In a circle, stood beside her was Mr. Nicholas Salvadge, he was introducing Allea to his brother and friends —he once again repeated the history and made her stand between the middle aged-men, the crowd utterly antithetical of her age and intellect.

Allea's focus was seemingly entirely on the men in front of her but if looked closely one could notice the little peripheral glance she cast from time to time. Just a few steps away from her was the circle of gentlemen, including the three men who just now entered and the ones who were priorly present. Among them stood Jackson, introducing himself and the young boy on whom shoulder his arm was swung around. Nicholas Salvadge, the moment his son stepped inside, dragged Jackosn toward him to familiarize themself, and she doesn't know what made her uncle pull Kai along, despite the reversion that was visible on his youthful face.

Allea's gaze couldn't help but flicker toward her brother, now that he was no longer on her side, the restlessness in her heart seemed to show its traces, regardless of her effort to suppress it under indifference and rational reasoning.

Sighing inwardly, Allea once again put her effort in listening and responding to the aged men, who one after another made an effort to indulge the young girl in their talks regarding the business with flattery here and there. But in her words, they either found silent contradicting smiles or a reflection of her direct thoughts and standing difference in age but not in eloquence.

"Come Allea, let me introduce you properly to my father, he has heard a lot about you from me!" Nicholas Salvadge's words sounded, followed by a burst of harmonious laughter.

In response, he gained an agreeing nod from Allea, so he guided her to the sofas, in one curve of the living room. There sat three old men, lost in their merry talks, and reminiscing of the times they have spent living their youth and life before retirement from the beguiling world of business.

As Nicholas Salvadge introduced Allea to his father, at one glance Allea realized that the aged man's haggard body dressed in the suit looked fine even at such age and his stoic face was too familiar to his grandson. Without any bit of hostility, Allea respectfully gave her greetings, particularly to the old Salvadge, even though she tried to appear humble but her stance still hed its aloofness.

After a second or two of exchanging formal words, she heard a grouch voice directed toward her, "Allgaiers', I have heard about it."

Allea's raised her eyes to meet the elderly man she deliberately overlooked, she nodded at his words but didn't say anything. Not wanting to talk to William Brown.

Seeing Allea was not responsive, his wrinkled face further contracted. The people who all their life are used to gaining respect, being esteemed, it usually become hard for them to accept when someone doesn't comply along with the thing they have lived their whole life in. William Brown is no different, for him, the thought that his existence and age demands respect is normal as drinking Burgundy, that's why he expected Allea to give him the same regard as his friend.

A flicker of discontentment passed through his aged eyes as they darted from faces around him but soon recalling the reason he called the girl, he continued unhesitantly, "Liam, my grandson, was telling me..." His words paused, eyes moving in the direction of his grandson. Who, at that moment as if perceiving the intentions of his grandfather, was already approaching them.

Allea silently stood beside Nicholas Salvadge, who was giving her sideways glances and was smiling. He could see through the things unfolding in front of them, in fact, every experienced eye could see the intentions of series of actions. But after years of boring and often being its part, it has long ago molded itself into their lives as something normal.

Standing beside his grandfather, the new presence of young man, because of the distance between him and Allea, could only nod with his grinning face, along with introducing his name, "Liam Brown."

She too followed the conventional greeting, "Allea Ciarve."

With enthusiastic expressions, he added, "Of course."

Allea didn't say anything and once again became a part of the silent crowd, subconsciously discerning their words, as Liam Brown continued, "We were recently discussing our contract with your company, at last days' dinner. That's why grandpa recalled it."

His grandfather, William Brown chimed in at this, "Did it get finalized?"

"Not yet," He turned toward William Brown, flickering his cautious yet expectant gaze toward Allea, he proceeded, "We are scheduled for a meeting coming Wednesday. It will finalize there, grandpa."

It was not hard for Allea to see what the pair in front of her was doing —putting her under their words. Seeing that she respects people present in this room if they brought her on some agreement in front of these ears, it will be hard to back away later.

Allea really wanted to laugh in amusement, seems like they have forgotten her CEO reputation, their attempts might have worked on the people who care for their connection, but on her, they are as futile as their existence in her eyes.

Hearing a light chuckle of Nicholas Salvadge who hurriedly hid it behind his attempt of taking a sip of his wine, she knew he was enjoying this. He's well-aware that how she has handled men like the elderly here in the board meetings. But what he was curious about what words Allea will choose to dismiss their intentions, as well as keeping the consideration of the occasion she was present at.

In front of the duo's expectant gaze for her response, a smile bloomed on Allea's face. But it didn't convey the meaning of her being pleasant toward them, everyone saw how impassive she was while greeting them, and now after hearing their intended words, she smiled. It was a clear indication of ridicule.

"Um, what's your company's name?"

Tilting her head, Alea looked straight at Liam Brown with a raised brow and gorgeous-pretended smile as her innocent words resonated through the now silent room.

Even if everyone was seemingly involved in their own discussion, but in one room, between such a small crowd, words uttered at some distance are not difficult to reach ears surrounding it. So, they all heard the exchange and a subconscious silence fell around the room to heard Allea's response. Each person has their roots in business and they have heard Allea Ciarve doesn't bear anyone's words, doesn't regard anyone, and today they saw its glimpse.

