You're mine

Erica turned to Aurelio immediately with her eyes a little wide.

But no, she should not look shocked!

“Aurelio…. Your fiancée?” Martin asked him again

“Yes… is that supposed to surprise you if I may ask Martin?” Aurelio replied as he pulled Erica more closer to himself

“Off course yes, you finally got over Paige? That’s really good man” Martin said.

Aurelio felt like a ball was sent to his head from behind.

Paige!

Why does he have to mention her name now…

Erica turned to Aurelio seeing he was already lost..

“Are… you okay?” she asked Aurelio as she tapped his shoulders

He let out a low laugh and nod his head “Why won’t I be honey?” he replied.

Martin looked at him deeply and then at Erica before he turned his face away folding his lips in “And why do you have to mention her name here Martin?” he asked him

“Uh uh…” Martin muttered as he gulped down.

“C’mon man, nothing… I uh.. a slip of the tongue. Why should I mention someone that ab—" Martin paused immediately seeing the way Aurelio glared at him.

“Gosh, I really need to get myself a drink so I stop saying something stupid” he faked a laugh as he looked around.

“oh there’s a waiter!!” Erica pointed out.

He turned around and could see him but he shook his head “No it’s okay, I’ll go get one myself hmm? Enjoy yourself okay?” he said to Erica as he stylishly waved at her and left their midst.

“Wow.. is he okay?” Erica asked herself

“He… isn’t, that’s the way he had always been right from high school” Aurelio replied

“Okay, cool” Erica smiled and immediately he heard his name.

“Aurelio, please come over with Erica. It’s time you give your speech” his Father said from the pulpit.

He turned around immediately and smiled like a boss that he already is, “shall we?” he smiled at Erica.

She nodded her head and then they both walked to the pulpit while everyone gave a round of applause.

He made his way to the pulpit while Erica stood with his Mom and then silence filled the atmosphere.

“First of all, I’ll like to say good evening to everyone gathered her, you guys here are all looking handsome and to the ladies, you look beautiful tonight but not compared to her” he chuckled as he turned to Erica.

“ Seriously, do you have to even say that there?” she thought as she looked away

“ Aww… “ his mom cooed beside her

“ So, welcome to this Grand event, yeah few days ago we were celebrating the company’s 4th anniversary and tonight, we are celebrating something else different and I’m sure my dad is the man to say that. I hope you all enjoy the remaining hours you have to spend here as my dad comes up” Aurelio replied with a slight bow and then he walked down the pulpit making way for his dad.

Everyone hands whacked against each other as they gave a thundering clap.

“Yeah, welcome Everyone to this wonderful event, one we can never forget but son I thought you’ll go straight to the point” his Father laughed lowly and they did same too.

“Okay, I gave this announcement earlier in the company today. My son, Aurelio Bertram Maynard, would be taking over BerCam Paragon groups as the rightful heir to the company” his father announced

“Wow!!”

“woohoo!!”

Everyone clapped at that immediately. The photographers were already taking pictures and some were making videos of the event.

“I trust him so much and I know deep down, he will take this company to the next level. He will handle it better than I did..so let’s hear from you son. What you’ve got to say” his father replied and gestured Aurelio to come over which he did.

“Nah, I ain’t got something much to say.. but like you said dad, I will do better than you did, I will take this company to places it has never been to before and many more. So good enough, we are blessed with wonderful and intelligent employees, from the C suite positions down to the non staffs, everyone here is special and believe me.. I really have nothing much to say because….All has been said about you all not too long ago” Aurelio shrugged as they laughed lowly.

“Yeah, so anyways… I’m sure working with you all won’t be something I’d regret, neither would having me as your boss and CEO be something of regret to you all. I will not just provide a better and comfortable atmosphere to work, feed you all and pay you all so well, something else needs to be involved and that is protection” he said

“yes protection and everyone here will get it, I’m sure many of are thinking already what I mean by that… well no one knows tomorrow” Aurelio replied

Deep down he knows what he meant by that.

Him being the next CEO of the company had just drawn a battle line between him, everything that has to do with him and the Darkhood clan.

His father understood what he meant and so did his grandpa.

“ Uhm, so with that being said… enjoy yourselves..I have someone to be with” Aurelio replied as he walked down the pulpit and went to Erica immediately.

“That is not a nice way to end a speech” Erica whispered to him as he pulled her away with him.

“Well everyone understood what I’m saying” he chuckled

There’s no one in the building that didn’t look at them and thought of what’s going on between them.

