A Wife for the Billionaire
Chapter 16: SOFIA

Chapter 16: SOFIA

"Actually, ...I" the blond boy or guy, yeah a guy sounds much better, was saying as he scratched his head.

It’s been ten seconds already and I know for certain that he’s a harmless cherub – and a really shy one.

He couldn’t even hold my gaze. He was most certainly my age, but from his gestures and how hard he fought to form a sentence in my presence, he was either very naive or he just found it hard to talk to pretty girls.

Like I said sometime before, I’ve always known that I’m beautiful, but it felt good to know that my beauty could cause a grown ass guy to become short of words.

"I was erm... alright this sounds embarrassing, but I was heading to the loo, but I can take you to the where the others are", where he didn’t stutter, he rushed through words as if he doesn’t, there’s a chance he won’t be able to say them again.

I only smiled at him. There was something about him, his naivety, the glint he couldn’t hide in those blue eyes, the way he couldn’t seem to stand still, the hand he shoved into his brown pants, the flush on his cheeks as I smiled at him. It was all... how do I say it, what do I call it? It was so... sensual.

Naturally, I found myself following his every gesture. My eyes tracing the fine lines of his face and my lips stretching into a smile in response to his words. It wasn’t that he was funny, but the openness of his gestures. The outward effect I could see that I had on him. The plainness that he liked me.

That genuinely evoked something in me. A giddiness I can’t explain and to be honest, I also found myself blushing like a highschool girl being asked out for the very first time in her life.

I made to respond when he added,

"Well, that’s if you don’t mind?"

Another rush of words I barely made out until a few seconds after being spoken.

"I actually don’t mind at all, erm..."

"How stupid of me, I’m Cole. Cole Trail. Yeah, I know it’s a funny name" He answered, thrusting out a hand even before he said the last line.

I had chuckled when he said his name, not really because it was funny, but the manner in which he had said it.

Clasping my right hand with the his really clammy palm, I said beaming,

"Forgive me, I didn’t mean to be rude. Your name is not funny, but the bearer is, if you understand what I mean. Anyway it’s a pleasure to meet you, Cole Trail. I’m Sofia Blake"

Still holding my hand, he managed,

"Oh don’t worry, I was just pulling your legs. That’s a very nice name... Sofia"

It felt good to hear my name being said like a prayer. Like a reverence unlike the curse and disgust it had come to be related to. From Alicia, her daughters, Alicia’s friends and Richard.

"You can lead the way now" I reminded him after he just stood there, still gripping my hand and grinning like a puppy before his master.

Letting go of my hand a tad swifter than I anticipated, he said between deciding whether to keep his hands tucked behind him, folded across his chest and finally settling for burying them into his pockets.

"So sorry about that. Erm, it’s this way"

With a smile and a nod as a response I followed him.

The board room wasn’t far from where I had stood, two glass doors with the Wellington logo on both sides in silver against the glossy dark blue of the glass.

Pushing one open, he ushered me into the very room where several tough decisions had been made.

My foot squeaked as I stepped onto the light maple flooring with a subtle satin finish. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls with minimalist frames, offering breathtaking views of the city. Spires and glass towers all glittering in the late morning sun.

Eyes turned towards us from the

24-seat, rectangular conference table in matching light wood. Seated on the no doubt comfortable, ergonomic premium leather upholstery were about 19 men and women of varying ages. Young, middle aged and even a few elds between 50 and 60.

A bald man in white shirt and blue jacket leaned on the edge of the table. He had been speaking before we walked in, and I felt his gaze lasered on me.

"It’s Cole right?" He asked, straightening and crossing his arms over his chest.

"Yes, Si_ sorry, Harry..."

"Weren’t you supposed to visit John?" Harry, the bald man asked.

Scratching his head, Cole began,

"I... yes, I was erm_"

"He was on his way before he decided to

help a damsel in distress. I was kinda lost in the hallway, it’s Sofia by the way" I quipped, saving Cole from embarrassing himself on my account.

"Hello" a few voices echoed from the room.

"Young lady, where were you all these while?" Harry asked, silencing them.

"I, erm_"

I was saved from lying through my teeth as the lady in red threw the doors open. All attention was drawn to her as she walked up to Harry and whispered something in his ear.

She waved and smiled for a few before she was gone.

"Young lady, take a seat" Harry said just as the lady left.

I didn’t need to be told twice. Cole showed me where he was sitting and the empty seat beside him, before practically dashing out of the room with his hands already on his fly.

"By God, this seat is so comfortable" I almost sighed aloud as I sank into one.

"As I was saying," Harry went on, "the Wellington Empire was founded in the year 1850 by Mr Charles Wellington and the four Lords. Then it was just a textile mill..."

Harry was still speaking, but I knew the history of the Wellington Empire by heart. In fact, I had tasked myself with learning the history of the leading fashion brands. The Dame Dynasty. The Wellington Empire. Frada Fashion. Access Trends and the likes.

Instead of listening, I found myself drawn to details about the boardroom. The table was so smooth and shiny. Recessed lighting with warm, golden tones refracted on the polished floor and table surface.

Soft natural light barely poured in through the dark glass walls. On the far end of the wall vertically, was a Tv screen set in the center between squares panel wall of the same maple wood. And opposite that wall, on the other side were gold framed portraits of past CEOs and Lords, all arrayed in a manner that spoke of hierarchy.

The founding Lords and Mr Charles Wellington’s (who can be assumed to be the CEO then)portrait were placed in the bottom with each generation placed above and above until Richard Wellington’s portrait on the top ended the display.

A bespoke, leather-bound Wellington Journal for meeting notes lay on the table in front of everyone seated and some were jotting what Harry said with them.

Perhaps, they just wrote on it so they might have an excuse for taking the beautiful journal. I flipped through a few pages from the one in front of me and decided that it was going to be my new sketchbook.

Cole came back then beaming at me as he sat,

"You are not paying attention, who knows why Harry is giving us a history lesson especially after a tour that also felt the same?" He asked in a rush without failing the aim– to be funny as I found myself stifling a laughter.

"No I’m serious", he went on, trying to look serious even though he couldn’t stop smiling. " it feels like there’s erm... a motive behind it?"

"Whatever may be the case, I’m prepared" I answered.

"Yeah totally. Of course, I didn’t mean to suggest otherwise or anything, I was just trying to help. I know I should probably mind my business and all that, after all we’ve known each other for how many minutes, but I really would love it if you can secure the_"

I touched him on his arm, and he finished,

"And yes, I should probably stop. Thanks, I often make a fool of myself in front of erm... a beautiful girl like you. So sorry, I mean lady" he tumbled through the words.

"Hey, it’s alright. You don’t have to apologize, you kinda look cute doing it and thanks for the compliment" I said, squeezing his arm.

He made to offer a response when Harry clapped his hands and said,

"Order from the Boss, you will be going in pairs, so if your names are called just follow Vera."

Our eyes followed his hand as he pointed to the lady in red who stood by the door with a list in hand.

That was when it dawned on me, Richard Wellington was going to conduct the interview.

Fuck!.