Sold To A Billionaire

Bringing Her

IN THE afternoon, Zoe was surprised because Helios really attended his meeting with the investor when in fact, he informed her that he would postpone it because he needed to be in Cali. And what puzzled her more was that he brought her. Helios never brings her to any meetings outside the company. This is the first time. What’s wrong with him? Zoe kept on sighing while they were on their way to the restaurant. She was looking passed through the window. She could feel the awkwardness between them. Their silence is deafening. She’s not used to this, but she will bear with it. It was her choice. If only she got the courage to pass her resignation letter. She will do it right away. But something is stopping her, and she doesn’t know what it is. “This is a new partnership. You should listen and take down notes properly,” at last, Helios broke the silence. Zoe turned to face him, but she saw him looking in front. She pressed her lips together and gave a faint, “mm.” “How’s the report that I needed?” “Uhm, I already compiled it and will only print it out—” “You haven’t printed it out yet?” he asked and glanced at her for seconds. “I… I thought you were going to—” “This will be your last warning. You knew I hate late entries.” Zoe bit her lower lip when she felt the anger in Helios’s voice. ‘I don’t understand him,’ she thought. “I will print it once we get back to—” “Never mind. Just bring it to my desk tomorrow,” he said, and silence filled me once again. Zoe looked away and sighed. In a few minutes, they arrived at the restaurant. She couldn’t help but get amazed. This will be her first time meeting a new investor in Helios’s company. Also, she’s not used to being in a fancy restaurant like this. She carried her suitcase of Helios while her left arm held the iPad, and they entered.

The two guards greeted them, and that’s when Zoe realized that she couldn’t see Ambrose and Cliff —Helios’s bodyguard. She frowned and glanced at Helios. She gasped when Helios happened to meet her gaze. Zoe suddenly averted away as she smiled at the guard on the left part of the door. A blonde hair waiter came over, and Helios told him his reservation. “Good day, Mr. Lincoln. He’s waiting for you,” the waiter said, making Zoe knit her forehead. ‘Maybe the waiter is pertaining to the investor,’ she pondered. Helios nodded to the waiter and walked to the restaurant’s second floor. She then followed him but kept their distance together. She can’t just let Helios feel that she’s unhappy. She shook her head. Why would she feel unhappy? Is it because of that kiss? So, what? Zoe was preoccupied, making Helios frown and poking her. They both halted, and Zoe lifted her head as she met his gaze. “W-What’s wrong?” “What’s wrong?” Helios repeated it. Zoe bowed her head and apologized. Helios shook his head and continued walking until they reached the couch, and the investor stood up to greet them. “Mr. Lincoln… it’s been a while,” said the old man who wore a gray suit and had no hair at the center of his head. “And this is?” Helios put his hands inside his pocket and replied. “She’s my assistant.” The bald old man nodded and gestured for them to take a seat. He sipped into his glass and tossed the wine in it. It produces a low thud when he puts it down. “So…” Helios crossed his arms in front of his chest as he leaned on the couch. “We already talked about this many times, Mr. Aguirre. I hope you asked for my presence not to pull out your decision,” Helios

uttered, making Zoe shiver. The coldness in his voice makes her feel her fear. She bit her lower lip as she started to tap into her iPad while listening to Helios and Mr. Aguirre discuss their partnership. After a few minutes, the waiter came, carrying their orders. Zoe doesn’t want to eat with her boss, but Helios’s gaze is a little bit scary. She reached for the glass of wine and drank from it while waiting for Mr. Aguirre’s one last final decision. Although Zoe could feel the hesitation in Mr. Aguirre’s mind, she knew that Helios would be capable of convincing him. Besides, this is not the first time that they have talked together. “Well, I won’t prolong this one. So, yes, I will cooperate with your company,” Mr. Aguirre finally said. Zoe sighed in relief and smiled at the old man when their eyes met. “I’m puzzled that you hire a woman as your assistant and the fact that you don’t have one in the past; this is not usually you, Mr. Lincoln. Helios smirked as she reached for his glass and drew it circularly as he played with the wine. Zoe didn’t talk, even throwing a smile at the old man. She was waiting for Helios’s reaction. Helios drank from his glass, and suddenly he put it down on the table as he locked his gaze on Mr. Aguirre. “Your last concern is not a part of our cooperation, right, Mr. Aguirre?” Zoe’s eyes widened when she could sense the sarcasm in Helios’s voice. She glanced at the man and watched for his reaction. Mr. Aguirre let out a soft chuckle. “Of course. My apology, Mr. Lincoln. Anyway, I will sign the documents and will send them tomorrow,” he said. Helios nodded. “With that, this conversation is done,” he said and stood up. Zoe looked up and followed Helios then they left the table. On their way out, people can’t help but look at them, especially Helios, who seems not to care about other people’s reactions. Zoe took a deep breath and sighed. She walked silently until they reached Helios’s car. Would it be appropriate if she’s expecting Helios will open the door for her? Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