Her words were seemingly innocent, but in actuality, they were not. What could more insulting for someone who came forward with such pretentiousness to gain favor but the other person doesn't even know their's company name? No one can blame Allea for this, they truly believe she doesn't know about William Brown or his corporation because she was not in this field when he was at his peak. Now in their eyes, his corporation is no better than a lower-grade company, then how could a CEO of a prestigious company remember about it. Even though it amazed them that Allgaier Corporation even gave them a chance, but giving a chance does mean that the CEO has to keep their whole relative existence in her mind.

The one old and young man lost their face's color for a second, but Liam Brown soon came out of his embarrassment and answered Allea's words, "Xit, Xit Corporation."

He was going to say his father's name, but considering that she might ask who he is, he kept silent.

Allea only nodding, not saying or asking anything. And the old man who was insulted so indirectly was also unwilling to say anything or even look toward Allea. The young man too feared more embracement and remained silent, not prolonging the conversation.

Ignoring the second of silence that fell around her, Allea glanced toward Nicholas Salvadge, who had a little smile on his face. He had no doubt, that she would have uttered her unfiltered words without hesitation, whether it was of insult or rebuking, but she didn't only because of keeping the harmonious environment from disrupting and in his regard. He returned Allea a little nod, perceiving it, she walked away from the group she no longer felt the need to stand among.

As her steps turned, and her eyes raised and without any diversion, they fell on the boy whose eyes were already on her with a goofy smile. Allea's brows lowered, for a split-second wondering the reason for Kai's smile. But the thought didn't last when the next second her gaze fell on the glass in his hands, and her eyes involuntarily moved toward Jackson with hints of demurral. Like Kai, Jackson was also seeing her way, with a careless posture. In between this, their inconspicuous faltering steps, in an attempt to move away from the people they were in the talk, were left unnoticed by Allea.

Halting in front of Kai, her hand extended to take the glass from him and gestured the waiter to stop, placing it on the there, she picked the one with no alcohol percentage and handed it to Kai.

"That's why, I didn't drink it," Kai mumbled, as his eyes flickered toward Jackson's indifferent gaze.

"Miss Ciarve."

From the voice beside her, Allea turned her head and met the man with black eyes, with a subtle nod, she returned his greeting, "Mr. Salvadge."

Involuntarily her gaze flickered behind him, there stood Nial Delton, his gaze and demeanor were similar to what she remembers. With both hands in his pants, stood there with his tantalizing toothy smile, his eyes staring straight at Allea, but today his words were lacking, his attempt to keep his obnoxious tongue to himself was apparent.

Her eyes once again met the phlegmatic man in front of her, waiting for him to state the reason he called her, but from his expressionless face, it felt like he hasn't thought of it yet.

After a pause, she heard Aris Salvadge say in his monotone voice, "It's unexpected seeing you here."

She did not react to his words, why an occupied man like himself would go over the people his father is going to call at his get-together, it's not like he's retired like his father to plan how to coerce people to come. But before Allea could respond, a familiar voice belonging to a face that suddenly emerged from behind him, interjected in gallantly, "A pleasant serendipity, indeed."

Her eyes moved toward him, light brown eyes met the amber ones shining in glint, and a grinning face came in sight. In such a circle he appeared as a person who could be easily overlooked and seemed ordinary —too ordinary and insignificant to be able to so casually cut in the commencing conversation.

"And you're?" Behind her, Jackson inquired.

Although he stood here for quite a time but not once his gaze caught or stop on the man in front of him. Now that he made himself visible, was only then Jackson noticed a man dressed cheaply and looked so unevenly styled stood in the same circle as them. Neither his gaze nor voice held any judgment, just curiosity toward man's identity.

"Issac King."

Saying his name, and with an unidentified smile, his eyes holding a sly smile flickered toward Allea for a second. But he continued looking back at Jackson, "I'm Aris' -"

Before he could complete his uttered words, the man in front of him, who hardly had any change in expressions, added with subtle grating, "Friend."

Hearing the single word, confusion was visible in the eyes of others, those who stood beside them, Aris Slavadge's cousins. When they heard the word 'friend' from the man himself, who at moments have disregarded their familial relation, so easily labeling his association with such an insignificant man, who looked from quite an ordinary background, their faces involuntarily contracted.

Discerning the situation, to further solidify the uttered statement, Nial Delton played his part of satisfying the incongruous gazes, "He's an engineer at company and a good pal of ours."

Despite the mocking smile that was suppressed on Allea's lips, her eyes were sure shinning in levity after witnessing the coordination of three friends in front of her. She wondered whether the man who introduced himself as a driver last time was going to do the same, regardless of the occasion he was present at. But Aris Salvadge inviting his driver at a private gathering seems -too much- over the board and highly unsusceptible thing. But the man who claimed himself as Issac King bothered with nothing of this, even though he was good with lies, she just assumed he loved exaggerated lies.

