The Billionaire And Me

Chapter one: Reunion

Scarlett

My Mom once told me that there is no greater luxury than being held in the arms of a man you love as you danced with him. Surrendered by a crowd of strangers, you move your heels to the sound of music. You would laugh and breathe at the same time looking into each other's eyes and forget the world around you. But I guess not everyone's love story can be so romantic.

With one hand holding an empty wine glass, I stared at the happy couples enjoying their night on the dance floor. The smiles on their faces and the joy they felt as they moved their feets to the music, it all felt so empty to me. I couldn't bear looking at them.

"Scarlet!' I heard someone call my name from the side and I turned to see Olivia squeezing her way through a hoard of people and she was holding two glasses filled with more alcohol. After barely managing not to spill the drink on the ground, she stood right beside me and handed me one glass that contained alcohol.

The red liquid inside the glass was bubbling with excitement but unlike Olivia, I wasn't much of a drinking type especially around the people I had to work with in the morning. I noticed that Olivia was leaning back and taking a good look at my dress. She was dressed quite lavishly herself with an off shoulder blue dress and shiny silver heels and she looked as stunning as ever.

"You like your legs, don't you?" She asked with one of her eyebrows raised and a sarcastic smile on her face.

I was wearing a sparkling red dress with a thin high slit. Being a tall woman didn't have many advantages but being able to show off your smooth long legs was surely worth it. I could feel the wandering eyes of men landing on me ever so often and it felt good to know that I still got the looks that attract men even after marriage.

"Not really," I replied and also smiled as well.

Olivia was one of those few friends I could drop my fake facade in front of, there were two many things on my mind. And one of which I couldn't shake off no matter how hard I tried. It was the debt of twenty million credits and the reason why I had to drop out of the university to get a job. Perhaps, noticing the grimace on my face, Olivia poked me with her shoulder and I turned to look at her.

"Scarlet, you should at least try to enjoy the night." She said as she pointed at the other people around us and they all seemed to be having a good time.

"Or at least pretend to enjoy their company so that they will bring you fancy gifts on your birthday." She laughed and I couldn't help laughing with her, Olivia was known to be a cheery personality and bringing light to any situation. And sure enough, my mind had shifted away from the problems on my mind.

I looked around and saw other people getting drinks, dancing and enjoying the food and services. This was indeed the time to let down your guard and mingle with your co-workers for better office relations.

"By the way, I have a surprise for you." Olivia said, turning to look at the center stage.

All of a sudden, the light in the ballroom went dim and the only place illuminated enough to have a good look was the center stage.

"So, do you know who the new CEO is?" I asked Olivia.

We were both waiting for the announcement, it was the whole reason for this party. Whoever it was going to be would have a massive impact on the company and its market, even the media was covering the whole activities.

"Yes, but keep watching." She replied while resting her hand on my shoulder.

Today would be the day that will decide whether the shares for our company plummet or skyrocket. Well, I couldn't care less as long as I got my salary because I wouldn't want to work in a company that is running at a loss, risking unemployment.

Liam, the current CEO of the company was about to announce his retirement along with introducing his replacement, he had the mic in his hand and was looking around at the crowd with a smile.

"It has been a long time coming for this old man." Liam said, resting his hand over his chest.

"But it is time someone new takes this position from me. I have had the greatest day working for this company and now I would like to hand over its future to someone from the younger generation." He said as he moved away from the center of the stage and his eyes gazed at the other end of the stage, a young man with a tall stature, dressed in a blue and silver suit was walking towards him from the other side.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome your new CEO of Crystal Finance Company Limited, George Williams!" He announced, clapping his hands. The whole place roared with excitement and applause, I could even hear whistling all around me.

"George Williams?" I murmured as I felt as if I had heard this name before.

"Do you know him?" Olivia asked but before I could answer, we were interrupted by his voice.

"Are you guys enjoying tonight?" He asked and once again the people roared in approval.

"Well, like Sir Liam just said, I am George Williams and I will be the one you guys can curse at when things go wrong." He said and like mindless drones, everyone laughed again but I couldn't understand what they found so funny. I would rather return to work than listen to some speech.

"Scarlet, I have something to tell you." Olivia said, grabbing me by my shoulder.

"Come to this side." She added.

We walked over to the other side of the ballroom, away from the others still listening to the speech. I could hear George rambling about something in the background but my interest lay completely in what Olivia had to say to me. She stopped at the very end of the room, everyone else was looking at the stage in front and we were the only ones in the back.

"I actually got to speak with George before coming here." Olivia said while her hand grabbed onto my arms from both sides.

"What did you talk about?" I asked as I was confused and didn't know where she was going with this. She looked at me in the and gave me a warm smile before replying.

"I recommend you to be his secretary, I need to talk to him and seal the deal." She shook my whole body with her hands, her excitement was quite visible.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing, me? His secretary? I just joined the company as a Receptionist not too long ago. If I were to jump that high up in position, what would the other employees think about me?

"I..I don't k-know what to say, this is too sudden." I muttered.

I wasn't ready to go from making sure everyone came to work to making appointments and bossing around the employees. If anything, it might make others more hostile towards me. I already had many problems at home, I didn't want to have problems at work too.

"Scarlet, Scarlet, you have a financial crisis along with a crippling debt that is piling up in interest." She said as she took a step back and looked me in the eyes again.

"I really think you should take this job, you need the money more than anyone else right now."

Hearing her voice my worries, I was somewhat convinced to take this opportunity. If I start thinking too much about what others might think of me, I might just end up carrying this debt forever. I needed to take care of myself rather than think about others. I heaved a sigh and gulped down my fears.

"Alright, I will take the offer." I turned my attention back on the stage, it seemed like George's speech had ended. I needed to find him and seal the deal before he changed his mind or someone else approached him about it.

"Thanks Olivia, you helped me to get this job and now you are helping me with one hell of a promotion." I smiled but this time I felt it.

"Don't mention it, now go find him." She cheered and I could feel her happiness through her smile.

I didn't know what good deed I have done in the past to deserve a friend like Olivia, she was definitely a godsend. I moved through the crowd trying to find George. Everyone had started to move around frantically after the speech, perhaps there were many who wanted to gain the favor of the new CEO. I couldn't blame them, I was one of them as well.

I looked around for him everywhere but it wasn't me who found him. I felt a light tap on my shoulder from behind, turning to look who it was, I was surprised to find George right behind me. It appears he was looking for me as well.

"Scarlet Hunt, right?" He asked and I was surprised he knew my maiden name already. But having a closer look at him, I realized something. I knew who he was, we went to the same highschool and I even remember having a crush on him back then.

"George?" I murmured and he smiled.

"What? You already forgot about me?" He shrugged but had a smile on his face, so I knew he wasn't angry.

"Oh, I am sorry. I didn't realize this was gonna be a highschool reunion." I said and laughed nervously, my palms were already sweating from nervousness.