Chapter 10

Ethan

I didn't want to snap at her like that.

But what she did today was something else.

I have worked weeks to get this deal and just when he was about to sign the deal, she ruined it.

Now I'm not even sure if he would continue with this deal.

I stopped the car when I reached the place.

I got down and looked ahead and saw the moon reflecting down on the flowing water.

It was a lake.

The lake, where a lot of my memories are connected.

Nobody knows about this place.

Not even Ryan, because this place was so personal to me.

I come here whenever I am mad or when I feel sad.

The sound of the flowing water, and the number of stars shining in the dark night, calms me down.

I sat on the wooden bench near the lake looking ahead at the water.

The image of Lauren looking up at me with tears in her eyes flashed in front of me for a second.

The words I said to her made me somewhat guilty.

but she deserved it. didn't she?

She needs a reality check of what she actually is. And I just showed it to her.

It is not on me if she couldn't accept what her reality is.

I pushed down the guilt I'm feeling.

I took a deep breath and leaned my head back to place it on the bench.

I looked up to the dark sky filled with stars.

The way they shine in the dark amazes me.

The memories of sharing this bench with certain someone clouded my brain.

The memory of Looking up at the sky with that person, trying to count them all, made me smile.

I tried to get rid of those beautiful memories.

Because even beautiful memories will often bring up the painful past, the past which you want to forget.

I stared blankly at the sky.

I stayed there, sitting on the bench for a long time doing nothing but just staring at the lake and stars.

***

I pushed open the door of the penthouse and walked in.

I looked around to see any trace of Lauren.

When I didn't find any, I started walking towards my room but stopped when I am at her bedroom door.

The urge to open the door and check on her raised in me.

I quickly shook that thought away.

When I heard the sound of the shower from her room, I silently walked away to my room and closed the door.

After taking a shower and as I didn't feel like eating anything, I got on my bed and laid down.

I don't think she is going to work in my company anymore.

Maybe she will give me her resignation letter and will just quit.

Even I want that.

It's better if she doesn't show up anymore.

With her thoughts in my mind, I drifted off to sleep.

***

It was the next day.

I entered my office lobby and heard a series of good mornings from my employee.

I gave them a curt nod before walking to my private elevator.

I press the button to my office floor and the elevator closed.

I didn't see Lauren in the morning.

Maybe she is still sulking in her room.

Why do I even care?

I made my way toward my office.

Just as I'm three feet far from my office door someone jumped in front of me.

What the hell?

"Good morning, Mr. Kingston." I heard a chirping voice and I looked up to see Lauren with a big smile on her face.

Lauren?

It is Lauren.

She was wearing a cream shirt and black pants looking professional.

Wait.

Why is she smiling? I thought she would still be crying about the last night's incident.

When she raised her eyebrow, I cleared my throat getting out of my thoughts.

I gave her a nod and she smiled at me again.

"I'll bring you your coffee." She walked away after giving me a small smile.

I entered my office and took my seat.

Why is she behaving as if nothing happened?

What is going on in her mind?

What is she playing?

How could she be so normal after what happened last night?

When there was a knock on the door, I muttered a come in.

Lauren came in and placed my coffee on the desk.

"Mr. Kingston, do you want me to read your schedule for today?"

She asked smiling.

Why the hell is she smiling a lot today.

"Go on," I replied still in a daze.

"You have meetings at ten with Mr. Kim and with the marketing dept. at two and an appointment with Mr. Nick at AUG corp. at four.

I gave her a nod.

"And these are the files which need your signature for the product approval." She said placing the files the front of me.

I glanced at the file before signing them.

"And I completed the proofreading of these files." She showed me the files.

Surprised, I looked up at her.

Did she complete all this?

When did she complete them?

"You can go now."

I gave her a nod and she walked away.

What is happening?

Where is the resignation letter from her, as I expected?

I quickly got out of those thoughts and looked at the work I have to complete.

