The sharp sound of a woman's heels echoed across the hallway of the Bradford Enterprise CEO floor. It was the only sound across the otherwise silent hall.
A woman walked toward the receptionist's desk with a Male assistant walking beside her, holding a file firmly in his hands.
"Please tell your CEO that a representative of RA Jewels wants to have a word with him," she said.
The receptionist looked at her before giving a polite nod.
"Okay. Let me get in contact with the boss."
She picked up the phone and dialed a number. After speaking for a few seconds, she dropped the phone.
"You can go in, ma'am," she said respectfully.
The woman nodded.
"Thank you."
Without further ado, she turned and walked toward the large wooden door at the end of the hallway.
She stopped in front of it for a few seconds as if preparing her mind for a great battle in front of her.
This was not how she had imagined her morning would go.
She took a deep breath before knocking.
"Come in."
She pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The first thing she noticed was how quiet the office was.
A man sat behind a large desk, completely concentrated on the documents in front of him. He didn't even bother looking up when she entered.
Jason Grayson.
The only grandson of the Grayson family.
The man who had become the most powerful young businessman in the country.
And, unfortunately for her, the only person who could help save RA Jewels from its current predicament.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Grayson."
Jason raised his eyes from the documents.
His expression remained emotionless as he looked at the woman walking towards his desk
"Sit"
The woman walked toward the chair opposite his desk and sat down.
"My name is Annabelle Bradford. I am the CEO of RA Jewels."
"I know."
His answer came so casually that Annabelle paused.
"You know?"
Jason returned his attention to the document in front of him.
Annabelle stared at him for a moment before deciding not to ask any more questions since it was not necessary
She had come here for business, not conversation moreover she wasn't interested in finding out how he knew her.
"I am here to ask for the right to dig out the gold in the suburb area handled by the Graysons."
She took a document from the assistant standing beside her and placed it on the desk.
"Please have a look."
Jason picked up the document.
He looked at the document for a minute and placed it back on his table.
Annabelle watched him carefully.
She had spent days preparing that proposal.
RA Jewels had been struggling for months, and this contract could change everything.
If she secured the rights to the gold in that area, the company would have access to a resource that could bring in enough profit to stabilize the business.
But getting the Graysons to agree was not going to be easy and she knew it.
After a few minutes of silence,
"What do you think?" she asked.
Jason looked at her.
"I am not satisfied with this contract."
Annabelle's fingers trembled slightly.
"That's no problem. We can review it to your liking."
"I don't want it reviewed."
She frowned slightly.
"Then what exactly is the problem?"
"I am not interested in this contract."
Annabelle stared at him in shock
For a moment, she thought she had heard him wrong. Was all her hardwork going to go to waste just like that
"You are not interested?"
"No."
"But you haven't even made a counteroffer."
"I don't need to."
Annabelle leaned back in her chair and studied him.
Jason Grayson was exactly as she had heard.
Cold.
Unbothered.
And frustratingly difficult to read.
She forced herself to remain calm.
"Then what would convince you to give RA Jewels the rights to the area?"
Jason didn't answer immediately.
He leaned back in his chair, his fingers resting against the armrest.
Annabelle waited.
Nothing.
"Mr. Grayson?"
His eyes finally met hers.
"Why are you so interested in this particular area?"
Annabelle hesitated.
"Because it is a good investment."
"That isn't an answer."
"It is the truth."
"No."
His response was simple.
Annabelle frowned.
"And what makes you think you know my reasons better than I do?"
Jason's expression didn't change.
"Because a company doesn't offer this much profit for a contract unless it needs something in return."
Annabelle's eyes narrowed.
He was right and she hated it.
RA Jewels needed the contract badly.
But she wasn't going to sit there and tell him that her company was struggling.
She had worked too hard to build it.
"I believe RA Jewels can make this project profitable for both parties," she said.
Jason said nothing.
"Give us the rights," she continued, "and you will not regret it."
Still nothing.
Annabelle slowly exhaled.
"Is there anything else you want for us to get the rights for the digging?"
Jason looked at her for a few seconds.
There was something different in his eyes now.
Something she couldn't understand.
He leaned forward slightly.
"Anything?"
Annabelle nodded.
"Yes."
She had expected him to ask for a higher percentage of the profit.
Maybe additional benefits.
Perhaps another condition in the contract.
Whatever it was, she was prepared to negotiate.
Jason's gaze remained fixed on her.
"Marry me."
Silence filled the room.
Annabelle blinked.
Once.
Twice.
For a moment, she wondered if she had heard him correctly.
"What?"
Jason leaned back in his chair as if he had just asked her the most ordinary question in the world.
"Marry me."
Annabelle stared at him in disbelief.
Of all the conditions she had expected…
Marriage was the last thing that had crossed her mind.