Killian Carter...
He was an ass I couldn't do a project with him, could I?
" Scarlett what are you looking at? " Nathaniel asked.
I swallowed and looked down.
Killian his name went through my head again.
Such a unique name.
" To see if my father came! " I said.
Nathaniel chuckled and raised an eyebrow like if he was hiding something. This was so suspicious.
I looked back at the folders and started re-reading.
Maybe I could get interested in another one.
" Hello welcome to the CEO auction! " To my surprise Mr. Pierce announced.
" I hope all of you are enjoying cause we are now starting this event with.." Mr. Pierce took a paper out of a box and read from it.
" FAYE! " Mr.Pierce yelled.
People started to clap.
I didn't, I felt mad about something but I couldn't place my finger on what.
I held the folder and before he started I heard his folder being thrown.
I didn't even look up.. I could only look down at Killian's project.
I started to read it again..it wasn't fantasy it was innovation! He was doing a project on something new.
I looked back to see the rest of the CEO's sitting down.
Killian was biting his lip. Was he nervous?
Where was his crutches or his sling?
I felt worried.
I couldn't imagine how painfull it must of been to shake his hand with someone else and walk. ...
I looked down again.
Why was Killian in my head?
I saw Nathaniel writing notes on the project.
So I did as well.
I could see Nathaniel was very focused on this.
After Faye's was Dickson then Jonhsons, Valentine, Westbrook, Petersons and Dabneys.
I never looked up and I stopped taking notes.. I could just remember everything they said and I found it boring, they lacked something.
" Next up is Carter! " Mr.Pierce announced.
" Good night to all of you I'm Killian Carter! " The husky, smoky and penetrating voice I heard earlier said.
It is him....He's Killian Carter..
I couldn't look up I felt wierd.. I just stared at his project..
This world was so small.
I heard him talk but then I heard everyone start talking, ignoring him.
I looked up and Nathaniel was talking to a waiter. Everyone was distracted.
I frowned.
I could now understand why I was thinking of Killian, he remembered me of me.
I looked up to him.
He explained with passion, confidence, determination and everything he needed for a good presentation.
He looked around and I saw him making fists.
He shifted his eyes everywhere to see if someone was interested.
I could see some emotion in his eyes, hurt and disappointment.
Then he looked at us, the CEO's in the front.
He moved his eyes till his eyes made contact with mine.
I couldn't move my eyes and he didn't move them either.. It seemed like he was only explaining it to me.
After he was done. I was amazed and intrigued.
Nobody clapped.
He moved his eyes from me and went towards his seat, he didn't even limp.. I thought he would.
I saw the CEO'S next to him talking and making fun of him.
He sat there with no emotion on his face.
If there was one thing I knew was that he was just like me.
I swallowed.
" You've been awfully quiet Scarlett, what's wrong? " Nathaniel asked worried.
I looked at him. Beautiful blue eyes.
Then my heart began jumping again and a smile came up.
" I'm just thinking about the projects!"
Nathaniel nodded and kissed my forehead.
I turned my gaze back to the stage and saw Killian looking at Nathaniel then at me.
He frowned and looked away.
Then everything was quiet and the CEO'S with me started talking about the project.. They never stopped to talk about Killian's.
I stayed quiet.
No other project interested me.
In school they did teach me to leave work and personal life apart..
Remember?
I tapped my fingers.
I saw Mr. Pierce walking up stage..
" Okay our top CEO's had a moment to discuss now we will begin with the comments, critizing and finally the auction."
Peterson stood up with a huge smile.
"Economics is a very hot topic!" Atwell said.
With that I lost myself.
Boring.
" Scarlett it's your turn!" Nathaniel whispered.
I looked at him and blushed. I grabbed the microphone.
I looked up at Peterson by his smug smile I knew he had great critizing.
" No comments! " I said and threw his project to the floor.
He shot me a look of disbelief.
Nathaniel smirked at me.
" You learn fast! " Nathaniel said.
I rolled my eyes.
