The Billionaire's Promise
Chapter 37: What A Beauty

Chapter 37: What A Beauty

Aryana did not know why but she felt a sudden pang in her heart.

’What am I thinking? He is only nice to me because he promised my father to take care of me. Wake up, Aryana.’ She reprimanded herself.

She looked at the pair who were walking towards the table for VIPs only to find Erik looking at her. She gave him a tentative smile and quickly averted her gaze and looked at Elaine.

"Let’s go to our table. I think ours is table number three." Aryana dragged Elaine to the table and sat down.

All new hires were sitting together and there were ten of them. The three outstanding employees were seated at table number one together with the president and other VIP guests. Aryana recognized Antonio Lopez. She remembered that Julia was his sister and that their family was a major shareholder. There was also Erik’s father and a few more that she did not recognize.

Marlon sat beside her.

"Hey, I thought this table is for the new hires only," Aryana speak with a lowered voice.

"There is a vacant seat here and this is the nearest table to where the president is," Marlon answered her then he looked at her intently.

"You looked beautiful tonight." He leaned towards Aryana and whispered to her.

"Huh? Are you blind? My dress is so simple. The one that looks dazzling tonight is Julia. Even I have trouble taking my eyes off her." Aryana protested.

"It’s her dress that’s beautiful, while you, you are more beautiful than the dress. To put it simply, your dress makes your beauty stand out." Marlon lightly flicked her forehead with his middle finger.

"Hey, you.."

Elaine chuckled.

"That’s what I told her earlier. " she butted in.

"Stop messing around both of you." Aryana covered her face with both her hands.

"Oh my gosh!" Elaine gasped.

"What!" Aryana removed her hands from her face in time to see Erik approaching.

He looked handsome in his tailored black suit. He was wearing a burgundy tie that matched her dress. He smiled as he shook hands with the new employees until finally, he was standing in the gap between the two chairs where Elaine and Aryana were sitting.

Elaine was giggling as she shook hands with Erik.

"Can we take a photo with you, Mr. President?" She shamelessly asked.

Elaine passed her cell phone to her left and stood closely beside Erik.

"Aryana, join us. Come closer."

Aryana moved closer. She smiled to see how Erik was standing there, his body so straight and both of his hands were hanging on his side.

Finally, it was Aryana’s turn for the handshake. Erik held her hand firmly and looked at her eyes.

"You look good tonight Yana." Something flickered in his eyes but it was gone the moment he let go of her hand.

"Welcome everyone. Enjoy the night." He said in a deep voice that was heard by everyone around the table. Then he patted Marlon on the shoulder and whispered, "It looks like you are so free. Why don’t you go to the back and guard the door?"

Marlon coughed. He stood and transferred to another table behind Erik’s table.

’Why can’t he directly tell me not to flirt with Aryana.’ Marlon grumbled to himself.

Soon the program started. Some higher-ups gave an opening speech and then the new hires were introduced. All ten of them went up the stage and they were given a minute each to say something about themselves.

Aryana was the last one to introduce herself. She grabbed the microphone from the previous new hire and confidently walked forward. After three steps, a loud thud was heard and Aryana was down on the floor on all fours. She could have sprawled awkwardly when she fell if not for her training in martial arts.

Gasps were heard from the audience and after that, silence filled the entire ballroom. Before anybody can react, Erik was already on the stage and held his hand to assist Aryana. She intentionally reached out with her left hand to take his hand. Erik frowned when he felt something greasy on his palm.

"Thank you." She hesitated a bit before adding softly. "There is something on the floor."

He looked at the floor and noticed a small patch that was wet. His face contorted in anger.

"I am okay Mister President. Please go back." Aryana said smiling gently.

Erik nodded. He took his handkerchief and wiped the grease from his hand before stepping down from the stage using the stairs in the middle. The moment he sat down, he sent a message to Marlon.

Julia, seated beside him was smiling inwardly. ’What a joke.’ She thought.

On the stage, Aryana stepped forward as if nothing happened.

A close-up of her face was shown on the big screen at the back.

"Hello everyone, don’t worry I am not hurt. You see, I am very athletic. I surf the net for hours." She paused when the audience giggled.

"I believe every one of you will never forget this face after what happened earlier. I am now popular. So, I suppose it was a blessing in disguise. My name is Aryana Jones your new training assistant." She smiled and her two dimples appeared. She curtsied and went back to join the other new hires sidestepping the wet patch where she fell earlier.

A hush fell over the audience. They were mesmerized by the beautiful smiling face with dimples that were frozen on the screen.

Someone clapped his hands. Another followed and soon everyone followed suit and gave Aryana a round of applause.

Julia gritted her teeth. ’How can she act like nothing happened?’

Antonio’s brows were raised. ’What a witty comeback.’

Jax gazed at the image on the screen dreamily. ’What a beauty.’

Erik’s lips twitched slightly. ’That is my girl.’

The master of ceremonies came back to his senses and called the president to be on the stage for the group photo. Before Erik climbed the stage, a waiter hurried up and passed a tissue paper to Aryana, then he wiped off something from the floor.

"So she stepped on something that’s why she fell." This was the common thought of the audience when they saw the waiter’s actions.