Reign of a King (Kingdom Duet #1) - Rina Kent Page 0,12
you.”
Layla grins. “That’s because I’d already started my own company.”
“My miss.” Agnus nods.
“Aurora.” Ethan faces me.
“Yes?”
“I believe the two of you complement each other really well. The designs are unique and Layla needs to get out of the box to find your special customers.”
“I believe so, yes.” That’s why Layla and I rarely have any disagreements. We’re not rivals; we complete each other.
“Let me ask you something.” Ethan stares between the two of us. “What made you start designing watches?”
I could give him the generic answer I always give. Like how it’s my passion and my art, and while it is, that’s not the entire truth.
Ethan is the type who can detect a lie and I don’t want to seem dishonest in front of him at such a sensitive time. He might take it as disrespect and that’s the last thing I want. So I go the vulnerable route.
Because the situation we’re in requires we become vulnerable. “When I was a child, my sister bought me a present. My first watch. I loved it so much, and since I didn’t have such pretty things, I hid it and studied it at night when I was about to go to sleep. Then I started thinking about how it was made and why it was made like that. It became my passion, and over time, I realised that was what I wanted to do.
“Whenever I sit down to design, I recall the awe I felt when I looked at my first watch. I recall my sister and the happiness she brought me, and I strive to recreate that sensation. I want people to feel happy when they receive one of my watches.”
“The art of time,” Agnus recites our slogan.
“Exactly.”
Layla touches my arm and I smile, trying not to get caught up in the memories.
“Your sister is…” Ethan trails off. “Alicia, I suppose.”
My eyes widen. He knows, too? “But…how?”
“It wasn’t that hard. Except for the eye colour, you’re a carbon copy of her, Aurora.”
I knew Ethan and Jonathan shared a history, a bloody one at that, but I never thought Ethan was an acquaintance of Alicia’s.
Everything starts to fall into place. My gaze trails to Agnus. “Is that why you approached me?”
“I’d say we approached each other.” Agnus remains completely unaffected.
Layla and I exchange a worried glance before I focus back on Ethan. “Does this mean you never intended to invest?”
“I have thought about it. I believe that your company can have a bright future.”
“Really?” Layla and I say at the same time.
“Absolutely. I’ll pay the bank’s debt and provide a budget to boost the new product’s launch. Agnus will send you the contract and details about how we perceive our partnership.” He stands. “Until then.”
A wide grin curves my lips as I shake his hand. “Thank you so much.”
“We won’t disappoint you.” Layla shakes his hand next.
“I have no doubt.”
I clear my throat. “Would you have invested if you hadn’t figured out I’m related to Alicia?”
Layla pokes me in a reprimanding kind of way. I know what she’s thinking — that we already got the deal, so why bother ask that? However, I need to know. Call it my worth or pride or whatever.
“Probably, but it would’ve been too late by the time your file landed on my desk. Let’s say your acquaintance with Alicia, and also with Jonathan, quickened the process.”
“Jonathan?” I ask low. What does he have to do with this?
It’s taken me everything not to think about him today. There’s always that small voice in my mind telling me I poked the lion and he’ll come after me.
I know it’s paranoia, but I can’t stop thinking about it.
Damn him. I was doing just fine before meeting him again. Which was my fault for barging into his son’s wedding, but it’s not like I had a choice.
“Yes, Jonathan.” Ethan’s lips move into a predatory smile. “He won’t like it.”
Layla raises her brows at me as if saying ‘told you so’.
The rivalry between Jonathan and Ethan must run deep if they keep getting at each other’s throats. No idea how they allowed their children, who are their only heirs, to get married. Surely they know they’ll inherit their dads’ companies someday and both will probably have a full merger.
Not that I should care. As long as I have my investment, I don’t care what two kings do in their kingdoms.
The door barges open and Jessica runs in after several men. “Sir, you can’t go inside…”