" It's your turn."
Nathaniel dropped his folder to the floor and leaned on my microphone.
" I already know things on economics!" Nathaniel said.
Peterson gritted his teeth but didn't say anything.
" How much for Petersons? " Mr.Pierce started.
" 4 million " Alaric said.
" 5 million " Ashford announced.
"8 million!" Smith said.
"17 million!" Atwell said.
" 17 million anyone has to offer more?" Mr.Pierce said.
Everyone stayed quiet.
"Going once!"
"18 million!" Santiago said.
" Anyone has more to offer?" Mr.Pierce said.
" 19 million! " Smith said.
" Going once! "
"Going twice!"
" Project sold to Smith! " Mr.Pierce said.
Smith stood up wrote a check and went up stage while cameras flashed.
Once he got there he handed the check and they shook hands... Peterson and Smith turned to the camera while hugging and a picture was snapped.
"Next up is Dickson! "
My head pounded.
" Scarlett! " Nathaniel whispered again.
He gave me a small smile.
" No comments! " I said. I grabbed the folder and dropped it.
Nathaniel chuckled.
" Listen Dickson its very kind of you to do this about scholarships but that would give me an adoring reputation and I don't think I'll like that." Nathaniel said with a smirk.
People laughed and I rolled my eyes.
Nathaniel dropped the folder to the floor.
I sighed and rubbed my head.
" Dickson sold to Santiago for 30 million'!"
I looked up to Santiago who was up stage smiling at me.
" I'm doing it cause Scarlett taught me humanity! "
People clapped and I blushed when they looked at me.
After Santiago sat back down Mr. Pierce started with Dabney.
" No comments! " I said and dropped the folder.
I looked down at Killian's project.
Would I take it?
" Dabney sold to Atwell for 34 million!"
People clapped I didn't, I was still in conflict.
" Next up Valentine's project " Mr.Pierce said with a grin and Nathaniel grinned back.
Nobody but me dropped his folder.
" Your designs are great."
" Your presentation was very captivating! "
He got great comments.
" No comments! " I said and Nathaniel's smirk grew.
" Want to make people fear you more than me?" Nathaniel said to the microphone.
I chuckled.
" No, if I talk I'll make them cry!" I said with a smirk.
People chuckled, Nathaniel grinned but the CEO'S up stage swallowed except Killian who was holding his arm.
I was sure he had pain.
Nathaniel had his arm over my shoulder.
Is Killian okay?
" 70 million! " Nathaniel said.
" 90 million! " Alaric said.
" 100 million! " Ashford said.
Everyone was competing.. I was sure they did it cause Nathaniel always won.
" 300 million! " Nathaniel said.
" 300 million! Going once"
I could see Alaric furious.
" Going twice!"
" Sold to CEO number one! " Mr.Pierce said arrogantly.
I rolled my eyes, now I knew why Nathaniel acted with arrogance.
People cheered and clapped.
Nathaniel stood up unbuttoned his suit jacket, started writing a check and winked at me before going upstage.
It was now Alaric, Ashford and me.
But I found out you could still offer money for another project... If your offer was being the smallest one.
" I'm not worried about my offer being the smallest , nobody would pick Killian! " I heard a CEO say.
I rubbed my eyes in anger.
They didn't even read his project.
Nathaniel came back with a huge smile and sat down.
I looked down to look at Killian's designs again.
" No comments! " I said and dropped Johnson's project to the floor.
" I thought you pick that one! " Nathaniel said.
" Thought wrong! " I said.
He grabbed my hand and squeezed it.
" Is it the hangover? " He said worried.
I just nodded.
" Johnson sold to Ashford for 60 million! "
" Next up Westbrook! "
" No comments! " I said but I didn't drop the project.
" Going for that one, huh?" Alaric asked.
I shrugged and turned page on Killian's design.
" 40 million! " Alaric said looking at me.
" 50 million "Nathaniel said looking at me!
I just looked down.
" 51 million! " Alaric said.
