Billionaire's Prank Proposal

Eva McCauley hurried up the stairs of Del Rico Hotels, pausing to catch her breath from time to time, though her heart raced mainly from anticipation, excitement and nervousness.

The lifts were temporarily unusable and being an athletic 5 ft lady, she chose to use the stairs to give her boyfriend a surprise visit.

3rd floor, Room 109.

Eva took in a rushed breath as he arrived, her hands paused midway of knocking when some strange sounds emanated from within.

A woman suddenly shrieked in pleasure.

Moans.

Eva's breath caught in her throat.

Goodness, let it not be what she was thinking.

She was supposed to be on the plane right now to Ireland but their business partners called to postpone the meeting.

When the moans died down, Eva mustered her trembling hands to knock.

"Who's there?" A lady giggled from within.

Eva's heart started racing. "Room service."

"Huh? Did you order anything?" Eva heard the woman ask faintly.

The next second the door was open and she found herself face to face with a tall woman, her boobs were threatening to spill from the bra.

"Where's the service?" She asked with raised brows, moving her messy brown hair out of her sweaty face.

Eva could swear that the woman was just done with an intense activity.

"I. . I'm sorry to bother you, but-" The words got stuck in her mouth when Jason's handsome face appeared.

His eyes was set on the woman's ass, he spanked it and pressed a kiss to her neck. "Tina. Who's it?"

"I. . .I-" Tina giggled.

"Jason?" Eva choked in disbelief.

Jason snapped his head up, meeting her dazed eyes at once.

He pulled back, shock on his face. "E. . .Eva. What're you doing here?"

"You know each other?" Tina asked, turning to face Jason. "Who's she?"

Jason scratched his head, uncertainty in his eyes.

Eva watched him cast a wary glance at her before answering. "Eva's actually a colleague. Not important." He flashed a spiteful smile at her.

All the blood rushed to Eva's head immediately, she held unto the door for support, her heart pounding so loud in her ears.

That was all she was to him?

Not important?

Tears burned at the back of her eyes, threatening to spill.

Her two years of being with him, the sacrifices she made for him, money time and resources she spent were all not important?

"Jason. I'm not important?" Eva looked into his grey eyes.

Eva actually raced down here to announce the good news to him that she'd gotten a perfect investor for his company and schedule a meeting.

But, Jason was here, messing around with this...

"Eva. It's wrong for you to barge into someone's privacy that way." Tina eyed her.

He didn't reply her but looked away.

Eva understood.

"You should ask Jason what he's doing here during work hours," She wiped her face, refusing to appear weak in front of them.

"What the hell are you-?"

"I'm his Boss!" Eva snapped, running her eyes over the woman.

"What?"

She could see why Jason chose Tina, she was his type of woman. He'd told her this when he was drunk once, that he loved ladies with full breasts and a small brain.

"Expect your sack letter tomorrow." She glared coldly at him, turning to walk away as if it meant nothing.

But the look on Jason's face would be forever etched in her mind- hate, anger and malice that morphed on his face just before she twirled.

She held a small glint of hope in her heart that Jason would run after her and tell her that she was the one he loved.

It didn't happen.

Eva only heard the slam of the door and the sound of Tina's loud giggles.

Her whole world came crashing down.

She'd been the one to ask Jason out, she couldn't resist him when he first resumed as an intern. He'd shown equal interest in her after their first night together.

Eva was already madly in love with him that she promoted him to the Assistant Financial Director in a few months.

Just this morning before dropping her off at the airport, Jason made her promise to secure an investor for him in Ireland.

Eva held her hand to her chest, it hurts so much.

She also promised to loan him some money to begin his own company. And she was already guessing names for their babies, their future together planned out in her head after they get married in 2 months.

Tears slipped down without restraints as she hurried along the hall to the lift.

Luckily, it came open as soon as she pressed the button.

Two men were in, they gazed at her in surprise but Eva hid her face. One of them chuckled and she could heard faint whispers and giggled behind her.

"What the hell?" She snapped.

"Huh?" The man behind her asked.

"What's so funny about seeing a woman in tears?"

"We weren't talking about you, lady!"

They continued to whisper. She knew they were talking about her.

Eva's face burned in embarrassment, and she hurried out as soon as the lift opened, praying the tears stay put until she got behind her wheels.

She never believed she could cry over a man.

.

