Business Always
Chapter 2—AMELIA POV

I chuckle awkwardly at what Mr Russo says, avoiding eye contact with Xavier, who's staring at me like a hawk. "We're not Mr and Mrs Chopra yet." I show him my hand, which has a gorgeous sapphire and white gold ring on it. "See? No wedding band just yet."

"Shall we get started, then?" Alexander's prominent British accent breaks the brief silence. Everyone nods in agreement, and we all settle down.

I sit opposite Alexander at the long rectangular table with people I don't know around me. Xavier sits on the same side as me, but he's far away enough that I don't have to see him, and I'm sure he can't see me.

I haven't seen him since the day I left him in his office, and seeing him for the first time since I've been engaged to another man probably in't the best way to face him again.

However, it's better to see him now and get it over with as it's inevitable. We're both incredibly successful businesspeople both based in New York. I'd end up seeing him one way or another. In fact, I'm actually surprised I've managed to avoid him for 6 months.

"Hey, guys." A fairly young man leads the presentation. "We're Atlec, an engineering team ready and looking forward to working with one of you!" he says enthusiastically.

After an informative and well-displayed presentation, he allows us all to offer him deals. I, along with Xavier and Alexander, stay silent at the start of the deals to let the smaller competition die out.

It takes a good half hour before we start talking, and it's me, Alexander, and Xavier left in the room, along with Mr Russo and the Atlec team.

"Speak, billionaires." Mr Russo gestures for us to begin bartering.

"60 million," Xavier says monotonously. His eyes are fixed on the table, and he doesn't look up. He has moved so he's only 2 seats away from me, mindlessly fiddling with his credit card as he speaks.

I turn around to see the presenter's eye light up as he's finally seeing some better numbers.

"75," Chopra says.

Before I can say anything, Xavier drops the 100-million-dollar bomb, and the presenter's jaw drops. Russo lets out a small chuckle at his reaction.

"I really don't think a new company is worth more than 100 million," Chopra says and gets up to leave. "I'll wait for you outside," he mentions to me before leaving the office. I smile at him and continue the meeting.

"I'm not going to offer more than 110," I say first. "You guys are new to the market, and frankly, I don't think you're worth it yet."

His face drops.

Xavier laughs to himself. "Good luck getting a client with that attitude," he mutters, but I hear it and ignore it.

"But I think 110 is a fabulous deal. Also, I'm in the medical business-so your work would help save lives," I remind him.

"Are you willing to top her deal?" he asks Xavier.

"I'll match it," Xavier says. "So now, choose between me and her."

I can see the amount of pressure on his face as his eyes flicker between us. He's silent

for some time as he visibly struggles to make a decision.

"It's OK. Take your time," I reassure him. "It's not an easy decision."

"It isn't a typically hard decision either," Xavier says, putting the guy down.

"It's your company, and it's your choice," I say. I don't want to pressure him to work with me and not Xavier or vice versa.

I don't want to have any unnecessary talk with Xavier, which could possibly lead to an argument in front of a potential partner.

"Would you guys be willing to work together? Split the money and share the ownership?" he asks, and I have to give it to him: it's a smart deal.

"Give them a moment to think over it," Russo says.

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"I would do that deal with Mr King," I say. It's purely in my benefit-I would pay half the money, but I would definitely use the engineers more.

Kings Corporate is a company that mainly runs shipping and selling other companies' products, and I know a medical company would need the engineering company more. Immediately after I say that, Xavier speaks. "I'm not working with her," he spits out. "You work with just me or without me."

Mr Russo looks a bit taken aback. "Xavier, don't let personal and professional relationships get mixed."

"I'm not," Xavier replies. "She runs a medical company, and I do shipping. There is no common ground between us."

"Well, I'm willing to work with you, with or without Mr King's involvement," I chip in. "Then the deal is yours, Miss Davis," he says with a massive grin on his face. I smile victoriously and get up to shake his hand.

"Good job, Amelia." Russo pats me on the back after the guy leaves.

"Thank you for making me come to this," I say.

I decide to wait in the room awkwardly until Xavier leaves, but he holds the door open for me. "Ladies first."

I mutter a "Thank you" and walk out the door, where Alexander is waiting for me. He offers his hand, which I gladly take in mine. As we're about to walk away, a certain voice stops me.

"Miss Davis," Xavier says.

Alexander drops my hand. "I'll let you two talk. I'll be in the car." He kisses my cheek and walks toward the elevator.

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"How can I help you, Mr King?" I ask politely.

"Congratulations," he says.

"You could've easily gotten that deal. I think you didn't want it, actual_"

"I meant on your engagement," he cuts me off. "It's not like you to keep these things private for very long."

It bugs me the way he spoke. The only reason my engagement to him was public was because he wanted it to be. He wanted all the tabloids and media to be speaking his name, and that's why I wasn't private about our relationship.

"This time it's real, so that changes things," I reply.

"I see."

"Is there anything more I can do for you now? I have to get back to Alexander," I say,

trying to end the conversation.

"No. You've done enough,"

I'm silent. I don't know how to reply to that.

"I'll see you around, Miss Davis," he says and walks right past me.

I get into the car with Alexander. it's a silent and uncomfortable drive home for me.