Amanda
"It's best for your business Amanda."
I shook my head then leaned back against the grand black and gold wingback chair facing the grand office glass table that I knew would be a hazard to me alone if it was mine. "I don't see how selling half of my business will help me. Especially to someone I consider a stranger. If I really want to sell, why can't you just buy it from me?"
"Because that is nepotism," he chuckled, flashing me his perfect teeth. His hazel eyes that mirrored mine glinted with slight mischief that nearly got under my skin. "What will business colleagues say when they find out Amanda Coleman sold off her company to her billionaire big brother despite the fact she wanted to start something of her own."
"I don't see any nepotism there. You're a great business mind. Coleman Enterprise is the greatest business in the world. I don't think anyone would bat an eye if they heard I sold to you."
"The only problem is I'm in engineering and finance whilst you're in fashion, media and public relations."
"Edward-"
"Amanda," he looked at me with the same glare Dad would when he needed to reprimand me. "They are two completely different worlds. I don't own anything in fashion or design, in fact the whole retail world is alien to me. He will help you. He is an expert in this."
"You're an actor Eddie and you model too. This can be a good opportunity for you to start your own line," I pleaded. "Think about it." Even though Edward was currently the face of every major brand in the world, his style was as bland as air. If he was not dressed in suits, he was dressed in whatever his stylists put together for him.
But I figured being the fifth richest man in the world was a title he wore better than any outfit in this world.
"And gamble with all you have built. Amy, just to go to Los Angeles, give it a shot. If you hate it no one is forcing you to sell, but if you want to grow Marco is the best shot you have."
"Marco is a womanizer," I puffed my lips and folded my arms across my chest.
Edward grinned, his caramel skin practically glowing as a chuckle left his lips. "That does not affect his business strategies. If you want to go far into retail he is the man. He owns his own fashion house and he designs. You two would be a killer combination. He will be a better mentor to you than I could ever be. Trust me."
My face flushed and I had to force myself to look away from him. Only if he knew the truth. "So you're going to let me go to Los Angeles by myself. Edward!"
"You're twenty-five Amy," he stood up from his chair, rounded his potentially murderous table then knelt down next to me before he took my tiny hand in his large one. Edward's hands were always so soft it made me jealous wondering what kind of moisturiser he used. "You're a grown woman now. You do big girl things."
I felt my face heat up as I shook my head, "I'll be gone for a long time."
"And you need it so you can grow," his kind smile always made tears spring to my eyes. His other freakishly large hand held the side of my face. "I trust Marco with everything in me. He will take good care of you Amy. You know you're just like his little sister. He loves you just as much as I do."
"He's avoided me for the past eight years," I scoffed.
"He took over the Agassi house Amanda just like how I took over Coleman. It's not easy. They're a huge family, he has to manage them all," he stood up a little and kissed my forehead. "Be a fire cracker Amy. You built your company ground up. I inherited Coleman. I think that shows you have greater skill."
"I've always been smarter than you," I gave him a small smile.
He shoved my head back as he laughed then stood up to his full 6ft5 height. "And here I was thinking you were mature."
"You started it," I shrugged before I grabbed my designer handbag and stood up as well. "I'll go to Los Angeles and meet Marco but I can't promise you anything."
"You've made me so happy," he beamed.
"Dinner tonight?"
He nodded as I stole a few sweets from his office bar section then slipped them into my handbag before I kissed his cheek on my way out. "Amanda." I turned to face Edward with a tired smile.
"Yes Eddie."
"Just- just be as bland as possible around Marco please. The mini skirts and second skin clothing are going to have to take a break. Be yourself just don't tempt him," I could see the concern in his eyes as he looked down to my leather mini skirt.
"Is he unable to control himself?" I gasped. "Trust me I am as appealing to Marco as a dead fish. He didn't even bat an eye when he saw me in a bikini back then."
"You had the body of a small boy back then."
"Bye Edward," I glared, "You fucking twat."
I could still hear his laugh as I left his office and headed for the golden elevators he seemed to be so obsessed with. Once I was in the private confines of the mirrored elevator I let out a massive exhale trying to brush off the stress that was already forming a massive ugly knot in my stomach.
Marco Christafano Fico Agassi, literally the Italian photocopy of my brother and from what I had always seen in the news as long as you had a pretty face and of course you were a woman Edward and Marco were notorious for being 'Mister Steal Your Girl'. No woman could resist their charms together therefore I knew I had my work cut out for me.
If I could survive Marco I could survive anything.