Chapter 3
1526 Words
Chapter 3
Maximillian pushed as much as he could to make Jonathan look at Erica and greet her, but it was clear that the CEO wouldn't give in to him as he simply ignored her presence there...
And as he couldn't complain about it with the young man before Erica, it ended up leading to an unpleasant stare directed at Mark, as if it was the secretary's fault that the boy was so rebellious that night.
… The influential stockholder never concealed the fact that he merely viewed Marcos as a fancy babysitter for the young CEO, which was one of the several reasons why Jonathan harbored a deep dislike for the older man…
But, back at the party, the awkward silence was still lingering among the group as Erica just gazed at the young man with a smile...
While the latter kept ignoring her existence, causing Maximillian to signal to Marcos once more so he would somehow end the situation that the other man put them in.
"It's a pleasure to meet a beautiful young lady like you. I'm Marcos." Introducing himself with a welcoming smile, he returned the stares of the stockholder, who soon moved his eyebrows, indicating for the secretary to introduce Jonathan to her. "And forgive my rudeness, this young man beside me is my boss, Jo-''
However, before Marcos could even finish his words, the young woman interrupted him with her beautiful voice.
"Jonathan Starless. I've heard quite often about you.''
"She already knows you? Oh! How silly of me. Of course, she already knows about you!" Putting on the worse acting of the century, Maximillian had a wide smile on his face, happy that the conversation was finally following the way he wanted it to go. "Oh, I just remembered! Marcos, old friend! I need to talk about something in private with you, so why don't we leave these two alone to know each other better while we do so?"
Maximillian ended saying then, practically dragging Marcos away with him, and little did the secretary and his boss assume about what else was yet to come that night...
''...I read an article about one of your current works, and I must say that integrating more than four different AIs in one aircraft could be something very interesting.''
Grabbing two glasses of champagne, the young woman managed to get Jonathan's attention with such words, amazing him with such knowledge he wouldn't expect from her.
''I wouldn't anticipate someone would talk to me about one of my projects in this kind of place.'' Putting down his walls, he didn't realize what he was doing while taking a sip of his drink.
''The idea is good, but may I ask why exactly four?'' As the glass touched her lips once again, she moved on with the conversation.
''One would have the role of the pilot while the other three would act as its co-pilots, taking care of different sections of the aircraft.''
Jonathan answered her, showing some enthusiasm this time as he could barely remember when it was the last time he spoke with someone about it in that unexpected setting.
''Have you ever thought about the possibility of the setting conflict between the four of them? Like one of the co-pilots trying to overtake the rule of a perfect working pilot?'' And so, leading him to think of something that had not crossed his mind, the young CEO was no longer angry that Maximillian had forced him to talk with that lady tonight.
''...It would be hard to happen. I mean, machines are more reliable than humans for such complex work, so I don't think there will be any issue like that, useless someone tried to hack the system.'' There wasn't a lie, and Jonathan was more than confident in his project, reflecting it in his words. ''Now... If you allow me to ask, I don't recognize you or your last name, so may I know from where you came? Sorry if perhaps your family are Maximillian's old friends, and I can not remember about them right now.''
Intrigued, he ended up saying then, mainly because it wasn't the first time his shareholder had tried to set him up with someone.
"Well... Let's just say I'm relatively new to this part of town, and it's not every day someone can get to attend a party like this."In a mysterious tone, she said back to him as she ran one of her fingers over the rim of her glass. "I can see that someone has started to get a little suspicious, but I believe you must know that it's not very nice to talk to a woman as if you were interrogating her. So why don't we go back to our talk about your projects?"
Displaying a slight displease with that all, she tried to avoid his question, just to Jonathan give her an unexpected answer.
''Kind of hard not to be when I meet someone who shows interest in my work for once.'' His tone was serious yet kind, and nothing about it told the young woman that he could be lying to her.
"I don't want to be in this silly interrogation game with you, so I'll be honest with you." But being the one who surprised him this time, she spoke after rolling her eyes. "I only accepted Maxim's invitation because he begged me. After all, persistent men are annoying and always give me a headache."
The way she spoke of Maximillian made the CEO uncomfortable due to the kind of relationship that came to his mind that the two of them should have, leaving Jonathan with an endless curiosity that he couldn't help or explain, wanting to know more about her.
...However, before their conversation could go on, Maximillian walked up to the stage with Faust beside him, drawing everyone's attention to them...
"What is this stupid man doing now?" Speaking that comment in his mind, Jonathan didn't even notice when his secretary came back to his side.
...The older man seemed ill, entirely different from earlier, worrying his young boss when he saw him...
"Marcos! What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost." Placing his hands on the man's shoulder, Jonathan was sure his secretary would pass out at any moment if he let go of him.
"... Boy, no matter what happens tonight, only promise me you won't lose your mind... Again, please."
Nothing about his words made any sense to the CEO, while Erica just stared at both men in silence, quiet as if she wasn't part of what was about to happen.
...But sadly, she did, and Marcus had no idea what Jonathan might do to the young woman he had properly socialized with for the first time in years when he found out about it...
Perhaps the friendly atmosphere from earlier would avoid it and remain between them! Or at least that was what the secretary would like to think... But he knew he couldn't afford to fool himself that much.
''First, I would like to thank everyone for being here tonight with us. It's not only a special event for Sky City, but also for TecLife.'' Speaking into the microphone, Maximilian began his speech... But before anything else, I would like to call to the stage our generous CEO, Jonathan Starless, and his beautiful guest to join us for this special toast!"
Starting a storm of applause along with the spotlights moving them, the older man left no way out for both Jonathan and Erica as they had only one choice of what to do next in that situation.
However, it didn't stop the CEO from asking him what he was doing when he stood beside him on the stage with a fake smile on his face, wondering when the woman he met for the first time that night had become his plus-one at that party...
.
"The future, my little friend... '' But back to the other man's reply to him, Jonathan didn't like how it sounded at all. "So, keeping up with the good news. Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to announce that, officially, TecLife will be the main technology provider for Sky City during Mayor Fausto's management. But we don't end here...''
...His instincts said that Jonathan should run away from there. Leave that party at this very moment, yet he didn't do so. He had much more to consider besides himself that he couldn't simply do that...
His company was no longer something small with just a couple of employees that he could easily help to find a new job if he failed on his own. There were several teams that were influenced by his choices and how everyone else around the world saw him.
''TecLife also is pleased to announce the engagement of our CEO, Jonathan Starless, with the beautiful lady, Érica LeBlanc! Please! Let's celebrate the happy news! BECAUSE THIS NIGHT IS A VERY SPECIAL!''
... But of course, it turned out not to be an easy task when he heard Maximilian's words, and his eyes met Marcus, who tried to calm him from afar.
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