When I was outside of his office, the door was ajar. Voices were coming out through the gap.
As I raised my hand to knock, I heard him.
“I’m glad you took care of the police regarding the drug case when I was… busy. Thank you, Arthur. I knew you’d handle them well.”
“You don’t need to thank me, Achilles. I wanted to sort everything out with them as soon as possible. I know how you and Caleb don’t do well with the… law.” Came Arthur’s voice. “The more they stay away from us, the better.”
A crease formed between my brows. Ace and Caleb had problems dealing with the police and law? Why?
“But we have to do something to stop Antonio. Because the way he’s adamant to dig up our past, I’m afraid if he gets his hands on something—”
“He won’t.” Caleb was cut off by Ace’s sharp voice. “People don’t get anything out of ashes.” Everyone went silent until Ace cleared his throat and spoke again. “Don’t worry about him. I will handle him myself.” His voice dripped with venom.
What do they have in their past that Antonio wants to find out so badly?
Not wanting to be caught eavesdropping, I knocked on the door and stepped inside.
All three pairs of eyes fell on me.
Caleb flashed me a warm smile when Ace’s hard gaze softened up.
“Hello, Emerald. How are you?” Arthur asked with a polite smile. The smile that never reached his eyes.
What are you up to with Sierra? I wanted to ask. But I returned his fake greeting, plastering a smile as well. “I’m good, Arthur. Thank you.”
“Rosebud? What’re you doing here?” Striding closer, he placed a hand on my waist. Gray eyes waited for my reply.
Couldn’t this man keep his hands to himself?
With flushed cheeks, I threw glances at Caleb and Arthur. While Caleb hid a simper, Arthur wore a blank face.
“Uh, I’ve come to call you for the meeting. It’s about to start.”
His lips pressed tight. “Where is Carter? He sent you here instead of doing his job himself?”
I rolled my eyes. “He’s busy. That’s why he sent me. It’s not a big deal.”
“Of course it is! He can’t order you to do anything. It’s the other way around!”
I frowned. “He didn’t order me. He requested me. And what do you mean? How come I can order him around? As far as I know, he’s my senior. So technically, he can order me to do something.”
If possible, his features twisted more, his frown deepened.
Caleb coughed into his hand. “Let’s go to the conference room. Everyone must be waiting for us. Don’t take too long.” Nodding at Ace, he walked outside, dragging Arthur along.
The tick of Arthur’s jaw didn’t go missed.
What got him breaking his teeth now?
Turning to Ace, I raised my brow, placing my hands on my hips. Damn this man! Due to his towering height, I felt like a toddler looking up at a pillar.
“Well?” I urged for my answer.
“He can’t order his boss’s girl, now can he?” My eyes widened at his remark. He pulled me closer. “And he has to answer for that. Now we’re getting late for the meeting, let’s go.”
I didn’t argue as he led me out of his office. No matter how many times he declared his claim on me openly, I still managed to get shocked and all fuzzy.
Instead of getting irritated, I get… well, dumbfounded.
I eyed Mr. Johnson as he fidgeted in his place beside the head of the table. Well, it should’ve been my place to sit right, beside Ace’s chair. But I insisted him to swap our seats today.
On our way to the conference room, Ace had to attend an urgent phone call, and I took that moment to flee from his clutch and arranged a new chair for myself. Far away from him, at the end of the table.
Why did I do it? His proximity didn’t let me think straight. And I needed to stay tight on my decision. I didn’t want to sway by his stormy grays.
I averted my gaze when Mr. Johnson spared me another uncertain glance. Poor man! But someone had to be the scapegoat. And I wouldn’t be the one today for sure.
When the door opened and walked in his majesty, his already crinkled brows creased more the moment his eyes fell on my supposed to be chair. Sharp jaw ticked as he froze Mr. Johnson with his icy glare.
Everyone stood in respect of the king, except me. I sat there with my arms crossed over my chest.
Caleb bit his lip, shaking his head at me in amusement. Tobias beside me raised a querying brow at me, while Arthur didn’t seem to be pleased at the situation at all.
“Be seated, everyone. And Mr. Johnson, I’d like you to return to your usual place,” Ace said as he settled in his chair, casting me a look.
While everyone took their seats, Mr. Johnson still stood there with his petite height, unsure of what to do. He threw me another helpless look, but again, I tore my eyes away.
“Uh, actually, Mr. Valencian, Ms. Hutton requested me to—”
“I don’t like to repeat myself, Mr. Johnson. You know who sits here in every meeting. So go sit in your own place. Everyone is waiting for the meeting to start.”
At his sharp tone, Mr. Johnson scurried away and rounded the table, standing beside me. His expression was pained, sneaking a glance at the displeased king.
“Ms. Hutton, as you heard what Mr. Valencian said, uh, could you please go back to your chair?” His request was humble, aged brown eyes were pleading.
Everyone’s gaze was set on me, waiting for my adamant ass to move.
Can’t I even sit somewhere of my own choice?
Caleb threw a helpless shrug, and my brother turned away from me. Traitor! I let out a huff. Scowling at the king, whose hawk eyes were set on me, waiting for me to go near him, I stomped over to the chair beside him and plopped down.
When I was finally in my usual place, his form relaxed. His tensed jaw eased. The moment his heady cologne hit my nostrils, the warm fuzzy feeling returned inside me. My resistance again threatened to fall weak.
But I couldn’t just let myself sway so easily.
He nodded to everyone. “The meeting may proceed now.”
His beautiful, devilish features didn’t hold any remorse that he again dictated me with his orders. Instead, he seemed at total ease now, inching his chair closer to mine.
Pressing my lips together, I typed on my phone.
What’s wrong with me sitting in some other chair? It’s not compulsory to sit beside you always, is it?