Aurelio was about leaving with her to somewhere more beautiful and private until Martin walked back to him.

“Martin?” he raised his brows at surprised by his sudden appearance.

Martin looked unstable, he kept looking around trying to signal Aurelio.

“is everything okay?” Erica asked him

“Oh yeah sure.. I just wanted to take a pic with you both..” he replied

“Oh okay..” Erica replied with a shrug and just as he was about to take his phone out of his pocket.

He saw her again..the person he didn’t want Aurelio to see or neither see Aurelio.

“oh my goodness, she’s here!” Martin gasped.

He rushed to Aurelio about to pull him away but then his name was heard from behind.

“Aurelio?”

He stopped and turned around with Erica to see Paige, his first love, the one that had left him for another man.

He could not believe he was seeing her again after many years,

“Paige?” he called out of surprise.

There she was standing in a black long gown that was revealing all her body curves.

“Yeah, it’s been a while” she said to him with a smile..

“Do you mean while..or years?” he asked her with a scoff.

She didn’t reply, “What are you doing here?” he asked instead with a cold look.

“Should you be this way?” Erica asked him softly and he inhaled deeply.

She has no idea of who she is for her to ask him if that’s the way he is to reply her.

Aurelio’s eyes were fixed intently on Paige, he had a look of anger, bitterness, why should she come now?

What does she have to say?

“Uhm.. I want to get a drink, I’ll be back” Erica smiled as she left

“wait…” Aurelio said but she was already gone.

He sighed and tuck his hands into his pocket raising a brow at Paige.

“Aurelio, I know you don’t want to see me again. I mean who would want to..not you, and I clearly understand that” she said softly to him as she took slow steps to him.

“ So why did you come when you know I don’t want to see you. I thought you said you won’t show your face ever again in my life? Why are you here now?” he asked her lowly

“ Gosh.. I wonder too” Martin said lowly from behind

“Aurelio I came to apologize, I know how bad I hurt you, and believe me…it’s not what I want, I was just—”

“Paige Kendall, there is no need of apologizing.. why should you apologize to ‘daddy’s pet’ ?” he cut her short as he raised his brow at her purposely laying emphasis on daddy’s pet.

That was the name he heard her calling him years back.

“ Aurelio…” she gasped hurt by his words.

“Do you have to call me by my full name?” she asked

“That’s a yes, so you’ll understand I don’t want anything standing here and talking with you” he replied

“Paige..what happened to your Jake? Huh?, I thought you said you don’t want a daddy’s pet but a man rather…?” he asked her with a scoff.

“you know what hurts the most? That you said all those at my back..but when you thought you were saying it to your guy..I was hearing it all! And then you’d come back to me like you did nothing!”

“Aurelio please calm down and listen to me” she said as she took his hands into hers immediately.

“Don’t! lay those filthy hands on me Paige, whatever is the reason you came back to Texas, I hope it isn’t because of me because you can’t have me.. you already lost me years back kitten” he replied lowly into her ears as he pulled his hands away from hers seeing Erica was already coming back.

“ Damn, Erica, you left without me. We would have gone together to get a drink” Martin said to her

“ oh I’m sorry…” she said softly to him

Paige eyes were on her like who is this?!!

“Aurelio, who is she..??” she asked him

Erica raised a brow at her and then she turned to Aurelio…the atmosphere was just off to her.

“Lovebug….who is she?” Erica asked instead

A smile appeared on his face hearing that name from her “Honey, I am sorry I didn’t introduce you to this lady, I already forgot about her though.. Thanks to this guy Martin for reminding me” Aurelio replied.

Paige felt a sharp pain in her chest immediately.

Did he just described her this way?

As this lady?

The same guy that calls her sweet names?

“Aurelio, are you referring to me as this lady I—” she trailed off as he butt in

“Honey, this is Paige. And Paige, this is Erica..my fiancée” he replied

“ And again he is calling me fiancée?!” Erica thought as she faked a smile

“Fiancée?” Paige asked out of shock.

The crowd could hear him call Erica his fiancée and they gasped at it.

“no Wonder, I’ve been noticing the both of them” a lady said

“Aww what a wonderful day to celebrate! Mr Aurelio has a fiancée” a male staff said as he walked to him with a glass of wine in his hand.

“ Congratulations Sir and Ma” he bowed his head at them and immediately there was another round of applause.

Paige had just got the best shock of her life.

Aurelio?

Fiancée?

Her mind went back to when he had made a promise to her years back.