Eva blinked slowly, staying still as she fully came awake, the sun was streaming through the window, casting a golden glow on the curtain and her bed.

"Argh." She groaned.

Pain shot up her head when she sat to check the time.

7.10am.

"Shit!"

The board meeting was to begin by 7.50, and she was just waking up.

This is not a good character of a CEO.

Eva berated herself, throwing the covers off and getting down hastily, she winced as the pain hit her again.

She'd spent the whole of last night drinking.

It felt like a monster was trying to force the bones in her skull apart, Eva staggered and held the bed for support.

Tears were soon rushing out of her eyes.

Why did she have to drink so much?

Cause of a man that didn't value her?

She slumped to the floor, reaching into her cabinet for her medication, she threw the pills into her mouth. Her migraine was getting worse every time she got herself drunk.

Eva sobbed softly, as the pain reduced to a dull prick in her head.

7.25am.

"Oh my goodness!"

She dashed into the bathroom.

Being the President of her late father's company was tough work and most of the shareholders were not happy with the fact that a woman was the head, they'd rather her arrogant cousin, Zane take over.

The only reason they kept shut was because she provided the company with satisfactory results in clinching deals and improving productivity.

Recently that she'd been slacking off due to distractions from Jason, Eva knew some underground schemes of getting the CEO position away from her were going on, one of the secret motives behind this meeting.

Well, too bad.

She was going to allow anyone of them to succeed.

Tears stung her eyes when she pulled out a black dress.

It was the dress she wore the first day she met Jason, it exaggerated her moderate ass and petite boobs, that his eyes stuck to her.

But, turned out she wasn't sexy enough.

She pushed her feelings to the archive of her mind and quickly applied some makeup, styled her hair, got into her heels and hurried down the stairs.

She'd promised herself to let go of Jason last night and not sack him, though it won't be easy getting reminded everyday whenever she sees him at the company.

Eva didn't care.

She got behind the wheels and drove straight to X-Pression.

The company she swore to protect from her grandfather by her father's dying bed.

"Eva, promise me you would not let my father anywhere near my company. Neither he nor any of his legitimate sons."

Dad had said with his last breath and she still didn't understand the reason behind that statement.

Eva got out of the car.

7.52am.

Those shareholders were sure to jump down her throat this time.

The staff bowed slightly as she got into the lift, exchanging looks between themselves, they snickered behind her back.

Eva couldn't stand it anymore.

"Is there anything wrong?" She turned to ask them.

"No ma'am," a woman replied.

Eva eyed them and stepped out as soon as the doors opened.

Is that what she pays them for?

Immediately she pulled the door open, everyone in the board room turned to look at her. About 12 directors and shareholders were seated round a long table.

"Good day, everyone. I'm sorry I'm late." She apologized.

Eva quirked up her brows when there was no murmur or indirect jab at her incompetence. Mr Sanders, who was always first to register his displeasure only glanced at her casually.

The atmosphere seemed quite odd.

She pushed it off and made her way to the head of the table, only to discover that her seat was occupied.

"Jason?"

His handsome face conjured several memories and Eva felt another pang in her heart but she had to focus.

What the hell was he doing in a board of directors meeting?

And on her seat?

Jason smirked at her. "Miss Clay, you're 5 minutes late and your apology isn't accepted."

"What?" She scoffed in disbelief.

"You heard me right. Get back to the door and offer a proper apology!"

Eva's jaw dropped.

"Are you kidding?"

She twirled to glance at the shareholders, "What the hell is an ordinary employee doing here? And on my seat?"

"For your information, Miss Clay," Mr Sanders stood up to walk around the table, "this ordinary employee is now the CEO of X-Pression Co!"

"What?" Eva gasped in disbelief.

"This must be some kind of joke, Jason. Get the hell out of my chair. We have to begin the meeting as soon as possible."

"Miss Clay isn't up to date with the latest news in the company," Jason began, "Mr Sanders, let me brief her."

Eva shook her head, refusing to believe all of this was true.

"What the hell are you sprouting, Jason? If this is about yesterday, I want you to know that I'm not gonna sack you. You can do whatever you-"

Jason slammed a file on the table, halting her speech.

"What is this?" She eyed him suspiciously and pulled the documents out.

She took 2 steps back in shock.

Staring right back at her was the deed of transfer of the CEO rights and position to Jason Wecther, her signature obvious and unmistakable.

Eva threw it back to the table with trembling hands. "This. . . This. What the hell is this?" She choked.

