Chapter 65 - The Merge

“Babe, meet my family.” Mia gracefully put her arm around his waist.

“Hi, I’m Bill Sky.” His intimidating voice was very familiar to Arabella. How could she possibly forget him?

William and Director Zimmer were also stunned. Living in Capital Z, everyone knew how big shot Bill Sky was in the city and abroad. They couldn’t believe that Bill Sky was in front of them and he’s Mia’s boyfriend.

“This is my Granny, Dr. Amelia Zimmer, and my only brother William and oh, his girlfriend?” Mia frowned that she had not gotten her name.

“Arabella, Arabella Jones.” William quickly answered. Seeing the girl beside him, Arabella was quite at a loss. She kept on lowering her head and her stare was fixated on the ground.

“Are you okay?” William whispered at her.

“Yeah. I am. Don’t worry.” Arabella smiled at him. She had realized, her reaction was too obvious. Bill wasn’t in her life anymore and she should not be affected by his presence. Besides, she should be thankful that they ended up, or else she would be the one who was suffering from his cheating scheme. He just had held a wedding with Brittany and now, he was with Mia. It seemed that his ‘one-night no repetition rule was reborn. So, disgusting! Poor Mia! If only she knew that her so-called boyfriend was a cheater and a monster. Having her thoughts, made her irritated at him.

“Ms. Jones?” Bill’s mocking voice came out in front of her and that was the only time she recognized his hand was in front of her waiting to be shaken.

Arabella looked at Bill and their eyes met. Not to be obvious by everyone, Arabella shook his hand, but when she was about to take it out, the other hand’s grip tightened. She looked at him mockingly whose eyes were also looking at her with full of sarcasm.

“I know you all are hungry now let’s start our dinner and let’s take our seat.” Dr. Zimmer with no hint about the two announced it to everyone which made Bill and Arabella’s hands separated.

The table was full of sumptuous dishes. It was like a thanksgiving feast arranged by Dr. Zimmer. For her, it was her happiest moment to see her grandchildren having their own partners in life. Mia was more famous than a celebrity, but she never introduced anyone to them while William had undergone a therapy consultation for 3 years just to get over his ex-girlfriend.

Remembering all her grandchildren's frustrations made her heart twitched, but seeing them with their new partners made her heaved a sigh of relief.

Gathered around the oval table, Arabella and William were sitting beside each other. In front of William was Mia and in front of Arabella was Bill while Dr. Zimmer was at the center.

“Oh. Thanks.” Arabella uttered at William who was busy putting all kinds of food on her plate. Though Bill was in front of her, she avoided meeting his eyes.

“You want more?” William asked jokingly after seeing her plate was full.

“It’s all up to you if you wanted me to get fat.” Arabella replied at him jokingly and laughed a little without minding everyone around especially the man in front of her. They were just like talking the normal if they were together.

“How sweet!” Seeing the couple laughing like they have their own world, Mia butted in. She was actually very happy to see William’s new girlfriend. After all, her brother’s suffering for many years, this was the only time she had witnessed him laugh again. Thankful and contented, she would do anything to make Arabella stay beside her brother.

“Babe aren’t they sweet?” Mia asked the man beside her who was just elegantly enjoying his food and drinking his wine without any care around him.

“Hmmm...” Out of respect for the old lady at the center, Bill simply replied indirectly and backed to his eating. One thing he hated the most was distracting his eating, especially when he enjoyed it and Arabella absolutely knew it.

“So, William and Arabella, let’s stop beating around the bush. Can you tell me a wedding date? ” Dr. Zimmer showed a little impatience in her voice. Confirming the two were in-loved, there’s no reason for them not to tie the knot. Getting her grandson to be settled would be a great relief for her.

Hearing Dr. Zimmer, Arabella froze, but she tried to hide it, instead, she let go of a sweet smile. Dr. Zimmer’s words were out of nowhere and she had not expected them to come from her mouth. She should have not underestimated William’s worry inside the car. Now, she fully understood, it seemed William was right about his grandma. If only Dr. Zimmer knew that her grandson couldn’t marry her, but of course she didn’t want to get William to be busted as she promised him.

“Soon grandma. Soon.” William quickly replied to pacify his grandma’s impatience, then he smiled and look at Arabella, who was also smiling at everyone.

Her smile was like support to him, sending everyone a message that she was agreeing with William’s words. Then suddenly, a heavy shoe stepped on the edge of her right stiletto. Arabella was stunned and looked at Bill annoyingly. Definitely, it was his leather shoe as he was the one in front of her, but Bill was busy enjoying his meal that one could easily say, he was not the culprit. Arabella struggled her foot under the table as she used her left foot to kick out the shoe that was pinning her right foot, but it was to no avail as her left foot was also captured by another shoe. Now, her two feet were nailed down on the ground with the two heavy shoes intentionally hovering above her shoes. With great annoyance, but didn’t want to be obvious, Arabella looked at Bill but the latter just enjoyed his eating. He dared to step on her under the table, but he avoided her stare. That was really his intention, to annoy her.

