Chapter 2. The Smiths
William Smith, a billionaire and well-known businessman in Los Angeles, was hosting a grand party for the joint venture that is meant for a deal with the powerful business delegation “The Thompsons.”.
This important deal got successful because of his elder son, Stephen Smith; he is the one who made this venture possible, and now Thompson and Smith were going to work on the project in coalition.
William was receiving all the compliments for his dear son, which he was receiving with a proud smile on his face.
Rose Smith was also getting compliments for her husband's and son’s achievements.
Stephan and Steve, the future heirs of the Smith Group of companies, were well-known personalities in the business circle of LA.
Who are tagged as the desired bachelors of LA?
Steve is always a party person. He was a dedicated businessman, but he also enjoyed moving around at the parties of his friend circle and business circle.
Steve was famous for high-society flings.
He was in a relationship with some famous models, who were always aware of his behavior.
Anyway, Steve’s affair never lasts long with any of his girlfriends, and he always used to break up with his girlfriend on a cheerful note.
Stephen proved to be quite challenging to engage with, which is why he refrained from any romantic involvement or relationships. A single intense gaze from him suffices to repel the girls. Stephen is a man who speaks sparingly, reserving his words for necessity.
In all other aspects, he maintained a demeanor of silence and secrecy.
The only motive for his life was to earn more money, raise his business empire, and make his parents proud.
Stephan was blessed with looks that girls would die for.
, and the worst part was that Stephen was aware of his appearance and its effect on girls. "
But he was not at all interested in them, as he always used to come across the girls who must be models or heiresses of a well-known business background, and he didn’t like the way they kept throwing themselves at him.
He did not acknowledge the fact that this was all a result of his wealth, influence, and status.
Soon the party filled with the elite society people of LA, and everyone was appalled at how the Thompsons agreed to the partnership despite being the chief competitors of the Smiths.
To their dismay, they are now going to work together on extensive projects that every other company wants to take hold of.
William knows the reason, as the Thompsons were interested in the alliance of their daughter Elena with Stephen and were hoping to get them married soon.
Elena was a snobbish girl who always got what she wished for, and now Stephen was at the top of her wishlist. She was the one who convinced her dad of this partnership, as she can bear any expense just to get Stephen as her spouse.
When Stephen entered the party hall, he was late as he was busy with some other conference in his office. The moment he arrived at the party, all the girls were appreciating his sharp features, his perfect body, and his formidable aura.
Stephan avoided their hungry gazes on him and reached out to his parents, who were in conversation with the Thompsons.
He greeted the Thompson couple and started searching for his friend, who is a celebrity chef and owner of a chain of restaurants in LA, Richard Paul, as he is his only friend of Stephen, who was bearing his tough attitude from childhood.
As soon as he spotted Richard at the bar, he clung to his brother Steve. He excused himself and caught up with them.
“Look at her. She is a hot chick. What do you say, Steve? “
“Yes, she is, but she is gazing at Stephen as she is going to eat him.” Steve chuckled
Richard also learned from his comment. Stephen was ignoring their comments and was busy enjoying his drink. Soon, the couples reached the dance floor.
Elena was expecting Stephen to ask her for a dance, but to her disappointment, nothing of the sort happened. Stephen kept enjoying his drink, looking at his parents, who were enjoying themselves on the dance floor.
Stephen adored their bond. His parents were still in so much love, too, after many years of their marriage.
At last, Elena asked him to dance without being scared about his reaction. Richard and Steve greeted Elena with a fake smile as she returned the same.
“Stephen, I think we should also join our parents on the dance floor."
Stephen already knew what she was aiming for, so he just gave her a nasty look. Elena was not expecting this kind of look from him, especially after the deal. But little did she know.
“Steve, I am leaving for home. You notify mom and take care of Miss Thompson.”
Steve nods at his brother, who has already started walking towards the exit of the party hall.
Elena was feeling humiliated by his behavior before Steve asked her to dance. She left, drumming her heels on the expensive floor.
Richard and Steve just snickered at Elena’s condition. for them, it was a very usual scene they mostly used to witness
The next morning, when the family got settled for breakfast, William was very furious at Stephen for his behavior last night., as Elena complained about Stephen’s rude behavior and also the way he left the party in between
Stephan enters the dining room wearing his formal. He greets his family and settles down for his breakfast. Stephan's family greeted him as he entered the dining room wearing his formal attire, and the house helper, who was already scared of him, started serving him his breakfast.
Before William could start with his talk, Rose took the opportunity and started conversing
“I have to tell you all something important. My friend’s daughter is coming here to stay with us for the next six months. “
Steve kept eating his food, whereas William interrupted his wife,But why in our house? If you want, I can arrange some other place for her.
“Dad is right; we are not habitual, you know.” Stephen also gave his opinion.