One thought that her mind pushed forwards, which was way back in her intellect but still making her discern something for the smallest action and single uttered word by Aris Salvadge —this might be her judgment influenced by the influence of her past. That; like everyone he also cares about his associations in the eyes of the world and isn't utterly indifferent to with whom/what his name is being associated.

Allea didn't need to think deeper because her later part of realization pushed forward the memory of this man agreeing with that girl's words. But instead of animosity, Allea felt a tinge of admiration for him. Past-Allea harassed him and his name for almost two years, but he bore it all the time, maybe her existence was noting for him, or maybe there were people to take of such futile matters for him, or he just thought she was not something he was willing to spend a second of thought. But still, he himself did nothing to her, and when he did, even though at her words, but he still was direct; letting past-Allea, herself, slap the fantasies of being able to stand with him.

Halting her thoughts, her eyes raised toward the amber-eyed man, who introduced himself with yet another new name, Issac King, without regarding the fact she can simply exclaim his identity and utter his real name. That he was Zyair Ahlstrom. With this thought she felt slightly confused to comprehend one thing —how was he so sure that she will not? Allea truly had no such intentions as she didn't even spend any second considering this matter.

Disregarding his presence, her gaze again moved toward the dark-eyes man in front of her, holding his gaze, she gave her slight smile and as if overlooking the small conversation and continuing with her response to the words he directed toward her, "Well, one must appreciate Mr. Salvadge for coercing my Uncle."

The tone of subtle humor was clear, and the word 'Uncle' sure earned a scoff from behind her as well as a suppressed chuckle from Kai, who buried his head in the mocktail to hide away his smile.

Smiling at her own words, Allea proceeded with a hint of sincerity, "Nonetheless, it's my pleasant honor to be here."

Hearing her words, a light change appeared in his expressions occurred, not a smile just an insignificant curve around his eyes as well as lips, and acknowledged Allea's words with a slight nod. Allea face held no change in expressions, she was somewhat certain of the fact that neither he nor she will bring out their meeting in the club so, she expertly overlooked the audacious and unreasonable request he made. But she thought too soon because the followed words of Aris Salvadge made her brows slightly frown.

His words were spoken too casually even with a hint of leisureliness, "I believe my assistant sent you all the details regarding your organization's cases, and Miss Ciarve found it helpful."

From the glint in his dark eyes, Allea could see that he knows that she looked right past the intentions of his words. He was creating a misunderstanding for every ear to hear in the room, that he and Allea had a meeting that contains something other than business. The organization of Allea is not a part of the Allgaier Corps. and everything out of business is private/personal. If Aris Salvadge helped her with something other than business —only this thought can rise countless possibilities of thoughts to rise in the minds of people present around them.

The people surrounding them who once again seemed to indulge in their discussion, (although their ears were raised toward them) paused hearing Aris Salvadge words, the halt in their words and actions were visible.

Allea could even perceive the gazes of people sitting on the sofas, but her unfaltering smile remained the same, after a pause she was going to retort when someone once again interrupted.

"Allea, I want another glass of this same thing."

Her gaze moved toward Kai beside her, after being here for quite some time, for the first time Kai gave a silly smile as he pushed the empty glass toward Allea.

Her eyes softened, she could clearly see the glass half full a few seconds ago and now it was empty. The boy who hates to be called a child was acting like one. She saw his all actions but didn't say anything. Seeing all the gazes flickering toward Allea, Kai perceived the words that the unkind-looking man uttered must have been the reason, he didn't know why but he felt the urge to move the judging gazes away from his sister, and for this, acting like a spoiled child was nothing.

[Disclaimer: This work is only published on watt/pad under profile: itsrujihere. The complete rights of the work: Allea belongs under this profile and Ruji. If you're reading [Allea] on some platform other than watt/pad(Unless I, Ruji, say so) then, I'm pretty sure they are stealing my work (i.e, a site that starts with novel), please don't support the thief.]

Although it goes without saying that Kai's action was not needed, Allea's lips still curved in a slight smile, and the frown surrounding her eyes eased. Taking the empty glass from his hand, the waiter already approached near them at someone's gesture Allea failed to notice, placing the glass back, she took the mocktail similar to it and handed it to Kai.

Her eyes moved toward the awaiting man of her response, "Yes, Mr. Salvadge, I think I should particularly thank you. As for your interference, has indeed proven helpful."

Allea voice was plain, neither satirical nor full of gratitude, and letting others decide whatever they want to assume. She truly can't disregard the fact that Aris Salvadge really opened ways for their organization. Even though his intrusion was not asked but she feels no repulsion to thank him because she's the one eventually getting benefit from it.

Still, his words and actions were unexpected, she didn't perceive him to be the one playing such sly moves, that will result in nothing but misunderstandings. Perhaps the words of praise she has accumulated regarding him in her past life were nothing but a bluff. With this realization, a small part of Allea is looking forward to this man proving everything she admired about him wrong, and prove how deceptive reputations can be, and fool you into believing some things about someone you never have actually met.

Allea noticed a slight surprise passing through his face as if he didn't expect her to get along with his words, but in the next second it regained its coldness and Aris Salvadge fell silent. Allea presented no help to further extend the conversation, so with 'good', he moved back to the company he was a part of.