***

I am currently in the meeting room looking at the person who is doing a presentation.

I looked around to see only a few are listening to him.

And some others were just taking glances at Lauren.

I turned towards her to see her trying so hard to concentrate and noting down the things.

She furrowed her eyebrows placing the pen between her teeth making my eyes involuntarily land on her pink lips.

She has nice lips.

I quickly shook that thought away as fast as it came.

What am I thinking?

I looked around to see men ogling her with lust.

I clenched my jaw looking at the thirsty men.

I slammed my hand on the table loudly to get those bastards' attention and everyone turned toward me.

Good.

"The meeting ends here. You can leave now." I spoke sharply.

Everyone left the meeting hall quickly and she got up to leave.

"I need you to bring my lunch from a restaurant." I said getting her attention.

I didn't actually want food from any restaurant, but I just wanted to give her any task.

"Sure, Mr. Kingston." She answered smiling at me.

Wait. just like that.

I thought she would argue with me that it is her lunchtime too.

"I need it in ten minutes. I'll text you the restaurant address." I said trying to provoke her to get some reaction.

Ten minutes?

Not even Spiderman can bring me that fast.

Wait, I think Spiderman can.

She hesitated but eventually nodded her head.

***

I'm currently in my office drumming my fingers on the table waiting for her.

I took a glance at the watch to see that 9 minutes have already finished.

I know that she couldn't bring the lunch in ten minutes.

The restaurant I texted her, will be so packed during lunch.

We have to wait in a long queue to get our turn to order something.

I glanced at the watch to see only ten seconds left.

I smirked triumphantly.

I got another reason to rub on her.

Five...

Four...

Three.

Tw-

Someone opened the door abruptly, making me lift my head.

I looked up to see Lauren panting hard with a brown paper bag in her hand.

"Here is your lunch Mr. Kingston." She placed the paper bag on the desk.

How did she do it?

I looked at the paper bag and she indeed brought it from the same restaurant.

"How did you do that?" I asked her.

She gave me a big smile.

"I have my ways, Mr. Kingston. Enjoy your lunch." She said before walking away and shutting down the door.

What?

How did she do that?

Confused, I brought my phone out and called Tom.

I ordered Tom before to follow her to the restaurant just to be sure.

"Yes, sir?" Tom answered the call.

"How did she buy lunch that quick." I asked him.

"Well, sir she bought it at a triple price from a customer who already bought it." Tom answered.

Of course, she did.

***

When the car stopped, I looked out to see AUG corp.

I got down the car followed by Lauren.

We have a meeting scheduled with AUG Corp's CEO.

So here we are.

When we entered the office lobby, a man came to greet us.

"Mr. Kingston. Sir is expecting you. please come."

He said leading us the way.

When we entered his office, Mr. Nick, the CEO stood up to greet us.

"Can we start the meeting?" I asked him and he nodded.

We both sat and Lauren gave me a nod before walking out.

Soon the meeting started.

And after discussing all the terms, we finally signed the deal.

I stood up and gave him a firm handshake.

He led me the way out and once we are out, I looked around to see Lauren.

When she saw me, she stood up and walked towards me.

She was adjusting her bag, looking down when she suddenly got bumped into someone who is coming from her side.

she quickly apologized to that man whose face I didn't see yet.

After bidding my farewell to Mr. Nick, I walked toward Lauren.

When I am almost near, I stopped in my tracks.

My eyes widened when I looked at the man she was apologizing to.

Why is he here?

I clenched my jaw and balled my hands into a fist.

I stared at the man in front of me who can make my blood boil.

I got rid of the urge to storm over there and drag Lauren away from that man.

I took a deep breath and walked toward them making my presence known.

I glared visibly at the man in front of me.

Two pairs of eyes turned towards me.

One pair mirrors confusion.

Lauren's eyes...

And the other pair mirrors mine.

Angry and murderous.

Christian Hudson's eyes...

Author's notes

Hey everyone,

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