The Billionaire's Contract

Isabella's Pov

I am practically rushing through the corridors of the JLF industries , nearly bumping into one of the workers carrying the laces and fabrics. He spins around and barely catches the the pieces before yelling some profanities in French,which I hardly make out , at me. I mumble an apology before starting to move again towards my only objective.

It was the day for the Grand Submission and I have been running late. As per my knowledge and all the rumours , the director himself is going to view all our garments and decide the fate of over hundred interns,me being one of them.

I rush into the craft room only to be surrounded by other nervous and excited interns, all preparing for the D Day or maybe to see the Oh So talked about Billionaire.

From the past week majority of the girls and even the boys were just talking about him. How to impress him and openly expressing their desires. I was hardly considered a part of them till now so I mostly kept to my work -space.

They often complained about losing a seat to a foreigner and how one of their friends could have got into the internship-program.

Honestly, it did not matter to me. I have worked hard enough to reach where I am today and I will continue to do so. I have often faced the office politics, some stealing my design books to trying to copy my ideas.

But it did not stop me from working, it did make me feel low but my manager in-charge was always very helpful.

Some of them immediately showed their repugnance towards me as soon as I started walking towards my work-space.

Being an American in Paris wasn't as easy as it sounded. My blonde hair and blue eyes stood out in the crowd of brown-haired and brown eyes. I hardly understood what they often spoke in French, I should have taken some French classes before coming here.

I sighed before remembering my main objective.

The lingerie.

Where the hell did I even keep those !

I kept rummaging through the piles of after use scrap pieces of fabrics, but of no use. I could not find them.

The taste of failure started to dominate my mind when I heard my name being called out from the Audit room.

I am officially doomed.

Should I probably just run away from the company ? Imagining everyone laughing at me for losing my project is of too much embarrassment.

I almost practically prepare myself to run away from here,to save getting embarrassed when I saw a dark-haired girl of nearly my age holding the lingerie made by me in her hands.

"These are your's , arn't they ? I found them kept on Leyla's desk," She spoke with a smile as if knowing she saved my life.

Of course it has to be Leyla.

She has been hating on me since the time I have joined here.

She is one of the three girl's who have recieved this 'Lingerie Project.'

But I can deal with her later on. Right now I need to submit my project.

I snatched them from her hands, much against the manners. But to get my creation back made me forget all of those.

Mumbling "Thank You" a couple of times , I ran to the audit room. Hopefully I have still not lost the chance.

I enter the audit hall only to stumble upon something.

No actually Someone.

I looked up to meet a pair of sea-rover blue eyes,not much different from mine but a deeper shade.

But they felt void and icy-cold.

He said something in French, something which I could not understand. At this point I regret not doing my homework on this language.

His almond shaped eyes narrowed at me and then seemed to understand the confusion in my eyes.

"Will you excuse me Miss ?" He spoke with a glimpse of smirk.

Shit.

I was staring.

I detangled myself from him. And moved away a few steps as my cheeks reddened with embarrassment.

I looked around to see all the interns as well as my manager in-charge gaping at me.

I looked at him once again noticing his sharp facial features and light stubble. He simply looked handsome.Before remembering my main motive.

Fuck I got distracted.

The Submission.

I quickly turned to Miss James , the manager in charge and spoke as pleadingly as possible.

"Miss James I am really sorry for being late, please can you let me submit my design ?"

I could feel my heart beating faster as I heard Miss James sighing audibly.

"Miss Addison, Our director would have liked you to be more punctual on an important day like this. He really hates inpunctuality," Miss James spoke in her usual confident aura. She was an elderly woman with an over twenty years of working and handling experience with the interns.

"Please let me try to convince him once Miss James," I pleaded once more. I was not going to settle without trying harder. I have been working so hard for this day. I cannot let it get ruined like this.

"If you really want to convince him Isabella,you can try. He is right in front of you" she spoke with a wink before returning back to her professional demure.

Right in front of me ?

What does that even mean ?

Oh..ohhh....

I quickly turn back to my side as I watch a smirk reach his lips.

"You really want to Convince me..Miss Addison ?," he spoke in his hoarse voice making me almost squirm. Before crossing his arms and raising a brow at me.

I nod as if answering without stammering would be nearly impossible under his intense graze.

He started walking towards me and stood just in front of me,almost towering me.

He stared at me with his icy-orbs as if they could freeze me then and there.

I felt myself staring back into him,as if paralysed by his intense looks.

"If you really want to convince me, meet me in my cabin. There we shall discuss what are we going to do with your punctuality issue and...manners," He spoke in his hoarse grave voice before turning to exit the audit room.

My manners ?

Was I some Five Year old , who needed some disciplining ?

I huffed before asking my way to his cabin. This was my only chance to get what I always desired. I will have to work hard to get it.

