I woke to the soft aroma of lilac roses wafting through the air and for a moment my eyes stun from the childhood memory of my grandmother growing those flowers and baking cake for m when I was just a child. I wasn’t rich but even the small wooden house in the countryside was warm and filled with love.
I opened my eyes to see hunderds silvery–purple blooms decorated all across my room with a stack of my favorite poetry books.
A beautiful pink rose stood amongst all with a small message.
[Good morning, Lavina.~ Damien.]
My heart fluttered dangerously as I saw the handwriting and could not image a cold anc indifferent man like Damien Stone writing the note just for me.
I inhaled deeply, the scent grounding me as I dressed. Simple white blouse. Slate skirt. A touch of lipstick to keep from looking as undone as I felt.
Yesterday, Damien requested me to I meet him in his study at ten.
One hour later I sat before him. Damien leaned back in his chair with spectacles framing his face looking powerful yet relaxed, as if the entire world revolved around him.
“Lavina” he said, eyes scanning a file seriously. “I have gone through your records at Hamiltor Enterprises. But I want you to tell me what you did there.”
I blinked. “I was Alexander Hamilton’s secretary-”
“That’s a title, not a task.”I sat straighter knowing that he wasn’t playing around.
I handled presentations for investors, fixed product issues before they became a legal dispute and managed our team when serious issues arised…even negotiated several PR disasters.” He raised an eyebrow. “Like the scandal with those leaked photos between those two actors?” “I paid off the photographer, said that those images were morphed and paid infuencers to speak in support, soon people did not knew what was the truth and the actors did not had further
issue..”
“Brilliant” Damien tilted his head amused.
“What about the time Hamiltons almost lost a deal with foreign investors? And when the partnership with Brazil fell through?”
“I renegotiated the terms in both. And when one of our top employees stole company funds, I found out but instead of pursuing it legally arranged for police to frame the employee for robbing a bank. To protect himself from going to a long term in jail he told the truth and got a less sentence when he gave the money back.”
For a moment, he was silent.
Then he set the file aside, eyes fixed on me.
“You know Lavina.” he said, voice calm “That fool Alexander Hamilton did one thing right in his miserable life.”
I stiffened. “what?”
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“He let go of you.”
The words sliced deep as I looked at Damien shocked and wounded.
“I see.” My throat tightened.
But then, without warning, his fingers wrapped around my hand.
“Because to confine someone like you to a secretary’s desk or to just make you a fucking ‘secret wife wasn’t just insulting, it was so stupid that even if he died ten times there will be no compensation.”
looked up, startled.
He wasn’t smirking mockingly nor was he jesting.
There was something electric in his gaze like an obsession that made my cheeks flush furiously.
He slid a folder to me.
Senior Consultant Manager of the Stone Enterprises.]
‘You will oversee major decisions and you answer only to me.”
stared at the salary and compensation completely shocked.
‘Why? Why do you need to give me so much?”
His voice dropped a fraction lower.
‘I am not doing charity Lavina, I have seen enough to know what you are capable of.”
Then his gaze softened. “And Lavina…” he said, my name like a slow revèrent breath, “I will never ask you to do anything that hurts you. The marriage… is your choice. But your rightful place here….that is not up for negotiation.”
He stood, rounding the desk to sit across from me.
‘I don’t want you running around exhausting yourself. I only need your strategy. The rest would be too hard on…” he paused, eyes lowering slightly.
“…on the little one.” He didn’t look at my stomach to make me uncomfortable just made me feel safe and protected.
Later that afternoon, a servant guided me to the garden for lunch.
The entire table filled with my favourite dishes and in between them was a warm, golden–brown pastry dusted with powdered sugar.
My favorite pastry from ‘Lemon‘ bakery in Geneva.
“How did…didn’t they stopped international shipping two years ago?” I murmured, stunned.
“They did.” Damien looked up from his wine, his expression soft as he watched my joy.
“Then how come this is here?” I turned to him, confused.
“I bought the company.”
I choked slightly. “You what?” Seeing my reaction the cold man chuckled as ge slid a folder across the table.
“They have stopped international shipping yes but they will always cook for their new owner.” With that he presented the deeds of the company.
Chapter 14
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[ORGANISATION: LEMON BAKERY
OWNER: LAVINA WINSLET]
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