Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 206

I arrived at Le Bernardin at seven twenty-five. Five minutes early. Punctuality mattered in business settings. This wasn't a date but a meeting. It was a strictly professional meeting to discuss corporate strategy with Franconian investors.

I chose a navy dress that covered everything it needed to. Mid-height heels to keep things formal without looking like I was trying to impress anyone. A blazer that screamed business. Hair in a perfect bun. Minimal makeup. Straight posture.

I was a professional. A market development specialist. Nothing more, nothing less.

The maître d' led me to a reserved table in a quieter area of the restaurant. Nathaniel wasn't there yet, which gave me a moment to mentally review the key points about the Vintara line and Verdanian consumer behavior.

At exactly seven-thirty, I saw him walking toward me. Impeccable suit. That ridiculously sexy smile that was… that was… that was completely irrelevant to our business discussion.

"Annabelle," he said as he reached the table. "You look…"

"Good evening, Mr. Carter." I cut him off as I stood and extended my hand for a formal handshake. "Thank you for including my perspective in this business meeting."

He looked at my outstretched hand like he wasn't sure what to do with it. Then he took it.

"Mr. Carter?" he repeated, raising a brow. "I thought we'd moved past—"

"I prefer to maintain appropriate formality in corporate contexts." I sat and placed the napkin on my lap with military precision. "The Franconian investors should arrive at eight, correct?"

"Correct…" He sat too, still watching me like I was some kind of puzzle. "Annabelle, are you all right? You're acting a little…"

"I'm perfectly fine, thank you." I opened my folder and took out the neatly organized documents. "I brought updated data on the Verdanian organic wine market, growth projections for the next two years, and a comparative analysis with similar Euradian markets."

"Great, but—"

"I also prepared a report on consumer preferences in the southeastern region, which represents sixty percent of Vintara's sales in Verdania." I laid the papers out in precise rows. "I believe these details will be useful for tonight's discussion."

Nathaniel leaned back, studying me with an intensity I refused to acknowledge.

"You're acting strange," he said bluntly.

"I'm not sure what you mean, Mr. Carter. I'm simply prepared for our work meeting."

"Mr. Carter again?" He leaned forward. "Yesterday in the elevator you called me Nathaniel."

My face warmed, but I kept my posture rigid.

"Yesterday was a regrettable misunderstanding that should not affect our professional relationship. I prefer to maintain appropriate boundaries between supervisor and subordinate."

"Subordinate?" He looked genuinely thrown. "Annabelle, you're not my subordinate. You're a consulting specialist."

"Regardless of the official terminology, there is a clear hierarchy that must be respected." I took a sip of water, eyes fixed on the table. "This ensures a productive and professional work environment."

The waiter approached to take our drink orders.

"A martini," Nathaniel said. "And you?"

"Sparkling water, please," I answered immediately. "I prefer to keep my mind clear for business discussions."

Nathaniel dismissed the waiter with a nod, then turned fully toward me.

"All right, enough. What's going on?"

"I don't understand the question, Mr. Carter."

"You're talking like a corporate robot. You're calling me Mr. Carter like we've never met. And you won't look me in the eye."

"I'm maintaining appropriate professional behavior," I said, straightening the papers even though they didn't need it. "It's important to demonstrate seriousness in corporate environments."

The word ridiculous hit like a slap. My mask slipped again.

"I'm not ridiculous," I said, the stiffness in my voice faltering.

"You are right now." His green eyes locked on mine. "The Annabelle I know doesn't talk like a human resources handbook."

"Maybe the Annabelle you know was a mistake," I replied, snapping back into my robotic tone. "Tonight you're meeting the professional version."

"I like the human version better."

Before I could respond, the maître d' approached our table.

"Mr. Carter?" he said in a smooth Franconian accent. "The Blackwell gentlemen have arrived. Shall I bring them?"

Nathaniel looked at me for several long seconds, frustration clear on his face.

"Yes. Please."

As the maître d' walked away, I straightened my back and organized the documents one more time.

"Perfect," I said, sliding fully back into my automatic mode. "Now we can focus on what actually matters. The business."

Nathaniel took another sip of his martini and shook his head slightly.

"This isn't over, Annabelle."

"I don't know what you mean, Mr. Carter," I said, forcing a professional smile as three elegant Franconians approached our table.

But even as I stood to greet them, I could feel Nathaniel's eyes on me. He knew I was putting on a performance. And the worst part was that I knew it too.