Chapter 30: Chapter 30 Her plan
Were these encounters part of some premeditated plan?
Alana met the man’s gaze beneath his sunglasses and instinctively averted her eyes, silently lowering her head to stare at her own toes.
Outwardly calm, her inner world churned with turbulent waves.
She really didn’t want to see him again!
Their private encounters were awkward enough; meeting in front of so many people made it even more so.
Stephan seemed genuinely surprised by Alana’s reaction, as if her presence here was unacceptable to her.
He pressed his thin lips together, then nonchalantly shifted his gaze away, continuing toward the HG representative.
Upon reaching the HG representative, his lips parted slightly, his voice magnetic.
“Jules.”
“Mr Hudson, I’m absolutely delighted to see you again!"
The HG representative was visibly thrilled to see Stephan, immediately opening her arms wide to give him a hearty embrace.
Alana couldn’t help but glance at the man embraced by the HG representative, her
thoughts turning to whether this HG representative might have some unspeakable connection with him.
For some reason, she felt even more awkward than before. What on earth was going on?!
Throughout the embrace, Stephan maintained an impassive expression, neither resisting nor speaking.
This prompted HG to quip, "You’re still as aloof with women as ever!”
After her quip, the green representative released Stephan and introduced him to the corporate delegates: "Good day, everyone. Allow me to introduce my French friend, Mr Hudson.”
The company representatives stared curiously at Stephan, who wore a pair of oversized sunglasses.
The large sunglasses obscured nearly half his face, revealing little.
Compounded by the fact that Stephan seldom appeared in public, no one could identify his status.
They merely sensed an air of aloof, aristocratic refinement about him, clearly no ordinary man. The company representatives, ever observant, politely addressed him in turn.
“Good day, Mr Hudson.”
“Good day, Mr Hudson.”
Stephan gave a slight nod, his expression as cool and detached as ever.
Nearly everyone present had exchanged greetings with Stephan.
Alana could hardly be an exception. When it came to her turn, being the last one, she steeled herself and offered a greeting.
“Mr Hudson, Mr Hudson, hello..."
The girl’s soft, sweet voice stirred something within the expressionless man.
Stephan fixed his gaze upon her, his Adam’s apple rolling slightly beneath his throat. The eyes hidden behind his sunglasses seemed to grow even more profoundly dark.
This also caught the attention of the HG representative. She couldn’t help but glance at Alana. The girl was exquisitely beautiful, with a fair, delicate face and a slender, graceful figure.
Instantly, a flicker of interest lit up in the representative’s eyes.
“You’re quite beautiful. What’s your name?"
Alana hadn’t expected the HG representative to address her so suddenly.
After a moment’s pause, she replied in fluent French, "HG representative, hello. I’m Alana Martin, representative of Wells Cosmetics."
Jules smiled gently. "Alana, such a lovely name. Just as beautiful as you are, like a delicate, exquisite doll."
Alana felt flattered and a little overwhelmed. "Thank you."
The HG representative suddenly took Alana’s hand and continued softly, "There’s no need to call me the HG representative, that sounds too formal. My name is Jules Burton, you can call me Jules or Miss Burton, whichever you prefer."
Alana felt an inexplicable tightening in her chest as Jules’ hand closed around hers. She murmured instinctively, "All right, Jules..."
Stephan’s gaze fell upon their clasped hands, his eyes darkening instantly.
He did not miss the hint of burning interest in Jules’ gaze as she looked at Alana.
Recalling Jules’ sexual orientation, his tone grew heavier.
“Jules, shall we be off?"
Upon closer listening, a hint of impatience seemed to linger in his words.
Jules glanced back at Stephan, whose expression had suddenly darkened. Somewhat puzzled, she nevertheless released Alana’s hand.
“My apologies, everyone. My friend is in a bit of a hurry, so I’ll be taking him away
now."
Several company representatives chimed in, showing great consideration.
