The Billionaire’s Creed

ADLEY

“Check the availability of the Ratan set. If not, we should go for wood.” Our client wanted a contemporary outdoor, so we looked forward to giving what she wanted.

“On it,” Stella replied. The rest had their respective assignments.

“That’s all, guys. Thanks.” I picked up my things from the table. “Blaze, are you up for this project?”

“Of course. Do you have a date or something?” He smiled mischievously. I wish.

A girl could hope. “Nope.”

“So the planet-saver billionaire sent you home, huh?” Of course, he knew.

I was relieved when I got home he was having fun with his friends because I knew him-Blaze would not stop until he got what he wanted.

“It was my ride. The last thing I knew, he climbed into the backseat with me.”

“A little defensive, aren’t we?”

I propped my hand on my hip. “I’m trying to explain what happened because I know you won’t let it go.”

“What did you talk about on the road?”

I rolled my eyes. “Nothing.”

He squinted his eyes. He wasn’t convinced. “Do you really think that I believe you?”I hope so.

“We didn’t talk.”

“But the tension could cut an ice.” He was right.

My heart was hammering all the time. I could feel the heat of his hand on my back burning through me like a hot rod. And I knew Mykel felt I was tense all the time. What’s with him not accepting no for an answer?

“Relax. I’m not gonna do anything stupid. Unless you’ll force me.”

I faced him, scowling. “Like how?”

“It’s best that you don’t ask.” He dropped his gaze down my lips.

I swallowed hard. I wet my lips as they went dry. My pulse accelerated, and my body felt like it was burning within. As my breathing caught, my lips voluntarily parted.

My mind was telling me to look away, but those dark chocolate eyes were could light the Amazon forest on fire, hypnotizing me to do something bold.

“Adley, don’t do this to me.” His voice was rasp and low that I couldn’t almost hear it if he didn’t groan after.

“Earth to, Adley.” Blaze snapped his fingers on my face. “So there was really something happened between you two.”

I glared at him. “No. He’s an ass, and he hasn’t apologized. I can’t even stand his face. He’s too spontaneous and cocky for me. Not even a one-night stand, I would accept.”Liar, liar.

He snorted. “One day, you’ll gonna eat your words, my dear.”

My assistant, Kaelie, popped her head through the door. “Adley, someone here would like to see you.”

My heart nearly stopped. “W-who?”

“Expecting him, huh?” It was Blaze.

“He said you know him,” Kaelie answered.

I pasted a smile. “Send him to my office. Thanks, Kaelie.”

“Still nothing, huh? I’ll leave you to your visitor.” Blaze left the conference room.

I carried my things and went to my office. To my shock, I stopped suddenly, and my smile started to fade as I let the door shut close by itself.

“Gary, what are you doing here?” He was wearing a sweater with a dress shirt and tie and was already sitting on the chair.

He smiled cockily. If Mykel did such a thing, it would annoy me how it looked good on him, but Gary, on the other hand, gave me a creepy vibe.

“Didn’t you get my message?” Since when did we become chatmates or whatever?

“I was at the meeting. I haven’t checked my messages.”

He finally stood and looked around. “So you work here, huh?”

“Yeah, for almost two years.”

“There’s a coffee shop nearby, and I’d like to take you there for a break?”

I would really love to have one, but definitely not with you. “Sure.”

The coffee shop was just a walking distance. Once we reached there, I ordered Vienna coffee, and he chose black.

“Did my grandfather send you?”

“You know our families have been friends for a long time. He didn’t have to ask me a favor to check on his granddaughter. But my visit is personal.”

“Oh, I see. You don’t have to do that,” I politely replied as I sat across the table.

“I was expecting you at the family dinner last month.”

“You were there?”Why?

“Yeah. Lex invited me. I was with my father.” Of course, for a trust fund boy. He was an Ivy League but still depended on his father’s bark. What a great example.

“I was busy with work.”

“How about this weekend?”

Our coffee arrived. I thanked the waiter.

He looked at my coffee with cream. “Aren’t you girls supposed to watch your calories?”

I kept my cool. I ignored his question because it wouldn’t be pleasant if I said something.

“You could do better if you work in your family company, Adley. I mean, you can make millions over how much you make a month in your home makeover? You can just appoint anyone to take your position to keep it running.”

Okay, that’s enough.

“If you’re here to convince me to stop what I’m doing? You can stop now. Grandpa tried it, and it didn’t work.”

“So I’ve been told. I just want to see you, Adley. And maybe to enlighten and remind you on your role as a Kross.”

“Excuse me? I’m still a shareholder, and whether I sit pretty for the rest of my life, I’m still rich. As long as Grandpa is alive, I’m not stepping in. You call what I do a home makeover, so what? That’s what I wanna do.” I rose from my seat. I pointed at my coffee. “And this coffee? I’d rather consume than listen to your voice every day. Pay for the freaking coffee and make sure to leave a generous tip.” I walked out. I couldn’t stand his infuriating attitude anymore.

