Chapter 11

Stefano I got out of my office to find Avery with my files. She was no longer answering her phone. My 10 o’clock meeting is in 20 minutes and she still hasn’t arrived. I walked towards the elevator. I halt when I saw three familiar people talking in front. "God, Avery. I haven’t seen you in ages. How are you?" Ryker asked Avery. Ryker and I just finished our meeting. Didn’t expect him to still be here. "Right... I was just-" She cut off when she saw me. She talked to him with awkwardness. Relief was evident in her eyes when she saw me. She immediately walked towards me. Last night was unexpected. I didn’t know she would make an effort to save me. I knew the girl graduated from a military school but I wouldn’t think she’d risk her life like that, let alone she graduated top of her class. It made me curious why she wasn’t recruited on field. I could tell she was very good. However, it doesn’t sit well with me if she’s going to risk her life. She’s just my driver, not my bodyguard. I have lots of it and I don’t need her to be. I’ve caused enough misery to a lot of people. I wouldn’t want that to happen to her innocent family. I promise them to take care of her and I’ll do just that. "Sorry for the delay." She gave me the files and I took it. She didn’t seem to act like herself. The awkwardness was so evident. "You know him?" I asked her. "You know Ranallo?" He asked Avery. I saw Ashton at the back observing us. "I work for him." She answered him formally. "Are you free now?" He asked and I frowned. "Collins, this is a workplace not a dating site. I don’t tolerate my employees flirting in work hours." I said coldly. "Ah, but it’s okay if it’s outside work hours." He said cheekily while smiling mischievously at her. She rolled her eyes. "You haven’t changed, have you?" She uttered. "Give me your phone number and I’ll text you." Avery took his phone and type her number on it instead. "I’m sorry if I kept you here, Stefano. No worries I’m leaving for real. I’ll update you with the project." He said seriously. I nod. "See you around, Avery." He then kissed her cheek. I find Avery widening her eyes from surprise. He walked away and greeted Ashton at the back. Ashton then walked to us. "What was that about, Avery? I didn’t know Ryker Collins is your boyfriend. You better watch out. That guy is a well known playboy in New York." Ashton warned her. She sighed deeply. "He’s not my boyfriend. Former maybe but not anymore." She said nonchalantly. --- "I don’t want this, Stef. My father pressured me to something clearly I’m not happy to oblige. Who does he think he is?" He almost yelled. "Your father, Ash." I answered with a sigh. We finished our meeting awhile ago and had our lunch together. Ashton decided to stay in my office after that. He kept complaining about his forced marriage to Sierra Greene, one of his father’s business associates. "You don’t seem to support me as a friend, Stefano." He complained with an annoyed look. "What do you want me to do? Siege your father’s office and prevent him from forcing you to an arranged marriage? Ashton Clarke, you know full well that sooner or later this is going to happen." "Oh, god. And you called yourself a friend. Do you know that woman is a freaking spoiled bitch? I don’t want to be stuck with someone like that. We hate each other the moment we set foot in that marriage meeting." He exclaimed. "As if you’re not a womaniser, Clarke. You like sluts who’d leech out on your money. That girl already has everything. You’d be spared with that problem." "But personality, Stef. She’s awful. Maybe you’re right about that womaniser part. I mean we’re like that. We enjoy the company of women." He smirked proudly. I frowned. "You mean all of you excluding me. You know this is why the four of you were tied down so suddenly and so early because you play with women’s hearts." He shook his head slowly. "You are mistaken, Stefano. They love us. They can’t resist us." He winked at me. "That’s why karma is attracted to you. You know because karma is a bitch." I said sarcastically. His smile morphed into a frown, clearly offended with my words. "I hate you, Ranallo." "Any other things to say? Cause I’m already used to people hating me." I said blankly. He groaned. Suddenly his face lit up. "Maybe your driver is up for negotiation, Stefano. I mean she’s hot, gorgeous and swoon worthy. I could hire her as my contract bride." He smiled lopsidedly. "Don’t make me ban you in my building, Clarke. The girl still has to pay the price for what she did. Don’t think about pulling her out of my radar." I said coldly. He raised both of his hands as if to surrender. "Jeez. Chill. I was just joking." He sighed. "Take care of your own shit, Clarke. Don’t involve others into your problem." I warned him. "Alright, alright." He chuckled. "You know, this is exactly why you lack the privilege of having flocks of women by your side because you’re a terrible friend and you’re rude to everyone. You’re stone cold and nothing interest you except this boring business. You’re too smart for your own good, Stefano, that you become too picky and skeptical on people right away." There’s a hint of sadness and amusement in his face when he said that. I glared at him." You’re right. But I don’t think I need women who has intellect smaller than their chests, Ashton. How can I rule my empire when my wife would bear me children who would inherit her peanut of a brain? You playing with women prove that. I admit I have trust issues but considering there are a lot of people who despise me and wanting to slit my throat, I don’t have a choice but to be discreet about it. I speak nothing but the truth. You know that very much, Ash." " Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Ouch. Too rational and harsh." He chuckled." Sorry, man. I’m just carried away with this stupid predicament." He put his hands to his face and sighed. "Maybe you should open up a bit to her. Look what happened to Brayden and Camryn. Their marriage worked out pretty well." Brayden is one of our closest friends. He was forced to marry Camryn when he just turned twenty one. Their marriage worked out through the years of being together. He groaned."No way, man. No way. Oh, god. I don’t want to. I don’t want this." I chuckled. "Bear with it, Ash. Like I said, karma is a bitch." "I hate you so much."