I entered the elevator and pressed Mr. Intimidating Director's Floor number and leaned to the wall.

It has been two months since I arrived here in Paris. I remember when I had broken the news of emigrating to Paris after completing my Bachelor's in Fashion from The New York Fashion Institute of Technology, to my parents.

Mom had even proposed to come along with me or at least let dad accompany me.

"Your twenty-five year old strong daughter can handle herself Mom, don't worry so much," I giggled as she took me into her embrace.

"Who will take care of you there sweetheart ? You are gonna be so much far away from us. Let us come with you, Isa ," she spoke as her motherly worry was clearly evident in her eyes.

"I am going to be fine Mom. You and Dad both have your jobs here, please don't make me guilty of causing you both trouble," I spoke as I hugged her tight.

"You have to keep us notified every day Isa," My Dad spoke as he dropped a kiss on my forehead. He practically behaved as if nothing could ever affect him but I knew he was worried for my well being.

I am suddenly jolted back into the present situation as the elevator clicks open.

Mr Intimidating Director's Floor.

This floor was so much different than the other floors. The other floors were much more bright and noisy , full of gossips and stories while this floor is quiet and grave much...like his eyes.

I could hear my own heartbeat loud enough as I walked through the corridor towards his cabin. Clutching my design in my hands.

Julien L. Fernando..

I read the name plate before moving to enter his Cabin.

Taking a deep breath I entered his Cabin to meet his icy-orbs which now has an unknown passion. Something that unknowingly warms up my entire body.

"So are you ready to convince me , bella ?" He asked me as he got up from his seat and crossed his arms. He walked towards me with leopard-like grace and his eyes having a-fire passion in them.

He called me bella ?

No one has ever called me that with so much passion that it warmed up my heart making me frenzy. I was always nicknamed Isa as I would find Bella too cliche.

But today when he called me Bella , it churned my stomach, causing some feelings I never experienced.

"I am still waiting for an answer , Miss Addison ," He send me a smile. Not the usual ones though. A Dark. Evil smile.

Oh so I was back to Miss Addison ?

Did he even call me Bella ?

I wet my lips before speaking up. I tried my best to not stammer in front of him.

"I am really sorry for my..previous misconduct," I spoke quickly and looked back into his eyes.

"You missed something Miss Addison," he smirked and moved closer almost caging me.

What did I even miss ?

Oh..well..

Sir...

"I am sorry for my previous misconduct , Sir," I tried to sound as confident and sorry as I could. His smirk seemed to come back hearing my words.

He came more closer , as I felt my heart pacing up more. As if my body reacting to this new invasion. He towered over me,making my body feel small in front of me. Evoking new sensations in me , that I was unaware of,till now.

"What are you sorry for , Bella ?" He asked brushing one of my loose strands away from my face.

"For being late to the audit Hall," I answered the obvious, his subtle actions warming my face up.

I was surely blushing. It was evident from his smirk.

Bastard.

Devil.

I was in my own thoughts naming him almost all the bad things possible when he asked me again.

"And..?"

He asked in his dark , soul-churning deep voice making me confused.

What more ?

"I don't know ," I replied meekly still under his intense spell.

I seriously did not know.

He chuckled a little before answering my confusion.

" Convince me that you are enough sorry for your misconduct and I will forgive you, Bella," He spoke smoothly, before completely withdrawing himself from me. And going back to his desk.

I could still feel his touch on my body , even though he hardly touched me. He appears so evil but the way he lightly brushed away my hair and..

"I am waiting,Bella."

Oh Yes.

I need to convince.

I hold up the design in front of him. This is gonna be so embarrassing. I have never in my life, till date of course , displayed a lingerie to someone.

And this is a Man.

An evil-smirking Intimidating Man !

He was clearly enjoying my situation for he casually sat down on his desk and sent me a play-ful glance making me squirm again.

I cleared my throat before starting to explain the detailings of the design , About the comfort and the material of the lingerie . I am sure as hell my face was totally red as I kept looking down , while stammering once or twice.I could'nt risk looking into his eyes

"Not happening Miss Addison," He spoke with a slight dejection in his voice.

Where did I possibly go wrong ?

"You cannot expect anyone else to be comfortable with the design,if you are yourself embarrassed with it, Bella. You can't even look into my eyes. What will you do in front of tbe investors ? ," His voice was suddenly professional but soft, the way he called me Bella almost calmed all my nervousness down.

He was actually correct. How can I not be comfortable with my own creation ?

"If you really want this job you need to convince me Miss Addison," He spoke going back to his usual demure.

"What should I do, to Convince you Sir ?" I asked him meekly. At this point I had nothing other than this.

"If you really want to convince me..wear that piece of lingerie and show me ."