32 The Department Store
Amelie reflected on all the opportunities she had to communicate with Einar over the past weeks and shook her head in frustration.”
“I only speak to him when I see him at the hotel, usually after the benefit events. His opinion of JFC and me, in general, seems to have plummeted.”
She deliberately met her husband’s gaze as she uttered the last sentence, ensuring he understood where she placed the blame. Richard, unfazed by her subtle jab, continued,
“I beg to differ. I finally managed to secure a proper business meeting with him, and he specifically insisted that you be present as my direct associate. Do you know why he would make such a request?”
Amelie recoiled in her chair, trying to recall her last “long” conversation with Einar. It baffled her that he would want her to play an active role in a business meeting. She was convinced he disliked her, as he always seemed to treat her with nothing but
condescension.
1/0
<
32 The Department Store:
“I have been discussing this venture with him before he arrived here, so perhaps he simply feels more comfortable with me around since I already know all the details of the proposal,” Amelie suggested.
Richard shrugged and tapped his fingers on the cold surface of Amelie’s desk. “Whatever the reason, I expect you to be prepared for the meeting and to actively participate in the discussion. Send me the draft of your notes by email tomorrow. Don’t skip anything, and emphasize the important parts. If this works out, our partnership with Mr. Ingvarsson might be one of the most fruitful ones for JFC in years.”
“Yes, I agree,” Amelie responded.
She focused her gaze on the view outside her window, feeling a tinge of anxiety creeping into her heart. Her husband was right; having Einar as their partner would mark a significant milestone for JFC. However, Mr.
Ingvarsson was not an easy man to please. Despite this, Amelie couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something that had already sparked a subtle
connection between them.
***
<32 The Department Store
DMN Department Store, the citadel of all the luxurious and famous brands in the city, welcomed its visitors
with the lethargic atmosphere of a lazy and quiet Monday morning.
Liam and Austin stood in the middle of a jewelry store, their shoulders slouched over a small glass display showcasing diamond rings of various sizes, colors, and shapes, glistening under the bright yellow light of an equally expensive crystal chandelier hanging solemnly above them.
“I wonder which one she would like the most. To me, they’re all just sparkly things, but women like diamonds, right?” Liam mused.
He turned to Austin, fixing his gray eyes on his assistant’s slightly annoyed face, and waited for a response. Mr. Hall tortured his employer with silence for quite some time before finally letting out a sigh and pleading,
“Mr. Bennett, you have to listen to me. I don’t think giving Mrs. Ashford a diamond ring for her birthday is a good idea. She might take it the wrong way.
Everyone would!”
15:58
32 The Department Store
Liam stretched his lips into a wide, somewhat sly grin. “Well, maybe I want her to take it the wrong way. How about that?” @
Austin groaned in misery, dramatically leaning over the counter. “What about everyone else? I’m begging you, Mr. Bennett, we don’t need a scandal right before you’re about to become president of the Diamond Group! Your grandfather will kill me if you get into any trouble!”
Liam watched his assistant’s theatrical performance, then rolled his eyes and gestured for him to stop, returning his gaze to the rings under the glass cover.
“Relax, will you? It’s just an innocent birthday gift, nothing more. I’ll leave it at her suite door; no one will even know it was from me.”
Austin straightened his posture and took a step closer to Mr. Bennett, both his expression and his voice now serious and detached, “You really don’t get it, do you? You are flirting with a married woman, and the wife of our rival, at that! Think about your grandfather, do you really think he will approve of that? And if you don’t care about your grandfather, then think about yourself. She can’t reciprocate your feelings, you will
15.50 ➡
3
Are
< 32 The Department Store
be left heartbroken. I surely don’t want to deal with that, I’d rather just resign!”
Liam was already deaf to his assistant’s lamenting. He smiled, pointed his finger at the small rose gold ring in the middle of the display, and said, “That Samantha Blackwood is flirting with Amelie’s husband, he is married too. So why should I be the only one to blame for it? Or why can’t Miss Ashford do the same?”
Mr. Hall tried to reason with Liam one more time, “Aren’t you even a little bit concerned about what will become of her reputation if she gets involved with you? Especially with all the rumors you have already managed to build around your persona… Everyone will just think of her as a bitter woman who is trying to get a rebound affair to get back to her husband.”
Finally, Liam unglued his eyes from the array of shiny diamond rings and blinked his eyes at Austin, clearly baffled by his words.
“What is wrong with getting involved with me? I’m young, rich, and dare say very handsome. I’m the most desired bachelor in this country! If anything, the high society will simply die of jealousy when they see the two of us together!”
1510
32 The Department Store.
Austin wanted to correct him again but then sighed. and caved in. There was no winning when it came to
Liam’s stubbornness.
“You are hopeless, Mr. Bennett. I give up.”
Liam grinned victoriously, then pointed back at the same ring he had selected before, and instructed, “Get this one in size 4.5. She has really slim fingers. Wrap it as a gift and I will see you back at the parking lot.”
Not giving Austin any time to respond, Liam turned on his heels and left the store. He was already headed for
the elevators when he heard someone call his name.
“Mr. Bennett?”