“Not at all, not at all!"
“Indeed, we’ll have other opportunities to gather together!"
“You’ve only just arrived today. Do take a day to rest. If anything needs arranging,
tomorrow will do just fine."
HG representative smiled. "Thank you for your understanding."
After a pause, she turned to Alana. "The lovely Miss Alana, might I have your contact
details?"
Alana froze. "Eh?"
Jules smiled and patiently repeated, "May I have your contact details?"
Dane was equally stunned, but his reaction was lightning-fast. He gave Alana a sharp nudge. "Quickly give HG representative your contact details!"
“Oh, alright..."
Alana hastily produced a piece of paper and a pen, jotted down her contact details, and handed them to Jules with both hands.
“This is my mobile number. Should you require anything, feel free to contact me at any hour. I’m available round the clock and always ready to assist!"
Jules smiled as she took the paper from Alana, unable to resist lifting it to her nose for a gentle sniff.
Wow, she smelled lovely!
She flashed Alana a flirtatious glance.
“Cheers, we’ll stay in touch privately."
Alana nodded, blankly. "Er, alright."
Stephan could bear it no longer. Snatching the suitcase from Jules’ grasp, he turned and strode off. "Off we go!"
Jules turned back. "Hey, Mr Hudson, wait for me! Goodbye, everyone!"
With that, she hurried after Stephan.
Watching the two figures vanish from sight, the crowd remained frozen, exchanging glances with varied expressions.
Especially Alana, who had become the focal point of everyone’s gaze.
For they had witnessed that, among all present, the green representative had shown special, warm regard solely towards her.
Under such intense scrutiny, Alana felt uneasy. She bit her lip, lowered her head, and tried her best to ignore the scrutinising gazes.
Truthfully, she herself didn’t know why the HG representative treated her so differently. Perhaps... it was simply good fortune.
Unable to contain their curiosity, someone asked Dane, "Manager Dane, who is this lovely young lady beside you? She looks unfamiliar, as if it’s her first time accompanying you."
Dane glanced at Alana, a hint of pride visible. After all, the HG representative had just requested her contact details, which surely meant she favoured their company.
“Her name is Alana. She’s an intern under me."
“Oh, just an intern then! But she speaks French rather fluently!"
“Indeed. With such talent and looks, she’s bound for great things!"
Hearing the envious tones, Dane couldn’t help but laugh heartily. "Ha ha ha, of course! Just look at whose keen eye spotted her from the start!"
Alana eyed him.
Was she the only one feeling awkward?
Behind Alana, Vera glared at her with clenched teeth, her face twisted with envy.
That bloody vixen, stealing the limelight that should have been hers today!
How utterly shameless!
*********
Stephan helped Jules into the car, where she continued to chatter incessantly, marveling at Alana’s beauty.
“Are all the girls in this city that beautiful?"
“That young lady just now, Alana Martin, she was utterly stunning! Not only is she gorgeous, but she has a lovely voice too. And what’s more, she has a fantastic figure. It’s such a shame I’m only in town for a short while, I’d love to have a beautiful time with her! Then when I return home, the trip won’t have been in vain!"
The more Stephan listened, the more irritated he grew.
Finally, he snapped, “Jules, stay away from her.”
Jules turned to look at Stephan. "Why?"
“You fancy her too?"
“She’s that beautiful, it’s only natural you fancy her too. But let’s compete fairly, I’m certainly not giving her up to you!"
Stephan’s eyes darkened with coldness.
“You can fancy anyone you like, but it can’t be her. Otherwise, I’ll have you kicked out of the country right now!"
Jules froze, her expression shifting as she took in Stephan’s hardening features. Only then did she realise he wasn’t joking.
She had always assumed Stephan had no interest in women.
After all, during their time as fellow students abroad, he had never once seen him get close to any woman.
Had he not been attracted to women, she doubted she’d ever have managed to get close to him.
