Page 4 of The Billionaire's Betrayal
When younger, Tristan was too "nice" and too lanky to interest young girls who preferred athletes or bad boys.But that changed over the years.Bad boys didn't always make their partners happy, and the boy he was became an increasingly attractive man.
Then came success.
And suddenly, Tristan became the fantasy of many women.The powerful, sunny and charismatic man, chairman and CEO of a multinational valued at over 32 billion euros.Some didn't hesitate to throw themselves at him, even in my presence.While this had amused me for a time, it had become annoying.
However, I had never felt a real threat...until Audrey.
I had to force myself not to stop, tear Audrey's arm away from Tristan, and continue my way to the elevator.
On the twenty-seventh floor, Stella, our secretary and receptionist, was already at her post, installed behind her computer.Her face lit up at the sight of me, and I couldn't help but smile back.I adored this girl.Simple, spontaneous, and, to top it all off, exemplary reliability.
"Good morning, Stella, how are you?"
"Good morning, Eva.I'm well, thank you," the young woman replied with a smile.
"And your grandmother?"I asked.
"She's doing much better and thanks you for the chocolates.She barely let me take one before stashing them in her drawer.She was like Smaug with his treasure."
A smile stretched across my lips as I imagined the scene.
"She should be able to leave the hospital by the end of the week," Stella continued.
"That's great!You must be so relieved!"
"For sure!"
I was about to leave when she added:
"By the way, Maud just called to warn about her delay.Another problem with her bus apparently."
"No worries, just tell her to come see me when she arrives," I replied."Have a good morning, Stella."
"You too, have a good morning."
I then headed to my office, trying to focus on the day's tasks, but the image of Audrey placing her hand on Tristan's arm kept coming back to my mind.
Maud, my assistant, knocked on my door as I was finishing responding to my emails.Always perfect in her strict suit and graying hair gathered in a perfect bun, she seemed to belong to another era.Maud had been working for me for five years.Aged fifty and mother of two grown boys in higher education, she was indispensable to me professionally.Discreet and efficient, she executed her tasks with intelligence and formidable professionalism, and each day I appreciated how fortunate I was to have her by my side.
"Good morning, Maud."
"Sorry for my delay.My bus was stuck in a traffic jam."
I smiled as I picture this woman, prim and proper with her austere appearance, taking her bus each day.We had discussed this subject once, and she had made me understand that it was a personal choice, "for the planet."I admired her for that.It's easy to defend great causes with eloquent phrases, but it's another thing when you have to sacrifice a bit of your comfort and well-being for said "cause."
For fifteen minutes, we took the time to discuss and distribute the work.
I entered the conference room at quarter to ten and connected to the weekly videoconference of the group's directors.Steve was already online, as usual.This was our little stolen moment together, before everyone else arrived.An opportunity to decompress and exchange freely, away from the eyes and ears of others.
"Hello, Steve, how are you?"I asked, observing his facial features for any sign of fatigue or tension while waiting for his response.
"Hi, I'm good, and you?"he replied with a big, sincere smile.
"Always a bit underwater as usual, other than that, all is well," I reassured him."What's new in London?"
"Not much.'It's still raining cats and dogs,' it's depressing."
I burst out laughing.
