Alice looked at Richard with anger with her eyes. She did not know what to say. She knew she had no say. There was nothing she could do. She got up and walked upstairs in anger.
Later that night Audrey came to see Alice in her room. "It's like all he sees me as is a bargaining chip and nothing more. How can he send introduce me to one of his old business partner who I'm sure is bald and stinky and big bellied. I really don't want to do this Mom" Alice said as she sobbed in her mom's arms. When Audrey heard the way she described the man she couldn't help but chuckle a little bit "Are you sure he's old and pot bellied? I'm sure your dad wants the best for you okay. Why don't you accept the appointment and see where it goes alright darling ?". Alice nodded her head and laid on her pillow and closed her eyes.
" Try rubbing some eye cream on your eyes so you won't end up with swollen eyes tomorrow okay honey"
" Yes Mom" Alice reached to her side table and brought out a tube of eye ointment and rubbed it around her eyes before falling asleep.
In Xavier's office
"Have you spoken to Richard Hansley about the deal?" Xavier said to his assistant Davis who was standing in front of him
" Yes I have. He doesn't seem to agree or disagree with it."
Xavier grunted in response and continued reading the file that was on his desk. At the top of the file read "Alicia 'Alice' Hansley" on it. He flipped through the file with a thin smile pasted on his face. When he noticed that Davis was still staring at him he quickly changed his expression and glared at him "is there anything else you want to tell me?" Xavier asked. Davis quickly shook his head and exited the office.
On Monday morning
At Alice's company
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"Alice, I received a message from your dad's company telling me that you have an appointment by 6pm today and I should cancel all your plans."
Alice sighed and nodded her head. "My dad set me up with one of his business partner yesterday. I guess he's tired of looking for young spoilt brats who don't know anything but spend their parents money on nonsense and decided to go for a pit bellied old man with wrinkles on his face." Alice said with pure disgust on her face. Susan couldn't hold her laugh and burst out laughing as she held the desk to support herself from falling down. "How do you know that the person looks like that?"
Alice glared at her and sighed "Trust me when I say this I've followed my dad for a lot of business banquets right from when i was 12 and the only people he interacts with are wrinkled old men with ugly faces..."
"That's enough Alice" Susan said laughing as she sat down on the chair opposite her. "As far as I'm concerned it's a business meeting not a blind date. Although I don't have enough details about the Man I know for sure that he is very rich and capable. His company is one of the largest company in North and South East Asia and it has even spread to America. He recently moved his company's head quarters to NewYork. No one knows his name or where he comes from. Infact the Media people have never been able to take even a side view picture of him and it's so infuriating"
" So my dad wants me to go and meet a complete stranger who's identity is unknown?"
" I heard from your Father's assistant that your dad knows the real identity of that person but he's not going to reveal it to anyone. Even his assistant James don't know anything about it."
Alice sighed and supported her head with her hands resting in the desk " what time is it now?"
"It's already past 4 pm. You will have to get your makeup done and I'll bring in your outfit. Your Mom picked it for you."
"I guess they are all eager to seel their daughter out " Alice sneered.
At 5:30 pm
The makeup artist that Susan brought has already finished putting on a light simple makeup on Alice face that highlighted her already beautiful and flawless skin. The makeup artist was helping her wear her dress that needed to be zipped at the back and couldn't help commenting "Miss Hansley you have a very beautiful and amazing figure. I wonder why you didn't go into modeling I mean you have the right body and looks" Alice laughed lightly and couldn't help smiling at the makeup artist "You really know how to talk sweetly don't you?" The makeup artist quickly helped Alice dress up fully and wore her a pair of high heels. The dress that her mother picked for her was a blue dinner gown with an off shoulder and a slit at the side. It was not too plain and it was elegant and it fitted perfectly either skin. When she was done in dressing up it was already 5:40pm. She walked out of her company and entered into the car that Stephen had parked in front of her company.
Stephen drove to the Restaurant which had already been booked by the 'Business partner'
At the restaurant
"This way Miss Hansley" The manager led her into the private room that has been reserved by the business partner. When she entered there was no one in there. She checked her time and saw that it was already 6:20 pm. She couldn't help but mumble as she poured a glass of wine for herself. "I did not know that old men liked being late all the time." As she was sipping the wine someone opened the door of the private room and stepped into the room shutting the door behind him. The light was slightly dim in the private room so she could not see the person's face clearly.