Chapter 35
Josie’s POV.
I knew Ashton was hurt when I referred to him as a server. Imagine, I called a brutal lycan alpha like him a server, I didn’t know where I got the balls from. The looks I exchanged with Ashton told Jane that he was my ex.
To confirm her suspicions, she browsed about Ashton with her phone and pictures of him filled her screen. Though she acted rude to him, I knew Jane was fawning over him.
I enjoyed seeing him pissed off. It made his pride go down a little.
However, I couldn’t stop wondering what he was doing here. Well, my silent question was answered when my stepmother came outside when Ashton and Mr. Chaldeans were arguing,
I was too shocked, I didn’t react. However, she didn’t recognize me at all.
I freaked out when Ashton ordered the man to get his hand off of me. Who was he to say that?
Ashton almost made me lose one of my biggest clients ever.
While I thought Mr. Chaldeans six months ago, I literally made five hundred thousand dollars for Almac. Instead of the normal five percent profit I usually get, my boss: gave me six percent.
That’s the money I used to run the appendix operation I had some months ago and also enrolled Aria in a good school.
Seeing the man tonight was a happenstance. He promised to pay my and Jane’s bills tonight and he’s also with foreign clients.
For the record, I taught Mr. Chaldeans Russian language but the people he came here with spoke Spanish.
You see? He was so glad to see me here and brought us to their table while I translated his words to the clients in Spanish and his in English.
Things were flowing perfectly until Ashton butt in.
I hate him for acting like he owned me. What does he even think? I thought.
All I felt was the urge to crush the breath out of him.
“You’re perfect in everything, Ms. Rose. I always love that about you.” Mr. Chaldeans leaned in and whispered into my ear.
A smile tugged at my lips at his words and I veered at him and said. “I’m glad you love it, Mr. Chaldeans.”
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Chapter 35
In a fit of giggles, I felt his hand creeping up my thighs. What was he doing? I thought watching the man’s hand creep up my thighs more.
“Uh, Rose. I’ve got to take my leave now.” Jane stood and said, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “He’s already here.” She mouthed, referring to her ex–fiance and boss.
I had returned the ring to her, now I wonder how I’d cover my lies. Now that Jane had left. I was the only woman in a table of five men.
That felt odd and literally, these men reek of money and power. For example, Mr. Chaldeans is the owner of the big Chaldeans empire known all over the world.
“Your friend must be the shy type.” One of Chaldeans clients said in Spanish and I responded, smiling.
Chaldeans told me to translate what his client had just said and I did and he burst into laughter.
I drank my wine, letting my eyes move around until they fell on the bar where Ashton stood, glaring in my direction.
I suddenly felt uncomfortable with the way he stared at me.
Circling my fingers around the glass, I took a gulp, hating him watching me with such intensity.
Why was acting like he was my boyfriend? I can’t seem to understand that act of possessiveness.
“More drinks, please!” Mr. Chaldeans roared, waving Ashton over.
Ashton strutted over with gritted it, staring at Mr. Chaldeans.
“I want more whiskey, boy.” He slurred while Ashton looked at him with hatred shining through his
eyes.
Looking over at me, Chaldeans sputtered. “So what would order more, Ms. Rose, I believe it’ll give you more strength. Besides the meeting is yet to end, so I advise you to get more drinks into your system so you don’t feel sleepy.” He whispered into my ear.
I giggled, feeling the tension rolling out of Ashton.
“Alright, I’ll go for Margarita.” I looked at Ashton as I said that.
He groused under his breath and walked away. With him out of sight, I let out the breath I was holding.
It didn’t take long for him to return to the table with out drinks, serving them with ice cubes.
Then he returned to the bar while we continued the meeting and drinking. Mr. Chaldeans was looking to handle the clients financial accounts because his company focuses on managing people‘
accounts.
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In between the talks and laughter going on around our table, I felt Ashton’s gaze on my body.
Out of curiosity
Gross!
