Zia Knight POV
Damon and Damien prepared a limousine outside for us to take. The two even came out when I dropped off Derek and Zade. They were scarying the other kids, parents, and teachers with their authoritative aura and blank stares. Not to mention a few bodyguards with them to begin with.
By the smug look Derek and Zade sporting it seems they like the attention.
I look behind me to see the smug and proud look the twins have as they look at the little ones' confident faces.
Cue the eye rolls. Ladies and Gentlemen this is what we call bad influence.
"Derek, Zade come here please." I said to them.
"I will pick you up and we will come back to my family's place okay?" they nodded and I quickly peck them at their forehead before they run to Lucas.
"Well, off we go to Knight Inc." I said as I linked my arms to each of Damon's and Damien's ones. NOT!
We stopped by at my restaurant to meet with my catering team who have prepared some samples of the foods that will be provided on the cruise, now off we go to Knight Inc.
We even have vegan and gluten free options, see how thoughtful we are!
I hope they're hungry otherwise they will be once they smell these.
The three of us made our way up with my catering team following behind us. We took the private lift whereas they took the normal ones.
As soon the lift's door open we were greeted by Eleanor who told us where dad and Zach currently at. She promised to show my catering team the meeting room for them to immediately start setting up the food samples while we wait in Dad's office until meeting commencing.
"Morning Dad, Zach!" I said cheerily as I hug and kisses their cheeks. Damien and Damon meanwhile bro hug my dad and Zach but added a slap in the back at Zach just to piss him off. Like always, like kids bullying their love ones, cue the eye rolls.
"I brought some food, I hope you're hungry" I tease the two of them and they groaned complaining how they eat small amount of breakfast knowing how much food they will eat for this meeting.
Time passes by with all of the males talking business while I responding to my business email and queries from my management team on my phone. The clock finally strikes 11.55 am and Eleanor walked us to the meeting room.
Happy to see the set up my team made consisting some platters of grilled meat, seafood, the vegan and gluten free options, and most importantly the desserts. I nod at them in appreciation as they leave the office to wait outside at the waiting room.
"Well, how does it look?" I asked the males with my back facing them. Damon came and hug me from behind as he kiss me on my head.
"These look delicious and beautifully arranged Sorellina. I am proud of you! You definitely know your food and you have outdone yourself!" he said proudly.
I look at him and the people behind me who also look proud of me. I grinned at them and kiss Damon's cheek before someone abruptly open the door.
All of our head turn to the door to see who has rudely interrupt our family's bubble moment.
Low and behold, there stood my so called 'boyfriend' who hasn't contacted me at all since yesterday only to inform his 'absent' presence after our first night.
He was staring hard at me or more like the close proximity between Damon and I. I have my hands on Damon's who were still back-hugging me.
If only he knew how much negative thoughts and doubt run in my head in the shower, before I sleep and even in the car on the way here.
It was my first time and I love him; I thought he loves me too but with so little communication after giving away my V-card can you blame me to feel down and negative?
I went stiff and straighten my back, ignoring Damon's suspicious look at my sudden change in emotion. No more of this 'sweetheart' or 'Angel', I am sour, annoyed and hellbent pissed right now!
"Mr. Lombardi, thanks for coming" dad greeted Ashton. He shifted his gaze to Dad and shook dad's hands before Zach's who also greeted him professionally.
"Good to see you again Mr. Knight and Zach" Ashton replied and nod stiffly.
"Well Son, let me introduce you to our other business partners and investors. These are the 'Lucianos', you may heard of them Damon Luciano and Damien Luciano" from hearing their name Ashton's eyes bulged out for a second before he fix himself to greet the twins.
"Nice to meet you. I have heard of you, It's a pleasure to be working with you" Ashton said professionally with confidence as he offer his hand for a handshake from the twins. The twins fix their posture and introduce their name as they return the handshake.
Great, too much pheromones in one room, now that I notice.
"Lastly, I am proud to introduce you to our last business partner and my lovely daughter, Zia Knight. She will be in charge for catering and hospitality of our cruise project" dad said proudly.
I fix my facial expression and only use a business smile towards Ashton who is now staring at me with his eyes bulging out and mouth apart. Shocking huh? you're girlfriend from the cafe is a daughter of a billionaire? I smirked inwardly.
Oh what to do? Should I act like a stranger or mention the boyfriend part? ... umm.. maybe I should say 'Hi' and say I got to go to toilet then scram? yeah, that sounds like a brilliant idea..
My thought was interrupted by Ashton's greeting who chose to do the former - act like a stranger.
"Lovely to meet you, Zia Knight. I didn't know you have a beautiful daughter" Ashton offered his hand and I reached his hand only for him to turn it so he can kiss the back of my hand.
"Nice to meet you too" I replied in uncertainty tone. Is he really going to act like stranger? like we're nothing but stranger instead of 'boyfriend and girlfriend?' There was a small pang of hurt felt in me from this.
By now he must have seen the 'hurt' look in my eyes yet he chose to ignore it and return it with a cold look instead.
"Let's be seated and start shall we?" Zach stated.
Throughout the meeting I was glancing back and forth at Ashton just as he was stealing glances at me as well. There was something though in his eyes, one that I cannot comprehend.
The twins must have noticed it because they were staring pointedly and hard at Ashton, yet he chose to ignore them. Ballsy or confident? I don't even know but if only he knew.
When it was my turn to talk about the catering and hospitality part, I stood up in confidence. I can switch to business mode easily, it runs in the family afterall.
I talked to them about the numbers of employees, safety rules and regulations, precautions and other administrative details. However, the juicy part is our favourite one.
"Luckily it's time for lunch, I have prepared some food samples that will be available in our cruise. I would love any feedback or ideas and suggestions from you if possible. Please enjoy!" I ended with a grin as I look at my family and lastly at Ashton, which made my smile falter I see him staring at me blankly.
I cleared my throat and made my way to the set up food samples area where my whole family already at. That put a smile back on my face.
Quickly I heard an incoherent grumble from behind me and I looked back just in time to see Ashton walking fast passed-by me.
What causes this time cold treatment is beyond me? I thought I should be mad with him ditching me and not contacting me at all since yesterday?
I shook my head in frustration as I made my way to grab a plate and take a bit of everything from the food samples. I even took a huge slice of the gluten free Chocolate Gnache Tart with caramel walnut on top.
Here it comes, my stress eating episode or is it my period coming?
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A/N: Hey lovelies, once again thank you so much for reading this and for your ongoing support. I am sorry for making you wait this long for an update but in case you missed out I'm living in Australia. Australia is facing massive bushfires everywhere around the country so yeah it's been taking a toll with everyone here. So pray for us. Love you'se. xx
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