Mason stepped down from his sleek red Lamborghini and raised his head to the large building looming in front of him with the standard of the M.K. FOODS.
Guided by a female employee who couldn't concentrate and stealing glances at the handsome man, Mason and Vivian walked across the large hall of the building.
All the employees, except those unaware of his presence, were on their feet, marveling at the beauty before them. Some ladies almost lurched at him, but the security repelled them. Mason smiled charmingly and waved his hand at them, provoking an outburst as they almost lost themselves in their happiness.
"What are you doing, sir?" whispered Vivian.
"Nothing, just planting the seed, they'll water it themselves," Mason replied.
"What seed?"
"Be patient, you'll understand when they germinate."
Finally, they approached the elevator, which took them to the office of the CEO of the company. After the employee knocked, she opened the door, then motioned to the visitors to enter.
Mason entered the office and was greeted by a cool sensation from the sweet fragrance that occupied the atmosphere. A "Wow, I love it here," escaped his lips.
When Layla saw him, she reflexively rose up on her feet. But she was quick to regain her composure and sat down again with an air of nonchalance.
"Hi, Miss Layla," Mason greeted her, a smile coming to his lips.
"Hello, Mr. Robinson. I wasn't expecting your visit," she replied. "And I don't remember us having a business together. What brings you here?"
"You spoke like we've met before, when we only spoke on the phone a few minutes ago," Mason chuckled. "You brought me here, Miss Layla. May I sit?"
Layla shrugged and gestured to him to do as he pleased.
Mason sat down on one of the sofa chairs in her office, which made a semicircle around a small glass table.
"Would you mind sitting with me?" Mason gestured to her. "A little bit isolated down here."
"You have your… employee or whoever she was, beside you," Layla replied.
Mason watched her for a moment as he inspected her demeanor. She was beautiful, but a bit rude. Or perhaps she was drawing a clear line between them. Either that or she was avoiding getting close to him.
Her hair was a plain silver, touched with several lines of purple. Her lips are a little bit upside down, and her eyes are almost the same color as her hair.
As Mason's eyes wandered around her face, he noticed she also seemed to be doing the same. Her pride was the only thing keeping her sitted, and Mason knew by the way she couldn't maintain eye contact.
Mason turned to Vivian and nodded at her. The secretary hesitated for a moment but finally gave in and slowly walked out of the office. Mason watched her, and when he was sure she was gone, he turned back to Layla.
"I might have introduced myself as the CEO of Robinson's Cosmetics. But I'm popularly known as the King of investment," Mason said, and he could see Layla's eyes widen. "I don't reveal my identity to people, but I'm revealing it to you, Miss Layla. I hope you realize what I'm risking."
Layla took the revelation calmly, her composure was strong enough to make her maintain her nonchalance.
"So why did the King of investment decide to reveal himself after refusing to meet me several times?" Layla asked as she crossed her arms and legs. "Just don't say you felt guilty."
Mason snickered, and he crossed his legs.
"You're quite intelligent. You must have been aware of how I felt when I learnt my secretary had rejected you five times in a row from meeting me," he said.
Layla scoffed. "You think I don't know that you're here because of your reputation? You can't imagine how you'd survive the embarrassment if other companies were to learn that you're rejected by a lowly M.K. company."
Mason's smile widened. His guess was right; she really does hold grudges. He stood up and walked toward Layla.
"I can't believe you let your emotions cloud your judgment to realize the advantage your company could gain from my investment," he said as he closed the distance. "If I wanted, I would've invested with my company's name. But your childishness wouldn't let you see the vision clearly."
"Are you trying to get on my nerves so I can change my mind?" Layla groaned.
"No, no, no, no matter what I said, you wouldn't change your mind, anyway."
"Then why bother coming here?"
"I didn't say I wouldn't do anything."
Layla's curiosity was piqued, and her brows furrowed. "What are you here to do then, Mr. Robinson?"
"I'm here to seduce you, Miss Layla," Mason replied, smiling charmingly.
