The Billionaire's Promise
Chapter 33: Keep the bribery a secret

Chapter 33: Keep the bribery a secret

"Don’t ever think of having any design on Erik. That man can only be mine!"

Aryana’s gaze followed Julia as she walked gracefully out of the meeting room. She frowned. Why did she feel that she gained a formidable enemy?

"Aryana, come on. We have to prepare for our presentation on Friday. Didn’t you hear the President himself say that he wants to see our presentation? There are only the two of us who are new here so he must be referring to us." Elaine tugged at her and she excitedly led her back to their workstation.

Their work area was an open space concept where there were no cubicles. The tables can seat four people, with two people sitting side by side and the other two facing each other with only a low divider separating them. Only the big bosses have enclosed rooms and this included their manager Roxie and Director Julia.

Aryana and Elaine, however, were facing the wall so there were only the two of them at a table which Aryana preferred as well.

Aryana spent the entire morning familiarizing herself with the company operations. Elaine interrupted her when it was lunchtime.

"Hey, Aryana, it’s lunchtime. There is a really good restaurant on the roof top. Since this is your first day, a colleague will treat us to lunch but he is still in a meeting so let’s go ahead." Elaine was excited and she can’t just stop blabbering.

Aryana sighed and just allowed her to be dragged by the petite girl.

’I am new here and she seemed so sincere. I also feel comfortable with her." With that thought, she looked forward to the meal.

"Is it true you are a video blogger? Do you have Instagram? Can you add me?" A barrage of questions was fired by a small lady to her right. They were still in the elevator and there were other people around.

Aryana signaled her to keep quiet. "I’ll add it later okay?"

The elevator finally stopped at the top floor. Other than two other people, they were the only ones left. Aryana looked down at Elaine with a confused look.

Aryana’s legs were long and her strides were bigger. She was a head taller than Elaine at 170 centimeters. Elaine probably was just at 155 centimeters. She has to jog to keep up with Aryana and when she realized this she consciously slowed down her steps.

"Well, this restaurant is quite costly, a meal will cost half a month of my salary." Elaine hesitated.

"Huh, then why are we eating here? There should be a cafeteria here right?" She asked anxiously.

"We are not paying anyway. So why should I bother with the price? There is an opportunity for me to eat here and savor the famous chef’s specials." Elaine grinned.

The waiter guided them to a table in the corner with a good view of the bustling city below. Aryana sit beside the glass window while Elaine sat beside her leaving the sit in front of Aryana vacant.

After giving the waiter their orders and exchanging their contact info, Aryana asked. "So who is the generous colleague who is treating us to lunch today?"

"Ah, it’s Boss Jax. He is also from the training department and he is a manager."

"Hmmm". Aryana just hummed appearing uninterested. She happened to glance at the entrance when a couple entered escorted by the waiter. The female’s right arm has hooked the crook of the man’s right arm. They appeared very intimate as they walked towards an enclosed space in the restaurant opposite them. That was a VIP room secluded from the rest and the glass wall was a one-way mirror. The outside can’t see what’s inside but the room occupants can see people outside.

Aryana felt a sudden pang in her heart. ’Indeed they must be in a relationship.’

"What’s wrong Aryana"? Elaine asked as she followed her gaze to the VIP room.

"Did you order for me, Elaine?" Her line of sight was suddenly blocked by a tall slender man.

"Of course boss!"

Aryana gasped. ’It’s him.’

The first thing that came to her mind was to stand and leave right away. But she restrained herself. ’I can’t be impolite. Anyway, Elaine is here.’

"We haven’t been introduced formally. I am Jax. Jax Cuenca." He was standing beside Aryana and extended his hand for a handshake.

"I believed you already knew me. I’m Aryana." She hesitated but finally reached out to accept his hand.

Jax held her small hand with both of his. He bent down and kissed the back of her hand and let his lips linger for a while. Aryana pulled back her hand right away. He chuckled. A naughty grin appeared on his face before stepping aside and moving to his chair.

"Since you are a fresh graduate, I can help you, Aryana. I can teach you all you need to know." He said in a sexy voice and winked at Aryana.

"Yay. Boss Jax is so nice. I hope you can teach me too." Elaine interjected excitedly.

’What a naive girl. She is so oblivious to this man’s true intent.’ Aryana was just a fresh graduate but she aced her Psychology subject so she can read people’s minds immediately.

"Thank you, Sir Cuenca." She paused and met his gaze. He has been staring at her the entire time with his desires painted clearly in his eyes. He did not even bother to hide it under the guise of being a professional.

"But I can just approach Erik or Marlon to help me out." She said her gaze not leaving his face.

Jax, who was sipping water at that time choked and was coughing. Elaine who was busy browsing Aryana’s Instagram posts suddenly looked up and gave her that awestruck look.

"You know the President and his assistant?" Elaine asked in disbelief.

Aryana with her eyes still on Jax answered. "Yes. He bribed me to join his company. But please keep this a secret."

Jax coughed. He was sending her a message. Who was she and what kind of woman was she?

He met her gaze once again. He can see that her eyes turned cold. But no one can intimidate Jax. Especially not this woman in front of her who was just a fresh graduate and a nobody. He toyed with so many women before. She will not be an exception.

"The president and his assistant are busy people, Miss Jones. How can they find time to teach you this trivial thing." He said in a soothing and very gentlemanly manner.

Aryana scrutinized him under her long lashes while sipping the lemon-lime juice that the waiter served her.

’He is changing his tactic ha. I must be wary of him.’ Aryana skillfully cut the steak into bite-size pieces and put one into her mouth and savor it.

"You are right Boss Jax. I will look forward to your coaching then." Aryana gave her a sweet meaningful smile and raised her glass toward him before downing half of the juice.