I knew from the start that was a bad idea, but I didn’t want to be rude by declining his invitation. I knew for a fact that there was more to it than a single visit. I would find out whatever Grandpa was cooking up to make me agree to work in the family business.

I went back to the office building. Instead of going to my office, I ordered Java from the cafeteria. I picked up my phone and dialed Grandpa.

I was surprised he picked up right away.

“Stop sending your friends or their sons.”

“I miss you, too, honey.”

“Grandpa, I’m serious. If you don’t stop, I’ll pay someone, take him to Vegas and marry him.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Gary is a good kid.”

“You’ll gonna pull the Ivy League card again? He’s an asshole and just insulted me.” I huffed. My voice shook in anger.

“He’s a good guy if you just give it a chance to know him.” Wow! Just wow! From a good kid to a good guy. I thought I knew where this was going.

“Oh, my God.” I was surprised I wasn’t screaming in anger yet. “Did you hear yourself?”

“You come back and work for me, or I will choose a man for you to marry. Your choice, young lady.”

For a second, I thought he was joking, but the moment he mentioned me marrying someone, a knot formed in my stomach. “Is that an ultimatum? Do you know what year it is, Grandpa? No one does that anymore.”

“I want to secure the family business. If you don’t wanna work in the company, at least I can appoint someone I trust. Your husband.”

“You’re not serious.”

“Oh, dead serious, Adley. Your parents wouldn’t be so happy with what you are doing.”

“I thought we had an agreement. You can’t do this to me. And I have a boyfriend.” I crossed an arm over my chest.

“Who? Mykel? Do you think I wouldn’t know if you are dating anyone?”

Oh, my God! He knew that too? “Here’s what I want you to know, Grandpa. You can’t force me to date that scumbag or marry someone. I might just sell my share to Mykel now that you mentioned him, and I will join his company instead. How does it sound, huh?”

“How about your parents’ share?”

“I will call my lawyers to consolidate my assets. Or you can have their share. I’d rather have my parents back than their money anyway. I’m happy with my own.”

“Don’t push my button, Adley Xael. You’re not going to like it.”

***

I blew my nose for the umpteenth time, and I was surrounded by the soiled tissue in bed. I couldn’t just leave the company I worked hard to build. Even if I owned eighty-five percent of K&B, it wouldn’t be the same if I wasn’t the one running it.

I stirred the pot. I poked the bear, and I knew Grandpa was lenient for the past years, and if he said he would do it, he would. And it was only a matter of time before I found myself back at the Kross Mansion.

“Adley, open the door, please?” Blaze had frequently been knocking on the door for about an hour. He would laugh his ass out if he saw me crying for some stupid reasons.

“I’m fine.”

“I don’t think so. Now open the door, or I will kick this down. I’m running out of patience, woman.”

I pulled myself together and dragged myself out of bed. I threw the soiled tissue into the bin and drew a deep breath.

I opened the door and propped my hand on my hip. “‘ Sup?”

“‘ Sup?” He narrowed his eyes at me. “What the fuck is going on?”

“Would you like to run the company if I let you take over my seat?”

He stared at me, not buying it. “I said what’s going on, Adley?”

“I still have a few choices to consider, but there are consequences.”

“I’m still confused.” He dragged me to the couch. “Sit and explain it to me.”

“My grandfather gave me an ultimatum. I knew from the start that I had to take his words into consideration. Since I’m already twenty-four, I’m entitled to do whatever I want with my share at the Kross Corp. But the last thing I want is to sell it. My grandfather is still handling my parents’ share. I can only have access to it on the day of my wedding day. Well, not really. Not until I receive the transfer, but you get my point.”

He blew a breath and blinked. “Okay, there’s a lot to take in. Why do rich people have to be complicated? It’s your parents’ money, why can’t you have it? You are the only living daughter-”

“Grandpa is alive, and remember they died when I was eight. The Will clearly states that only if I’m married. However, they gave me a trust fund. My parents’ assets and shares are my birthrights to have it.”

“So, what’s the problem?”

“Gary, the guy who visited me at the office earlier.”

“The sweater guy?” He wrinkled his nose. “There’s a trust fund neon sign on his forehead, and the only thing he knows is to play golf. Seriously?”

I chuckled. “Unfortunately. And he belittled K&B.”

He was quick to come to my defense. “Where can I find this guy and break his bones?”

I held his hands. “That’s noble of you, but calm down.”

“Okay, so what are our choices?” His eyes softened.

“Sell my share, or you will take my seat?”

“Are you fucking serious?” He glared at me.

“Deadly.”

He stood up, his hands on his hips. “No. There’s another option, Adley.”

“None that I could think off. My lawyers told me the same before we started K&B.”

“Get married.”

I burst into laughter. “You’re not serious. You’re not actually considering it.”

“I am.”

My laugh faded.

“You don’t have to sell your share. You get what truly belongs to you. Problem solve.”