The Billionaire's Promise
Chapter 106: Business Partners

Chapter 106: Business Partners

Marlon was having a meeting with Erik when he was distracted by a message in his phone.

Cassie: Did you like the cookies?

Erik: Yes, they were delicious.

Cassie: That’s great. I’ll make your other favorite next time.

Erik paused before replying. He has a smile on his face when he remembered how Aryana scolded him not to eat many cookies.

Erik: just don’t make too many of them. Too much is bad.

Cassie frowned.

Cassie: Okay.

She waited but Erik did not reply anymore.

"Boss, as I was saying are you okay with these documents? They need your signature." Marlon stole a glance at Aryana’s work space but she seemed busy. ’So who was it that Erik smiled while messaging?’

Erik took the documents from Marlon, checked them before affixing his signature.

In the evening, Erik passed by Aryana’s cubicle.

"Grandpa invited me for a dinner so I can’t eat with you. Eat early." He gave her a quick peck on the forehead.

Aryana blushed. She looked around and tried to see if there were people around. Thankfully it was a bit late and the secretaries have already clocked out.

Aryana decided to eat early. As part of her diet plan, if possible, she does not eat beyond seven pm. She just had pasta and salad for dinner. She snapped a photo and sent it to Erik along with a sad emoji.

Erik replied with a ? emoji.

"Enjoy your meal. Go home early." She replied. She waited but Erik did not replied back.

Time seemed to be slower when one has nothing to do. Aryana was already done with her tutorial session with Mu Chen, but it was still early and she was bored. Instead of sulking, she decided to show case the latest sports outfit that Mu Feng sent her.

It was an 80’s inspired yoga cropped top and leggings. White geometric patterns were printed on the soft black fabric. Aryana took a video of herself doing yoga poses. Afterwards she wore the matching hoodie and trainer shoes, slung the gym bag and took some photos. She made sure that she didn’t include much of the background to ensure her privacy.

She posted the photos and the video on her moments.

She continued training for another hour. She practiced her kung fu and a few rounds of kick boxing until she finally lay down on the gym floor exhausted but Erik was not home yet so she took a relaxing long bath.

...

At a VIP room in a Central District famous seafood restaurant, the Lees and the Lopezes were having dinner while discussing business matters. Cassie was seated beside Erik. She was wearing a pastel colored dress and she wore a light make up emphasizing her high cheekbones and the youthful glow on her face.

"I am setting up a company for Cassie. She shared a good business plan. While at the peak of her career as a model, she wanted to establish her own skin care products and perfume brand." Vicente Lopez said proudly. "We are looking for investors and since we have been business partners for so long, we approached you first."

"Do you have a name for your company Cassie?" George Lee looked at her gently. This was the third time he met her after she has driven her out of Erik’s life three years ago. Now that the Lopezes have acknowledged her as their granddaughter and they were backing her up, he has no reason to continue to dislike her.

"I’d like to call it Timeless Beauty Sir. Target market will be the ages twenty to sixty." Cassie replied in her very gentle and polite tone.

"Oh, cut the formality. Just call me Grandpa."

Cassie smiled. "I’ll listen to you Grandpa." She said sweetly.

"Timeless Beauty...that’s a nice name. What do you think Erik?" George Lee called out Erik’s attention when he noticed that he was distracted.

"It is a nice name." Erik agreed perfunctorily then he get back on his phone.

"I can invest up to 20% of the total shares Vic." George Lee offered. He had seen the proposal and he was sold to the idea.

"I can invest up to 10%". Norman Lee added. All eyes on the table were directed to Erik.

"Ten percent for me. The rest, you should offer to other investors to spread the risk." Erik was still perfunctory. "But I need to see the business proposal first as I haven’t seen it." Erik was a business man after all. He was after profit and benefits.

"Why don’t you increase your stake Erik?" Grandpa Lee said.

"I can’t GrandPa. I invested a lot on the Galaxy Theme Park project."

"Ten percent is alright George." Vicente Lopez assured George Lee. They were asking for investments and he did not want to put pressure on the Lees.

Cassie was pleased. She and Erik will soon be business partners and they will have a lot of opportunities to work together. She casted a glance at Erik and she frowned when she noticed him pre occupied with his cellphone.

She peeled a shrimp for him. She leaned closer and placed the shrimp on his plate. At the same time she casually peeped at his cell phone and saw the video of Aryana. She was on her yoga outfit and doing yoga poses.

"The shrimp is really good Erik. Try it. I know it’s your favorite." She peeled some more and placed them on Erik’s plate.

Erik realized he hasn’t eaten much and his stomach growled. He reluctantly put down his cellphone and started eating after saying thank you to Cassie.

Cassie was encouraged. She reached out for the lobster, removed the meat and placed them in Erik’s plate.

"You don’t have to do that. You should also eat." Erik frowned at her.

"It is alright. My hand is already messy anyway." She split the meat of the lobster between her and Erik and then she discarded the disposable gloves and started enjoying her meal.

Of course she took a lot of photos and she also asked the waiter to take photos.