I peered up and over at the bar…yet, his eyes hadn’t left our table.
Rolling my eyes, I focused back on the discussion and translated what Mr. Chaldeans said to the clients.
The process went back and forth until I felt my full bladder.
“Uh…excuse me. I’ll be right back.” I uttered with a smile and got away from the table.
I went through the archway before getting into the passage that had doors on both sides.
I saw the female restroom and disappeared inside it before walking to the last stall.
“Hmmm…” I hummed, squirting into the toilet until I felt empty. I guess I’ve taken too much drink
as it is.
Using the paper napkin, I cleaned myself and adjusted my dress before walking out.
Much to my surprise, I saw Ashton standing by the doorframe.
On seeing me coming out of the stall, he came inside the restroom and shut the door, folding his arms
er his chest
“Ms. Rose!” He called but I ignored him and went to the sink, washing my hands. “I suggest you stay. away from that man you’re with.” He said.
Surprise flickered through me and I quickly turned and trapped him under my gaze.
“Who are you to dictate who I should and shouldn’t mingle with?” I spat, my eyes flaring.
Ashton heaved a breath and scrubbed his hand over his face. “I have this feeling he is no good news, Ms. Rose.”
I brushed into a mock laughter at his words. Turning, I folded my arms over my chest and sneered at him. “So because of what you feel…” I air quoted. “I should not mingle with a friend, hmm?”
He pushed off of the door, walking closer to me but I stopped him by raising my hand in the air.
“You don’t get it, do you? That man out there doesn’t have good intentions about you, Ms. Rose!”
“Are
you the one that has ‘good‘ intentions then?” I whispered, my words hanging in the air between us. “The last time I checked, you ditch people, and break their hearts once you’ve gotten between their legs. So spare me that sermon of lies, Ashton!”
Anger rose inside me at what he just said. He didn’t know he was worse and he had the guts to accuse my client!
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Scoffing at him, I shoved past him and walked away from the restroom.
I made my way back to the table and joined the men. My thoughts about my daughter came to my mind, I got out my phone and texted Ms. Beth that I’d be home late and tucked the phone back into my bag.
The long talks continued until the Spanish men conceded to signing up their financial accounts with the Chaldeans empire.
That brought a huge smile to my face and Mr. Chaldeans. Right there, they signed the deal and Mr. Chaldeans sent the details to his account manager and also his secretary for record keeping.
He saw the clients off before returning to the table.
“Rose, you’re such an amazing woman!” I heard Chaldeans voice even before we got to our booth.
“Thank you, sir.” I blushed, loving the compliments.
“I wouldn’t have gotten this contract if not for you, Ms. Rose.”
His smile covered his whole face as he looked at me.
“I want to pay you back, Ms. Rose.” He said.
My went widened like saucers and I stuttered. “But sir…this is just out of…benevolence…”
“Nonsense!” He said, cutting off my words.
I breathed through my teeth as he let out the next words.
“Offers like this deserve appreciation in the form of money, Ms. Rose. That’s the only way I can show you my gratitude.”
My lips started curling up in joy. Ashton now came over to gather the glasses of wine and bottles.
“Would you mind going home to celebrate this big win with me, Ms. Rose?”
When Mr. Chaldeans said that, Ashton tensed. He peered at me, giving me a sign to say no.
I rolled my eyes at him and stared back at Mr. Chaldeans.
“Oh, that sounds like a good offer, Mr. Chaldean. I can’t see myself saying no.”
A full–blown grin creased Mr. Chaldeans cheeks.
He emerged on his feet and adjusted his shirt.
“That’s great. Why don’t
we get going then?”
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Chapter 35
I nodded, standing up too with my bag.
I heard the growl that speared the air and I knew that it came from Ashton.
Mr. Chaldeans, led the way outside with his bodyguards behind us. All the while, I felt that familiar
gaze on me.
However, something in me told me, I’d made a terrible mistake by agreeing to this.
But what mistake did I make?
To be continued…