He frowned when he saw I didn't do an offer.
" You won't offer?" Nathaniel asked.
I shook my head and he didn't offer anymore.
" Going twice!"
" Sold to Alaric for 51 million!"
Alaric shot me a glare but stood up.
What? I didn't drop it cause I did say it was interesting.. Didn't I?
" I guess she'll take Faye's." Someone said.
I felt my hands sweating.
I guess there's no turning back.
" Okay Carter is up! " Mr.Pierce said in sympathy.
I stared at his project. I didn't hear him get up.
" He should at least show some respect!" Atwell muttered.
I heard Atwell point that out.
He dropped his folder.
Well I or not take his?
I heard another folder being dropped.
" Silliness! "
"Shame!"
Think fast. I said to myself. My hands started sweating, his project would need a lot of money more than he was asking.
You have been in his shoes, I thought.
" I already dropped yours!" Nathaniel said.
Everyone looked at me I could feel it.
I found myself feeling nervous.
I heard the guy stand up and I looked up. He held no emotion.
Everyone was quiet.
He went to grab the microphone while I looked back to his designs.
I wouldn't do this out of pity, I would choose it cause I knew we had a chance at winning.
" Drop it already! " Nathaniel said.
People chuckled.
" Have a very good night! " Killian said through gritted teeth.
" 6 hundred, thousand million dollars!" I blurted out.
I looked up to meet his eyes.
Everyone's eyes went wide.
I heard glass break.
I dropped the rest of the folders to the floor and clutched his to my chest.
Mr. Pierce snapped out of it and took the microphone from Killian.
" Going once."
"Going twice."
" Sold for 6 hundred thousand million dollars! " Mr.Pierce whispered, not believing his ears.
I stood up and wrote a check with his name and mine.
I put the date and the amount of money.
Everyone was dead silent and mouths were hanging open.
I started walking up to him. I was so nervous.
His eyes shot me disbelief.
He took the microphone from Mr.Pierce.
" Why? " He asked shocked.
I saw myself holding the microphone to my mouth.
" Why not?" I asked.
" Cause I'm an ass!" He glared.
My smile dropped he recongized my voice..
Well at least he admits it..
" I'm glad you know! " I said getting up stage.
Whispers began.
I walked to him and his face told me he couldn't understand anything that was going on.
I held the check out to him.
With a shaking hand he took it.
" She's probably using her husbands money!" A man said.
" Actually her check says Scarlett Monroe not Pierce, if you're interested on knowing.. " Killian hissed and held the check up.
The man kept quiet instantly.
" Your father's then! " Someone said.
I glared at that person.
" I know what working is so if you don't have anything good to say than spread rumors I suggest you shut up!" I said holding my anger in. I said it soothly.
The whispers stopped at the same time.
I turned to Killian and he looked at me with intensity.
" I won't say thank you! I knew my project was worth alot."
I rolled my eyes.
I turned to the camera and we had a picture snapped.Killian tightened his jaw, I'm sure he expected me to say something.
I turned to get down.
I was halfway to my seat while looking at Nathaniel, who looked very shocked.
I hoped he wasn't mad...
" I only asked for 40 million, did you even read my project?" Killian said with a look of discomfort, that I found when I turned around.
" I did read it!"
He glared, not believing me.
What was wrong with this guy didn't he just say it was worth it?
He scowled.
" I did!"
"Page 20 you bought engine's and stuff for this project, I'm guessing you were so sure someone would be interested in your project that you went ahead of yourself and bought half of it but nobody did causing your father's company to drop from 4th position to 14th...money loss dropped your position to be exact."
" Am I wrong? " I asked angrily.
He stayed quiet.
" Your designs are drawn by hand they weren't printed out, I'm sure you wasted hours on it!"
He swallowed.
" You did it for every 7 folders up here!" I said.
" Page 5 to 16, pure designs."
I saw emotion swim in his face and he was trying hard to control it.
He opened his mouth but Faye interrupted him.
" I did designs as well, if thats what you're so interested in!" Faye stood up angrily.
