15 Chapter 15. Attractive Guy

Arjoona was still breathing a little gasping while massaging his bending, trying to calm down. He ignored David, who was still standing, wondering what had happened.

"You should go home today. I can help you to finish your work," said David, offering his help. Arjoona looked up at David, who was standing beside him, smiling.

"it's okay, Dave, I'm fine, you can just keep doing your job," David just saw Joona quietly.

"Are you sure?" Arjoona nodded slowly. David didn't want to force him either. He finally came out after a moment of watching Arjoona. Arjoona was still sitting in his chair with his arms on his knees. He rubbed his face many times and recalled something from his past.

He memorized when he proposed to Dessy, his ex-girlfriend, almost a year ago. Arjoona, who was so confident that Dessy and her family would accept his arrival, offered Dessy's parents a wedding two months before they broke up. No one knows, including Claire, that Arjoona is Gerald Winthrop's adopted grandson since he was 10 years old.

Likewise, when he came to propose, Dessy's parents thought he was a poor orphan. They immediately became cynical and ignored Arjoona's proposal. After almost a year, he tried to forget the pain of being rejected. After Dessy had a fling with a richer man, Arjoona is even proposed to a rich person. One of the wealthiest businessmen in England arranged a marriage between him and his granddaughter, who was the sole heir to his entire wealth.

Arjoona sighed heavily and frowned. He really doesn't want to be considered a man looking for luxury by marrying a rich girl. That would definitely be pinned on him if people found out that he married Claire Winthrop.

"No, I can't marry her," muttered Arjoona, shaking his head.

CEO ROOM, WINTHROP ELECTRONICS

Louis is still standing in disgust while Claire taunts him not to get angry anymore.

"I'm not going to marry another guy, for real," said Claire, holding Louis's arm trying to calm him down.

"yet you are matched with other people, it's just the same," said Louis in a high tone. He waved his hand in the air. Claire grimaced, trying to attract Louis.

"I refuse the match," Louis did not want to hear Claire's explanation.

"I know your grandfather never liked me, but this ..." Claire progressed Louis again and hugged him from behind, leaning her cheek against her boyfriend's spine.

"I'll talk to grandpa, please don't be angry," Louis sighed heavily and turned to look at Claire.

"with whom are you matchmaking?" asked Louis with a rugged look. Claire was silent and doubted whether she should answer or not. But if she doesn't talk, Louis will continue to ask the same questions or find out for himself.

"I don't know that guy, the only grandpa knows," Louis frowned.

"How do you marry someone you don't know," Claire grinned guiltily.

"This is just a contract marriage and not more than two years," Louis snorted.

"Why don't you just marry me? If the goal is that you have a companion, I can be your husband," Claire smiled happily and hugged Louis.

"I also want to marry to you, darling, that's why I want to talk to grandfather about this, are you patient," Louis turned his face and let Claire keep hugging him. He grinned at the sight of Claire's head against his chest.

The next day, Claire Winthrop's stepfather, Keith Barnett, arrived in the lobby of Winthrop Electronics with a dash. He plans to see his stepdaughter, the CEO of one of Asia's largest electronics companies. His dark smile brought his steps to enter the company office.

He went straight to the CEO's room to meet his daughter. There was no notification of his appearance at the company. Nevertheless, he walked with confidence and was not afraid at all.

"Hello, beautiful CEO," Keith said as he walked in without knocking. He smiled sweetly at Claire, who was on the phone. Claire quickly smiled back and hung up on her phone.

"hi Dad ..." said Claire and immediately hugged her stepfather warmly. Keith hugged Claire while raising Claire's body.

"How are you, precious, I miss you," said Keith still with a sweet smile. Claire, with a half hug, just nodded.

"are you here with mom?" asked Claire as she led her father to a sofa.

"No, your mommy is cruising with her friends," Claire smiled faintly. His mother was always like that, too busy for random business.

"Why didn't you tell me if you wanted to come here?" Keith was still smiling and stroking Claire's cheek

"surprise, daddy wants to surprise you" Claire smiled broadly. She was flattered at the attention of her stepfather.

Keith is a man who always tries to spoil Claire. Before he married Isabel Dickson, the daughter-in-law of Gerald Winthrop, he had already accosted Claire, who would become his stepdaughter. Gerald couldn't restrain Isabel from marrying that foreign man in the end. He managed to win the support of Isabel and several members of the Winthrop family. Isabel even gave Keith the management of the mansion complex belonging to her late husband Vincent Winthrop after becoming her husband. And Keith's role is too significant to make Gerald even more worried. He acknowledges people. According to him, Keith is a psychopath who is good at hiding his emotions and plans to seize everything from Claire later.

After a few minutes of small talk, Claire invited her stepfather to come with her to lunch with her boyfriend, Louis Pradipta Olsen. Keith greeted him very well. He likes Louis, who he thinks is a perfect match for Claire. Claire also invited her best friend Kenanga Rinjani, who had known Keith before as Claire's stepfather.

The four of them ended up eating at a restaurant and pub in the city center. Chatting and joking with each other, they really enjoyed lunch. Meanwhile, in another corner, Arjoona is with Gentala Samudra, the DJ at the hip-hop club discusses a music project they will work on. Gentala requires Arjoona's help as a songwriter to produce a song for a new solo singer who will debut.

Nobody noticed that Arjoona in the restaurant, together with Gentala, had a calm discussion until Kenanga's eyes caught a figure she seemed to know. Kenanga then lightly elbowed Claire's arm to turn to the side of the two tables away from them.

"I think that's Arjoona," Claire frowned.

"Ah, there's no way he's here," said Claire, still didn't want to look beside him.

"why isn't this a public place?" Kenanga whispered, still occasionally turning her head, stealing glances. Claire just shrugged nonchalantly and paid more attention to her stepfather and Louis's discussion, but Kenanga still continued to talk about Arjoona.

"Claire, if you look at him, he's an attractive guy, he resembles the sexiness, so dominant," whispered Kenanga trying to tease Claire. Claire herself frowned at Kenanga.

"Are you blind to call that guy attractive?" Claire mocked.

"uh, see him first," said Kenanga rather forcefully. Claire sighed and turned to the side and saw Arjoona smiling a little laughing, chatting to the friend sitting in front of him. Claire had never seen Arjoona's smile since their first met, and very noticeable is his dimples made Claire a little surprised. Kenanga raised her eyebrows at Claire's reaction. Claire only responded by shaking her head while frowning.