“Are you okay?” William was a little worried about Arabella as she was not speaking anymore and her face looked flustered.

“Yeah. I am okay.” She smiled. Dropping her effort to escape from the domineering shoes, she stopped struggling under the table. There was no use, Bill would not let her escape anyway and probably it would just make an obvious scene. Though the shoes became heavier after she replied, she remained calm. Arabella couldn’t afford William to lose face in front of his family. Besides, she promised to help him not to destroy everything tonight. She would not allow the monster Bill to ruin her mood.

“William, I decided to merge our company with Sky Corporation. With that, we would be recognized all over the world and Bill here had agreed to it.” Mia was actually the owner of NZ Cosmetics but with the help of William it grew big and now it slowly gained its popularity abroad. Since she was busy with her modeling career, she left everything to her brother.

“I don’t see any problem with that. That’s good news that we need to celebrate.” William then raised his wine glass to everyone. For him the idea was not bad and who could refuse the chance to work with the world’s biggest company such as Sky Corporation?

“Please meet Bill tomorrow to formalize everything. I’m sorry guys I cannot join you tomorrow as I had to fly back to M City for a contract signing event.” Mia announced to the group.

“Don’t worry my dear sister. I got you.” William replied, smiling at Mia. He was used to not seeing her and not to mention leaving all her company with him.

“Arabella please help my brother. Do not leave him, please. I heard that you were working as one of the managers in the company. I am sure you two would be a great tandem to success.” Mia with an encouraging tone said to Arabella who was a little lost for a while. If NZ corporation would merge with Sky that could only mean that Bill was the boss of her boss. On the other hand, there would be no probability that they would be under one roof. With that said, they would not have to see each other every day.

Arabella let go of a sweet smile after Mia’s words as she tried her best to hold the awkward smile to come out. “Yeah. I will definitely do that.” Then she replied, showing her full sincerity. Right after her words, she had felt instant pain in her feet as the heavy shoes above her shoes pressed her strongly against the ground.

Arabella was caught in a dilemma on how to punch Bill without making it obvious where it’s very impossible to happen and all she could do was to scold him again and again in her heart.

“You don’t have to meet me tomorrow Mr. Zimmer. I will just ask someone to send you, our contracts.” Bill finally spoke. The way he delivered his speech made Arabella praised him in her heart. “However, I need your girlfriend to work for me.” He then added directly with no emotion on his face. One could not easily read his mind, but since he was known to be the 1st successful and richest billionaire nobody dared to question him.

“Oh, that’s a good offer, Arabella. Surely you would learn more from Mr. Sky that could help improve NZ Cosmetics.” Dr. Zimmer butted in. From what she saw, Bill had the intention to help NZ Cosmetics, asking Arabella to work for him was an advantage.

“Mr. Zimmer?” Bill’s facial expression was waiting for his answer putting pressure on William.

William looked at Arabella, who was looking at him also. They used to get each other’s message from just staring at each other, but at this time, William had difficulty reading what’s on her mind.

“I am fine with that.” He quickly replied. His decision was merely from a boss’ perspective and who could afford to make the great Bill Sky wait? It would be a great loss if Bill Sky would be offended. William then looked at Arabella with apologetic eyes.

“Arabella?” Mia asked to confirm William’s decision.

“I’m good.” Those were the only words that came out of her mouth. She already considered William as her new friend and as a boss. It would be so inappropriate to go against her boss. Arabella smiled at everyone, but deep inside she was at a loss. What this Bill is up to again? How could their lives had to be linked again? What a small world!

The dinner had ended in goodbyes. Dr. Zimmer went home first with her assistant and driver. After drinking too much wine, Mia and William were already drunk. They were like kids talking and laughing throughout the hallway.

“William, give me your keys. I will drive you home.” Arabella said while walking in the parking area.

“No, I will drive. It’s not proper for a lady to drive me home. Isn’t that right Mia? ” William insisted like a stubborn kid.

“Yes. That’s right brother! ” Mia shouted while deliberately wrapping Bill’s arms behind them.

“You are drunk. You can’t drive. ” Arabella argued. How could he let him drive?

“Get in!” An ordering voice came out. That was the only time she realized that Bill and Mia were already inside his car. Bill was driving and Mia was on the back with a seat belt sleeping already.

At first, Arabella was doubtful, but seeing William entered inside Bill’s car on the back beside his sister, she had no choice but to follow and got in the passenger seat. She had felt the responsibility to take care of William as her boss and her friend. After just a minute, William also collapsed on the back.

Inside his car, Arabella, who was sitting beside Bill was a little nervous. It’s been 3 months that they haven’t seen each other, but she remembered clearly like it was just yesterday, what they did in his car, and not only they did it once but twice. In that same car, she lost her virginity and the second time for so many rounds. How could she forget it? ‘For so many expensive cars he had, how come he used this car tonight? What a coincidence!’ She thought while shaking her head to get rid away her nasty memories inside his car.

“Is there a problem, Mrs. Sky?” Bill asked playfully without any care of the two people at the back who could hear him.

‘Mrs.. Sky’ the word she cursed in her heart.