Sereia's POV
I smiled in victory as I sank into the couch in his hotel room.
Maybe there is hope after all.
"Do you need help in there?" I asked out loud, not even trying to mask my amusement.
We had returned to his room so that he could change his pants.
His mind was so consumed with thoughts that he didn't even notice I followed him inside.
"You just won't quit, will you?" he asked as he walked out of the bathroom, zipping up his clean black dress pants.
"Not until I get what I want," I smiled as I got up.
He rolled his eyes. "You are quite the character, Ms. Sinclair."
"Only for you," I laid it on thick.
His eyes darted to me as he took deep breaths.
He groaned and I laughed. "I'm joking, sir."
He sighed as he walked to his phone which was on the countertop. "Let's go. We've already missed the opening ceremony."
"I'm right behind you," I said as I quickly hid his teddy bear behind the cushions.
He looked over his shoulder and I quickly straightened my posture.
He faced foward again and began walking to the door, not wasting his time trying to figure me out.
That was close.
I hastened my steps until I was in line with him.
He held the door open and motioned for me to leave first.
I slightly smiled at him and walked past him.
He followed behind me before closing the door.
"I need you to secure the deal with Sylvester while I focus on Kennedy," he instructed as we walked to the elevator.
"Charm Sylvester off his feet? A dog can do that," I joked but he didn't laugh.
Instead, he stopped to face me. "It is very important that we secure him on the first day. I'm trusting you with my company's future, Sereia."
He called me by my name?
I immediately stopped joking around and became serious.
This was my chance to gain his trust.
Elliot cares for this company more than anything.
"Don't worry," I told him. "I will make this deal happen no matter what."
He searched my eyes to see if I was lying but found nothing.
He nodded as he began to walk again.
...
"So that's when the first building was established," Sylvester explained the history of his company while I tried not to fall asleep.
"Oh wow, I've always wondered about the story behind it," I told him and he smiled.
Every day I find myself kissing the asses of the rich.
I looked across the room to see Elliot chatting it up with his fellow upperclassmen.
I could smell the wealth radiating off them.
He held a champagne glass in one hand while his other was gently placed in the side pocket of his pants.
He then took a glance at me.
"Everything okay?" he mouthed and I gave him a thumbs up.
He nodded before returning to his conversation.
"So then my wife said just invest the money. You'll die anyway," Sylvester laughed and I joined him.
"Well, your wife is a wise woman."
"Indeed," he agreed. "Enough about me. I want to know about you. Why are you here talking to me?"
"I told you already, sir," I said before I took a sip of my champagne. "The Harrington Group needs your support."
"You know where my loyalty lies," he said. "I belong to your former company."
I shook my head. "That's where you are wrong. You're not something to be owned by a company."
He laughed. "I like you."
"I already knew that," I said confidently and he shook his head.
"Why'd you leave them for Elliot Harrington?" he asked and I moved closer to him.
"Can I tell you a secret?" I whispered and he quickly nodded, ready to hear drama. "I only go where I know the money will be. The Harrington Group will only get better."
His eyes widened. "Really?"
I nodded as I pulled the contract out of the folder.
"Where will you be?" I asked as I handed him a pen. "On the sidelines or gaining millions with us?"
He greedily smiled as he quickly signed his signature, not even bothering to read the terms.
Idiot.
I smiled as we shook each other's hands. "I'll look forward to seeing you in Chicago."
"Absolutely," he happily said before going towards another person to brag about his business.
I slowly made my way over to Elliot.
"I'll see you around, gentlemen," he finished up when he saw me approaching.
"Well?" he waited for me to say something. "Did you get him to consider?"
I shook my head and I could see the disappointment on his face.
"It's ok," he said. "We still have a few more days here. I'm sure I can talk him into it."
"I didn't just get him to consider," I smiled. "He signed the contract!"
"What?" His eyes widened when it registered. "That's amazing!"
"I told you that I will make this deal happen no matter what," I told him. "You need to trust me."
He looked on me, still uncertain.
I knew I needed to say something else to convince him.
"I'll always have your back Elliot," I lied. "I will never betray you or let you down."
My heart started beating faster when he didn't budge.
What else did he want me to say?
His face suddenly softened and he smiled. "Don't let me down."
"I won't," I smiled back as I handed him the signed contract. "We should get out of here and celebrate."
He opened his mouth, ready to object, but I quickly stopped him.
"Just to be clear, there is nothing unprofessional with an employer celebrating a win with his employee."
He silently watched me.
"Come on," I tempted him. "Just one drink."
He sighed and I smiled knowing that was his way of saying yes.
I unexpectedly took his hand and dragged him to the bar across the street.
"One lemonade please," I said happily to the bartender as I sat on the stool.
Elliot watched me confused as he sat next to me.
"We're a bar," the bartender said. "We ain't got none of those."
"Well, what other nonalcoholic drinks do you have?" I asked. "Do you perhaps have fruit punch? Oh, I would kill for some."
He stared at me blankly. "We got water."
"Well, I guess I'll have that then."
He gave me the stink eye before turning to Elliot. "And you, sir?"
"Bourdon, neat."
"Now that's a good bar order," the bartender threw shade at me as he started our drinks.
Elliot turned to me. "Why would you drag me to a bar if you're not going to buy any alcohol?"
"Because I get to spend time with you," I honestly admitted.
I rather spend time with the husband of my enemy than sit in that hotel room by myself.
I would go insane and attempt to buy drugs.
"I'm never going to get you to stop talking to me like that, aren't I?" he asked defeatedly.
"Not until you kick me out of the company," I told him.
"Well, I guess that won't be anytime soon," he said.
I looked at him, feeling a bit surprised.
"I'm really proud of you new girl," he praised me. "You've exceeded my expectations."
"Order all the water you want from here," he joked. "I'll buy their whole supply for you if that is what you want to drink."
His words caused a sudden flutter in my stomach and my cheeks began to heat.
I quickly grabbed my water from the bartender's hand and drank all of it in one go.
My body's reaction to someone praising me for the first time in years was sad.
It made me reflect on how my father would trade me for a case of beer and how my mother would for a bag of crack.
"Dang girl," the bartender said as he watched me. "Refill?"
I nodded my head as I tried to avoid seeing Elliot's reaction.
I need him falling for me by the end of tonight.
...
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