"This, here is a deed of transfer of your position to me, in case you need me to spell it out for you. Now that you realized your mistake, go back to the door and make a proper apology!" Jason spat coldly.

She staggered backwards in shock. "N. . .No. This must be some sort of a joke," turning to face the shareholders. "I didn't sign that document, I didn't, please believe me. It's fake!"

They all stared at her with a bored looks.

Mr Sanders spoke up. "Miss Clay, are you gonna make that apology or we begin the meeting without you?"

Eva rushed to grab his arm, "I know you don't like me, but I swear to you. I did not sign that agreement!"

"Really? Do you take us for fools?" The man scoffed in response.

"No. I-"

"The document has been put under checks and found to be genuine. Besides, 90% of the shareholders voted in favor of it. Believe it or not!"

Her breath caught in her throat.

Eva stood straight, her heart pounding rapidly.

Her father's company had been handed over to someone else?

To someone that betrayed her feelings and trust?

No! This can't be happening.

She glanced around the room. "I knew it! This was some sort of conspiracy, right?" She flailed her arms wildly. "To usurp my position, I can't believe you all had to resort to such devious means!"

The shareholders stared at her like she'd grown two heads.

One of them spoke up, "Mr Wecther, I think we have to continue the meeting without her."

Eva fixed her gaze on Jason, daring him with her eyes.

His lips curled up in disgust. "Miss Clay. For the last time, are you gonna apologize or not?"

The amount of hate present in this eyes as he held her gaze right now was. . . appalling?

"What did I do to deserve this, Jason? How could you do this to me?" She couldn't believe her eyes nor her ears.

"You deserve every single thing I do to you and I'm sorry to announce that this is just the tip of the iceberg, for the damage your father caused in my life!"

"What?" Eva's jaw dropped in shock.

How dare this asshole drag her father into this?

"Your statement proves it!" She suddenly burst out. "It proves in every way that the document in your hands are fake!"

She rushed to pick it from the table. "I never signed this agreement!"

Jason stood up, his icy glare fixated on her. "You want it the hard way? Fine. Do you recall that night we were out in your house, drinking and having a wild time?"

"You're so low, Jason!" Eva spat bitterly, tearing the documents to shreds.

His gaze narrowed in on her. "That night I asked you to sign a loan for me. I told you I needed it so urgent to treat my ailing mom?"

Eva froze.

"Yes. That was the night you signed this deed unknowingly. Now, are you gonna leave or I ask the security to walk you out?"

Goosebumps attacked her skin.

The night she gave her all to him, 2 weeks ago, that he's promised to always stay by her and always love and cherish her.

The whole room suddenly twirled before her eyes. She held unto a chair for balance, her heart pounding so hard it hurt.

A dull pain shot through her head.

All the struggles and sacrifices she'd made all these years, all the times she had to endure harassment and assault in the guise of getting investors.

She'd unwittingly handed over her father's company to someone that hates her.

"No. . .No. This can't be happening. Jason, tell me this is all a joke?" A tear slipped down her left eye.

Jason snickered, returning to his seat to pick up the landline. "Hello. I need a couple of security men in the boardroom right now. We have an intruder interrupting our meeting."

Eva snapped her head up to look at him, but Jason looked away, clearing his throat.

"I'd like to apologize for the brief interruption," he shot her a hateful glance, "we can move on to the first agenda."

Mr Sanders stood up with a smile, "We voted during our last meeting and nominated Jason Wecther as the new President due to his good works and optimal performance we noticed during his internship days."

"When was that?" Eva gasped. "Why wasn't I invited?'"

Just then, the door opened and four security officers strolled in and bowed to Jason.

"There she is," he pointed, "Take her out."

"Jason, you're really gonna have them throw me out?" She choked on tears.

One of the men tried to touch her but she moved back. "Don't you dare touch me? Have you forgotten who the President of this company is?"

"Miss Clay, it'd be best if you walk out on your own."

"What?" She was shocked at the casual tone which the security man spoke to her.

She shook her head and took a few steps back. "I swear, you're gonna regret this! All of you!" She yelled, and picked her purse, storming out.

Eva wiped her tears when a few staffs walked her way, gawking at her and whispering to each other.

The whole company knew that Jason was the new President!

Why didn't she didn't realize when this happened?

Eva hurried to her car, there was no where she could stay in the office without hearing snickers and whispers behind her back.

