, it’s literally looking like a standalone office; the only thing is it was cut out from my really large one.”
“This is a very long project that will probably go on for months. I need my own personal space.”
“Don’t worry, it’s just temporary…”
“It better be,” she said, stomping her foot angrily and walked into my office.
I smiled, completely pleased at my thoughtfulness.
She was bound to slip from her total seriousness sooner or later, and when she did, I’d be just a few steps away.