Chapter 7: Chapter 7

"Ana, Sir Ares' signature is needed here. That's the Galvez contract."

I looked up for a moment at the speaker and saw Nikki. I just nodded at her and then accepted the papers she handed me.

"Why weren't you here yesterday? Sir didn't seem to be on his own yesterday while you weren't here," she commented, so I winced.

"There's just an emergency at home. I'll just hand it over right away. Sir still has a meeting, eh," I changed the subject and then nodded at her. I saw her nod as well as if she wanted to say something more but left as well.

I glanced at Ares's office. It was not there and was still in the conference room. I just arrived and I really meant not to catch up with him. Even though I knew there was nothing I could do when he cornered me, I was still trying to avoid it first. I'm afraid he might see that thing in my eyes.

I sighed tiredly and continued what I was doing. Sometime later, my seat stiffened and automatically straightened when I saw Ares walk straight into his office. It didn’t seem to notice me. Next to enter his office was Lorraine. I didn't know if I would follow or what.

"Have you talked? I don't think he saw you," Elena commented then looked at my cubicle. I averted my eyes from her and shrugged.

"Only later. Who's the new employee?" I changed the subject, which she noticed, but she didn't push the issue about Ares and me.

"Man. His name is Jack. He's in our department," she whispered to me, so my forehead furrowed.

"Why are you whispering?"

"He's just here in the cubicle next to mine," she whispered again, so I almost laughed.

Before I could speak again, Elena and I both looked at each other when my intercom rang. When I pressed that, I was immediately exposed to the deep voice of Ares. It seemed angry and out of the mood.

"Are you there? I want coffee," he said in his cold, baritone voice. I bit my lower lip.

"C-coming, sir..." I stammered and stood up. I looked at Elena when I heard her laugh.

"Looks like the boss isn't in the mood. I saw Ma'am Lorraine come in too. What are they doing..." She seemed to be teasing, so I just stared at her.

I hurried to his office. When I got in, I went straight to the mini pantry without looking at what was going on there. I could only hear Lorraine speaking. I also notice the trembling of my hands as I brew coffee. When I finished, I sighed violently and forced myself to calm down before finally heading to Ares' table.

"H-here's your coffee, sir..." I almost whispered but I made sure he heard that. When I put his coffee down on the table, I almost jumped in panic when he suddenly grabbed my hand tightly.

"Stay here. Let's talk," he said coldly, so I kept looking at him.

I gasped when I saw his cold eyes and his dark expression. I know that expression of his. It's anger. Is it because of me? Did he already know? Shit!

"We're done talking here, Lorraine. You can leave. I still have important things to do," he said to the woman in front of him while still holding my hand.

"Really? What is it then? It's even more important than the proposal I'm presenting to you?" Lorraine asked him incredulously.

I bit my lower lip and averted my eyes from them. I think these two will fight again and because of me again.

"Just leave, Lorry. I don't want to talk about it right now. Please." Ares told her loudly and tightened his grip on me.

The whole room was silent for a moment. Sometime later, I heard Lorraine's violent sigh, and then she came out. When the two of us left, I heard my heart pounding more because Ares still wouldn't let me go. I want to look at him but I can't. My conscience is slowly eating me away.

"What's wrong, Anastacia? Why won't you talk to me?"

My heart was filled with horror when I heard that serious and deep voice of his. I also felt his resentment there that's why I didn’t know what to do even more.

"Did something happen that night? What are you thinking right now? Did I do something wrong? Why don't you talk to me? Are you mad at me?" His voice broke.

I heaved a deep sigh and held his hand. I looked up at him and there I saw the pain in his eyes as he looked at me. He was also very tired.

"I'm not mad, Ares. I just wanted to... rest that day. I'm sorry for making you worry." Fucking liar, Ana!

I saw the frown on his forehead. His gaze deepened on me. I felt like it was looking at my whole soul, so I looked away again.

"Are you sure?" He asked threateningly.

I tried to look at him again. I met his gaze and immediately hugged him as I felt something inside me. That I feel is any time I will give in and tell him the truth. But I don't want to ruin us just because of an accident. Why... fuck it!

"Y-yes... I'm sorry... I'm really sorry," I whispered to him and hugged him even tighter.

I felt him pull me to sit on his thigh. When I looked at him again, his expression cleared, so I could breathe easily. He parted the hair that was blocking my eyes and gently kissed my eyes.

"It's fine. You know how much I trust you... and I missed you. Let's rush our wedding. I can't wait to be your husband," he said softly to me.

At those times, I did not know what to say to him. Every time he told me this thing then I was excited, but now it seems to be different. I could feel the excitement in my heart. I also want to rush our wedding, to be honest, but after what happened, I don't know if I can still do it.

-

"I heard that another son of Don Damien has arrived. Didn't Ares mention anything to you?" Riley asked me, so I looked at her and shook my head.

"Nobody knows his name here because he is better known in Las Vegas. I also heard he's the greatest rival of Ares," Via added.

For some unknown reason, I was suddenly horrified when I heard the place he mentioned. My gaze remained on the coffee in front of me as I struggled to remember that place. I feel like I’ve heard that from someone.

"I guess that's what they were talking about earlier in the conference room, Ana. That's what will manage the other businesses of their family. The Galvez even offered him a partnership," Elena said.

My eyes widened when I heard what she said. I looked up at them. Riley and Via visited this afternoon and until this afternoon they are still here. Elena said the two will stay in her condo for a vacation.

"Where did you hear that? Are you sure?" I asked her because as far as I know, the Galvez did not just offer a partnership even if they were distant or close relatives.

"I heard from Don Damien earlier in the conference room. You weren't there that's why you don't know. Maybe that's why Sir Ares wasn't in the mood when you talked," she replied to me.

"Hey, what really happened to you, girl? Where have you been that night?" Riley asked, so I blinked quickly. I thought they already knew.

When I glanced at Elena, she shook her head at me.

"I just went home right away because I couldn't take it anymore." I lied again.

"Really? Without telling Ares? That's new, huh," she added, so I was stunned.

I sipped my coffee and winced when I tasted the bitterness there. I got up and marched toward the coffee shop counter to ask for sugar. I was about to return when a man hit me on the shoulder. When I looked back, it turned its back on me and seemed to be choosing its order. I looked down at the whole of him. He was wearing a white polo with sleeves folded to the elbows. I also noticed his seemingly long hair because it was tied in a bun. Won't it even apologize?

I was about to leave when I smelled that familiar scent. I looked down at his arm. My forehead furrowed when I saw that seemingly familiar dragon tattoo. Only half of it was peeking out and the head was probably on his arm.

When he tilted, I noticed his sharp nose. It’s wearing Rayban, so I can’t see what it looks like but I think this is an arrogant guy. It's obvious.

"Ana, Via is supposed to be first--what are you doing?"

I was taken aback when Elena suddenly appeared beside me. I saw her look at the man I was staring at and grin.

"Who's that? He's yummy, huh? His sex appeal is so strong!" She said, so I immediately pulled her away from there.

But before I was far away, my eyes widened when I saw him remove his glasses, and his eyes focused directly on me. He grinned and waved. What... why is he here?!

When Elena and I got back to the table, my cell phone rang because of a text, so I read it right away.

I wish I hadn't done it...

Unknown Number

Where's your ring? Who told you to take our wedding ring off your finger?