-FLASHBACK-

Aurelio was standing with Paige together in the chemistry lab, they had just finished class and we’re grouped together.

His hands were around her waist while her hands encircled his neck.

The both of them were the top couples in the school then, everyone one knew how much they loved each other and could not deny it.

“Chocy… babe” she called his as she moved her hands on his lips sweetly

“Promise me you won’t leave me” she said to him looking into his eyes

“why would I want to leave my life?” he replied

“I am Afraid you’ll leave me for another lady in the future” she replied as he laughed out.

“No way, if it’s not you it’s not anyone” he replied her

“You are mine already, my wife and would be the mother of my children” he replied

“promise me that?” she replied

“it’s a promise” he smiled

“I already promised you I won’t leave you for any other man, nothing will make me leave you, not even in my dreams” she said to him softly as she leaned forward to him for a kiss.

-END OF FLASHBACK-

Everyone were so happy to hear of it and that was enough to make Erica smile too.

“We should celebrate this don’t you think?” A lady said as Erica coughed out

“eh?” she asked Aurelio.

“I am Afraid my fiancée isn’t ready for that, it’s so sudden.. so why don’t you wait for us to fix a date?” Aurelio replied sounding like a gentleman that he is.

“Sure Mr Aurelio! Anything for the both of you” the guy replied with a bow

“Congratulations sir! We are sure you will take this company to the next level with a beautiful lady like her by your side” a female staff said

“ Yes sir! Congratulations!!”

“ We love you sir!”

“ Congratulations ma’am”

Aurelio smiled, Erica could not help but smile at their pretty faces.

“And if you don’t mind, we’ll be leaving for somewhere more private” Aurelio replied with a smile as he left with Erica.

“Awww…I’ve never heard of this before” a female staff cooed

“Mr Aurelio is so romantic!”

“I won’t miss your wedding sir!” one of them said out loud.

“I won’t miss your baby shower rather!” another one said to Erica

She gave a broad smile as she left with him, his hands were around her waist which she ignored, she could see most of the crowds wave at her and many smile at her.

It took her nothing to wake back at them “ Feeling like a celebrity isn’t it?” Aurelio whispered to her ears

“I don’t know where you are even taking me to” Erica muttered but went along with him and then Paige’s voice was heard from behind.

“You’re joking Aurelio!... isn’t it?” she asked already feeling a lump in her throat.

Aurelio could sense she was teary but he ignored.

“You promised, you made a promise Aurelio and you’re a man of your words” she added as he stopped his steps

“Paige.. will you stop being childish” he groaned already tired of her words.

“Paige, you should go meet your man, promises can he broken, don’t tell me you’re a kid and don’t know that” Martin said to her

“She doesn’t know that” Aurelio replied with a cold look without turning back to look at her face. He doesn’t want to feel a single thing for her again.

“Besides you made the promise first, and I don’t want to give my fiancée here the wrong impression, so please don’t bother me again” he said and continued his steps with Erica.

Aurelio smiled at the faces he saw and took Erica up the stairs with his hands still around her waist.

Paige didn’t take her eyes off them instead she followed them and Aurelio could tell she was following him.

Erica said nothing but followed him “Uhm, what are you doing? Where are we going?” she asked him lowly.

“Honey… I need to do something” he said to her as he walked ahead of her then held her hands in his.

“What is it…?” Erica replied already confused

“I don’t even need your permission for it” he stopped and turned to her with a smile on his face.

Paige stopped too and others around stopped to look at them.

“Aurelio, what’s that…?” Erica stuttered as she gulped down.

His hands slid around her waist and his other hand around her neck as he pulled her more closer to himself.

“Why won’t you need my permission for something that has to do with me?” she asked as her eyes met his looking into his enchanting blue eyes, this way the guy she had fallen for that night.

Her eyes went down to his lips, she could feel heat from within already.

“No you don’t honey, remember I told you if you have a boyfriend, you have to drop him… because you’re mine” he whispered into her ears that no one could hear.

“Yes…” she replied feeling goosebumps all over her body.

“Honey, you’re mine…and that makes me do what I want with you, but never to hurt you” he said to her ears again

“What are you trying to say?” she raised her brows at him

“I want those lips” Aurelio replied as he closed the gap between the both of them slowly taking her lips into his as he sucked from her soft wet lips that tasted more than strawberries.

It was perfect—Erica’s soft lips against the bite of the liquor and sweet wine still on her tongues. She did more than just not stop him. She kissed him back.