Chapter 17

So it was decided that Sam liked Coco. A lot. And he didn't want her to be with anyone else. Which was weird.

Trevor didn't know if he was comfortable with his brother acting like this. He'd had a feeling something was changing with him, but didn't expect it to be this.

The three men had to spend the rest of the day together, as Sam was informed about Tina. And Mike talked about how much he loved his girlfriend. While Trevor just wanted to rest from talking to too much people.

Which he did, few hours later.

But then woke up late at night, bored and wanting to do just... something. So he picked his phone from his table and scrolled.

He was bombarded with business news first of all. All about his family, no shock. They were always buying or selling something.

Lately though, there's something his father was thinking about. He wanted to take action against certain people, but no one would give him a proper explanation of what's going on. But it was big.

Years ago, his father told him they were planning something that had to do with his grandparents. More of a revenge. Trevor wasn't interested though, he just wanted to do what he loved and get away from any crazy business wars... But it seemed it's more than that.

At least from all he'd been seeing online and from what a few family members and acquaintances have been saying.

He wondered if he should ask. Just because.

***

She'd gone to the business dinner, prepared with her files and all, only to be met with a man who didn't seem interested in all that.

He just wanted to take her out.

She sat, brooding, watching the man sitting in front of her munching on too much food that looked like it would pierce his cheeks that seemed too large for his face.

"Mr Anderson-"

"Just call me Brent," he interrupted, grinning as he looked her all-over. In a way that irked her.

Ugh. She really wanted to leave.

"Brent," she said, having no choice but to grit her teeth and get on with it. "Are you interested in my proposal?"

Having this man being her business partner would be a big deal for her. It'll bring more sales, since he's renowned and his company is one of the best distributors in the country.

Mr. Anderson grabbed a wine glass and gulped everything down before he started speaking to her. He leaned forward, a wide smile on his face as he tried to grab her hand with his chubby ones. Thankfully, she avoided them.

"Valentina," he began, which made her almost want to flip him off.

No one ever called her that. She never allowed people to. And he just said that without care as if he knew her well enough to? They weren't even fucking close!

"Valentina," he repeated again, his teeth shining, "You're such a beautiful woman, with such a beautiful...body." Tina schooled her expression as she let him continue. "I don't think you need all these... business. You don't have to lift a finger to do anything. I knew your parents, you know , and I'll take care of you if you decide to quit to be my wife, let me own the company and properly take care of you."

Tina felt herself shaking, so she decided to close her eyes for a bit before she thought of an answer that wasn't too disrespectful to cause a scene. Gosh, men were so fucking annoying. No one wanted to let her just do her job and go home. Why couldn't men be normal people?!

"Well?"

Tina opened her eyes to give him a steady glare. "No."

For some reason, the man was surprised. "W-what?"

"I'm not interested in doing any of those things you mentioned," she continued, voice calm. "However, I am interested in your services business-wise. Are you interested or not?"

She didn't have time to waste cursing the man out, even though she'd love to. She wanted her business to thrive and if he didn't want to help her, then she'd leave. There're tons of other people she could ask for help.

He cleared his throat as he addressed her. "Miss Rueben, you're growing older by the day. If I'm not mistaken, you're in your thirties now, almost forty. What about kids? I'm sure your parents would appreciate it if I offered to marry you before it's too late."

They definitely would. Thankfully, they're dead.

She stood up, picking up her purse as she made to leave. "I'm not interested in your offer. And even if I were, you're not my type."

"What?" He was shocked. " Why exactly are you acting like an ugly bitch!" Mr. Anderson suddenly flipped, not shocking Tina at all by his anger.

Men always flipped whenever she rejected them. Especially the wealthy ones.

"I have more money than you! More cars! I can attract any woman I want and I decided to take pity on you and you-"

"Goodbye, Mr. Anderson," she said, disinterested in whatever else he had to say.

He couldn't stand up quick enough even if he attempted to stop her with his flaying hands anyway. It didn't matter

"Such a beautiful body, but it seems you're ready to make it ugly... " The man shouted as he watched her calmly leave him, in surprise and anger..

There were people glancing at their table, she knew. Not much people were around, but enough to hear the noise.

"Sometimes I really hate my life," she mumbled as she left the building.

***

Sitting alone in her study at midnight, Tina perused the files in her hands, sighing occasionally.

There were books, papers, so many files both the table and on the floor, that you couldn't tell which one she was done with or not. She also had a laptop in front of her.

She'd had brief dinner the moment she came back and after showering, went to work. She was probably going to be done when the sun comes.

Sometimes she didn't like doing this. Going through her family's files. There's a reason why she ran away that time. There's too much to take in. Too much she's not ready to face.

Unfortunately, she'll have to suck it up so she'll have to face him with all these information. But maybe it's a good thing. Maybe it's necessary. She can't say she left for no reason now...

She'd never believed her family line was filled with terrible people who did terrible things. But she didn't know what she expected, considering they were ready to marry her off when she was less than twenty years. It's always been about money with them. It wasn't going to change even if her parents were gone.

And she really needed to dig deep so that she'd find people who'd be willing to help her out. For her parents' sake.

No matter how much it made her skin crawl.

She glanced at her phone after she'd heard a buzzing sound. She'd thought it was Lamont, but was taken aback when she saw the name of the one who'd sent her a message.

Are you awake?