Betrothed To An Alpha? I Don't Think So!
Chapter 56: Sur…Prises?

Chapter 56: Sur...Prises?

"You’re lying?" That had to be impossible. Amid this scandal? "Lucia—"

[I’m not kidding you, boss. The emails came into the company box]

"Oh my gosh." Evelyn sprang to her feet. "You know what to do, right?"

[Yes, boss] Lucia sounded equally as excited as she did. [Also, concerning the inaugural ceremony, should I begin planning for it? The public is asking questions. You’re the new CEO, so the event should be held as early as possible to mark the official handover of TDG. If not, you’ll keep being the ’Alleged CEO’ like that article said. It needs to be made official, so should I proceed?]

"Yes. How many invites would be sent out?"

[A lot, boss. It’s a big event, and many prominent figures will attend. It’s TDG after all. The reporters...they’ll be a lot too. But I can find ways to handle the reporters for you if you—]

"No, it’s alright Lucia. I can handle that much. How long would it take to plan the entire thing?"

[With a team, a week should be enough. The invites will be sent out quickly too]

"Okay, good. Thank you, Lucia."

The call ended.

Evelyn’s smile was so wide, her face looked like it could almost cramp. Her shoulders were rising and falling, chest swelling in so much relief.

"Okay, um." She kept the bouquet on her father’s gravestone, beaming like a child. "I’ll visit again, Dad. So...uh...rest well until then."

Then she turned and hurried off, dialing Lucia back.

Hidden behind one of the pillars around the massive compound was Brandon. He’d arrived to visit, only to find Evelyn there. He’d eventually wanted to go ahead regardless, but then he heard her talking.

Why did he even stay listening?

He had no...idea.

Drawing a deep breath, he approached the gravestone and kept the flower there, rising after with a soft sigh. "I’m stupid, aren’t I?"

"I should have just respected your decision, but I aided Preston. Now, look what he’s turned into. Inhumane...out of touch with himself." He ran his fingers through his hair. "I don’t think I can save him. But maybe there is someone else I can save. Someone I can truly help."

—————

Zayne walked into the meeting room of his company. Not one, but three businessmen were seated, waiting for him.

All three rose to their feet, exchanging handshakes with him.

"It’s good to see you, Mr. Mancini."

"It’s good to see you as well, Lucian," Zayne said, smiling at the man with brown eyes. He shifted his attention to the other two, nodding. "Dante, Matteo."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Mancini," the one named Dante spoke, his smile polite.

They all settled down. Lucian was the first to speak. "I saw the email you sent."

"Yes. Thank you for coming."

"Not a problem at all. I know I’m looking for a company to invest in, but are you really recommending TDG?"

The other two stared as well, expecting a response. They were there for the very same reason.

Zayne nodded. "Yes. It’s TDG we’re talking about."

"Of course it is, Mr Mancini." This time it was Matteo who spoke. "But have you seen the trending articles?"

Lucian chirped in, "Mr. Mancini, there are rumours that you’re betrothed to the new face of TDG. It isn’t because of that, is it? You’re one of the greatest businessmen out there and you’ve never struck me as the type to put feelings before work."

"You know me that much Lucian," Zayne said. "That is why the decision is up to you. I’ve done nothing more than recommend to you. I assure you though, you wouldn’t regret investing in TDG. After all, I’m a shareholder at TDG as well."

"You trust TDG that much?" Dante asked.

"Dante."

Zayne smiled.

"I don’t trust TDG, but I trust her just like I trusted Sage Darkwood."

"Then what is there to say no to?" Lucian beamed, folding his arms. "I’m willing to take the risk. I’d like to see where this goes."

Matteo nodded. "Me as well. I’ll invest and see how it ends."

Dante however hesitated. Although, he eventually breathed out, balling his fists. "I’ll trust your judgement, Mr. Mancini. However, if it doesn’t prove promising in any way with the news of the new CEO, I might withdraw."

"That’s perfectly fine." Zayne smiled. "You are not prohibited from withdrawing in the near future. It is your share after all."

Dante chuckled.

"Alright then, it is settled. My company will be investing in TDG."

....

Arriving home, Zayne didn’t expect to walk into a room occupied by an excited Evelyn who stood at the sight of him with a massive smile on her face.

She sped towards him, grabbing his hands and jumping on her feet a few times. She let go, proceeded to round him, twirling on her heels with an elated look on her face.

He seemed confused.

What was going on? And why was she so happy? She was genuinely happy, he could feel it. Yesterday, however...her mood was a whole train wreck.

What happened?

He didn’t even realize it, but he’d begun smiling slightly as well, watching her patiently.

"Evelyn...?"

She halted, slowly turned, and looked at him, teeth digging into her bottom lip.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Guess what?" She stared intently at him.

"I’m not good at guessing games, Eve—-"

"Okay, okay, let me tell you." Evelyn stood in front of him, craning her neck back to meet his gaze. She said, "Do you remember last time when I told you that the investors canceled the meeting, no longer interested in investing with TDG?"

"Mhm, I do," he hummed.

"Okay, so this afternoon when I went to visit my dad’s grave, Lucia called me. My assistant, you remember her, don’t you?"

"I do." He nodded, listening attentively.

Evelyn took a deep breath. "New investors... Not the old one that canceled, but new ones sent emails, wanting to have a meeting."

"Why?"

"They want to invest in TDG," she responded. "Which is weird, because no one is willing to really take the risk after the article was uploaded. Shocking, isn’t it?"

Zayne stared at her.

His lips drew farther into a smile and he nodded at her. "It is. So, everything worked out just fine in the end?"

"Better than fine!"

She twirled on her feet, running over to the bed and jumping into it to fall onto her back.

"This was the last thing I expected, Zayne. I was sure no one would be willing. Then there they came all of a sudden like...magic. It’s almost unbelievable. I sometimes pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming."

Zayne kept his briefcase aside. As he approached the bed, he took off his coat, tossing it on the couch. He pressed a knee on the material, getting on to hover above her.

Evelyn’s words trailed off and she stared up at him, lips dropping apart.

"Surprises," he said.

"Huh...?" She swallowed. "Sur...prises? What do you mean?"

His palm rested warmly against her cheek. His thumb rubbed under her eye, and he seemed to have hesitated for a moment, unsure. But then he acted regardless, leaning in until he could kiss her eyelid.

That made her freeze completely, seeing and hearing nothing but him.

"Surprises happen all too suddenly, don’t they?" His chuckle vibrated in his throat.

She could only watch him get off the bed, unable to say a word or even comprehend what had just happened.

What is it with Zayne Mancini? And why does he make her like this? How does he turn her into this...unable to mumble a word, but rather freeze at the graze of his warm touch?

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