Chapter 20 – Ray's POV
I was in my office, buried in documents as usual. It was a typical boring day — meetings, paperwork — the usual life of a CEO.
That is, until she appeared.
Coccette barged in without knocking, like she owned the place. Her red hair bounced slightly as she pushed the door open.
I smiled, raising an eyebrow. "When I said we'd be a team, I didn't mean you could just walk into my office without warning. At least knock next time."
Coccette grinned. "Well… I brought you a gift."
I blinked in surprise. "A gift for me?"
She pointed toward the doorway. "Tadaa."
A charismatic man stepped in, looking oddly familiar.
I straightened. "It's…"
Coccette cut in. "Yes, Monsieur Valentin Delaunav."
I stood and extended my hand. "I'm Ray Lether, CEO of Eat and Like."
Valentin nodded politely, a French accent coloring his words. "I know you, Sir Ray. Your company is famous. Miss Coccette spoke highly of you — that's why I came."
Coccette smiled at him. "As I promised, I told Monsieur Valentin about you. I said if he ever wanted to invest, it should be in your company."
Valentin chuckled. "To be honest, I was surprised by her honesty. She told me not to invest in her own husband's company at first. Strange, but I trusted her judgment."
Coccette tilted her head at him. "Thank you for trusting me."
I gestured toward the two chairs in front of my desk. "Please, sit. Can I offer anything to drink or eat?"
Valentin shook his head. "No, thanks."
Coccette mirrored him.
I turned to Valentin. "So… you accept to be an investor in my company?"
He nodded. This man was well-known in France, a powerful investor. If this really happened, my company would take a huge leap forward.
"Yes," Valentin said. "A man must keep his word. I will invest in your company, Sir Lether."
I smiled, but glanced at Coccette. "But… when your husband frost finds out Valentin is investing in my company, he might get suspicious."
Coccette shrugged casually. "Or he might suspect you," she said nonchalantly.
I turned to her, bewildered. "Wait, what?"
"Everyone will act as if you somehow knew, through a spy, that Valentin would invest," she explained. "So it looks like you offered him a better opportunity."
Valentin grinned. "You know, Miss Coccette, your name in French means petite chose — 'little thing.' But your intelligence and persistence are anything but small."
Coccette smiled politely.
I shook my head, chuckling. "So, 'little thing,' huh? Good job."
She rolled her eyes. "Don't start calling me that again."
Valentin laughed lightly at our banter. "Anyway, I have work to do. Let's meet again soon, Monsieur Lether." He bowed slightly, then kissed Coccette's hand. "And to you, Madame."
I couldn't help but feel a twinge of discomfort. Was it a French custom to kiss a woman's hand? Yes. Did I like it? Not at all.
After Valentin left, I stood there for a moment, remembering Coccette smile. There was something about her — her confidence, her intelligence, the way she always seemed one step ahead.
I shook my head, trying to focus on work. But deep down, I knew one thing:
"This little thing… she's going to change my life."
---
Betha POV :
"Hell no," I said immediately.
"Entre, now," Coccette ordered.
"No! You didn't even tell me he would be here!" I hissed. "Why did you bring me to Prime University knowing he might show up? You trapped me!"
"I didn't trap you. And you know Alex works with us," she said calmly.
"Yes, I know! But I didn't know he'd come here. I thought he'd just send the pizza!" I shouted.
Before I could escape, Coccette pushed me toward the university doors. I froze, arms glued to the doorframe, legs dragging like a toddler refusing to go to school.
Students stared at us like we were two children fighting — one trying to run away (me) and the other trying to drag her inside (Coccette).
And then… Coccette did something I never expected.
She tickled me.
She knows that's my weakness.
I burst out laughing like an absolute psychopath — still in front of the students — and she used my moment of weakness to shove me inside.
I sighed, fixing my hair.
"Well, thanks to you, we already made a big entrance," she said.
"Shut up. It's your fault, not mine," I muttered.
A voice behind me added,
"It was definitely a show. You're still sensitive to touch, Betha… just like in bed."
Alex smirked.
My face turned fire‑red.
"Shut up! We're in a university, we're working, and there are students— don't make me remember your—"
Alex smirked deeper and looked down. "My…?"
"OKAY, stop," Coccette cut in. "Where's the cantina, Alex? And did you bring everything?"
"Yes, everything is ready. Follow me."
We followed him, and my face stayed as red as a tomato.
The cantina was big — high ceilings, long wooden tables, posters of student clubs everywhere, and that nostalgic cafeteria smell: food, coffee, and stress. Honestly, I kind of missed university… mostly the food. My university meals were amazing.
And there they were: his three pizzas.
Napolitaine
Margherita
Neptune
"They look so good," I whispered, my hand already reaching for one.
Coccette slapped my hand so hard I squealed. "OUCH!"
Alex laughed. "It's okay, Betha." He picked up a slice from the corner. "I saved this one for you."
"Well… I can't accept this," I said.
Then I took it immediately.
Coccette raised an eyebrow. "So why did you take it?"
I shot her a look that could kill.
Alex cleared his throat. "So the plan is: students will come during lunch break, taste the pizzas, and if they like them, Foody will sell here every Monday and Friday?"
"Exactly," Coccette said.
"They'll be here any second."
The doors opened and students started walking in, chatting loudly. Some stopped when they saw us standing behind a long table with the pizzas.
Coccette stepped forward with her CEO smile.
"Welcome everyone I'm Coccette, CEO of Foody. This is Betha, my manager ."
I waved awkwardly.
"—and this is Alex, our chef."
Alex nodded like he was posing for a cooking magazine cover.
"We're here today to let you try three of our pizzas," Coccette continued. "Napolitaine, Margherita, and Neptune. All made with fresh ingredients."
Alex presented each one, explaining the ingredients:
Napolitaine: tomatoes, anchovies, olives, basil
Margherita: mozzarella, tomatoes, basil
Neptune: tuna, capers, olives, herbs
Students lined up, curious.
The first girl took a slice of Margherita. Her eyes widened.
"Oh my God… this is amazing."
Another guy grabbed a Napolitaine.
"Bro. BRO. I'm buying this every week."
A third student tried the Neptune and literally gasped.
"This tastes better than my childhood and therapy combined."
Soon a whole crowd gathered, taking pictures, filming, and cheering around the table as if Alex had reinvented pizza itself.