“What’s her age, mom?” Steve inquired
‘ She is 20."
“Is she pretty?
“Yes ‘
“Then I didn’t have any issues with her staying here. If you want, she can share my room too. You know I have a big room."
Rose smacked his arm. ’ You should stay away from her, and I already gave my word to her dad, Michael.
“Ooh, she is Michael’s daughter, Johnson, '"William asked in little surprise.
‘ “Yes. He just got transferred for six months on a project. That place was not safe for Eva, so I helped him and it was just a matter of six months.” “
“Fine then’ William dismissed the argument.
“Mom, dad, today I am leaving for Australia and will be back in some days. We got the email today. My presence is mandatory for this deal.
“Before that, I want to have a word with you, Stephen. Join me in the study room."
Stephen knew what it was about, so he just nodded. But he kissed his mom to wish him goodbye.
“Okay, take care, dear.“ Rose just took a deep sigh, as she knew Stephen was a workaholic man.
In the study room, Stephen was waiting for his dad to start the conversation
“Why did you do that?”
Stephen lifted an eyebrow at his dad
"You know, Stephen, what am I talking about? You know how important the partnership with Thompson is, but you were still ill-behaved with Elena. It was just a dance, Stephen. And then you left the party in between. “
“I am not interested in dancing with her."
“Hmm... you know the Thompson couple is interested in you. They want their daughter to get married to you.
“They said so, “he inquired his dad
“No, but their actions do, and they also gave hints to us about this."
“I don’t give a damn what they want or what they think. There is no wedding happening, and that’s for sure.
“And what will you do if they end the partnership? Look, Stephen, I don’t want to lose this deal. We both know how important Thompson's support is for this deal. “
Stephen chuckled. "They will not, and I will make sure of this."
William knew how sharp-minded Stephen was, so he just took a deep sigh, as if he had decided not to marry Elena. Then no one can change his decision. Stephen has been stubborn since his childhood days; any kind of scolding doesn’t change his decisions either.
“Now if I have answered all your doubts, can I leave as my jet is waiting for me?” stating this, he stood up and started walking towards the door but the next words from William made him stop
“But what should I say if they ask me about your...”
‘ “Leave it on me... goodbye, dad, “Stephen replied without even turning around
Stephen walked out of the study room. His car was already waiting to start at the airport.
The moment he entered the airport,surrounded by his guards, the people present were awestruck, indicating his formidable aura.
The girls were ogling him with longing, but Stephen didn’t even look around to observe all this.
They well acquitted Stephen and talked about his effect on another gender.
Till now, he has come across many girls who can do anything to get into his pants, but he was not interested in this kind of filing or relationship.
When he entered the jet, it surprised him to find Richard; his friend was already settled inside the jet and was flirting with the air hostess. The moment he made his presence noticeable to both, the air hostess shrieked in fear; she just wished for Stephen and left her cabin.
What are you doing here? " Stephen asked Richard while relaxing on the other recliner chair
“Traveling with you."
“And may I ask why you are taking off to Australia?”
Hmm, I am the guest judge for one round of a famous cooking competition “, Richard replied with his famous smile plastered on his face
So if that is the case, then the show organizers must have made your arrangements, don’t they?
“Yes, I got a ticket, but when I saw your staff here, I came to know about your travel plans. So I thought I should give company to my dear friend. “
“Give company or feast on my brain by talking all nonsense.” “
Richard pouted, then replied with a smirk, "Still, I love you, baby.” “
Stephen gave a death glare to his tease.
The journey got started to Stephen’s relief, and Richard soon fell asleep, which helped Stephen complete his pending work.
The air hostess was attending to Stephen very cautiously. Whenever he should order one drink, she serves him without making eye contact and keeps herself focused on her task, as the previous air hostess had been fired for gawking at Stephen.
It was almost lunchtime when Richard woke up and ordered meals for himself and Stephen, too.
When they were having lunch, Richard started, “Last night, you behaved bitterly with Elena. I know you are not interested in her, even though you were rude. You know you left her in almost tears."“
"Really, then, you must have consoled her."
“Yes, I did, but in return. She cursed me. “
Stephen glanced at Richard and asked in curiosity, "Really, what did she say?
“Hmm... f**k off you, a*****e."
Stephen grinned. “you deserve that a*****e
"Oh, shut up. I know she did it because your behavior hurt her. Do you even know how it feels when you get ignored by someone you like?"
“No..”
“I wish that one day you will yearn for someone’s attention but receive unpleasant ignorance in return."
Stephen was listening to him with interest
“You wish, “he confided, and he winked at Richard, who in return gave a nasty look at Stephen.
Stephen acknowledges the occasional manifestation of wishes; however, he did not anticipate encountering a girl who actively evades him while he longs for her attention.