Maxine's Rival

Part 15

"Are you okay? Seriously? Why did you buy this weird painting from that woman?" Maxine asked while looking at the painting that Mao bought from Yurena.

"The painting is weird because the mermaid's tail is silver and it's too sad to look at. Wait, what do you know about art appreciation?" Mao asked her.

"I know something about art because I'm a fashion designer. And I also design the marketing layout of the posters and print ads of my cosmetic products. So don't ever say that I don't appreciate art," Maxine answered. She started flirting with the gentleman.

Mao laughed. "Fashion designing is different from painting artwork. Wait, what are you doing here? I thought you were at a fashion event right now?"

"Well, I didn't go because I'm bored, terribly, helplessly bored," Maxine answered. She sat next to Mao and gently moved her hand over his muscular chest. "I don't want to do anything else right now but sit next to you and be with you all day," she added, flirting.

"So why don't you just sleep and relax at home? Or try painting so I can display your artwork here, what do you think?" Mao asked, smiling.

Maxine looked at him and began to seduce him. "Forget about painting! Forget about everything! Choose me! Marry me and let me make you happy."

Mao scratched his head, he frowned. "What are you saying? Are you okay?"

"I'm trying my best to seduce you. Aren't you feeling attracted to me? Don't you find me beautiful and sexy? Do I look like a goddess in your eyes?" Maxine asked, pouting her lips.

"You are beautiful, smart, elegant and very classy. Any man will surely fall in love with you," replied Mao, smiling.

Maxine raised her eyebrows. "I heard that the woman who painted that horrid artwork came here. Maybe you are really interested in her so even though her painting is very hideous, you still managed to buy it," she added, feeling jealous.

"He came here because I paid for her painting. And I don't like her so stop accusing me. Also, her painting is not hideous, it's just weird but not so bad at all," Mao answered.

Mao's assistant knocks and entered his office, "The conference room is ready," he said.

"Okay, I'll be there in a minute," Mao replied, standing up and adjusting his clothes. He looked at Maxine and smiled. "Let's talk later, see you around," he added.

Mao left the office and Maxine was left alone here sitting on the sofa.

She felt that Mao was avoiding her. She was hurt because she wanted nothing but Mao. And she will do everything for the two of them to stay together. She will not allow any woman to steal Mao's attention.

The room is filled with silence.

Maxine slowly stood up and walked in front of Yurena's painting. She stared carefully at the image of the mermaid in it. She also looked at the silver tail that glowed when the light hit it.

"A silver tailed mermaid, very interesting," she whispered. She gave a strange smile.

Meanwhile, inside the conference room, Mao and some businessmen discussed the damaged oil ship last month. Oil exploded in the ocean and many fishermen's livelihoods were affected due to water pollution.

And because of that incident, Aquarius Maritime Tankers was put into a big controversy. Until now they are still investigating what was the main problem with the ship used to transport tanks and cargo vessels. Their operation was also stopped for several months and now they are studying whether they can resume importing and exporting oil from other countries.

In the face of controversy, Mao remained steadfast and calm. His standing as a good and successful businessman is stable and can no longer withstand the problems that come.

"The department of environment and natural resources has lowered the penalty on us. Maybe we can continue with the operations. We are already losing billions!" the shareholder said. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is an agency in the country that takes care of the ocean, forests, mountains and natural resources.

The DENR also gave a penalty and suspended the operation of Aquarius Maritime Tankers due to the widespread of oil in the ocean that killed many sea creatures including the destruction of the mermaid's abode.

"Maybe we can resume the operation in the next few weeks. But I will check the cargoes myself. I have said several times that overloading is prohibited but they do not listen to me," replied Mao who could not hide his anger.

"Let's assign people to check cargoes to prevent accidents, Aquarius doesn't want to be put in the newspaper front page again!" the answer of a business partner.