Page 20 of The Greek Billionaire's Rejected Secretary

ADRIANO

TONIGHT'S BALL IS JUSTlike any other ball I've attended my whole life. First, as my billionaire father's only heir. And later, when I've made a name for myself, as one of the most successful attorneys on the East Coast.

When you attend them long enough, they start looking and feeling the same. It's just the same people over and over, and no one seems tired of playing the same game over and over as well.

But at the same time, tonight also feels different.

Because of her.

Shayla.

One look at her, and it's clear to see she's decided to let her hair down, both literally and figuratively.

The shapeless clothes have been replaced by something short and silky, and the sight of Shayla in it has me torn between wanting to keep her by my side and asking security to escort her out.

What the hell's she thinking? Does she not realize that all a guy has to be is five-foot-six and as soon as he looks down at her dress, he'll immediately find twin mountains of joy bared to his sight?

I shrug out of my jacket, and she blinks in surprise when I dump it over her shoulders.

"I'm not cold—"

"You are," I say in a steely voice, "and you'llstaycold if you know what's good for you."

My secretary rolls her eyes. "Oh, please—"

"Mr. Kontides!"

A blonde in a skintight red dress charges toward us, dragging an equally young brunette, and both of them looking barely old enough to drink.

"I told Candy we'd see you here," Red Dress gushes. "My dad's partner is, like, totally obsessed with your cases. I'm Stennie, by the way. Pre-law at Columbia."

Her friend extends a slender hand. "Candy. Also Columbia. Your TED Talk on corporate liability was life-changing."

Shayla's lips slowly press together, and I glare at her. If she so as much smiles, I'll kill her.

"We're, like, super passionate about social justice," Candy continues. "We'd totally love to pick your brains about it. Maybe we can get together—"

I nod at Shayla. "If you give her your number, she'll be in touch."

The two girls look at each other in confusion, and when they realize I have nothing else to say—

"Oh, um...okay." They give Shayla their numbers and look at me in confusion one last time before reluctantly saying goodbye because it's getting a little too awkward, even for them.

My secretary clears her throat. "So..."

"Don't."

"About your TED talk..."

I never did one, and she knows it.

"Shut up."

"I think she's just made that up as a pick-up line," Shayla suggests piously.

"Or maybe she,like,had me confused for someone else."

This has her laughing, and I'm,like,enthralled. Completely.

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