"And what makes you think I would fall for your tricks, Mr. Robinson?" She was already shifting on her seat, her eyes still making half an attempt at avoiding his gaze.
"Because I've never failed, not even once," Mason replied, and he began taking slow, cautious steps toward her.
"You're out of your fucking mind! Get out of my office!" Layla ordered, pointing her finger toward the door. She was now on her feet, her breath all over her face.
"Are you scared I might actually succeed?" Mason continued, his eyes tracing Layla's, trying to establish eye contact. But she was evidently avoiding him. It'd take a great deal of self-control for any lady not to succumb to Mason's seduction, and Layla was one of the hardest ladies he had ever met.
"Perhaps you want me to call the securities for you, you might–" She reached for the telephone on her table, but Mason shifted it aside. "Are you crazy?" she shouted.
She stepped away from her desk and attempted to reach for the door, but Mason grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to him. His hand wrapped around her waist, and Layla was forced to meet his seductive gaze. Shivers ran down her spine, and a gasp escaped her lips.
She tried to break free from him, but her muscles and strength failed her. Her legs lost their function, and for a moment, Layla seemed to be hypnotized. And then it began to lean closer to her; the blue enchanting eyes, the light pink lips, the pointed nose, and the perfect skin. Layla felt her world consumed by the spellbinding fragrance from this cute man.
Finally it closed on hers, the soft lips colliding with hers like two planets, emitting jolts of electricity through her body. The heat was so immense that she felt her whole body giving in. Her hands were the first to take action; they pulled his head closer and then slowly began to unbutton his shirt.
Lips on lips and skin on skin. Some minutes passed by before Mason stepped out of the office. Vivian was standing outside, not far from the door. When she saw him, her curiosity ignited.
"How did it go with her?" she asked.
"It went well, of course, we can now invest in their company," Mason replied as he fixed the last loose button of his shirt. "Do you still doubt me?"
"Wait, sir–" Vivian's eyes widened. "There's lipstick on your face and shirt, don't tell me you guys–"
Mason smiled and patted her on the shoulder. "Let's go already, and stop pretending like you're shocked. It's not like you're new to my methods," he said and turned to leave.
Just then, the employee who had led them in earlier emerged and gestured to them to follow her.
As they walked, Vivian tried as much as possible to cover the lipstick stain on Mason's shirt, and as for the one on his face, he had cleaned it already.
When they got out of the elevator and emerged at the large hall, they were shocked to find it crowded. Even the reporters and paparazzi were there waiting.
"Is this the seed you spoke of earlier?" Vivian whispered to him.
"Yeah, but sadly, it didn't grow as I wanted," Mason replied, leaving Vivian's mind racing with possibilities. She still couldn't understand the reason behind her boss's actions, but she knew he never did things that'd tarnish his image.
Mason turned to the employee and asked, "Can I use the black umbrella over there?"
The employee nodded and reached for the umbrella. She handed it over, and Mason opened it. "Let's go," he said to Vivian as he covered his face with it.
The company's securities were doing a great job of repelling the people and creating a way for the handsome CEO to pass. One of the cameramen broke free and rushed toward Mason, but Vivian intercepted, hurling him to the ground and immobilizing him before the security took control.
Mason was surprised, but he said nothing. He knew Vivian learned martial arts, but he's never seen her put them into use.
"What are you going to do now, sir?" Vivian muttered as she got outside and saw even more people waiting for them. "It seems the land is too fertile, and the seed overgrew."
Mason smiled. A movement caught his attention and he glanced to see one of the reporters gaining entry and breaching past the security defenses.
"Are you really the CEO of Robinson Cosmetics, and what is your business with the CEO of the M.K.?" the reporter shouted.
Undeterred, Mason ignored her and ambled toward his car, which was still parked in front of the company. He closed his umbrella and stepped inside.
Vivian got in also and drove off. It was ay that moment that Vivian seemed to understand Mason's reason for his actions.