The other CEO's with Killian stood up and agreed with Faye.
They started insulting Killian on his project.
My blood boil.. Killian shrugged with a smirk at them.
" Mine is the best!" He said.
I saw Faye grabbing him.. He was about to punch him but Killian stopped him.
" You cocky asshole! "
I saw Killian wince..
Fuck.. It was my fault for letting him get shot..
I saw Faye squeeze Killian's injury.
I found myself going up and pulled Faye from Killian.
I put myself in front of Killian.
He was trying hard not to grimace in pain.
I heard a chair squeak in sign of someone standing up but Faye was glaring at me so I couldn't turn around to see, I had to glare back.
Soon the CEO's were glaring at Killian and I.
Faye started to dab a finger at my shoulder.
" You don't know shit about any of this, who let a woman become a CEO? " He yelled.
I glared.
Suddenly someone pushed Faye away from me.
" If you ever touch my woman ever again in any way I will seize your company! " Nathaniel hissed dabbing a finger at him like he did to me.
Faye instantly backed away.
" Really you're letting your bitch waste money on a fool? " Peterson said.
Nathaniel let out a punch.
It hurt me just by hearing it. It sent Peterson to the floor.
" I demand you respect my wife, Fuck she can waste her money however she pleases, she can waste it on Carter if she wants just remember she won the Cristal's award!" Nathaniel hissed in anger.
I was shocked.
Nathaniel wasn't mad.. He was accepting my decision.
I saw the others help Peterson up.
Peterson spit blood out and glared at the three of us.
" She didn't even comment, I don't know how someone who doesn't have anything to say won!" Peterson said.
I saw Nathaniel's vein pop on his forehead.
I grabbed his hand and squeezed it.
"So its comments you want?" I asked furiously.
" Alright, I'll do that! " I hissed.
I went off stage and grabbed the folders from the floor and went back to them.
I held the microphone in anger.
" Peterson your project is on economics.. Page 41 repeat and repeat of what you did the last 20 pages before! Boring! "
" Economics come on, couldn't you think of something else?"
I threw the folder at him.
All of them stayed in silence. I was so angry.
I looked at them glaring.
" Dickson, project on Scholarships.. You give money.. No you recollect money from others to sum it up to yours taking the credit of those suppose scholarships. "
I held my hands and folders up.
" Wow! " I said with fake shock.
I felt better seeing there faces, I kept going.
I pushed the project to his chest.
" Dabney your project is on phone's.. What are you planning? Making them bigger? Till you can surf with them?" I asked.
Someone chuckled.
" Pages 7, 10, 14,16,19,20,33,42 designs printed out...designs that are not yours!" I said.
He took the folder and looked down.
I heard pages turning.
" Valentine, project on cars I read your project.. You have many grammar errors.. Pages 1, 5, 6, 13,16, 35, 40-56.. Designs are printed out and some are so wierd I doubt a person could even fit in those cars."
I gave the project to Nathaniel.
I heard pages turning again from the table part..
" Oh Johnson " I cooed.
He swallowed.
"Same thing with Dickson...no innovation .."
Dickson went red in humillation.
" Westbrook." I said looking at him.
" I.. I get it no need to give me your comment! " He said nervously.
I huffed.
" Can't even take a comment like a man?" Nathaniel hissed.
I shook my head.
" Faye the man who needs backup from everyone.. Cause you can't do it alone.. "
" Your project on tecnology, ideas all over the place..there's no project in concret, no passion, no anything."
Everything and everyone was dead silent.
Everyone was shocked and the CEO's infront of me were turning red.
I felt guilty now.
"What? You thought your projects were always perfect? " I asked angrily.
"The CEO's up there read your flaws. Ask them anytime you want!" I yelled.
I turned back to Killian.
He was raising an eyebrow at the others. He looked amused at there expressions and a bit of shock was there as well.
I felt Nathaniel hug me.
I knew he was trying to control his anger.
We started go downstage.