In all her 26 years of life, she had never experience such rush of emotions and pain.

She had to go see the only person that could help her prevent all her hard-work from going down the drain.

Grandfather!

Eva drove into the gates of the McCauley mansion, the well-trimmed garden, flowers, lush spread of grass, flowing fountain and white walls, all reminding her of her childhood.

The mansion still had its huge wooden door and mighty stairs.

It's been 6 years she visited.

Under the shade of a tree, a short man was bending over the flowers with a shear, the old butler of the mansion- Mr Simpson.

He'd been with them ever since Dad was a young boy and was around during her childhood

She missed his booming voice whenever she ran around the garden, playing with her cousins, before her father was disowned.

Simpson looked up just as Eva parked the car, his face boomed into a huge smile.

"Hey, girlie!" He approached her.

Eva waited when she got out to get enveloped in his thick arms, his sturdy face studying her.

"Oh my child, you've not been here in a couple of years, see how thin you are, have you been underfeeding?" He ranted, holding her all over.

"Uncle Simpson, I'm fine."

He sighed, knowing it was impossible to get his words into her head. "Your grandfather is up in his study."

Eva walked side by side with him, up the huge steps. "How's he been?"

"His temper seemed to have gotten worse. In fact, there's an argument brewing right now between Old Man McCauley and your cousin, Zane. Perhaps your presence would calm him down." Simpson whispered, pushing the huge wooden doors open.

His arms and shoulders were still as sturdy as ever.

Eva knew her grandfather's mood would only go worse when he sees her.

She'd refused to pick his calls or accept any invitation these past years only to show up all of a sudden, asking for a favor.

And he hated anything that had to do with her father.

Simpson led her across the large hall that doubled as a living room.

Nothing much had changed, the plush cream colored cushions, grandfather's favorite portrait of a lion in the center of the hall, even the paintings grandmother cherished so much were all still there.

To preserve her memories, Grandfather refused to change anything in the house.

As they got to the bottom of the stairs, loud voices echoed from the direction of Grandfather's study and Eva's heart picked up an extra beat.

Is she showing up at a time he's angry appropriate? Grandfather was bound to do anything when he's annoyed.

His voice, still as authoritative and thick as ever, boomed through the walls as he scolded Zane.

She took in a deep breath when they got to the door, she needed to do this, to save her father's company.

It's better to be in hands of family than in the hands of a stranger.

Simpson knocked once and opened the door, signaling her to wait. He returned a few seconds later with a smile, "He's waiting for you," he patted Eva and left.

Grandfather's tall figure was seated in front of his oak desk, several books opened face down and lots of documents strewn carelessly on it.

Zane was standing opposite with a scowl, his left eye quite swollen.

She rolled her eyes, he must have gotten into a fight again.

When Grandfather raised his eyes to meet hers, Eva felt a shiver run down her spine, those eyes that had scorned and despised her father.

The lines on his forehead were thicker than last time and the little gray hairs on his head were scantier behind the receding hairline.

But he was still her grandfather that loved her when she was a child.

"Hello, Grandfather."

Zane twirled at once. "Eva? What the hell are you doing here?" He asked with a scowl.

"That's right. What are you doing here?" Grandfather frowned.

She moved to the table. "If you would offer me a seat while I-"

"State your business at once while standing!" He snapped.

Eva sighed, drawing in another deep breath, she willed her voice not to appear shaky. "I'm sorry, I couldn't respond to your invitations these past years, I was busy and all. But now I need your h. . .help."

Grandfather removed his glasses, his cold gaze fixed on her face. "What sort of help is that?"

She clasped her hands, "M. . .My boyfriend got me to sign a document while I was drunk and now he's taken over the company and turned the shareholders against me, he threatened to throw me out."

There was no element of surprise on Grandfather's face.

"What do you want me to do in that case?"

"I need you to help me get the position back, I know you have some of the shareholders as your friends. If I have some of them by my side, I could-"

Zane suddenly burst out laughing, clapping along in emphasis. "You amaze me, Eva," he chuckled sarcastically. "You think you can just walk in here, ask for whatever you want and Grandpa would grant it? After what that bastard of your father did to us?"

"Zane!" Grandfather shut him up, turning to face Eva.

"You're asking me to help you regain your position in your company?"

