Chapter 160 - 160 Chilly Stares Versus Placid Smiles
“You’re welcome!” Ella smiled briefly. “However this meeting is for eight minutes. So I suggest you go straight to the point.”
“I love you so much, Ariella!” Luke wanted to scream out. However, he knew the consequences of blurting out that level of stupidity. So, he quickly cautioned himself, took in a deep breath, and said; “thank you. I promise to make the meeting brief.”
Luke couldn’t help but admire Ella’s enchantress smile and how she welcomed him warmly to their table. He wished he could freeze time so that he could whisk her away on a joy ride filled with laughter and lots of love. He also wished Leon hadn’t accompanied her to the restaurant.
“Why are some men so frigid?” Luke thought to himself as Leon’s presence greatly provoked him. It would have been much easier if Ella was alone.
The fact that Luke had to apply caution whenever he was staring at his all-time crush was the most difficult task he had ever been faced with.
It was as though the gods were against him when they chose Ariella to be his rival and Albert Robinson’s enemy.
“How can I ever hurt a pretty hair from her head? Luke questioned his thoughts. “How can I resist those magical jade green eyes, when I can see my whole future in them? What would it feel like to kiss those lips?”
Luke felt trapped as he couldn’t stop himself from occasionally daydreaming while talking to the couple before him.
.....
“First and foremost, I want to start by apologizing for all the crimes my sister committed against you and your company. If I had a magical brush, I would erase all her past mistakes.”
“Unfortunately, there is no such magical brush as you rightly put it.” Leon scoffed. “Hence, just like my wife stressed, go straight to the point. You’re interrupting our dinner.”
Being a player for almost a decade, Leon Treshvire knew all the tricks of a man who finds a female attractive and wants her. He smirked as he observed, weighed, analyzed, and drew conclusions on all of Luke’s bodily expressions around his wife.
“This young man is playing with fire and he is sure going to get badly burnt.” Leon chuckled within as Luke tried to create familiarity and friendship with his wife after all Robinson and his family did to destroy her.
Although Ella was an unmistakably attractive lady that would cause any sane man to drool over her, the ring on her finger and the dangerous husband seated by her side should be enough reason to stay away from her.
“Leon, you can go hug a transformer for all I care.” Luke’s inner being yelled in resentment.
However, on the outside, he faked a brief smile at Leon’s comment. He ignored Leon’s threatening glares and tried to relax by focusing on Ella’s soft stares. After all, it would be awkward to be talking to someone and looking the other way.
“Due to the past incident that tarnished the image of the F&K fashion company, we decided to make a lot of changes, in other not to faze out from the fashion and retail world.” Luke took in a deep breath and continued his speech.
“When my father completely acquired the company, I was made its new CEO, and ever since then, I have been trying to write all the wrongs of the past CEO. Please, I would appreciate it if you overlook my company’s past mistakes so that my company and yours could have a cordial relationship. I am ready to abide by any rule you come up with.”
“Is that all?” Ella stared at Luke quizzically. She didn’t need much convincing to know that being a Robinson, he was up to no good. He could have a hidden deadly agenda up his sleeves.
Luke smiled genuinely at Ella before replying to her question.
“This is a start. I am currently working on a new fashion line and when it’s completed, I would be organizing a runway show. It would be a great honor to me and my brand if your company attends and participates in the event.”
“Hmm!” Ella chuckled in disgust. “Like I said the first time you called me on the phone, F&K fashion companies are already in my ugly past.” She stressed each word emphatically.
“Even when the brand name has been changed it remains in my past. Even if they change the CEO one hundred times, it remains in my past. I have moved on from all the atrocities your company committed against me, all thanks to my amazing husband.”
Leon smiled at Ella’s remark. He lifted her right hand slowly to his lips and kissed the back of her palm.
Ella beamed at Leon’s warm gesture. She broke eye contact with Luke, who seemed to be too focused on her for her liking, and stared at Leon lovingly. “Thanks, sweetheart!” She smiled and turned her attention back to Luke.
“So, I will have advice that you focus on your business and I will focus mine. Do not bother me with your calls. Do not invite me to your events. Do not make mention of my company in your promotions or marketing activities. In a nutshell, I and my company do not want to have anything to do with you and your company. This will be the last time I see or talk to you. I hope I’ve made myself clear.”
Luke swallowed hard as he felt the heat rising to his face. The fact that his all-time crush was trying to end any form of communication with him was suffocating. He adjusted the tie around his neck and took in a deep breath to steady his pounding heart. He wanted to say so many things to her but that scowling husband seated beside her was making things too difficult.
“Mrs. Treshvire, I believe that your conclusion is a bit harsh. Don’t you...”
“Young man, do you have a death wish!” Leon spoke between clenched jaw.