Marrying my father's friend, in love with my best friend

She spent all the lunch time with Liam, reminiscing about the past. What was, and wasn't. The joy she felt was illegal. How could someone simple presence make another one skipping of happiness, forgetting all his life struggles.

It was exactly how she felt when she left Liam side. She had to force herself to not carry the goofy smile. It didn't want to leave her lips since she stepped out of his office.

Entering her company building, she was able to put a rather stern look on her face, though it was evident, to anyone who looked at her, the smile she was trying to hide. Left with no more time, she decided to pay Andy a visit at the end of the day. She also owe him some thanks.

"It became a fantastic day it seems," Jiang Yuyan spoke out. She ran to her immediately she saw her walking to her bureau.

Ivy didn't reply, afraid her act would fall and her happy face would be seen by all. She nodded, not wanting Jiang Yuyan to feel ignored.

"Where have you been all lunch?" she asked still following behind her.

"With a friend, why?" Ivy paused. They reached her office door.

"Mr. Smith came. He wanted to talk to you."

"Mr. Smith?" she asked surprised.

Her happy mood fell. A frown form on her face as she cried in. Why was that guy reappearing in her life out of no way. She has been peaceful without him singing his endless love for her. They only time they spoke for the past weeks was when in meeting, to her greatest joy. Now all she hoped was it was for work he came.

"Do I have an appointment with him?" Jiang Yuyan shook her head.

"Tell him I'm busy. Have no time for him, except if it's urgent," she said, hands on her door handle to open it.

Jiang Yuyan stopped her, "Actually, he is waiting in your office. I told him you were absent but would soon return. He decided to wait for you," she explained.

"In my office?" she let go of the door handle as if it was on fire. She realized, to her misery there were no escapism in the situation. She had to face Jane Smith.

She braved herself before opening the door, her polite smile already on. What she found at the other end though, wasn't what she expected. When Jiang Yuyan said Mr. Smith, she immediately thought of the son. It never crossed her mind, it was in fact the father.

She lost her composure for a second, her face struggling to keep out the surprise look. She was fast to take control this time. She walked in, to which Alexander Smith stood up. She closed the door behind her and walked to him.

"Mr. Smith," they shook hands.

"When my assistant said Mr. Smith, I was expecting to see Jane," she said taking her seat.

She was glad it wasn't Jane. Things was becoming awkward with him constantly asking her out and getting rejected. Even for her. If it continues on the same path, even work won't be able to be done between them. She already took the decision. Jiang Yong was the one would who mostly go to the meetings with him, except when her presence couldn't be missed.

"Jane?" The familiarity surprised him.

"Didn't know you were familiar with my son," Mr. Smith said, taking back his seat.

"Familiar is far saying. We met a couple of times, nothing much." Leaving aside him almost stalking her and not taking her no for a reply.

The more he insisted, despite her rejecting him every time, the more he was loosing worth in her eyes. A man who couldn't accept a woman rejection to such a point, was worthless. Pathetic.

"Sure you know we won the title of businessman of the year together," for some strange reason, she didn't want him to know Jane was hell bent pursuing her.

"I know," he said.

Ivy smiled, "So Mr. Smith, how can I help you with? Is there any issue with our partnership ?" she addressed what kept her worry the moment she saw him. If not that, what could explain his presence in her office? He personally came, it meant it was bad.

"It has no connotations with work, don't worry about that," Ivy breathed out and relaxed hearing him.

"If it was, Jane would have been the one coming. He is the one in charge of the project. I'm merely a spectator."

Alexander Smith surprised everyone by giving his years of work to his son out of the blue. Without prior notice. It was even more shocking given his young age. Everyone, Ivy as well wondered the reason of his rather risky move.

"Spectator? For what I know you are still fully in control, doing the backwards scene," Ivy said.

"Miss Stone is well informed." he left out a dry laugh.

"Though competent, I still have to put in my hands. He still had things to learn. Like Mr. Black is doing with his son."

Ivy understood. Like Liam who was the CEO in name, his father was still fully functional and still guide the company though having naming Liam as the head. Why bothering doing that if it was to still work? For some strange reason, she knew they both had different reasons for their actions.

"I'm a fan of you Miss Stone." His words took her out of guard.

Her idol just said to be a fan of hers? Why? She did nothing to make people awe in front of her, not someone like him who accomplished so much. Despite that, she accepted the compliment fully. It wasn't everyday you hear the person you admire say he admires you as well.

"Your work, your decision. Your way of thinking and approaching things. I like it. That's why I didn't have to think much at the idea of a partnership. I know you would not disappoint me."

Has he seen her last records? He obviously didn't. He won't have said those if he did but things was going to change now. Her results would go on skyrocketing.

"Thank you. It's a pleasure to hear this from someone like you." Her words was genuine. As much as she wasn't seeking validation, receiving one from a prominent name, a person she putted on a pedestal, was an ego booster.

"If not work, what owe me your presence?" she asked curious. What was he wanting from her. All those compliment, surely it was for something.

"Why so much formalities? I thought by now we were acquaintance. With our two meetings. Maybe I got my head high," his words brought her back to the day she received her medical report. Which was the beginning of a series of bad luck.

Her genuine smile of his presence was soon replaced by a false one. Memories shattering the bubble she has been since she left Liam's office.

"Sure Mr. Smith. Still, I'm wondering about your presence. If not work related, why coming to me?"

"A marriage proposal."

Ivy smile fell. Her persona cracked, her eyes widen at his words. What did he meant by marriage proposal. Unable to keep her calm, her thoughts going every where.

"Mr. Smith most have already heard. Like everyone in the country. I'm sorry to say your son isn't compatible," even if he was, there were no chance she could accept. She rather stay single.

"I know. And I have to say, for the second time, you left me speechless," he chuckled.

Speechless, she remembered what he told her during her welcome party. If not given the situation, she would have turned red in embarrassment. Now thinking about it, it sounds like a past memory. Her life now look nothing like what she had back then.

"If so, I don't understand." If not for his son, who was he asking her hands for?

"Mine. The marriage proposal is for me," he casually said. As if he was asking for the time and not her hand.

Blank, her mind was a blank piece of paper, no thought going through. Her eyes narrowed, watching him. Waiting for him to break into a laugh but no. He was carrying a serious face saying he meant every word spoken. Her mouth open and close, wanting to say something but her brain abandoned her. Left was her beating heart, which sound was all she heard.

He wanted what? She most have heard wrong, there were no way he said what he said! As she convince herself, her brain slowly said to restarted.

"Marry me Ivy," his next sentence brushed out all the doubt. He really said what she thought he said. He was proposing to her!