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"Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it, possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women."
Maya Angelou
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Jules

As the silver framed glass door slides open and I step into Julee Hotel restaurant, I smile to myself.

Maybe it's my love for good food or for lavish decorations, I don't know. But I really did spend a good amount of money in decorating the restaurant to taste. From the embroidered couches to the spotless marbled floor to the colourful lounge area, I see Perfection.

There's just this feeling I get when I am able to do something to my satisfaction, like the feeling I'm getting now as I take another step into the restaurant.

As my heels click and I sink deeper into the atmosphere of serenity and peace in the restaurant, my ears pick up what the live piano music is currently playing. It is 'Young and Beautiful' by Lana Del Ray.

Oh! How I love that song!

For a moment, I just stand in the middle of the dimly lit restaurant and let the music seep through me like a lover's touch.

"Ma'am?" I open my eyes to see the maitre'd beaming at me, showing his whole teeth like one would do to a person you know is in charge of your paycheque.

"How are you?" I ask casually. "Uh...Johnson, right?" I don't know how that's possible but his smile grows wider. Obviously, he is pleased that I remember his name.

"Yes, ma'am. Mr. Roberts says to take you to him as soon as you arrive and not waste your time." I grin. So typical of George. "This way, ma'am," he says, walking before me.

We come to a halt in front of a burgundy embroidered curtain. Johnson parts the curtains for me and with a slight bow, ushers me in. "The waiter will be here in a few minutes to take you and Sir's orders." I nod and offer him a small smile before entering the private dining room. As soon as I sit, I see a man who seems to be in his late thirties in a grey suit. He seems to be deeply engrossed in the menu presently in his hands. Looks like my presence won't be noticed unless I call out to him.

"Ralph?" I ask, just to be sure.

He looks up from his menu and...

I don't know which happens first: my eyes widening or my mouth falling open.

Right here before me is George's clone!

From the red hair to the ocean blue eyes to the long nose, even to the heart jawline, Ralph looks like his father's duplicate.

"Wow!" I exclaim in surprise. I guess he gets that a lot as he only smiles and stands up to shake my hand.

"Ralph Roberts, CEO of Roberts Corporation," he says with what I think is an arrogant smirk on his face. Ugh! What would men ever do without their ego?

Smiling as I get up to shake his hand, I introduce myself, "Jules Lee, CEO of Lee's Foundation." Hear that, CEO boy. You are not the only CEO here. "Where's George. Thought he was supposed to be here too?" I ask, observing that there are only two chairs, not three. Or is George supposed to sit on my head? Or on the table which is presently being occupied by an enormous flower vase filled with red roses.

He sits back down and I do the same. I don't know why but he looks astonished at my question. "I don't think he's that jobless to consider tagging along with his son who's coming on a date."

"A date?" I ask and at that instant, three things occur to me:

One: This is a setup!

Two: This is a fucking setup!!

Three: This is a motherfucking setup!!!

Dad knew I wouldn't come if he had told me to go out with George's son, so he decided to use George as the bait.

Wow, Dad. That was so low of you.

"So, shall we order?"

"Just a drink for now, we can order food later. I have some things I want to discuss with you." I am so angry I don't even spare him a glance as I talk.

Who agrees to taking a girl on a date without seeking her consent first?

"Alright, no problem." At this moment, the waiter comes in. "A bottle of Chateau Le Pin for both of us. We will order food later."

He didn't ask if you were okay with that order.

Uh... Maybe he forgot?

And who forgets that kind of thing? Why would any man even...

Oh, shut up, you!

"You talking to me?" Shoot! Did I say that out loud?

You fucking subconscious!

****

As I sip my glass of Chateau Le Pin, he waits, anxiousness evident in his eyes.

Calm down, young man. I just want to talk, not proclaim your death sentence.

"What do you know about me?" I inquire, placing my drink on the caliper walnut table.

"I know you are an only child and the daughter of Lee kim hyun; The only female, out of thousands who has dared and succeeded in making a name for herself in the business world."

I don't know whether to take that as a complement to me or an insult to my sex. "I am sure that any intelligent and hardworking female given this kind of opportunity would perform well, in a better manner even. There's nothing special about me." I shrug. He only gives me a toothless grin.

"I also heard you are close to my father," he says, raising his glass of wine to his lips.

"Your dad is a very good man; a kind man. He's like a mentor to me."

"So you are on good terms with my father then."

I look him in the eye, trying to decipher where this is going. "Of course, I am. Like I said earlier, he's like my mentor."

"In that case, I am sure that he would approve of our marriage."

Approve of our marriage?

What the hell is he saying?

Wait! Is he speaking in tongues right now?

"Are you a virgin?"

My eyebrows shoot up just as my eyes widen. "E-Excuse me?" I stutter.

"Don't be offended. The reason I ask this is because your father begged me to marry you. So, well you know the way things are in the business world. Who knows maybe your body had been given to other men in exchange for one business deal or another. The only way to ensure that never happened is if you are a virgin."

I give him a scorching look. He looks right back into my eyes. We do this for good three minutes before he looks away. I smile. "Can I ask you a question too?"

He looks a surprised. "Why not?"

"Are you a virgin?"

He laughs in an amused manner. "What?"

"I asked if you were a virgin?"

"Why would I be? I'm a man."
I smile, "Then that means you've been passed around for favours by your dad. From young women who are married to rich old business men to crazily rich women who are slowly on their way to grave but need young men like you to, you know..." Leaving the sentence hanging, I wiggle my eyebrows at him.

"You bitch!"

"Oh my gosh!" I exclaim dramatically. "Did you just call me a bitch? Oh, I'm gonna cry." My expression turning grim, I look at him. "Fucktard, I've been called that so many times before. Sounds archaic and over-used coming from your mouth."

"Your dad's surely going to hear about his useless, shameless daughter!"

"What are you? Four? Just what was Dad thinking when he asked me to come meet 'this'." I gesture to all of him. Before he could say a thing, I speak again. "Now, would you prefer leaving quietly or getting thrown out?" I ask, crossing my legs.

"And who would dear throw Ralph, the son of Roberts out?" He says in a prideful manner.

"Me." When he only gawks at me, I say, "I own this place. You saw the name right, JULEE. It's drawn from Jules and Lee." I explain, in case he is too dumb to realize that JULEE is coined from my name and surname.

He smiles, in a way that, I am sure, to him, resembles a wicked smile. "We shall meet again, Jules," he says, standing up.

"Of course, we shall," I assure him. "But first, run along to Dada. Tell him I'm too much to handle," I say, picking up my almost empty glass of wine.

He glares at me, then picks up his own glass of wine and drops it on the ground before storming out.

I shake my head at his retreating figure. "Childish," I mutter as I sip and savour the taste of my Chateau Le Pin.

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Guess Ralph wasn't edible enough after all😂😂😂

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