*Alejandro*
It has been over an hour since Anna called me to inform me that she has left her house, but she is yet to arrive. I walked around the hall, exchanging pleasantries with those who I knew. I used this opportunity to bond with Lucas, telling him about who they were.
Lucas would be my heir. Though he is not interested in learning anything about the company or how it is run, I do not mind. What matters now to me is that he and I have a good relationship. Then we can work together.
Thinking about the times we would spend together in the company and having him give suggestions at the board meeting brought a smile to my lips.
Though I was happy that Lucas was by my side, I wasn’t happy about Nora, who kept sticking close. I wanted to push her away and remind her of her position in my life, but that would not sit well with Lucas. When she tried to snake her hands around my arm, I moved my hands, turned, and sent her a slight glare.
She didn’t make eye contact. She pretended she didn’t know I was mad at her move.
The last thing I wanted was for Anna to misunderstand the situation. I am not and will never be ready to accept Nora back into my life.
“Nora is still as beautiful and enchanting as she has always been.” Mr. Colin said. Nora smiled sheepishly and moved her hair to the back, showcasing her manicured nails.
Before she could answer the compliment, Mrs. Collin added, “It would not be a surprise if she were to get back with Alejandro.” She said, and I smirked; that was a dream so different from reality, “after all, Nora is one of the most beautiful women in the room.” She turned to face her husband.
She hit his hands softly as if she was trying to remember something she had to say, and I hoped whatever it was would be far from her memory. “It’s easier to go back to the one you’ve been with before than a new one.” She finally remembered.
“Right?” She turned to me for support, and I wanted to wipe that stupid smile on her lips.
“It’s true,” Nora answered.
“Well, excuse me,” I said, slipping away. I had sent Anna a text but she hadn’t responded. I also called her, but she didn’t answer. I was beginning to get worried. Even if she wasn’t coming, I needed her to call me and tell me she was okay. I walked out of the hall. At the exit, a man in a blue suit stopped me.
“Mr. Costa. I’m so glad I met you.
I furrowed my brows, trying to remind him as his face was not so familiar, “It’s me, Morgan.” He said upon sensing that I had no idea who he was. He was young, with broad shoulders and long hair which rested on his shoulder.
I still didn’t have any idea who he was. I stared at him. I hope he will go straight to the point on what he wants.
“I have been meaning to see you, but I have not had such opportunities till now.” He said, “I don’t know if we would be able to meet up and discuss.” He said.
“Talk to my P. A,” I said.
Before I made it to the door, but halted my step when I realized I didn’t want such a man speaking to Anna.
I called back Mr. Morgan, who was already beginning to walk away. “Monday noon. Let’s meet at my office.” I said and walked away.
It was not like I didn’t trust her; I just didn’t want to take any chances.
His speaking to Anna didn’t sit well with me at all.
I redialed Anna’s number, but this time, it was unavailable. I ran my hands through my hair, a frustrated sigh escaping my lips. Where is Anna?
“You look tense,” a voice said behind me, and I turned. Williams, “Do you know why Anna is yet to be here?” He asked.
“I knew this would be about her.” He said, coming to stand close to me. I walked to a rail and placed my hands on it.
“What happened with her?” He asked, his eyebrows raised out of curiosity. I explained to him.
“Be patient, man. Maybe something came up. She will be here soon.” Williams tried to lay on my shoulder when he said this, and I sent him a glare; his hands immediately hung halfway before he pulled it back to his side and dipped it into his pocket.
I inhaled sharply, my eyes scanning the surroundings, pitching on every car that entered. “I hope you are back with Nora.” He said, making me turn to him, “You even came to this party with her. What happened to all the hatred you had for her?” He asked.
“You, of all people, should know better,” I said. “I do know, but what I can’t figure out is why you had her accompany you here. People are going to talk and talk about you guys. Oh, are they getting together? Oh, don’t they look so good together?” he said, imitating what he must have probably heard.
“Let them talk. We both know I have someone else in mind.” I said. “So you have no plans to get back with her?” He asked again, and I wondered if he didn’t understand what I had said earlier.
“No,” I said.
“So why is she here with you?” He said.
“So I have to explain myself to you?” He raised two hands above his head. “Just curious.” He said. I smirked. Williams was a smart man, and I am sure he knew why I was keeping Nora close to me.
“You saw the change, right?” I asked, and he instantly knew who I was referring to. “All in all, Nora is working the magic you’ve not been able to work over the past years,” he added.