“Mr Hudson, are you serious?"
Stephan regarded Jules with an expressionless gaze.
Jules sucked in a sharp breath.
Right, she got it. This girl was off-limits.
If she couldn’t like that pretty girl, surely she could indulge in a bit of gossip?
"Do you genuinely like her? If you like her, why not go and pursue her?"
Stephan couldn’t be bothered to respond to Jules.
Jules clicked his tongue. "She looks so stunning, there must be plenty of men after her. If you don’t make your move soon, you’ll miss your chance!"
Stephan pressed his thin lips together, his gaze turning icy and unyielding, still saying nothing.
Jules shook her head. What a dullard, utterly tedious!
Thank goodness she wasn’t interested in men. Otherwise, if she’d fallen for someone like Stephan, she’d have been driven to distraction!
********
On the way back, Dane gave Alana a thousand reminders.
Should the HG representative contact her, she must notify him immediately.
He also demanded that whatever HG requested, Alana must agree to it without refusal.
Alana let it go in one ear and out the other, offering perfunctory nods of agreement.
She didn’t need Dane’s reminders to know what to do.
Vera seized the moment, gritting her teeth as she whispered venomously to Alana,
“Alana, don’t think just because the HG representative asked for your contact details, you can gloat and think you’ve got it in the bag. This is only the beginning. I won’t let you beat me!"
Alana looked away from her, not wanting to argue.
***********
Back at the office.
Several colleagues gathered curiously around her, asking whether she’d met the HG representative, whether he was male or female, and whether he was handsome or beautiful.
Alana obliged their curiosity, recounting every minute detail of the encounter.
After all, there was nothing particularly sensitive to withhold.
Carla asked in surprise, "Lana, you say that Green representative asked for your contact details?"
Alana nodded, not giving it much thought. "Probably means they’re quite interested in our company."
Carla pressed further, "If she’s interested in our company, why did she ask for your contact details instead of Manager Dane’s?”
Someone muttered under their breath, "That’s a no-brainer! Manager Dane’s that fat old bald bloke, who’d want his contact details?"
The remark instantly provoked suppressed laughter from everyone.
Alana was also stifling her laughter.
Though no one dared openly disrespect Dane, behind closed doors, they vented freely.
Some had even set up a dedicated WhatsApp groups for venting about management. Whenever work brought misery or they felt exploited by their superiors, they unleashed a torrent of curses, far more unrestrained than anything voiced openly.
After a bout of idle gossip, they settled back into work mode.
Alana sat at her desk, her mind wandering.
Unconsciously, her thoughts drifted back to the man she’d seen at the airport.
Even though he wore sunglasses, she felt certain he’d been watching her the entire time, sending shivers down her spine.
Why was he staring at her?
Could it be...
Was it because she still hadn’t returned his suit jacket, and he was trying to hint at her with his eyes, hinting that she should hurry up and return it?
It was entirely possible.
Recalling that the suit hanging on her balcony should be dry by now, Alana pulled out her phone and scrolled to the man’s WhatsApp.
His profile picture was a plain black image, nothing else.
His nickname was even simpler, just a comma, the meaning of which was anyone’s guess.
She suspected he was simply too lazy to bother with a nickname.
She opened his chat, stared at the few messages exchanged, bit her lip, hesitated for a long while, then decided to compose and send a message.
Alana: Hello, are you free this evening? If you are free, shall we arrange to meet somewhere? I’ll return your coat.
Right, best return the coat soon, the longer it drags on, the more awkward it gets.
She hadn’t expected a reply so quickly, but within a minute, his response arrived.
Stephan; I’m free. Bring it to my place.
A few simple words, cool and detached, just like him.
Alana bit her lip, pondering carefully. She couldn’t simply deliver the coat to the man’s flat.
Besides, it was just the two of them, alone at night, what if something inappropriate happened again?
Alana: Could we... meet somewhere else?
Stephan: Where?
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