“What’s wrong with him? I don’t know how this insane man can impress you that much?” Warner asked, baffled.
Sending him a look, I walked back to my bed and plopped down on it.
“What’s going on here, Em? Will you tell me now?” he queried again. “Did you two already break up?”
“We were never together for the breakup you’re talking about.”
“Then?” Raising his brow, he probed me to explain further.
Sighing, I told him everything. And he listened, taking a seat beside me.
But I kept some parts from him. Ace’s past. Especially his being a drug addict back then. It felt wrong to disclose his extremely personal and sore past to Warner. Instead, I told him after Ace’s father’s death, he went into depression and pushed me away from him, taking my sister’s help.
Taking everything in, he just watched me for a moment.
“If he wanted you away from him, why is he after you now?”
“Because now he thinks he can take me back into his life,” I replied through gritted teeth. When he was lost in drugs, he thought it was better if I was away from him. And now that he was stable again, he wanted me back. I wasn’t a freaking toy he could toss around. It was my life to decide, not his.
He took my decision away from me. The decision if I wanted to stand beside him even after knowing his secret or not.
A sharp pain shot through my chest. How could he do this to me?
“No matter his reasons, Em, he shouldn’t have done it. Breaking your heart like that. How could he be so inconsiderate towards the girl he claimed to care for so much?” Discontent flashed across his eyes as he shook his head.
I averted my gaze as a tear slipped down my cheek.
Wiping the tear away, he grabbed my hands. “If a person causes you that much pain, let them go. Your tears are too precious to be shed for a person who doesn’t care if you’re hurt or not.” When I didn’t answer, he tucked a strayed lock behind my ear. “No matter how long you guys have known each other or have feelings for each other, no one can love you more than I do, Em. I would never hurt you like that.” His voice came out soft.
Snatching my hands from his hold, I put some distance between us. “Warner, please. I think we already talked about this.”
Hearing him eliciting his feelings for me made me uncomfortable.
Hurt flashed across his eyes, but he masked it soon as he sent me a look of apology. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t just stop myself.”
“It’s all right. I can understand. But please, Warner, I don’t want any awkwardness between our friendship with these kinds of topics.” Looking down, I twirled my bracelet.
He nodded, flashing me a sad smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll be careful from now on.”
I felt guilty. But it was what it was. Just because I’d an argument with Ace didn’t mean I’d reconsider my relationship with Warner. I didn’t love him. I hurt him enough. I couldn’t do it more by pretending something that wasn’t real.
“Thank you for understanding.” The corner of my mouth turned up into a tight-lipped smile.
He cleared his throat. “Anyway, what are you gonna do now? You’ll go to his office tomorrow just like he said? Even after what happened?”
I let out a sigh. I had the same question, but I didn’t have an answer.
I scowled at the huge building before me. The name OC Textiles was hung up there, as if mocking me. I wanted to break this building along with its owner’s head!
I spit some more curses at myself for doing this. But I had to do it. Keeping my anger aside, I straightened and walked inside the skyscraper.
No, I definitely didn’t come here for his threat. There were two reasons behind my taking this decision. One, I didn’t want to look unprofessional and let my personal reasons come between me and my work. I wouldn’t give him that much power over me. I didn’t care if he was here or not. And two, I’d try my best to get out of that contract of three months I had to spend here.
Yes, my reasons contradicted each other. But it was what it was. I’d come here for work, as it was my duty. But I didn’t want to work here for another month and a half. I’d ask him to terminate the freaking contract. And he’ll have to do it. I’ll make him.
At the lobby, the secretary flashed me her usual too friendly smile, which I didn’t reciprocate. I wasn’t in the mood. And the nervous flutters in my tummy and pounding heart in my chest spoiled it more.
Getting out of the elevator, as I approached my office, I halted in my tracks.
God! What was he doing here? Waiting for me outside my office? But wait, I didn’t think Tobias would wait for me, too.
They seemed to be in a serious discussion. Tobias had a hand on his shoulder while he stood there with his hands in his pockets, jaw ticking. Something tugged inside my chest at his appearance. He looked… exhausted. Dark circles under his eyes, dense stubble across his jaw, hair disheveled.
When his eyes flickered to me, surprise and relief flashed across them as he let out a breath.