" Wait! " I whispered.
He looked at me.
" Killian." I whispered.
He nodded and I turned around to look at him holding his arm.
" Ian Carter! " I whispered.
His eyes snapped instantly to me.
" What did you call me?" He asked in disbelief.
" Your project is amazing no mistakes, perfection on a project. You put the most important ideas making pages go down to 21."
" You had something that I didn't see in others..."
I stayed quiet a few seconds.
" Innovation! " I said softly.
I saw him smile a bit.
I then turned around to see all the TOP CEO's looking bewildered, holding folders up. I took my seat with Nathaniel beside me.
Everything was quiet. Everyone stared at me.
I hoped this didn't turn into a scandal.
Then I heard clapping and I sighed in relief.
Nathaniel looked at me.
" I pissed myself hearing you! " He said.
I leaned my head on his shoulder.
" I'm shaking! " I whispered.
Nathaniel squeezed my hand.
" You did a great job!" He whispered.
" Thank you for supporting me!" I said.
" Always." He said.
Wow...Nathaniel stood up for me.
We looked back and I saw Killian back in his seat gripping his arm.
I saw Dickson shiver under Nathaniel's gaze.
There was a huge tension in here, even paparazzi's had there mouths hanging open.
" Dickson I'm very disappointed in you... as you know Scarlett took care of my boys and you dare talk to her like that? " Santiago asked angrily.
"I withdraw my offer to your project, I thought you were a good man but if you plan on stealing money by asking donations and taking credit from it, I'm not in!" Santiago spoke and stood up.
He glared at Dickson.
Dickson had his mouth opened.
"I give my offer to Faye or if anyone is interested in changing I'll make an arrangement." A very pissed Santiago said.
Dickson had his mouth opening and closing like a fish.
Nathaniel groaned loudly, grabbing attention.
" Killian my wife chose you for a reason and the first time you presented, I humillated you in public now I apoligize for judging you wrong. "
" I'm looking forward to competing with you and my wife. I know she's very talented and I expect the same from you!"
"And if I ever hear Scarlett complain about you to me, consider yourself 6 feet underground!" Nathaniel warned.
I blushed a bit.
Killian met Nathaniel's eyes.
" I'm sure your wife already knows what an ass I can be! " Killian said.
" But I also know that she knows we will beat you! " Killian said and walked downstage toward us.
Nathaniel stretched his hand at Killian and Killian took it, shaking it.
His arm, I thought.
Cheering and clapping began again.
I heard whistiling as well.
" Go with your partner to arrange your project! " Mr. Pierce blurted out trying to break the tension between the CEO's on stage and us.
Everyone took a moment to do so.
I saw Killian turn to me.
" Nathaniel this doesn't make us friends" Killian said.
Nathaniel raised an eyebrow while Killian held my gaze.
" Cause I'd like to fuck your wife!"
************************************
Killian's POV
There she was making me nervous.
I was just waiting for her to drop my folder...Nathaniel hated my guts.... Who didn't?
And everyone listened to him and she was his wife why wouldn't she do it as well?
I had hope, she had listened to my project...I had hope but like everyone said... I was a fool...
Not to mention her voice...her voice I was sure she was the girl who brought the suit to me.
I was sure she hated me with how I acted..
But something else was bugging me..Her voice was like Ghost's... Could it be?
Drop it already! " Nathaniel said to her.
People chuckled.
I went to grab the microphone from Mr.Pierce.
I had enough..
No need to be here for others to keep laughing at me... The pain in my arm and leg was enough.
" Have a very good night! " I said through gritted teeth.
Why did I even show up? What was I thinking?
I looked at her... Drop it already.
God took his time on this one... My brain said...
Not now! I said to myself.
" 6 hundred, thousand million dollars!" I heard her blurt out.
She then lifted her eyes to me.
Those penetrating green eyes.
Wait is she teaming up with me?
Did I hear right?
Mr. Pierce reacted and sold me to her...
I was dumbfounded..
Fuck... I new that pencil would work..