26 Mr. Bambang Wang's Darling

The professionals that Jack brought with him hadn't even cracked open their own portfolios. Was there anything even within their files or were they here simply to mock me?

"As I said before, Mr. Wang, you are green and out of energy. You've crossed your young age - when energy is to the fullest. You are no more as valuable to the business world, as you were ten years back. And I feel you've too much wealth already, to the extent that you lack passion to earn more."

"So because I've too much wealth that means I'm untrustworthy? I'm clearly doing something right to be beyond your level from past many years," said Mr. Wang

"You may be old in age, you are very new in terms of maturity. And you have no ties here. You have already separated from your wife years back. And your kids are staying away from you, not even in touch with you. There's nothing to show for your maturity. You're a boy in many ways," said Mr. Chu.

"I run a multi-billion dollar company and you're calling me a boy?", Mr Wang disagreed. His fingers curled into furious fists, but he remained stiff and cool in his chair. Giving them a glimpse of his anger would only spur them to degrade him further.

"You have no family, no children, nothing with you. How can you nourish and care for a growing company and its ties if you haven't been able to nourish long lasting relationships? These things are very much the same, Mr. Wang." Jack exchanged glances with the man at his right, clearing his throat faintly.

No way in hell were they calling this meeting to a close. Not yet.

"Gentlemen, I believe you've made some mistake?" Mr. Wang murmured, breaking into a relieved laugh as though there had been some grand misunderstanding.

Mr. Chu blinked curiously, small frown crossing his thin lips, "Has there…?"

"You are correct that I got separated years back, but there is a very special woman in my life. One who I have adored since the time she has taken up the company responsibilities so beautifully. We look forward to marriage soon."

"Are you… are you saying that you have a fiancée, Mr. Wang."

"Yes, yes. I'm sorry, gentlemen. I didn't realize this would have any bearing on our conversation today or I would have made that clear."

A smile draws back to his lips, exposing glinting white teeth, "My apologies."

"We did rather extensive research…" The man at Jack's right murmured with a skeptical frown.

"We keep it rather quiet. She works for me, so as you can imagine, it could possibly get quite messy if everyone was aware of her situation", said Mr. Wang.

"Ah, yes. I did the same for Kitty when I first started my company." Jack nodded with a slight chuckle of his own, "We kept it a secret for two years."

"May I meet her then?" Jack continued, "I'd love to have the future Mrs. Wang grace us with her presence." His head cocked slightly, daring Mr. Wang to disagree.

Checkmate, his eyes blazed.

But Mr. Wang wasn't going down that easily.

"I'm sure she'd be delighted." Mr. Wang responded, mind racing through the women of the office.

In the end, there was only one who I could imagine standing besides Mr. Wang - Olivia, I thought

"Meet Mrs Chunhua Wang, please", said Mr. Wang, as all sitting in the room looked at me with surprise.

I stood up in shock.

Mr. Wang stares at me, his mouth a grim imitation of a smile. Or, at least, I think it's supposed to be a smile. It's way more of a grimace. Actually, it's a little scary.

I glance around the table, giving a polite little nod towards the men seated before me. They watch with curious eyes, gazes flickering between the broad shouldered man beside me and myself. Just what kind of show is this going to be for them?

Unexpectedly, Mr. Wang reaches out a hand and clamps it roughly over my shoulder, drawing me into the rock hard muscles of his side. I bite back a squeal, eyes going wide. Though I was thoroughly shocked at the unexpected touch, I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the burning feel of his palm on my shoulder. Every woman in this office had dreamed of a moment like this.

If only I'd worn my pink blouse, the one with the fabric so sheer it would've felt as though he'd lain a hand directly on my skin... I can feel a blush rising quickly on my cheeks, my head tilting back to gaze up at my boss in bewilderment.

"Chunhua, darling, I hope you are fine with what just happened. I've just told them about our engagement." He murmured, winking at the other man seated at the center of the table, "I know how uncomfortable you've been about showing our affection for one another at the workplace, but make an exception just this once for me. Won't you, darling?"

Darling.

The Bambang Wang was calling ME his darling. I almost collapsed right there.