The Billionaire's Secret Lover novel Chapter 19

I wake up very late this morning after speaking to Nina on phone yesterday. I rode my chopper to work this morning to see that the reporters instead of reducing were increasing each passing day.

“Good morning sir, ”Aurora greeted me as I step into my office “ Mr. Andrea Is here to see you”.

“Send him in right away,” I said as I arrange files on my desk.

The door opens and Andrea walks in looking as smart as ever “Mon Ami, Michael” He said as he shakes my hands and sat down on the chair opposite me.

“Andrea!” I call smiling“To what do I hold this surprising visit from you”.

“You're asking as if you don't know why I'm here”.

“Oh!, the pictures,” I said as I recall, “ I thought you said you will mail it over”.

“Yes, I wanted to do that but when I saw the news, I decided to come over in person,” He said as he hands over the envelope containing Nina's and I pictures from the photoshoot.

“She's a very beautiful girl and exceptionally natural too,” Andrea said as soon as I start scanning the pictures.

Andrea wasn't exaggerating when he said she was beautiful and natural. She is exquisite even without makeup. A smile form on my lips as I remember her mouth on me, the night before.

“Hmm!” I cleared my throat, I shouldn't be thinking about that right now “You're right, she is really beautiful ” I replied as I look at him smiling.

“That's why I'm here,” Andrea said. I was confused as I look at him, my body stiffening. Does he want to date her?. 

Andrea notices my facial expressions and laughs wholeheartedly“ Wow!, Michael you need to see your face right now”.

I ignored him“ What do you mean by, that's why you are here?” 

“I mean, when I go through her pictures I discovered that this exactly what we need at Lush Beauty ' Beautiful and Natural '” He said as he looks at me, shrugging.

I look at him stunned and glances back at Nina's picture to see exactly what he meant. I smile proudly, happy that she belongs to me and me alone, she's my woman.

“I see what you mean” I replied staring at him“ What do you suggest we do?”I ask him.

He threw his hands up in the air “ You are the boss, I'm just an ordinary photographer” He replies shrugging.

“But if I may put in something ” He continues,.

“Ok, go on” I reply as I sit back on my chair, giving him my rapt attention.

“Deborah Melton contract at Lush Beauty is over today, I'll suggest that instead of renewing it, we can sign Nina in,” He said.

“Wow!, a brilliant idea,” I said smiling” Why didn't I think of that?. Ok, Aurora will get the paperwork done, I will speak with Nina today and probably, the signing will be done tomorrow”

“But there's one major problem,” Andrea said as he looks at me, holding up one finger.

“And what's that?” I ask him about to get impatient, as I have a meeting with all the managers of Thompson's Empires.

“Your Father” 

“What happened to my father,” I ask him curiously, 

“Deborah Melton is your fiancee, your father will be furious if he finds out you didn't renew her contract ”.

“Andrea leave my father out of this. This is business and I don't mix business with pleasure”

I stood up “ I have a meeting in thirty minutes and I want you to be present ”.

He also stood up and shake my hands about to leave“ Ok, boss, see you at the meeting” He said as he walk out.

I sat back down as I stare at Nina's pictures in my hands and compare it to the one I used as my wallpaper, I took a picture of her when she was sleeping soundly in my room.

“Sir!”, Aurora called, walking inside “ The meeting time is set, everyone is already on sit”.

“Ok” I stood up and grab my suit and briefcase. This meeting is just me and all the managers of Thompson's group of companies. Andrea will be present since he's the new manager of Lush Beauty, though he's not aware of it yet.

I walk into the meeting room with Aurora right behind me, as soon as I entered, everyone became quiet. That's how feared I am among all my employees. 

They were probably discussing what was on the news. I don't care. I sat down at the head, while Aurora sat beside me, she will be taking down an important point said during the meeting. They were twelve in general, six on my left and right.

“ Now, let's go straight to why you are here” I search all their faces to see that they were all listening with rapt attention.

“The media has made our job easier for the past two days now. The focus is on Thompson's Empire and I'll like to take advantage of the situation ”They all clap for my business brain and smile to themselves.

“Mr. Leonardo has been arrested for embezzlement of the company's fund” They started murmuring among themselves with surprise written all over their face.

“Mr. Alexandro will take over the management of Thompson's Hotel in Italy” I continue as I ignored their murmuring.

“But sir…” He stood up“ I'm the manager of Lush Beauty” He continues nervously.

“Not anymore, Andrea will assume the management of Lush Beauty, effective from today,” I said, he sat down still satisfied that he got to manage the hotel. Everyone congratulates Andrea who looks at me shocked.

I turn to Andrea“ By tomorrow, we'll be signing in a new model for Lush Beauty” He nodded happily

“Aurora will give you a call so you can get the paperwork ready”

“Yes sir, ” He replies happily as he sat down.

“Aurora!" I said as I look at her“ Hand him, the files for Thompson's Hotel in Italy” I said as I pointed to Mr. Alexandro. She searched through my briefcase, when she finally saw the files, she handed them over to him wordlessly.

“ Here, in the files are the area of renovation that the hotel needs, I want it done before next week”

“ But sir… that's eight days from now. Don't you think it's quite too soon?” He protested rapidly.

“ I don't care. I want to relaunch it by next week Saturday. And I want it ready before then if you think you are not capable, I can appoint another person”

“No, I'm more than capable,” He said as he sat down defeatedly. He knows not to argue with me.