''Then…'' Nelissa's heart skipped a beat.
Jolene slapped her hand, not letting her take the money away. ''Edward's deal has to be sealed by our department so when it comes to the time the bonus is distributed, we can get a big portion of it. It can easily be a few million, and with that money you don't even need to worry about Noey's and Nates' education from now on!''
Of course, Nelissa would have wanted to seal the deal but she wondered, ''It won't be an easy task, right?''
Jolene replied, ''Of course, the higher the bonus, the harder it will be. No pain no gain, right?''
She continued with a smirk, ''But we ought to win him over, even if that means we have to make some sacrifices. Besides, we have been meeting with clients already, haven't we? We just have to put in some extra efforts!''
Nelissa turned and checked if the children were walled off from this conversation with earphones, and turned back to Jolene saying, ''Oh for goodness' sake, I seriously don't know what I should do to win over this client! ''
Nelissa was actually only 23 this year; she was definitely still at her blooming youth.
Jolene grinned, ''No worries. Let's have meal first and we'll talk about it in details later.''
After they finished their meal at the buffet, they went back to their rented apartment. Nelissa lived next to Jolene so they could take care of each other if anything happened.
Previously in Southville City, Nelissa had Jolene by her side; those were the tough days for her. She had only successfully gone through everything, because she had the twins and Jolene by her side.
While cleaning up the house, Noelle and Nathan were watching the television. Suddenly, Noelle asked, ''Mum did I and Noey miraculously appear on earth like this cartoon?''
''Yes, that's right. You guys suddenly appeared in Mummy's tummy one day. It was very extraordinary!'' Natalie replied naturally.
Since the twins had started kindergarten, they have never stopped asking where their father was. Nelissa reckoned that they had noticed that all the other children in school had fathers.
Nelissa had previously considered lying to them that their father had left to somewhere faraway, or perhaps that he was dead.
But no matter which one of these options, it was going to upset them anyways. So if it was going to be a lie, why wouldn't she choose a lie that would keep them happy?
Therefore, Nelissa had always shown them this particular cartoon that had involved a miraculous birth to trick them into thinking that similar situation as the cartoon shown, they were special. To let them think that they didn't need a father to appear in her tummy.
But in fact, Nelissa had no idea who and where their father was. That night, five years ago, she was trapped on the bed by that man, and was played with however he intended.
She could still remember his manly scent, and vaguely, the voice the man had when asking her name.
She recalled that she had only given him her nickname, which was Nelly. Thinking about it, Nelissa was actually glad that no one had approached her within these five years.
It was just a one-night stand with no strings attached.
Nelissa shook her head and got back to the real world. After showering, she put her children in bed.
Nelissa turned on her laptop and started her research on Edward. There were magazine covers of his side profile, tall and charming, with a sharp look on his face. She confirmed that it was indeed the man she had encountered that morning.
The famous son of the Hales Family-Edward Hales. He was even more noble and precious than the regular higher class of the city.
However, Nelissa was confused. Why would such a person of high profile and status approach her and leave her his personal contact number? What did he want?
She thought to herself, ''Should she be flirting with him or seducing him when she calls?''
However, she did not want to do either of them.
She just wanted to talk business and seal the deal; she had no time or energy to play at this courting game. She was the mother of two already; she knew well enough that she didn't have the privilege to seek out for true love again.
Nelissa gently robbed her forehead and realized it was already 9 in the evening. She knew that it wasn't the right time to call Edward now; it was too late to talk business. She was afraid that he would misunderstand the purpose of the call.
Hence, she went to bed immediately after saving his contact. She still had a whole day ahead of her at work the next day.
In the morning, the sharp sound of the alarm woke Nelissa up. After sending the twins up their kindergarten school bus, Nelissa went with Jolene to work in her car.
When Nelissa was 18, she didn't get a chance to attend university. She had absolutely nothing, yet she was pregnant with the twins. When she was at Southville City, she had used her talent in piano to pay for her bills. Thankfully, she had learned piano since she was a kid.
That was when she met Jolene.
Jolene was a good friend, for she used her connections to hire Nelissa into the company without a degree. That was when life became more stable for Nelissa.
After checking into the company, Jolene asked, ''Nelly, call Edward right now. You have to return the money to him instantly.''
Nelissa understood that the 100 dollars were just insignificant when compared to their deal with such an important client. To be able to have the chance to talk to him, was not an easy opportunity.
She called him right away. The call connected instantly. Nelissa was contemplating what to say before the other side of the phone voiced, ''Yes?'' His voice was deep and guttural.
Nelissa gripped her phone hard before replying, ''Hello Mr. Hales, I was the passenger in the same cabin you were at on the high speed train yesterday. You're the one who has given me the 100 dollars, right?''
The man on the other end of the call chuckled. His voice reminded her of his strong, muscular body next to her on the train the previous day. They were so close to each other...
Even with not much experience with men, Nelissa knew that Edward was interested in her, or else he wouldn't have hit on her the previous day.
''May I get the honor to get to know you, Miss?'' replied the charismatic voice from the other side of the phone.
She was in a daze, cause she knew exactly how big the difference between their statuses were.
She was a regular person that earned only five thousand a month, and this included all the bonuses she'd receive. But this man had earned hundreds of millions a year and was the president of the Hales Group holding a number of his family's stocks.
''Mr. Hales, your reputation precedes you. I am Nelissa Quest, I should be the one that is honored to know you. When would you be available so I can return the money?'' Although Nelissa did need money, it was a different case with Edward's money.
Edward replied, ''Should I go to your house or should you come to mine?'' Hearing this, Nelissa's ears turned red and she started blushing.
He was gentlemen enough to leave a choice for her, yet he was a strong hint.
Nelissa thought that he would have said to meet at his office or even a restaurant outside. She didn't expect him to propose to go to their houses.
It was impossible for her to allow him to her house, but she didn't dare to go to his as well. She started biting her fingers anxiously.
She had to propose another location to meet up!
Jolene ripped a piece of paper and wrote on it rapidly. She passed the note in front of Nelissa. It stated, ''For the sake of your wealthy future, take this chance to have a good relationship with him!''
Nelissa threw Jolene a sharp look, but thinking of her children's future, she compromised, ''Mr. Hales, I think it's best if I go to your house instead. I shall see you at 1 p. m. then. Goodbye.''
Hanging up the call, Nelissa was still blushed, ''What if he starts harassing me?''
Jolene persuaded her, ''Tell him that you are having your period. Even a lustful man would not touch you in that case. Well, you're not the only woman left on the planet, aren't you?''
Nelissa nodded. It was true.
A famous man like Edward, would definitely have an eventful personal life. All he needed to do was snap his fingers and women would come to him instantly.
She couldn't help wondering if she was just another momentary fun to him.