My Billionaire Boss Who Loved Me.

The next morning at exactly 10:02 a.m, I was standing  moody outside Mr Eric's office holding his usual black coffee when the door burst open.

Arthur Thorne, his uncle stormed in with two lawyers and Eric's terrifying mother, Evelyn, right behind him, they all had a stern look on their faces. 

Arthur slammed a tabloid down on the desk.

"Time's up, Eric." 

Arthur growled.

"Sign the engagement agreement to Genevieve Beaumont by the end of today or the board triggers the marriage clause. You're done as CEO by Monday."

Evelyn added coldly,

"Genevieve is the only suitable choice and you know it. Stop embarrassing this family."

Arthur folded his arms across his chest.

"You've dragged this nonsense on long enough, Eric. The board has been more than patient."

"The board can wait"

Eric replied coldly.

"No they can't"

Arthur's voice hardened

"The Beaumont merger cannot and will not wait."

At the mention of that family, several of the lawyers exchanged concerned glances.

Evelyn stepped forward.

"Do you have any idea what a Beaumont alliance would mean for this company?"

Eric didn't respond.

"Peter Beaumont controls some of the largest private investment funds in Europe,"

She continued, "That family has influence in several countries. Their name opens doors that even the Thorne name cannot.

Arthur nodded.

"Exactly, marrying Genevieve isn't a sacrifice. It's an opportunity."

"An opportunity for who exactly?"

 Eric asked.

Arthur look caught off guard before speaking.

"For everyone."

"That's funny of you to say" 

Eric replied smoothly as he leaned on the table.

"Because it sounds more like an opportunity for you."

Arthur grew more vicious then stared right at Eric's  face.

"Watch your mouth."

"Or what?"

The tension in the room became suffocating.

Arthur laughed as he stepped closer.

"You think investors are happy right now? You think shareholders enjoy watching the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar corporation reject the Beaumont family over and over again?"

Eric folded his arms, his expression didn't change.

"Sounds like their problem not mine"

Arthur looked like he was ready to explode.

"You're acting just like your father."

The minute he said that, I saw something dangerous flash across Eric's face.

"Careful," he said softly.

But Arthur wasn't done.

"Your father spent years pretending integrity mattered more than power. Look where that got him"

Eric slowly stood.

The whole room felt tense.

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

Arthur smirked.

"I'm saying the company needs a leader willing to make difficult decisions."

"And I'm saying you're getting very comfortable speaking like you're the CEO."

The two men glared angrily at each other.

Neither willing to back down.

Finally Evelyn rolled her eyes and exhaled sharply.

"Enough!...both of you."

She turned toward Eric.

"Son, sign the engagement agreement right now."

"I'm not signing anything."

"Why not?, you and Genevieve were perfect for each other."

That actually made Eric laugh.

"No we weren't," he said. "She never really loved me"

Arthur pointed toward the folder.

"Then how bout this."

He shoved the engagement contract across the desk.

"Because unless you're secretly dating someone else, the board vote happens Monday."

Silence.

Arthur smiled coldly.

"So, what's  it going to be, Eric?"

Eric didn't even glance at the papers.

His eyes sliced straight past them and locked onto me like a predator.

As I watched the scene unfold, my stomach felt tight. 

With thoughts racing my mind,

"What the hell is happening? Why's he looking at me like that?"

He stood up, walked out the office door and grabbed me firmly by my wrist ...He pulled me inside in front of everyone, the coffee tray still in my other hand.

"I won't be signing anything," 

He said calmly.

Arthur laughed mockingly.

"Then start clearing out  your desk, I'll send for someone to assist you."

Eric looked his uncle dead in the eye and spoke with all the audacity he could scrape off the earth.

"I won't be signing it because the information is inaccurate."

He pulled me closer to him.

"I'm already engaged"

The room went silent.

My heart stopped beating. He tightened his grip on my wrist and continued;

"I've been keeping it private to protect her from the press. But since you're forcing my hand..."

He turned to me, then looked straight into my eyes 

Eric cleared his throat.

"Allow me to introduce my fiancée..." 

"Maya Carroway". 

"What?!!..."

Evelyn sputtered

The shock hit me so hard I forgot how to function.

Losing my  grip, the tray fell violently onto the floor spilling coffee all over my shoes and the floor.

My mouth left ajar, hoping this was all just a bad dream.