His phone buzzed on the table, snatching his attention. With long, lean fingers, he picked the phone up and checked the message. Without giving me a glance, he started typing.
My phone vibrated.
A queen’s place is always beside her king. Not anywhere else.
My heart skipped at the text. Butterflies erupted in my tummy as heat crept up my cheeks. But not wanting to show him the effect of his message on me, I managed a stern face as I narrowed my eyes at him.
This time, he looked at me. His gaze roamed slowly over my face before meeting my eye.
Not being able to hold his stare, I turned to the conversation of the meeting. Though my mind ran the opposite way. To him.
His queen?
I bit my lip as I felt the sensation of his gaze roaming over me, pouring water on my concentration on the meeting. That’s why I didn’t want to sit beside him. His eyes would never leave me during the whole conferences. And the curious stares I got from around the table were embarrassing.
Irritating man!
Then I remembered I only had a few more hours before his given time would be over. Though I knew what my answer was, I didn’t think I could give him my answer when we would be locked in his office. He somehow would tamper with my head and change my decision.
So again, grabbing my phone, I messaged him.
Yes.
My phone beeped.
Yes, what? You agree you should always be beside me?
My eyes widened.
What? No! I meant, yes, I’d go out with you.
After tapping send, I typed another one hurriedly.
But don’t think of it as something else. We’ll go out together, but just as friends, not as a couple.
His jaw clenched as his eyes hardened. When his gaze snapped up to me, I held it.
Another message.
We both know that we’re anything but friends. We’re going on an actual date as a couple. And that’s final.
I mentally groaned. God! Why was it so difficult to convince him? I wanted him to agree. That was the only way I could get all my answers. BecauseI wanted to know more than what happened seven years ago. I wanted to know more about him, his past, his pains. Everything. And if I didn’t go on a date with him, he wouldn’t tell me a thing. And going on a date with him right now wasn’t possible for me. Not until I had everything settled with Warner.
And to be honest, going out with him as a couple scared me. The thought of starting something with him officially made me nervous. The fear of getting hurt held me back.
I needed him to agree. Going out as friends was the only option for me right now.
I will only go out with you if it’s just a friendly date, not something else. It’s your decision now. Yes or no.
Putting down the phone, I crossed my fingers on my lap.
Please say yes, please say yes! I needed my answers!
Gray eyes flashed as they read my message. With a vice grip around the phone, he turned it off and put it down. Not giving me another glance, he turned to the meeting.
My heart fell.
What? He won’t say anything?
But… I thought he’d argue more. Disappointment filled me as he didn’t look back at me. With his steely features, he joined the conversation.
He wouldn’t take me out with him? Yes, as friends, but what’s wrong with that? Did he already give up?
My hands itched to take back my words and surrender to his wishes, but I decided against it. I wouldn’t move from my decision this time. Letting out a huff, I turned my body away from him and focused on the meeting, not giving him any attention. Just like he did for the rest of the hour.
“So, you guys aren’t going on a date anymore?” Beth asked, over the phone.
“Damn, Em! Why did you stamp that ‘as friends’ mark on this? Now you have lost all your chances to get your answers.” Cassie’s discontent voice came from the other side of the conference call.
Holding the phone in between my shoulder and ear, I washed my hands in the basin and dried them with some tissues.
Walking out of the bathroom, I grumbled, “I thought he’d say yes. At least I agreed to go out with him, right? He should be happy!”
“After you stamped those words on his face when he wants you more than just friends? I don’t think anyone would be happy in his place. We’re talking about Achilles Valencian here.”
I could imagine her rolling her amber orbs.
“But he also should understand her situation, right? She needs some time before making any serious decision about their relationship,” Beth argued. Always the sensible one.
I nodded, as if they could see me.
In the middle of their banter, when I turned down another hallway, I found Arthur outside on the balcony. With his phone in his ear, he was engrossed in a heavy conversation. With his dark eyes flaming, nostrils flaring, he hissed something into the phone. Due to the glass door between us, his words couldn’t reach me.
Who is he talking to in such a manner? I’ve always seen him composed and calm. Not this furious and anxious.
Closing his eyes, he ran his hand through his almost gray locks. Listening to something the other person said, he slowly nodded and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
A sinister smile.
“Em? Are you listening to us?” Cassie’s voice called out to me, but my gaze was set on him as he turned and his eyes met mine.
The sinister smile slowly faded, and a deadly look took over his features. A shiver ran down my spine.
Not wanting to be there anymore, I hurried down the corridor.
Something was going on in his head. But I couldn’t find out what.
What if I’m just assuming things?
I shook my head. I couldn’t decide anything until I talked to Sierra.
“Em? You there?” Beth inquired.
“Yeah!” I cleared my throat. “I’m listening.”
“Where were you so lost? Saw your devil charming again?” Cassie whistled.
A chuckle snuck out of my mouth. “No. I wasn’t lost anywhere. Anyway, what were you talking about?”
“I said ask him directly. Maybe bat your eyes a little. I’m sure he’ll agree. He can’t deny his Rosebud. And that way, you can get your answers also,” she suggested.
I sighed. “It’s not that easy. He was pretty mad when he read my message. He didn’t look at me after that. I don’t think he’d agree.”
“Maybe give him a kiss?” Her tone was teasing. Beth chuckled along.
“God, no! No kissing! Keep your perverted thoughts to yourself. I’ll think of a way out myself!” I said, exasperated.
As they started to argue again, I almost cut the call when my phone buzzed.
My heart jumped when his name popped up on the screen.
I opened the message. My legs stopped in my tracks, but my heart started racing to miles.
Be ready tomorrow evening. I’ll pick you up at seven sharp.