Her voice was shaky. "Yes, Grandfather. You're the only one that can-"

"In a company where your father didn't allow me to own any shares? Have you forgotten that the day I threw him out, I refused to have anything to do with him?" He said bitterly.

Eva opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.

"Weren't you upholding his legacy by shutting me out of your life? No matter how many times I reach out to you, you chose to side with him despite the evil he did! Why should I care about his rotten company now?" Grandfather's face contorted in anger.

"Please. . ." Eva grabbed hold of his hands, hoping her charm would still work on him, he always had a weak spot for her when she was a child.

"Grandfather, I really need you right now, please don't make all my efforts go down the drain. We all know my father was innocent, please, I beg you." She gazed deep into his cold eyes.

"What do you take me for?" He yanked her arms off all of a sudden. "Eva, you should learn take care of your own mess whenever you make a silly mistake. You spend most of your time with that moron you call a fiancé and now that he's betrayed you, you come running to your hated grandfather for help?" He slammed his hands on the table.

Eva was taken aback by his outburst.

"You're now a grown lady, as your father as always put into your head, you don't need my help so get out!"

"What?" She gasped. "Grandfather, I'm your granddaughter, Eva."

His voice lowered into a whisper. "I don't have a granddaughter that's insensitive and stubborn!"

"You heard him right. Now get out!" Zane echoed.

Eva glanced at him, she wasn't surprised that Zane doesn't like her, even when they were still young cousins, he always hated her.

But, Grandfather?

"Please, don't do this to me, Grandfather-"

Eva was cut off when Zane grabbed her by the hands, dragging her out.

"Please think about it, I would do anything!" She pleaded but the old man didn't waver.

Zane slammed the door.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" He hostled her along the hall.

"Let go of me!" Eva yelled at him.

"With all I've done to make you stay away from this family, you still come back? What the f*ck is your stress. Huh? I wanna know!"

She stared into the depth of hate in Zane's eyes, they'd always been cousins before her father was disowned and thrown out of the family.

"I don't care what you think, if you don't let go of me right now, I would-"

"What would you do?" He scoffed in reply, "Call your boyfriend to come save you or 'Oh I forgot', he's backstabbed you!" He pushed her violently and Eva stumbled against the wall.

"I've made a vow that your company is gonna be mine. Whether you like it or not!" Zane spat bitterly, making his way back to the study.

"You can keep dreaming, asshole!" She yelled after him, panting in anger.

She slumped to the floor.

Now that grandfather has refused to help her, what would she do?

Taking a loan to bribe the shareholders was out of it, those men are so strong opinioned that it would take someone of their caliber to convince them.

Grandfather was the exact person she needed, as the President of McCauley Group of Companies that specializes with the manufacture of Iron and steel.

Though, the company had fallen into bad times recently, his name was still quite prominent due to rumors that he was running for the next governorship election.

She had to convince him, somehow.

Eva took her phone out of her bag when it pinged, it was a message from her best friend, Sylvie.

'Hey, babe. I heard what that bastard Jason did. Are you okay? Where are you right now?'

She typed in a reply. 'I'm fine. Just a little shaken up, that's all, currently trying to get Grandpa to help me.'

Eva got to her feet and walked back to the door.

"Grandfather, can you listen to what I have to say." She knocked softly.

Zane opened the door, after a while, a smirk on his face. "Come in."

Grandfather attacked her once she step foot in.

"Your father was adopted by my wife, I only tolerated him cause of my wife up until he went against me and I disowned him! I have absolutely no obligation to help you, but I would consider your bedridden mother."

Though it hurt to be reminded that she wasn't related to him by blood, Eva sighed in relief.

"In return for helping you get Jason away from your company, you would hand over 25% of your shares over to me."

She drew in a sharp breath. "What?!"

Zane butted in. "You've always been so arrogant, Eva. Acting all arrogant cause your father handed a company to you on a platter of gold. Now that the tables have turned, you expect us to help a stranger free of charge?"

Eva glared fiercely at him. "Zane, you-"

"Are you in or not?" Grandfather scowled. "I have no time for all of this!"

"I. . .I only have 40% of the shares in the company. What else would be left for me?" Eva froze still in shock.

"Your choice, return when you've made your decision. And if I were you, I'll make it soon enough!" He picked up his walking stick and strolled to the door, avoiding her eyes.

"Grandfather please-" Eva choked, hot tears burning at the back of her eyes.

"Zane, serve our guests some snacks before she leaves." He ordered before slamming the door shut.