Smith Corporation

"This is where you stay?" Jude was mesmerised by the interior in her penthouse. There was a Benchcraft Maier charcoal microfibre sofa in the living room, a modern lamp stood next to it. A greyish rug with abstract patterned placed in the middle of the space. A tiny pot of plant was on a tiny round table next to the sliding door to the balcony.

"Live." She corrected him. She swiftly went to the kitchen, brought a glass of orange juice for Jude before she went off to her bedroom.

"I thought you were living with your parents?" Jude asked her. So, there's something that he didn't know about Rose. For instance, where she really lived. Who knew, a girl of twenty-three years old managed to buy a luxury penthouse in the city with her own capability. She was indeed special and befitting to become his wife.

"I only go there when needed. But most of the time, I will come back home. Home sweet home..." Her voice trailed at the sound of 'home' Home? Is this a home? I don't know. Maybe. As long as I have a place to crash whenever I needed to be alone. She sighed.

"What is it?" Jude whispered softly next to her ear. Hands on her waist and instantly wrapped her in before brought her close to his chest. His breath tickling her ear that it started to turn crimson.

"Nothing... It just some random thoughts." She mumbled. She quickly turned around and into his arms and looked up at him. Gazing into the dark black orbs, her breath heightened with her heart beating so fast that she was unable to control it. She inched closer to his sexy lips and gently planted a kiss there.

"Do you know that you are dangerously seductive?" She murmured softly on his shoulder. Jude didn't know whether to laugh or to cry upon listening to what she had said in which, in the end, he let out his muffled laugh.

"Jude..." she broke free from his arms and looked at him with a serious expression. "I need some space to think and reconsider whatever had happened between us." She paused awhile, inhaled deeply as she tried to gather all her courage to tell him what exactly she had in mind.

"You see... Things between us happened too sudden and it even progressed to the extent where your parents began to think me as their daughter-in-law." Awkward silence struck the two of them. Rose lowered her head, biting her lower lip nervously. She didn't dare to look at him at the moment as she could feel the sudden chill emanating from him. He was probably boiled with anger. She knew she has to tell him before things went out of her hands. She hated it when things didn't go according to her plan. It spelt trouble.

"What do you mean by saying those words?" Jude demanded while his thumb gently rubbed her cheek. Though deep inside he was indeed boiling with anger, for her, he tried his best to keep them in check. One could say he was totally head over heels over her. And there was no help.

"Uh... what I mean is we need to take things one step at a time. We just met for a couple of times and..." she gulped down, face reddened all of sudden when she remembered the night that they had spent together. "even we had intercourse, I still need some space." She blabbered away her inner thoughts. "And the thing that happened last night... I really need to forget it. I need time." She continued to spill out her thoughts, hoping Jude would understand her state and needs. The aura emanating from him became even colder than earlier.

"I understand and I will give you some space to think it through. But you need to know about one thing. I would never leave you alone because I really care about you. And you definitely will become my wife. No one else but you. Remember that." He mustered his rationality while uttering all those words. He sighed in frustration. "And I never consider it one night stand because you are not. You are my future wife. Remember that." He added. Rose astounded when she heard him. Jude ignored her look, casually pulled her into his arms and muttered, "I have fallen into you. Please don't tell me you are going to leave me." Rose blinked her eyes. There were tears brimmed in her eyes that threatening to fall down.

Her phone rang loudly that brought them back to reality. Rose turned around and wiped her eyes with her fingers before turned back to him, lips curved into a sweet smile. "I need to answer my phone." She quickly took it from her handbag and pressed on the answer button. She had her back facing Jude who was standing still, watching every single action.

"Dad! I'm at home... Sure, I will be there in fifteen minutes. Alright, see you later." She sighed heavily after ended her phone call. She slowly turned to face Jude, smiled apologetically at him.

"I'll need to go to the company. Mind waiting for me a little while?" Jude nodded his head. He would wait for her no matter how long it takes. He went to the kitchen and was astounded looking at her collections of kitchen appliances. From coffee makers to the latest product of microwave oven in the market. She even had a dishwasher installed. It seemed his future wife was someone who was practical. Hmm... Did that mean she could cook? Well, there was the latest design of Zannusi chimney hood and glass hob on top of the tempered-glassed island counter. He walked towards the cooking area and casually opened the shelf, there he was surprised again when he saw she had various types of spices and cooking ingredients stored on the shelf. She had time to cook? Really? He smiled when he imagined she was cooking meals for both of them. The feeling was indeed nice.

"Do you want to have a coffee?" she poked him from the back that made him jerked in surprised. Rose chuckled. "What? What did you think of?" She asked him while raised her eyebrows, questioning him though her expression clearly showing that she was amused with the way he acted earlier.

"Do you cook?" he asked her, curious. Rose tilted her head and smiled sweetly.

"Of course. Occasionally. Why should I eat something cooked by other chefs when I can cook my own meals?" she shrugged and walked towards the coffee maker and started to brew the coffee. Still grinning, "I'll cook for you when time permits." She promised.

"Then, I'll hold you for the promise." He replied her, flashed his dashing smiled that blinded Rose's senses at the moment. She unknowingly leaned forward to him and planted a French kiss on his sexy lips. The way she smooched him stunned him. He didn't see it coming. Somehow it brightened his mood although earlier on she talked about giving space to her.

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"How do I look?" Rose suddenly asked him. She wore a peach-coloured chiffon blouse, topped with her black autumn spring blazer with a high-waist black pencil-skirt. She finished off her appearance by wearing a black high-heels. She put on natural make-up.

Jude who watched her with a pair of proud-eyes smiled encouragingly. "Beautiful and sophisticated." He answered her. Her lips curved upward. She grabbed her handbag and turned to Jude, she patted his shoulder gently. "Thanks for sending me here."

"Anytime honey."

"Erm... don't call me honey. We are yet to be together officially. And don't forget your promise this morning." She reminded him. Jude raised his brows and smirked. You will be... soon.

"Okay... It's about time! Bye!" She quickly got off the Maybach and waved goodbye to him. Jude chuckled before he drove off to his destination.

Rose walked towards the receptionist at the counter before someone called her name. She turned to the voice and saw a young man in a black suit walked towards her. She squinted her eyes, sizing the man up and down and glanced at his name card. Paul Lee.

"Welcome Miss Smith. CEO Smith told me to bring you to the meeting room. This way please," Upon listening to the way the man greeted the young lady in front of them, the receptionists and few employees bowed their head slightly, reflecting their utmost respect towards their new young lady CEO. Rose smiled sweetly at them and bowed her head slightly too as to acknowledge them.

Rose diligently followed Paul to the meeting room. Deep down she felt suffocating and nervous. But she knew, it was time for her to take over the position as CEO of Smith Corporation. She braced herself and gathered all her wits and rationality and moved forward.

Paul opened the door and gestured her to enter the room where the board of directors were presented. They all stood and bowed their heads in unity. Mr James Smith beaming proudly seeing his daughter had finally arrived.

"Rose, please come here." Her father instructed her. She moved to her father with a smile plastered on her face. She bowed her head slightly. Her father nodded while acknowledged her presence.

"Everyone! Today, I, James Smith, would like to announce that my daughter, Miss Rose Smith will take over the corporation. I hope you all give your utmost cooperation to her." He proclaimed, loud and clear. Rose gulped but still, she tried to put on a smile on her face. A man took their pictures as Mr James Smith handed over a portfolio to his daughter, Rose who appeared dignified and sophisticated. Mr James then hugged her daughter and whispered, "Make daddy proud" Rose nodded her head, but deep down she was reluctant to embrace this new job. She still has her gallery to run. Sighed.