“Rosebud.” He pulled his hands out from his pocket and walked towards me with his long strides. Before I could warn him to stay away, he pulled me into him and nuzzled his nose against the crook of my neck. My skin tingled against his rough stubble. “You came,” he whispered in my neck, taking a sharp inhale.
My heart palpitated as I stood there for a moment, unable to say anything. His voice, arms, and scent were tampering with my head. But then my lips pressed together.
“Let go of me!” I wiggled in his hold.
“Never.” He kissed my jaw.
My eyes widened. The nerve of this man! When my gaze met with my brother, he just scratched the back of his head awkwardly, not doing anything to help me.
What?
Traitor!
“Let me go this instance, Ace! Or else—”
“Or else what?” Pulling his head away from my neck, he challenged me. His slightly red eyes stared at me hard. “You already punished me enough. Now I can’t even hug you?”
“It’s nothing compared to the seven years you punished me!” I snapped.
Remorse flashed across his eyes. Slowly stepping back from me, he sighed. “Rosebud, let’s talk inside my office. I’ll explain everything to you.”
“There’s nothing to talk about. I know what I needed to know. You had no choice, you had to use Tess to hurt me, you were looking out for my well-being. I know enough. I don’t need to learn anything new.” My eyes burned with tears, but I tried my best not to let them fall. His proximity not only affected my brain but also my emotions.
He grimaced as if in torture, as he tried to reach out for me again. But before he could, I turned around and walked away.
“Rosebud, wait!”
“Em!” Tobias’s voice rang.
Ignoring their calls, I climbed down the stairs. I didn’t want to wait for the elevator right now. I needed to make some distance from them. The worst thing was, even my brother was on his side. Did he not know anything?
Reaching the finance department, I went to Sierra’s desk. She was the only one I was close to in this office after Liza. And I also had to discuss Arthur with her.
I hope her leave is over.
To my surprise, another girl sat in her place. No Sierra there. Once trying to know what she was doing there, the newcomer told me she joined yesterday after the previous girl resigned. Means Sierra.
I just stared at her, dumbfounded. Why did she resign?
Now it was extremely important for me to meet her.
I needed to talk to Matt first.
“Ms. Hutton?”
Turning around, I found Carter grinning at me. The devil’s secretary. Even he seemed relieved seeing me.
“I’m glad you’re here today.” He glanced around. The devil arrived from around the corner, with my brother trailing behind. Glancing at his boss, the secretary mumbled, “I hope I won’t have to face another of his wrath today.”
Frowning, I turned to the devil approaching me. Couldn’t this man leave me alone for even a minute? I really didn’t want to create a scene before everyone. But I didn’t think he cared.
Just as I was about to tell him to leave me alone for the umpteenth time, a voice stopped me.
“Guys, look! Isn’t that Antonio Raymond?” James, the head of finance department, asked. His eyes were glued to the huge TV on the wall. The TV they used to get themselves updated with the business world.
But the name he said caught my attention as all pairs of eyes around me flickered to the television.
Among the swarm of paparazzi, some cops dragged a man out of a building. The media was crazy, casting question after question at that man in a blue suit. But he avoided them. Some of his bodyguards put a security circle around him, saving him from the hungry reporters.
I couldn’t see his face properly as he had his hand before his face to avoid the flashing cameras.
My brows creased. Antonio Raymond? So, this was the man who was after the Valencians. He trapped Caleb.
Then I read on the headline.
‘Infamous businessman, Antonio Raymond, arrested due to the allegation his current date charged on him for getting her pregnant and threatening her to abort the baby.’
My eyes widened. Such a prick!
Gasps resounded around me. The curses for him followed behind from OC Textiles’ loyal employees.
Though he deserved what he was getting, from whatever I heard, he was a powerful man. Not to forget dangerous. How come the girl so easily went against him and the cops were brave enough to arrest him before the whole world?
I had to admit. Whoever the girl was, she had some guts.
My gaze fell on the devil standing there with an unreadable mask on his face. His steely eyes fixed on the television.
What’s with him now?
And then I saw it.
The triumph in Carter’s eyes as he sent a discreet look to his boss’s way, as if…
A silent gasp slipped through my lips.
Was I thinking right?
Did he have a hand behind Antonio Raymond’s arrest?
