Mel was going through some internship applications when they heard the commotion outside. Looking up through the glass wall she saw Lincoln on their floor, heading directly towards her office with a serious expression.

Oh boy, here comes the drama, she thought to herself.

Entering her office he shut the door before walking around to my side of the desk to press the button that would close the blinds giving them privacy. Kneeling in front of her he took her hands engulfing them.
"Linc what are you doing?" She whispered.
"Listen Mel I am sorry for how I acted in front of your date. I crossed the line, please forgive me."
"I forgave you long back silly," she said smiling as he pulled out a box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates from the little bag he had.

"Let me guess, Zach told you about the chocolates," she said eyeing them appreciatively.
"Yes," he said with a sheepish smile.
"I wonder what your employees would say if they knew you took advice from a three-year-old," she said with a smirk standing up.
"You wouldn't dare."
"Step on my toes then we will see. Besides, Daniel isn't my type, I was rather bored during our outing."
"Your type being?" He asked getting up and heading towards the door.
"Mmmm I'm still to decide," she said making him laugh.

"Very well. Now I wanted to find out if you still want to go ahead with that request of yours," he said opening the door and letting her walk out first.
"Yes of course."
"Alright, now since you are going to be my pretend fiancé, we will need to make it official," he murmured into her ear so she could only hear, making heads turn at their closeness as he kissed her forehead.

"You really love showing affection in public don't you?" She asked as he pulled her closer to him.
"Not at all, you bring it all out of me," he stated in a husky voice.
"Enough of the pretending Mr," she said as the elevator doors closed.
"Yes mam," he said looking down at her with a cheeky grin.

"Wait where are we going?" She asked when he pressed the button to the garage floor.
"We have a business luncheon," he said taking her hand.
"We? I don't even have a clue what you will be talking about."
"Don't worry, everything will be fine."

---------

"Stepping into the restaurant she stood out being the only woman currently in the establishment," as heads turned in their direction.
"Is this an all-boys club?" She whispered making him laugh.
"No sweetheart," he murmured kissing her temple only to spot a few women further in the restaurant.
"Is this like a place for meetings only? Everyone is so serious," she whispered making him chuckle.

"Mr Shields it a pleasure to finally meet you," Maxwell Evans greeted him eyeing Mel when they reached their table.
"Pleasure to meet you too Mr Evans," he said pulling out my chair.
"Hello beautiful," Maxwell greeted her.
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr Evans," she said giving him a tight-lipped smile and shaking his hand.
"The pleasure is all mine," he said ogling her body making her uncomfortable as he pulled her hand to his lips.

Linc cleared his throat to grab the man's attention.
"So tell me why I should risk investing in your already sinking business."
Max turned away from Mel and started pitching his proposition to Linc as their meal arrived.
Max dared to place his hand on her thigh making her tense as she placed her fork down. Lincoln noticed her change in posture and saw that Max's hand was underneath the table.

"What do you think honey?"
Mel looked up to find Lincoln looking at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes. She knew that look very well.
"Well," she said turning to look at Max. "I would first buy the company, tear it down and rebrand its image using your name as bait for new clientele," she said twisting Max's finger as he winced in pain removing his hand.
Max laughed at her idea trying to hide his pain.
"You should come work for me not him. I like your thinking," Max said caressing her shoulder as she tried to move away from him. "Come on sugar you know you want all of this," he said indicating to himself.
"I am very much satisfied with what I have thank you," she said eyeing Linc hoping the jerk would get the hint.

Linc picked up his phone making a phone call quickly giving instructions to the person at the other end of the line.
"Stop flirting with my fiancé if you want to keep your job," he said in a clipped tone.
"Wait, what to do you mean keep my job?"
"I now have the controlling shares over your company."
"No! You cannot do this! Are you doing this for your little mistress over here," he spat making heads turn.
"Well, I just did. Say one more word about my fiancé and I will finish you," he growled before turning to help Mel up.

Taking her hand he led her out of the restaurant leaving a furious Max.
"Now I know why they call you the great white shark."
"Well, I had to get here somehow, playing nice never really helped in the beginning. Let's go find you a dress for the gala. Chris won't know what hit him when he sees you."

"You are a shark yourself, do you know that?" Lincoln smirked.
"How come?"
"You know very well I didn't need to buy out his company just to get back at him."
"Well he couldn't keep his hands to himself, what else could a girl do," she smiled slyly.

-------

Gala

As they entered the hall heads turned in shock of seeing Lincoln Shields attending such an event. He was never one to attend these events avoiding the attention. With Mel beside him, they had both the men and women drooling over them as they made their way into the hall. Mel excused herself to go to the ladies leaving Linc to fetch their drinks and mingle with the guests awaiting her return.

"Melinda?" Iris said in surprise seeing her in the ladies.
"Iris right? How are you?" Mel smiled deceptively.
"I am well as you can see," she said showing off her engagement ring.
"I wasn't expecting you here," she lied.
"Oh, Chris is networking as usual."
"Oh okay. It was....nice.....to see you again," she said turning away.

----------

"Mr Shields I would be more than happy to work with you. Global tech still has room to grow and with investors like yourself we can go very far," Chris said.
"I hear there has been a change of ownership," Linc stated.
"Yes, the old owner stepped down due to circumstances beyond our control."
"Hmmm I will think about it," he said rubbing his jaw thoughtfully.
Spotting Mel he left Chris walking towards her.

"When will we make the announcement?" She asked him.
"Soon but not tonight. I want us to have a little fun with your ex."
"Very well," she said knowing he was cooking something big by the gleam in his eyes.
"I will set up a meeting with him tomorrow, the rest is up to you," he said with a cheeky grin.
She smiled looking into his eyes that became darker as she bit her bottom lip.

"Now let's ditch this party. We have made our appearance and everything seems to be in place," he said nodding to Walter signalling they were leaving.
"Alright. Oh did I mention I met Iris?"
"Really. Why don't you tell me all about it over dinner," he said with a smirk making sure he always shielded her from Chris's view.

------
The following day

"All we need is your signature over here and here, then the funds will be transferred into your company account," the lawyer said to Chris.
He greedily took the pen signing the document excited about the influx of a large sum of money into the company. Just as he was settling down his ex-wife walked into the office greeting Mr Shields affectionately. He was completely confused, as to how Mel knew Mr Shields.

"Darling, you forgot to call me, she purred kissing him full on the mouth as he embraced her pulling her closer to him.
"Forgive me, sweetheart. Can I make it up to you later this evening," he murmured huskily playing along.
"Hmmm, will see," she said smiling seductively at him.

She was about to walk away from him when he drew her down onto his lap
"Baby this is Mr Watson, we just invested in his company called..."
"Global tech," she finished his sentence eyeing Chris.
"How are you, Melinda?" Chris greeted her coolly.

"Wait a minute you two know each other," he said running his hand up and down her back feigning surprise.
"He is....an old friend," she said as she kept an eye on Chris.
"Is that so," Linc said standing up his arm never letting her go.
Leaning down to her she whispered nonsense into his ear making him laugh as she bit her lip making her look sexier than ever. From the corner of his eye he could see Chris was rather uncomfortable if not fuming with anger.

"Why don't you wrap up here darling? I will be outside. Hurry up before we are late for Zach's play," she said in a silky smooth voice. "It was nice seeing you Chris," she purred leaving him stunned.