“Fair enough,” I said.
We chatted for a few minutes before I walked back inside, but not without checking my phone from time to time.
Anna has yet to come, and I have not received a call from her. Nora was quick to walk to my side, and Lucas followed. We were having a good time before we were interrupted by Clara.
“Alejandro, I never knew you’d be here,” she said, her eyes weeping through the faces of Lucas and Nora. Lucas quickly excused himself.
“Well, you know now,” I said. She stepped closer and entwined her hands around mine, “I haven’t seen you for some time; I missed you.” I could sense Nora was boiling by the side.
Clara was completely ignoring her, not meeting her angry gaze for a while.
I pulled her hands away from mine. “What do you want?” I asked, trying to mask my annoyance with calmness. Nora sensed my annoyance, and from the corner of my eye, I saw her lips pull up to the side.
“I want to speak to you,” Clara said; her lips were painted in red lipstick, and she passed her tongue over the bottom lips. “What do you want to say?” I asked her.
She moved her head to the side as if to say Nora was not supposed to hear whatever she had to say. “Well, can you excuse us?” She said plainly to Nora when she pretended not to understand what Clara wanted.
“What?” Nora raised a brow. I knew she recognized Clara but was trying to keep her cool. Nora smiled gently afterward and said, “I’ll be around Alejandro.” I didn’t respond and just watched her walk into the crowd.
“So, what do you want to talk about?” I asked her.
I noticed Lucas had been standing in one spot for some time, and it seemed like many people were staring at him. Was something wrong? I wondered.
I attempted to start walking there but was stopped by Clara. “Where are you going?” She followed my gaze, “he would be fine. Whatever is happening, let him handle it by himself. He won’t be pleased if you are always running to his aid like he is a little boy and not allowing him to act himself.”
I allowed her words to sink in a little. She was right, “Let’s go talk outside. It’s about Jane.” My eyes lit up immediately when I heard that name.
I walked by her side, and she led me to the quiet part of the hall. I resolved to leave if Anna didn’t come after this conversation with Clara.
.
.
.
*Andrea’s POV*
“Let me go, Lucas,” I said. I tried to pull away from his hold forcefully, but he would not let me go. “Fine, let’s talk,” I said. His lips moved to the side, and he finally let me go.
This moron.
“So what do you want from me? Why did you hold me back?” I wanted to leave, but I knew that would not be possible as he was bent on making me stay by his side, so I’d quickly listen to him and leave.
Alejandro was no longer standing where he was, and this made me panic. I like it when I see him because it reduces the risk of him seeing me first. What if he sees me here?
“I just wanted to…” Lucas sucked in a breath. He was about to speak when his phone beeped, and slowly, his eyebrows furrowed, and he released a small sigh that didn’t go unnoticed by me.
“Let’s talk some other time, Andrea. I’ll call you.” Not wanting to argue with him, I nodded, knowing fully well that it would never be possible.
Lucas walked past me. I closed my eyes and opened it, calming myself that I wasn’t exposed today. Now, it’s time to run along.
“So what should happen to the glass you smashed on the floor?” Someone asked from among the crowd. I furrowed my eyebrows and turned.
There were people here to do such things. When I came face to face with Nora, my stomach sank. I didn’t want to see her. Now, there is no way I can avoid Alejandro.
“What do you mean?” I asked her using the same tone as she had used on me. She may be Alejandro’s ex-wife, but she was not my boss, and I would walk on my stomach before I condone any disrespect from her.
“You should clean this mess yourself.” She said. Her voice was loud enough to get the attention of the crowd. “I see no reason why I should do that,” I said.
She scoffed.
“Isn’t this why you are here? How else would a girl like you be able to come here? Who would have invited you?” she asked.
“Does she know her?”
“Who is the young girl? I’ve never seen her.”
“She looks beautiful; her dress is so pretty.” Different comments kept coming, and I wished the floor could just open up and swallow me.
Nora seems disappointed by the few comments she has been hearing. She suddenly smirked, “why? You came looking for a man to seduce?” She asked, “Or did you come here for work? What assistant comes to meet their boss dressed like that on such a day?”
The underlying meaning of her words was so obvious that I wanted to hide it. How could she say that? She wanted everyone to think I was here to seduce Alejandro. This bitch!
Everyone was suddenly focused on me as if they were expecting me to say something.
“Well, I… I..”
“Oh, has the cat caught your tongue now?”