Kiss Me Not

When Gavin and Brione entered her office, they heard Mitch's voice calling Berry's name. She sounded annoyed.

"Berry!!!"

Berry felt like she was saved from being skinned alive the moment she saw Brione and Gavin walk inside the room. 

She immediately ran in Brione's direction, hiding from her back while Mitch was looking dagger at Berry.

"Hey, what's happening here?" Brione asked them in puzzlement.

Kevin stood up, smiling awkwardly before greeting Gavin and Brione with courtesy. Mitch gave Berry a warning look which made her shut her mouth.

'If you talk, you're dead!' Mitch glanced at Berry meaningfully. Berry just nodded her head frantically, sealing her mouth.

"Oh, it's nothing. How's your meeting?" Mitch's expression went back to normal as she changed the topic.

"It went well!" Brione promptly responded, grinning from ear to ear. She was excited to tell them the good news but she had to hold herself back for the surprise.

"Mitch, Berry, we will have a celebratory dinner tonight in our villa!" Brione excitedly informed them. Then she glanced at Kevin.

"Kevin, you too! You should come with us and attend this simple gathering. You work hard in keeping us safe. You should mingle with us!"

"Thank you, Lady Brione. I would love to join you," Kevin politely said before moving his gaze to Mitch.

"Oh my gosh! Party! I like it!" Berry finally opened her mouth. She was glad that Gavin and Brione came to her rescue or else, Mitch had already pulled her hair for interrupting them.

Mitch just nodded her head with a smile.

"Alright! Now it's settled. Our close friends are also coming over. Let's all have fun tonight," Gavin declared.

Gavin, Brione, and others left Cooper Entertainment early. Kevin drove Mitch and Berry to Gavin's villa. Brione and Gavin were together in one car.

Upon reaching the villa, they saw that the garden set-up was already done for the Barbeque Party. There was a long table surrounded by wooden chairs in the middle of the garden.

The butler and the maids made sure to set up the lights outside. There was also a music player on the side which they could use to play some songs. Since it was a Barbecue Party, the grilling tools were also prepared in the garden. It was like an outdoor camping set-up.

Gavin and Brione prepared the Barbeque's meat. Mitch, Berry, and Kevin helped them in setting the table and serving the other dishes cooked by the Chef.

Soon, their family and friends arrived one after another.

Luo and Noah arrived bringing some desserts. They dropped by the Cali's bakeshop first before coming to the villa. Cali and Dr. Rui also joined them.

Keira and Zach followed. They also brought some beers and wine for tonight. Xander and Yera were the last couple to arrive.

Gavin and Brione greeted the newcomers. He was already familiar with them as they met them just a few days ago at Cali's bakeshop together with Keira, Xander, and the rest.

This was their first time setting foot on Gavin's Villa. It was bigger than their previous penthouse. They were amazed by the beautiful landscape in the garden. They loved the outdoor ambiance of the place. It was perfect for a Barbeque Party.

Berry crumpled her face upon seeing the other visitors who arrived. They were together with their respective partners. She looked to her side and saw Mitch and Kevin talking cheerfully.

Berry had a disheartened look on her face. She felt like crying as she realized that she was the only one who didn't have a partner among the people there.

"If I had known that this would be a Barbeque Party for couples, I shouldn't have come here. Why didn't you brief me earlier? I should have found a partner and bring him here as well!" Berry complained to them that gathered a peal of laughter from everyone.

Brione approached Berry, tapping her shoulders to console her.

"Berry, Don't be sad! You are one of the stars of the night here. This celebratory party is for you!" Brione said to her, flashing a meaningful smile.

Berry just pouted her lips while putting on a pitiful face. She didn't get Brione's words. She thought she was just comforting her. Little did she know, Brione and Gavin would give them a surprise announcement.

Everyone settled down and gathered around the table. They started to eat dinner while engaging in conversation to catch up with each other.

"Gavin, Congrats for acquiring the Cooper Entertainment and being the new Chairman of the company. Let's have a toast for that!" Xander said, raising his canned beer.

"Yes, I'm so happy to hear that! I commend my brother-in-law for his hard work! He dealt with that scumbag who tried to hurt my sister!" Noah proudly said, praising Gavin.

"You put him in his right place, Gavin. Haha, It would not happen if Xander didn't sell the company to him. You should have asked Xander for a 50 percent discount for the damage compensation. Your wife got bullied!" Dr. Rui also said, teasing Xander.

"Hey, I said I didn't have control over that. When I did a background check on Derek, I thought he was a good man. I never expect that he would do that to Brione," Xander defended himself.

"See… I bought the company back from Derek right away and sold it to Gavin. Stop making me feel guilty, okay?" he added.

"Okay, I forgive you for that. If you didn't act fast, I should have grilled a quack doctor like you by now!" Gavin said jokingly.

The ladies just laughed at the men's bantering. They were back to teasing just like old times.

"Anyway, we have an important announcement to make. I will give the honor to my wife to share the good news with us," Gavin said, glancing at Brione.

Brione stood up, peering at everyone. Then a cheerful smile made its way from the corner of her lips. Now everyone was all eyes and all ears on her.

"I would like to inform everyone that after the company meeting this morning, Gavin and the management had decided to appoint a new CEO and COO of Cooper Entertainment." 

Brione paused for a moment as she glanced at Mitch and Berry.

"Our new CEO is Mitch while Berry is the New COO of Cooper!"

Mitch: 'Eh, Did we hear it wrong?'

Berry: 'CEO and COO? Is she kidding us?'