Chapter 20: The Deal

After the meeting, the board members seemed to be pleased with what they talked about. Ji was smiling as he walked past Avery. She left goosebumps upon seeing him. When all of the board members were gone, Avery looked at Carson who seemed to be deep in thought.

Carson knew that he had to get the trust of the board members before his dad officially retired. The event next week should help him not only get the favor of these wealthy men but everyone. But he needed to bring someone. He checked his phone to see what Jenny was up to.

Her social media accounts were full of her face and her activities. She was a daughter of a sister company of Lee Technology and the reason he dated her was because his father wanted him to.

“Carson?”

Avery asked as she stood by the door. Carson immediately hid his phone in his pocket. His eyes widen when his dad walked inside. “Dad”

He turned to Avery who gave them privacy. Carson watched as his dad walked to him. “How was the meeting? Did you get their respect already?” The old man wore his best suit and he still looked dashing despite his age.

His shoes were shiny, his suit was ironed perfectly, and his hair was brushed up. His scent lingered the moment he entered the room. No matter how hard Carson try to get the aura of his dad, he never succeeded.

“I think so? As expected, Ji wasn’t easy.”

Mr. Lee laughed as he got a cigar from his pocket. Carson immediately got the light from his table and went to his dad to help. Once the cigar was lightened, the man blew the air from his mouth. “The event is getting near. You broke Jenny’s heart. Who are you bringing? There is no woman who can please these people.”

Carson looked down, “I am sorry, father. I will find a better date for the event.” Mr. Lee looked around the office and paused when he saw Avery’s spot. He had been hearing news about the two being close but he knew that Carson would never fall for a girl like her.

He did not say anything and left the room. The tensed air immediately left when Avery entered. She slowly walked to her seat and he smiled, “Avery!”

She turned to him, she was so distracted with John and Ji when she heard him call her name. “Yes?” Carson walked to her with a huge smile on his face. “I need your help.”

Avery looked at him with curiosity written all over her face. “Stop smiling like that. You’re scary. This is why no woman wanted you.” He sighed. “I need your help with something.” She raised an eyebrow and started tapping her pen on the table.

“What’s in it for me?”

He crossed his arm as he thought of a good deal. “What do you want?” She smiled, by now he was used to seeing that smile whenever she got something she wanted.

She stood up and leaned closer to him. He can smell her sweet perfume because of their distance. “I want you to stop treating me as a friend.” She noticed how his expression changed. He looked surprised even if she was sure that her intentions were obvious from the start.

He gulped. Her face was so close to her just like that night when he got drunk. He was about to divert his eyes somewhere when she cupped his face. He could feel his face burn by her touch. Avery smiled and squished his cheeks. “Say yes?”

Carson’s eyes were glued to her lips. He really wanted to kiss those lips again but she shouldn’t. He wasn’t the type to just kiss any girl. “Okay.”

Avery let go of his face and sat. She turned to her laptop and started typing. He stood there speechless, “So what do you want me to do?”

He turned to her. He held his nape, “I need you to help me find a date for an event next week. I need a well-known woman.” She stopped typing and turned her attention to him. Once their eyes met, he instantly looked away.

“So I’ll just have to give you a list?”

“Ask them for a date first so I can meet the lady first.”

She raised an eyebrow and continued typing. Carson waited for her to say something but she didn’t. In the end, he decided to let her be and focus on his work.

Avery was conflicted. If she found him a date, there would be a possibility that he would fall for that woman. But if she didn’t do it, he would treat her as a friend. Avery looked at the long list of powerful and rich women in the country.

All of these women are attractive and intelligent. There was no way he would not fall for these women. She turned a bit to Carson. She was feeling something weird in her heart. It was something she never felt before.

But she wasn’t the official girlfriend type. She wanted to be a mistress so she didn’t have to expose herself to the world. If she helped Carson find a girlfriend, it would be easy for her to enter their relationship.

Carson didn’t know why but he felt uncomfortable with the idea. It was not because of the deal with Avery, but the fact that she was the one who’s going to look for his date. She looked so busy after their talk. He tried to distract himself by doing work as well by he couldn’t.

After a few hours, Avery got up from her seat with a paper in her hand. She stopped when she was in front of him. He was waiting for her to say anything but she didn’t. She just placed the paper on his table and left.

When he picked up the paper, he smiled.