Drown

Braxton handed me his tablet, showing the girls picture.

We went to the table near the pool, where everything is cozy because it's night and the cold breeze is really calming.

He's on the other side, sitting in front of me. Even though he is sitting, his back is still straight and it's like he is still wearing his suit even though he is not. You just can't unsee him without his suit.

He grabbed a peanut on the table and poured a coffee on his little cup.

The food was already here when we came in, there's snacks and bread, he really prepared this huh?

I mean not him, his staff but of course they wouldn't do it without his signal so I guess he really did it.

I'm sure he doesn't want us to starve, you can't learn anything if you are freaking starving!

I learned that from experience.

He threw a glance at me, he must have noticed me watching him. I avoided his eyes.

I put the whole piece of bread in my hand and wiped my hands with the tissue to get rid of the crumbs in my fingers before holding his tablet.

I chewed the bread in my mouth as I looked at the girl's picture.

"Are you kidding me Braxton? You're trying to flirt with this girl?"

"Trying to impress her," he corrected.

I didn't mind what he said. I can't wrap my head around it.

He wants to impress an heiress of a billion dollar hotel chain!

No wonder why he hired me! He needs someone with expertise like what he told me before. But it's crazy!

I mean this girl is absolutely gorgeous! She's also sexy, and looking at her information on the internet, she graduated with flying colors at the biggest and most famous university in the world!

Wow, that is so overwhelming. Wow is an understatement when you read more of her accomplishments at a young age.

She's just amazing!

I raised my head and met Braxton's eyes.

I gulped and stared at him.

He is handsome and successful just like her.

They are perfect for each other!

And Braxton is doing everything just to be noticed by her, just to impress her! Even hiring a girl like me, he is risking his reputation just for her to like him.

"Artemesia?"

"Huh?" I asked.

I snapped out of my thoughts when he called my name. This is the first time that he called me by my first name. Or did he already call me Artemesia before? It just sounds so refreshing when he called me by my first name rather than Ms. Vena. He is very formal and professional, but of course he needs to be.

I'm not his friend after all.

"Your mind is flying somewhere else," he said.

"N-no. I'm just stunned, I mean this girl is golden! Look at her accomplishments! She's very successful! Pretty! Sexy! Rich! She's everything!"

"That's why I like her."

My eyes remained on him. Of course you guys are perfect. I'm sure your children would take over the whole world because they will be intelligent and wise in the future. They will amaze everyone around them!

Damn, don't they like to maybe share they're good genes to other people who don't have all that talent?

So it would be balanced.

"Do you get it now?" he asked.

"Yes of course! But isn't she in a relationship or something? Like dating someone else? Did you do your research before doing this plan? Because I won't help you if you're trying to take her from someone she's already with. That's just bad, Braxton. Even if you offer me a million dollar contract I won't do that. That's just a dirty game."

He chuckled.

My brows furrowed. Why is he laughing? Did I say something funny? Then why am I not laughing?

"You really overthink everything Ms. Vena. Your imagination is really something else."

My shoulders slumped. Now we are back to Ms. Vena.

And why is this a big deal to me?

I'm Artemesia Vena so it's just right for him to call me that.

"What is funny Braxton? I'm just saying what I thought of. Who knows if you're playing dirty? Business man like you is not new to that thing. Am I wrong?" I asked.

He shook his head.

"Of course not, Ms. Vena. I'm a business man but I'm not what you think of me."

I rolled my eyes and mumbled. "Tsk. You are still a businessman, it's the same. The difference is you are handsome and young, not old and wrinkly."

"You were saying?" He asked.

"How are you even sure she is single? Maybe she's dating privately?"

"No, she's not. She's busy with her projects to even date anyone. According to my source she's picky and has high standards."

"Of course she is! I mean, if that's me I would be really picky with guys! Why would I want to date someone who is not on the same level as me right? If I'm that pretty, smart and rich! I could live alone, I have all the money I need and so much more!"

He didn't say something out loud but I heard Braxton mumble something. I didn't mind it and continued to browse her pictures.

Damn, this girl is everything.

She is also into charity and horseback riding! Two different things but it's amazing!

My eyes caught a picture of the girl with a guy. It's taken at a gala. The girl is wearing a white shiny tube dress while the guy is in his black tuxedo, his hand wrapped around his waist and they are both smiling in the photo.

"You said she's not dating anyone, then who is this?" I asked and leaned forward to show him the picture. I didn't notice how close I leaned in. I wanted to move away but it's too awkward to even do it. I just let him look at his own tablet while I stare at him instead of the picture.

"Silly, that's her brother."

Our eyes met again.

My eyes widened with the sudden gaze.

"Oh!" I said and pulled myself back to my chair.

"He is handsome! They really have good genes huh? I wonder if his brother is also picky when it comes to girls."

His forehead creased.

"His brother is a playboy but that doesn't mean that he would date any girl who doesn't have a good reputation," he said, implying something.

"Tsk." I pouted. I'm not even saying that I'm interested in his girl's brother but my hopes already fall down to the ground.

"Well who knows if he might want something risky?" I asked.

"No he won't," he said like he was certain about it.

"How sure are you? As if you know him personally."

"I do."

"Then why don't you ask him to arrange a date between you and this girl, what's her name again?"

"Monica Sanders."

"Monica," I said. She has a nice name.

"And her brother?" I asked.

"Madden."

"Madden? Like mad? Is he mad? Madden?" I asked repeatedly.

He sighed. "Yes."

"That's a very unique name," I said, "But I like it, Madden Sanders."

"Don't even think about Artemesia."

My eyebrows raised at what he said.

"What? I'm just saying his name. Tsk. Why don't you focus on Monica? We can impress them both, with my experience and expertise and your..." I paused as I looked at him and think of something to say, "Richness."

I was unsure of what I said.

"You're here to only help me, Ms. Vena not to be with his brother. And if we're ever noticed by him I'm sure your mouth will slip and tell.him about our contract and that won't be good. Monica can rest very differently, whether she likes me already or not. That's a strain in our future relationship, so no."

Damn, he really took all the possible ways things could happen and laid it out in front of me. I know that I talk a lot but I won't tell anyone about the deal that we have because I still want to record my songs in the studio he set for me just for this contract. I want everything to go down on my plan and help him as well.

In the end of the day we will both benefit from it.

I don't really like Monica's brother but it's intriguing, Madden is an average Sanders unlike her sister who is very accomplished.

According to Braxton he is a playboy so maybe his attention is caught by girls not on business, or he is juggling both?

Whatever.

Who am I to care?

Braxton is right after all.

"And I'm the one who overthinks Braxton? Are you serious?

"I'm cautious, not an overthinker."

"Tsk. It's the same."

I stood up and handed him his tablet. "Look at your future girlfriend because we will make her fall in love with you."

I stepped backward as I stared at him, looking back at me.

I smiled. "She will be crazy about you."