Chapter 7-Cold but adorable.
"I'm really sorry, Chloe..."
Raimundo's apology was sincere. But my response was chilling.
"Mr. Raimundo, apologies are of little value. You should be aware of what transpired at my birthday party. I not only lost my memory but also my self-esteem. That is the dignity of the Meredith family!"
"Even if you're not fond of me,there's a tactful way to reject someone without humiliating them. But you didn't show up and left me there like a clown, making a fool of myself in front of everyone at the party."
"I, Chloe Meredith, have lived 20 years and have never been so humiliated!"
Raimundo remained silent for nearly ten minutes. He reached into his pocket and retrieved a black box.
I was a little confused, but when he placed the black box on the table, I suddenly understood what was going to happen.
Not surprisingly, the box was meant to contain the gift he had prepared for me.
If it were any more ironic, it could have been my birthday present.
"Chloe, I bought this for your birthday in France. It arrived too late for a birthday present, but I hope this gift will appease your anger..."
I'm a genius!
What will he say next? Ask for my forgiveness?
"... And I hope you'll forgive my rudeness..."
It's so dull.I don't even bother to guess.
I'm sure he's going to shower me with more compliments.
"I know this might not be the right time to say this, but I want to express it anyway..."
Go on, I'm listening!
"... I don't have romantic feelings for you. I've always considered you as a sister. Perhaps I did something wrong earlier, leading to your misconstrued feelings. I apologize for that..."
Wait a minute!
Now he's rejecting me to my face?
"... I understand this is my misconception. However, I still wish for us to return to a brother-sister relationship. Because, Chloe, you are truly the most adorable and courageous girl I've ever met. I genuinely appreciate your optimism and openness..."
Who cares about your admiration?
Oh, my God.
If there were no laws in this world, I would love to throw this idiot into the sea and let the fiercest sharks feast on his flesh and bones!
"That's enough. Please don't say anything more!"
I interrupted him again.
It's not that I lack education. I'm genuinely concerned that if he says one more word, I might not resist throwing him into the ocean. I might not be able to stop myself from throwing my cake at his face, even if he is remarkably handsome.
"I don't want your meaningless gift. I don't want to hear this nonsense either. We're both adults, and just as quickly as adult feelings arise, they can vanish. I believe you understand that."
"Chloe, I..."
"Just hear me out."
I interrupted him once more.
I'm not uneducated. I'm genuinely worried that if he utters one more word, I might not resist tossing him into the ocean. I might not be able to stop myself from smashing my cake into his face, even if he is quite handsome.
"I'm not asking you to fall in love with me when I say this. Because, at the moment, I don't have any feelings for you. That's the only reason I'm here."
"I, Chloe, am 20 years old. My wonderful life is just beginning. How could I possibly waste all my energy on an older man like you?"
"Some things in the past are in the past. I hope we have nothing to do with each other from now on and that we never see each other again. What do you think, Mr. Raimundo?"
I raised my eyebrows at Raimundo, signaling that it was time for him to speak.
Raimundo scrutinized me. His eyes seemed to question whether the person sitting in front of him was the Chloe he knew.
"If that's truly what you think, I'm happy to bless you in finding your true love."
"Thank you for your blessing."
I stood up, pinched the hem of my dress, and bid him farewell with a salute like a ballerina.
"And enjoy your meal with my dear brother. I'll leave you alone."
I turned my head and nodded to Monford. I picked up my bag and left the restaurant without hesitation.
I knew the two of them were gazing at my back with admiration. So, I intentionally kept my back straight and stretched my neck.
Enjoy my back! You won't see anything like it twice.
I stepped into the elevator from the restaurant.When I was about to press the elevator button, a well-built physique came to my mind.
Maybe I can linger a little longer.
I pressed the button for the highest floor—back to Monford's office door.
Sure enough, upon hearing my footsteps, the sound of clothes brushing against each other echoed again.
"Hi! Hello again, Aiden."
Seeing me greet him, Aiden took a deep breath.
"Hey... Miss Chloe..."
"Well, it seems you've learned a few things about me while I've been away."
I glanced at the blonde working behind Aiden.
I'm pretty sure, from the way she tried to avoid my eyes, that she spilled more than just my name to Aiden.
I wondered if this lovely lady shared any absurd information about me other than my name.
"I don't know much about you. It's just your name, Miss Chloe, and the fact that you're the president's sister."
"So..."
I took two steps closer to him and reached out to grab his tie.
Aiden didn't expect me to take the initiative. All I had to do was give him a little tug, and he came right up to me.
Now, the two of us are very close.
So close that I could see his eyelashes and catch a whiff of his faint minty cologne.
"What perfume are you wearing? It has a unique scent."
"My friend gave it to me as a graduation gift after I finished college. I don't know what brand it is."
"Girlfriend? Or an ex-girlfriend?"
"It's my roommate! I helped him revise his thesis to assist him in graduating, and he gave me a bottle of perfume as a thank-you."
I couldn't resist teasing Aiden as he tried to explain.
Why is he so adorable when he talks, even though he usually comes across as serious and aloof?
I love this feeling!
"Tell me, why are you here?"
'Er... I'm here to see the CEO and request him to reconsider his earlier decision."
"What decision?"
"C Company's bid."
I glanced down at the file bag he was holding and extended my hand to him.
Aiden didn't hand me the file bag.
I looked up, questioning him with my eyes.
"I can't simply reveal the project to just anyone."
"I'm not just anyone. I'm Chloe."
"I know you're Miss Chloe. But apart from me and my team, only the CEO can read this document."
Aiden's tone was firm. It conveyed the determination that, no matter what I did, I couldn't change his mind.
I withdrew my hand, but that doesn't mean I've given up.
"I might not be able to convince Monford to change his mind, but I can help you make him want to read your project."
"Miss Chloe, are you going to help me?"
I confidently gave him the answer:
"Of course!"
Aiden's expression didn't show much excitement. He seemed to have guessed something from my smiling eyes and asked me very directly.
"What does Miss Chloe want from me?"