Be my partner

Charlie's eyes were glued on Camellia the whole time she devoured the dessert served to her. He thought the epitome of food enjoyment was definitely hers. With every bite, her brown eyes glittered. There wasn't much to see but the single muscle movement of her face enhance the luster that seemed to heighten the delight on her face.

He had been anticipating tonight's meeting ever since last night. At first, his intention was lead by pure curiosity but other than that, he wanted her help.

Moreover, he had found a discovery, one that seemed to tie her with him.

"Should we order food?" Charlie initiated a conversation after seeing the empty plates on the table.

"Sure. You can order anything as long as its edible. I'm not that picky," Camellia spoke. Her eyes bored on the scenery outside. Eyelashes fluttered rhythmically, dancing to the sound of a piano that came from the speaker in all four corners of the room.

Charlie smiled at her answer and called a waiter. He randomly chose menus from the list. The moment the waiter left, he saw Camellia was already staring at him.

"Mr. Charlie, tell me what you want. The faster the better, so we can enjoy the food without thinking of how to end this meeting tonight," her crisp voice was like a slow rap that suited the melody in Charlie's head.

He nodded once, agreed to her suggestion.

"Here," another piece of paper was pushed on Camellia's side. She immediately took it and read what was written on it.

That was when a cold aura dissipated out of her body. Charlie was surprised and shocked at the sudden change in her demeanor. However, he had anticipated it.

Camellia's brown eyes seemed to get darker as she shifted her gaze on Charlie. There was no longer hesitation and perplexity hiding behind its beautiful color. Only the instinct of a predator, eyeing its prey.

"Trying to play detective, Mr. Charlie?" her voice was no longer refined. It was now spoken in an unfriendly way. The paper was crushed in her grasp.

Charlie remained silent, he was like the prey that was waiting to free himself from its predator. However, he never intended to defend himself. He had a bigger mission in hand.

Still, he was amazed by her. Right now, Camellia looked like a queen that about to give the final judgment to her subject, but instead of being a ruthless queen, she went for the calm and collected one, only her voice and aura that underwent a transformation. Her whole being was composed.

"Miss Camellia, I've noticed that all your clients are the rivals of W&J Corporation? Do you have a grudge against them?" he asked and pushed his chair. Then, he went to the mini-bar to retrieve a bottle of wine.

"Wine?" he offered as he approached their table. Seeing the cold glares that were directed to him, he chuckled and poured the crisp white wine into their glasses.

"Well, I can't help it. There were plenty of VIPs trying to reach out to you. So I thought I could be of help to--you know, find the next best client for you. Therefore, to understand the type of client that are to your interest, I had to look at your history. Who knew that was the result," he went and leaned against the transparent wall and pointed the hand that was holding the wine glass towards the crumpled paper on the table.

"Heh, that's so nice of you," the sarcasm reached Charlie's ears loud and clear. He stared at the woman who was knocking on the outer side of the wine glass. She appeared calm but the aura emitted was enough to tell the raging volcanoes inside her.

Charlie sighed, his intention wasn't that of a devil but somehow, he had angered the woman.

"Mr. Charlie, exactly what do you want from me?" Camellia asked as the corner of her eyes stared sharply on the standing figure who seemed in a daze as he looked at her.

"Hmm, you're so tense. Relax, I'm not pointing at anything. In fact, I'm offering you a big project," Charlie walked to the table and return to his earlier seat. At the same time, two waiters walked into the room with a trolley full of the dishes he had ordered before.

"Distinguished guests, please enjoy your meal," the waiters spoke in unison and curtsied before they left the room almost in a hurry. Outside, both were looking at each other nervously. One was seen taking a deep breath while the other swallowed a mouthful of drinking water available at the counter.

The atmosphere inside the room was terrifying, they almost suffocate due to the fear of breathing. It was clear that despite the calm looks on their guests' faces, they were actually in an argument.

Thankfully, their professionalism saved them to go through the ordeal.

Inside the room...

Camellia stared at the food with a blank look on her face. The delicious meals failed to trigger her appetite. She looked at Charlie who was eating in a relaxed manner. He looked calm despite her showing a cold shoulder.

What an annoying guy! Camellia inwardly thought. Yet, some part of her found him interesting. No one knew how Camellia chose her client but for the first time ever, a person had actually able to see the pattern she always used.