However, she knew that would never happen. After a few minutes of meeting with Mr. Aguirre, they got back to the company. “I will print the—” “Just leave it on my table. I’m leaving for a minute,” he said and went inside his office. Zoe shook her head in disbelief. She walked towards her table and opened her PC, and arranged the files that needed to be printed out. After a few minutes, she saw Helios’s office door open and closed. She bit her lower lip as she followed Helios by her gaze. She glanced at her wristwatch, and it was almost the end of work, but still, she needed to prepare the documents before she left. And knowing that Helios would have dinner later with Chloe, Zoe couldn’t help but feel sad. “Huh,” she let out a soft chuckle, “why does sadness hug my heart?” So, what if they will have dinner? It’s none of her business. They can even have sex if they want. She shook her head and banged her head on her desk while waiting for the papers when suddenly, she heard Helios’s voice. “What the hell is wrong with you?” Zoe gasped and sat properly. Her eyes grew wide, and she let out an awkward smile. “E-he… you’re still here, Mr. Lincoln.” Helios’s forehead creased. “Are you planning to wreck your skull?” he asked, making Zoe frown and let out a soft chuckle. “Of course… not, Mr. Lincoln. Anyway, do you need something?” Helios arched his brow as he walked closer. Zoe was puzzled about why he got back. “I need my spare phone back,” he said as he looked straight into her eyes. Zoe didn’t know how to react but nodded in the end. She reached for her bag, immediately let out the phone, and handed it over to Helios. “T-Thank you. And I am so sorry. I didn’t know that you needed it after the things that had

happened. Don’t worry. I took care of it,” she said and averted her gaze, and looked at the papers that were coming out from the printer. Part of her ache because of what he did. Zoe felt offended. Of course, she has no right to grab what belongs to him. She could still feel his presence in front of him, perhaps staring at her. But she didn’t bother to give him a glance until she printed the last paper. She compiled it in one folder and stood up. She walked towards Helios’s office. She bit her lower lip when she saw him in her peripheral vision, standing there. After a few moments, she put down the documents on his table and exited the office right away. Still, Helios was there, but she didn’t bother to throw a glance at him. She arranged her table, turned off her PC, and grabbed her bag. To avoid him, she walked to the left and made her way toward the elevator. Helios heaved a deep sigh when he saw how Zoe ignored him. ‘Damn it!’ he cursed inside him. What makes him do that? Why would he get back the damn phone? He sighed as he followed him. He saw how Zoe stood in front of the elevator and pressed the open button. But when she saw him, she bowed her head and moved to the side. “You can go first, Mr. Lincoln,” she said. Helios frowned and clenched his jaw. After that, his body takes over his mind. He pulled Zoe inside soon as the elevator opened, making her gasp. Zoe was frozen when she felt his touch and couldn’t move until the door closed. “I…” Helios started, but Zoe didn’t bother to look at him, “—don’t overthink about it. I just hate the fact that you will be alone—” he paused when he heard Zoe’s laughter. Zoe arched her brow as she met his gaze. “Why would you be concerned about me? I’m a grown- up and also have the brain to think. Couldn’t you feel that I am avoiding you?” She waited for his reaction, but he remained still. “Treat me like a stranger or at least your employee. No attachments, just pure work. If you can’t do

it, then I will file my resignation—” “You signed a one-year contract. If you want to breach, I can call my attorney—” Zoe cut him off. “There you are; you’re good at threatening.” Helios scoffed. “Threatening? I am not giving a threat. I am just reminding you.” She nodded. “I see. So, please remind yourself that you can’t just pull me whenever you want, Mr. Lincoln.” Helios was about to open his mouth when the elevator door opened, and Zoe stepped out of it. Good thing, the time moved swiftly. “How could he?” she whispered and then called for a cab soon as she got out of the building.