CHAPTER 36: BATTLE OF THREE

"Of course, I understand that. However, if you want to discuss anything about business, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can get you in touch with my father-in-law, and I’m sure that he will be very interested in pursuing business cooperation with Hale Corporation," Sam said before smiling in a very business-like friendly way.

"What is this company called again?" Raphael asked, although he didn’t sound interested.

"Gaston Solutions," Sam replied proudly. I hated how smug he sounded. He acted as if he was the one who founded the company, although it had been less than a month since he married into the family.

"I’ve never heard of it before. Actually, I almost got lost on my way here," Raphael replied indifferently.

Sam was clearly shocked by Raphael’s careless attitude, while I found it quite amusing. Although Gaston Solutions wasn’t exactly a small company and it was decently well-known in its industry, it wasn’t by any means comparable in size to Hale Corporation.

"I guess that’s not surprising, and it just means that this company is too small to receive any recognition. Partnering with a company of this scale might not be realistic. However, acquiring it completely is going to make things a lot simpler and easier," Raphael stated matter-of-factly.

"An acquisition? That could indeed be interesting," Sam managed to reply, although he looked evidently uncomfortable. He resembled a fish that had just been thrown out of water and was struggling to survive. I wasn’t sure if Rafael was doing this intentionally to torment Sam, but I was clearly enjoying every single second of it.

"You can tell your father-in-law that if he considers selling this company for a cheap price, he can let me know. After all, it might be better to exit the business and leave it in the incapable hands of the next generation," Raphael advised before his lips curved into a mocking grin.

Sam was left speechless as he struggled to find the words to respond to Rafael’s crude remarks. I wondered for second if Raphael was actually serious in buying the company. He didn’t come across as someone who would make business decisions recklessly or on a whim.

“You’re considering to buy this company?” I asked without hiding my concern.

“Do you think that it’s a bad idea?” he asked.

“Well...I’m not...” I began telling him that I wasn’t sure.

I didn’t think that the company was necessarily a bad business but I wouldn’t go as far as to say that Raphael should buy it. While I felt conflicted inside and wondered what I should do, I heard Raphael let out a soft laugh. His hand landed on the top of my head and began stroking it as if he was petting a puppy. The smile that he showed me seemed to be filled with adoration and I couldn’t stop the way that my heart began racing as he continued to stroke my hair.

“It’s cute that you’re worrying for me, but don’t fret. I don’t make a habit of buying junk...” Raphael said before letting out a low chuckle.

“Right...” I mumbled.

"Let’s go home, Gail. Let me help you carry that. It looks heavy. Pass it to me," Raphael said before taking the box that I was holding from my hands.

He held the box under one arm before wrapping his other arm securely around my waist and leading me away.

“The rumors might be true...you better be careful, Abby,” Sam called out after me.

I could feel Sam’s intense gaze on my back, but I didn’t bother to turn around to spare him one last look as I decided to completely ignore his nonsensical warning.

...

"Why did you turn up here? How did you know that I would be here?" I fired questions at him the moment that we were alone in his car.

"You told me that you were quitting your job and that you were going to get your stuff," he reminded me of the conversation that we had earlier at the mansion.

I guess I did say that...

"How did you know where I worked?" I asked blankly.

"Is it supposed to be some top secret or something?" Raphael asked sarcastically before he began driving out of the parking lot.

I forgot that he must have looked it up, and he was right that it wasn’t exactly a secret where I worked. I wasn’t some kind of celebrity that needed to hide the existence of my private life from the world.

"Why did you pick me up? Were you scared that I wouldn’t keep my promise to return back to the mansion?" I asked as I narrowed my eyes slightly at him to show my suspicion.

"I thought we could go somewhere together since you’re apparently quite free," he replied without looking at me.

I started to panic a little because I didn’t know what he had planned for me or where we were going.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked while trying to remain calm.

"Let’s go shopping," he said before turning to grin at me.

My heart skipped a beat at his surprising suggestion. I didn’t think that Raphael was someone who would like to go shopping.

"Is there something that you need to buy?" I asked curiously.

"No, but there is something that you need to buy," he replied smoothly.

"I...need to buy something?" I asked, wondering what it was that I needed to buy that was so unbeknownst to me.

...

When I left the mansion, I never thought that I would be returning in the evening, and it also never occurred to me that I would end up spending my day shopping at the most luxurious mall with Raphael. I felt quite out of place as I walked by his side. Every storefront seemed to sparkle, and I was sure that everything being sold inside was very overpriced and out of my budget range.

"Why are you holding my hand?" I asked as I lifted our hands up slightly where they were connected.

Ever since he helped me out of his car, Raphael had been holding my hand quite securely.

"Are you scared that I’m going to run away?" I asked before narrowing my eyes slightly.

–To be continued soon...