Yes, Camellia was a vengeful person and that had been her mission since she was saved from the forest 13 years ago.

The wound she carried for the past few years healed a little every time she managed to create trouble for the W&J Corporation.

Alas, it was incapable of removing the scar. That's why she was collecting shreds of evidence so that she could crush them to the point of no return.

"You're not eating?" Charlie asked as he stared at the clean plate in front of Camellia. He sighed when she gave no response.

"Miss Camellia, I'll be honest then. I want your cooperation. Work with me and I'll give you the opportunity to crush the company many times you want," he finally revealed his real intention. A meaningful smile was on his face as he took out his tablet and presented to Camellia the opportunities he talked about.

It was known throughout the country that W&J Corporation was a multi-company and recently they mentioned to further their endeavor into the travel and tourism industry. From the lists of projects shown by Charlie, Camellia knew his company was also in the same industry.

"I just open two new resorts in this country. The first one was a success but this one-" Charlie pointed on the 'Countryside Project'. "They want it," he said with a sneer on his face.

Camellia's brows curled. She managed to catch the name of Charlie's company and knew that it was still new. For a small company to fight against a well-established one was impossible but still achievable.

"So, you want my advice?" Camellia asked mockingly. The offer was indeed interesting but after everything that had happened tonight, she felt indignant. That's why, she was unwilling.

"Not just your advice. I want you to be my partner. Believe me, I want to trample on them as much as you do,"

Camellia laughed the moment she heard Charlie's aim. As much as she does? Really? Did he know about the hatred she had towards the people who robbed the company from her grandfather? Did he know about the sinister plan they did that seed of hatred inside her?

No, he didn't!

"That offer isn't that appealing to me. You better return my phone. Here is yours," Camellia stood up and placed Charlie's phone on the empty space in front of him.

"You-" Charlie's face dropped as he stared at the hand waiting for him to give her phone.

"Here," he finally gave back what was originally hers.

"Thank you and Mr. Charlie, I hope you don't go around digging other people matters or else, I'm afraid it's your company that'll face trouble," she gave him the last glance before she turned around and left the room.

Charlie looked at the slender figure leaving the room until she vanished from his sight after the door was shut.

He took a deep breath and released them in regret. Her rejection was part of the things he had anticipated but to experience it in real-time? It felt terrible. Besides, it was clear that she was threatening him.

He wasn't afraid but disappointed. Disappointed at his lack of charm to pull her into his company.

'Sigh, it seemed that I will have to return home soon,' he whispered.

Charlie left the restaurant after paying for the meal. As soon as he stepped outside, a black car was already waiting for him.

"Boss!" Zachary's head popped out from the driver seat. Charlie walked fast and entered the backseat.

"How is it, boss? She willing?" Zachary immediately asked after he was sure that his boss had entered the car.

"No," Charlie answered weakly as he closed his eyes.

"What? Really boss? so how? If you can't recruit her, then Mr. and Mrs. Easton will not allow you to stay!" Zachary was shocked at the news that his voice was elevated, forcing Charlie to open his eyes. He glared coldly at the front mirror, which then reflected it to Zachary who was grinning awkwardly in return.

"Hehe-sorry boss. But, this is going to be a problem," he felt bad for his boss.

The truth was, Charlie or Zen's parents refused to let him return to the country for the sake of an unknown woman. Ava Willow to them was a fantasy of Zen. They knew her as his childhood friend but when he told them about his feeling, both were against his decision to bring her along with him to their country.

To them, Ava's status, even though, protected by the Willow, carried no honor. That's why when Zen insisted, they put a condition that he needed to establish his own name on this country, without using his name who apparently was well known as the CEO of Leaf Corporation.

However, last night, they had elevated the condition to one that both Zen and Zachary thought was easy. Alas, today, it clearly was a mission impossible.

Recruiting Camellia wasn't easy!

Still, for Zen's parents, to ask such a condition, it proved that Camellia was indeed a prominent figure in the business world.

"Boss, why did Mr. and Mrs. Easton asked you to do that?" Zachary was curious. But, when he heard of his boss's answer, he couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"I told them that I want to marry Ava," the man spoke softly as if his decision was resolute.