CHAPTER 3: CHANCE MEETING II
Antonio found a parking space for the car at £3 per hour. Before Angelo could come to his side to open his car door, James had already gotten down from the car himself. He looked at his secretary and said, "Let's go meet her."
The duo walked towards the busy street of Piccadilly and stood directly at its junction. With both hands tucked inside his pockets, James looked around the circus, obviously searching for something.
According to the information his secretary had gathered, her shop was supposed to be by the roadside. As he stood there, a group of girls passed by, giggling as they stole glances at him. The moment they tried to stop and take a picture, James shot them a sharp look. That alone was enough to send them scurrying away. Angelo, standing a step behind him, shook his head in pity for the girls.
For the few minutes they stood there, Angelo felt like it was an eternity because of all the stares and gossip his boss attracted.
Suddenly, he heard "Move." Like a robot, he quickly followed.
James crossed to the opposite side of the street, having found where he was going. They came directly in front of a fairly large shop, about two stories high. He looked up at the sign written on the shop, nodded, and walked in.
The duo stood in the middle of the waiting area when a secretary walked up to them. The moment Valerie Sutton, the secretary, came face-to-face with James, she blinked twice. Then, as if realizing who she was looking at, her cheeks turned visibly red.
Angelo cleared his throat, noticing her reaction. Valerie quickly cleared hers as well, trying to compose herself.
"Hello, my name is Valerie Sutton, Secretary and PA to Miss Diana Pierce, catering services. How may we be of service?"
James, his expression unreadable, finally spoke. "I want to see your boss."
Valerie hesitated before replying, "If it's not urgent, you—"
"It's very urgent," he cut in, his voice firm.
She blinked in confusion until Angelo stepped in. "Miss Valerie, please just inform your boss that a gentleman is here to meet her urgently."
Valerie nodded quickly and hurried off.
James turned to Angelo with a smirk. 'Gentleman, huh?' he thought to himself.
Angelo bit his lip, realizing he might have said something wrong for his boss to react that way. James only shook his head and looked away.
In two minutes, Valerie returned. "Please follow me."
The two men followed her towards the elevator. She pressed the button for the second floor, and soon, they arrived at Diana's office.
Valerie knocked once before leading them in.
Diana looked up from her desk, her pen pausing mid-stroke as she took in the sight of the trio. Her eyes flickered with recognition the moment James came into full view. If she was surprised by his appearance, she hid it well. Instead, she stood up, offering him a small smile.
"Diana Pierce."
James accepted the handshake. "James Alfred." His voice was as steady as his gaze.
She withdrew her hand and looked at his secretary. "And you are?"
Angelo smiled. "Angelo Hermes, his Secretary/PA."
"Oh, nice to meet you then, Angelo."
James turned to Angelo. "Excuse us."
Angelo nodded and left the room. Diana gestured for her secretary to do the same. Once the office was silent, she motioned to the chair opposite her.
"Please, have a seat."
James sat down, his sharp eyes observing her.
Diana was dark-skinned, an ebony beauty with dark, curly hair that fell just past her shoulders. She had a cute, pointed nose, red lips, and a bare face that still looked effortlessly beautiful. He found himself wondering what she would look like with makeup. Her long lashes fanned her well-arched brows, complementing her long neck and an hourglass figure. She was about 5'8", her long legs adding to her allure.
James noted all this in a few seconds and wondered what else there was to this woman.
Meanwhile, Diana was also staring. She had never seen a man this beautiful. Yes, beautiful. His features were sharp and perfectly sculpted, his presence commanding. There was something about him that sent a strange longing deep within her—a longing she didn't understand.
Even his voice had a melody she didn't want to stop listening to.
'What the hell, Diana?' She scolded herself for the improper thought.
Clearing her throat, she broke the silence.
James picked up his phone and called Angelo. Diana couldn't help but notice the way his long fingers wrapped around the device so effortlessly. She shook her head, amused at herself. 'Wow, Diana, fantasizing over a total stranger?'
"Get the files," James ordered before hanging up.
Angelo soon returned, handing him a file before leaving again. Without saying a word, James placed the file on her desk and pushed it towards her.
Diana frowned. "What is this?"
"Just take a look."
She hesitated before flipping it open. What she saw made her breath catch in her throat.
A marriage agreement.
Between her and the man sitting across from her.
Her parents had signed this contract five years ago, giving her away in exchange for some business deal.
Diana's hands tightened around the file. She lifted her gaze, her demeanor shifting.
"And how am I supposed to believe this?" she asked, her voice laced with skepticism.
"You don't need to believe it," James said coolly. "Take the file home and ask your parents. And if it helps, I'm a victim in this too."
"Well, no, it doesn't help," Diana snapped. She could feel her voice rising, so she forced herself to lower it. "Even if it's true, why bring it to me now?"
"Because the pressure to fulfill the contract is overwhelming," he answered.
Her eyes narrowed. "Pressure from who?"
"That's not for you to know," James replied, irritation flickering across his face.
Diana scoffed, tossing the file onto the desk. "This is ridiculous! You think you can walk in here, throw this nonsense at me, and I'll just agree?"
James leaned forward, his eyes darkening. "I don't think, Diana. I know."
She shot up from her chair. "Well, newsflash, Mr. Alfred—I'm not some pawn in whatever twisted game you're playing!"
His jaw clenched. "Neither am I. But this isn't a game, and whether you like it or not, the clock is ticking."
"So what? I should just sign my life away because some contract says so?"
James exhaled sharply. "No. You should confirm the truth first. Then we'll talk."
Diana was fuming. "And what happens if the contract expires and we don't get married?"
James stood up. "Then you lose everything."
Her eyes widened. "Seriously? You waltz into my office, drop this bomb, and expect me to marry you in two days? Ha! Keep dreaming, Mr. Alfred."
Without another word, James turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him.
Diana let out an exasperated sigh, slumping back in her chair. Moments later, Valerie entered.
"Diana, what's wrong?"
Diana exhaled. "Come on, we're going home. I need to talk to my mother."
She grabbed her bag, along with James's business card, and walked out of the office.