Chapter 139 139

Chapter 139 139
Ashley POV

I averted my gaze feeling ashamed and awkward. Even though she had assured me that she was fine with me being with Jayden, I had no idea if what she said was true. Of all people, I knew how obsessed she had been with Jayden over the years, and it did not sit well with me that I had "taken" Jayden away from her. As much as I knew that I should talk to her about this, I simply couldn't bring myself to say it.

There was also a reason why I had not told her yet that his brother, Jared, didn't know about me and Jayden, as well as that I was not going to tell her - at least for now. Not until I knew more about him - and his tattoos.

"It's not a bad position," I said half-heartedly. "He was appointed as the leader..." I scratched my head. "Uh, something."

"You really don't know anything about your family's company, do you?"

As I snapped my attention back to Eva, I found her wearing an amused expression. " Sadly," I said with a grimace. "Can we change the subject to something else? I'm doubting myself more and more at the moment."

"Alright," she began as she fished her cell phone out of her bag. "Have you watched the new series about vampires and witches?"

"You know I don't really like watching series," I said.

"Yeah, but I think you can make an exception for this one because Jayden sings one of the songs in it. Didn't he tell you?"

I frowned and moved closer to her and her phone. "No."

"Oh." Suddenly she looked uneasy and pulled away from untying her earbuds and cord. "I think I know why."

"Why?"

"That song is a duet song. And the other singer is Blair fucking Anderson."

"That can't be why," I argued, though my hands were clenched tightly under the table. "They broke up and told their agency."

"You said that almost a month ago," she stated somewhat doubtfully. "And I still have yet to hear anything from either of their companies."

"They're probably waiting for the right timing," I said defensively. "I'm sure it's just some kind of marketing ploy during the series' run."

"Right. Yeah, I guess."

She didn't sound convinced. Though part of me agreed with her, the other part refused to doubt Jayden. Whatever our relationship was now, I knew he deserved my trust. And that's what I kept telling myself as I watched the trailer on her phone. That's what I kept telling myself as I watched the clip of Jayden and Blair singing a duet together in a studio.

That's what I keep telling myself as the jealousy rises like a rush of blood in the back of my throat, forcing me to chug down an entire iced coffee at once to clean my mouth.

"Good luck on Monday," she said as it was time for us to bid farewell. "You will surely need it."

"I need more than luck," I snorted.

And it was true.

By the time Monday morning rolled around, I knew almost nothing more about Red Moon Inc. than I did when I spoke to Eva. I was too focused on sending emails and calling the college to explain my resignation, something that worried the chancellor because my parents had given the college a considerable amount of funding since I was accepted. It was a matter I had no comment on, which made for an awkward conversation. And - as if that didn't take up enough of the time I should have been using to study Red Moon Inc., the rest of my weekend had been swallowed up by my visit to Silvercross Healing. Dad looked fine, but judging by the constant frown on Mom's forehead, I would be a fool to think things were perfectly fine.

It was seven in the morning and about forty more minutes before I was supposed to arrive at the reception of Red Moon Inc.'s headquarters, but I couldn't help fidgeting in my seat in the backseat of the BMW. Checking my looks on my phone, I simply couldn't help but notice how weary and young I looked even with makeup on. How was I going to announce my Dad's resignation to the council packed with a bunch of people who had probably spent as many years in the business as I had? How was I going

to take over the head position at one of the biggest companies in the goddamn country? But most importantly, how was I going to look Jared in the eye after what I had seen in his hotel room?

My arms felt burning as the car came to a screeching halt outside the main entrance of Red Moon Inc.'s headquarters. The fifty-eight-story building probably reached more than two hundred meters from the sidewalk where I stepped out, and even though I had passed by the gigantic structure many times before, I had never felt as scared as I did now. For now, that building was no longer just a building.

It was my building.

"Do you want me to follow you inside?"

Glancing back, I found that David had lowered the window on the driver's side. His eyes looked worried, and I saw that he was about to unbuckle his seat belt.

"I will be fine," I reassured him, though my voice was shaking. "It's just a little... overwhelming."

He nodded. "I will be ready to pick you up at any time," he told me.

"Thank you," I said, throwing him a smile. A smile that soon faded after he drove off in his car, leaving me alone.

My legs were shaking as I walked towards one of the biggest revolving doors I had ever seen. The air felt very humid, as sweat was already pouring down my back underneath my creamy white blouse, navy blue blazer, and matching skirt. At first, I felt funny in this outfit, as if I had just stolen clothes from Mom's closet and dressed up, especially since I paired it with high heels. When I looked at myself in the mirror this morning, I had a feeling of exaggeration. But once I entered this building, I felt a little relieved that the other women were dressed similarly, even more appropriately.

But still, my biggest fear still hangs over my chest. Would anyone really take me seriously?

The foyer was huge. Windows towered on every outer wall and bright lights radiated from the high ceiling, filling the room with dazzling light. Large blocks of black glass in various shapes adorned the inner walls, my own reflection I could almost see reflecting on the shiny gray floor like a mirror. The interior was very bold. I could see Mom's taste seeping into every detail, and I briefly imagined what my parents' office would look like as I stepped up to the reception desk - a wide, circular marble table directly across from the revolving door.

"Hello," greeted the receptionist - a woman who seemed to be only a few years older than me - with a sweet smile. Her name tag reads Hailey Maison. "May I help you, Miss?"

Opening my mouth to answer, I shut it again instantly. What should I say? If I told her that I was the CEO's daughter and had come to announce my Dad's resignation, she would probably think I was crazy. My profile is quite public because of my involvement with Jayden and his family, but from the way Hailey is looking at me, it seems like she doesn't recognize me. And since my Dad hadn't been announced as hospitalized yet, no one knew about his condition.

"Miss?" Hailey furrowed her neatly shaved eyebrows, a note of worry starting to creep into her voice. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

I was just about to explain who I was when someone called my name from behind. The voice was familiar, and my body instantly stiffened from head to toe. My whole instinct was to ignore him and walk away. But I mustered up the courage - as much as I could in such a tight spot - and turned around slowly, trying to put on a polite smile.

Dressed in a dark suit that fits his tall, well-built body perfectly, Jared Keller strides quietly towards me. His black hair was slicked back, a fancy watch poked out from under his sleeve, and his bag was clearly branded. He seemed to fit perfectly into this environment, and - from first glance, anyone would think he was the perfect gentleman. His face was clean-shaven, his jaw masculine and firm, his nose sharp - too perfect to be true.

No one would have guessed that he was involved with one of the most dangerous mafia gangs in the city.