CHAPTER EIGHT: EVERYBODY'S WOMAN

ANNA HAS BEEN spending her consecutive nights visiting her favorite bar— the same place where she met that mysterious guy A. K. A Mr. Alistair Zamora who's also one of their company's biggest investors. Since the day that their paths surprisingly crossed, her desire to make revenge heightened to the point of conducting her own investigation merely to locate him and deliver the best karma he deserves.

But to Anna's surprise, nobody could tell her a single thing about him like the guy was just a craft of her frustrated mind. They even have no idea of what he looks like nor how hot the guy is.

Was he just really a craft of her frustrated mind, or a ghost roaming around their office without attracting any notice?

Out of the many employees she interrogated, only Amelia had given her an answer, although it's scanty. The secretary said that Mr. Zamora has a lot of business to run in and out of the country, aside from their company. He got multiple investments to attend to, and countless projects to handle and his solution to his busy schedule is to let her secretary be his hands, eyes, and ears inside their company.

Amelia then pointed her finger over this woman who was wearing a sexy lace dress while she was currently drinking some distilled water from the dispenser on the corner.

“Her name is Margot Hernandez, 25 years of age, Mr. Zamora's trusted secretary,” added by Amelia.

Aside from her pretty face, the girl looks smart too and her air doesn't feel like the type to let her boss call her stupid whenever she makes mistake... if she does. Anna can also smell the perfume of a she-devil right from where she's standing.

As her eyes lingered on Margot; from her posture down to her fair complexion, and her long flawless legs, Anna couldn't help herself from raising a brow. Her long curled hair looks good on her, and how can she miss her freaking hot and slender body?

She is charming as f*ck! Now she's getting to the point of doubting a chance that Mr. Zamora never lusted over this lady. If Anna got the busy businessman's attention like that, what else more to the girl whom he used to share an office with most of the time?

"Goddammit! What am I thinking again, huh?" She slapped her head before she decided to finally approach the woman who was now heading back to her office.

"Hey! Margot, right?" she called out.

Margot stopped walking to lay her bored eyes on Anna, she finds her way of staring resembles how Mr. Zamora looked at her, goodness! Is that what could happen when you keep on being with someone most of the time— you are capable of adopting his or her traits? Hmmm... does that mean this woman is mannerless and conscienceless too?

"I'm Annaztaxia Contreras, daughter of Mr. Larry Miguel Contreras."

Now she is standing lazily in front of her. No more traces of courtesy over her hard expression, as if she was not even surprised or intimidated to be approached by the owner of the floor where she's exactly standing.

"Yeah, I know you. So, what have I done to make you come my way and talk? Please, make it sensible because I still have a lot of papers to work on— which I'm pretty sure would make more sense."

One word for this sharp-tongued woman, b*tch!

Now her lips are starting to screw into a bit of pique. How can this girl be this rude to Anna? She's just an intruder in their building, this girl needs the job more than her!

But then, she can't throw a fit in there without any valid reason. The impulsiveness of her might disclose her secrets in just a snap... So, she blew it up instead and calmed her tits down.

"Well, I just wanna know if Mr. Zamora is still inside his office? I need to talk to him," she said in a tone that would remind her who is superior between them. Anna cocked her brow and showed no intimidation. "It's important."

"Important?" Her long leg stride, indicating impatience. "Must it be so important for you to pry on his life? Well, sorry to say but my boss is on his way to his next meeting now. He has more important things to attend to than to gratify a small talk with someone who looks just bewitched by him."

Bewitched by him?

Does she look like one?

If this bitch would only know who took advantage of who… she would probably be running back to her boss to accuse him of the same thing….

Anna failed to obtain the information she wants from Mr. Zamora's secretary because aside from that b*tch is displeasing and unfriendly; she is as well acting as a self-proclaimed girlfriend to her boss who’s trying to take Mr. Zamora away from Anna.

Probably, because she is afraid of the fact that Anna is way better than her. And who knows? It would only take her a bit of flirting and this girl's boss will give up on her charm like how the boys she knows usually ended up.

Anna had enough of their useless employees who can't spit any single idea of the man's existence, so instead of asking, she thought of a better idea on how to find her way to him... By the time she gets the chance, she will grasp it tightly that that man won't get away with the mess he made to her...

Different people flocked the bar the following couple of days, and a lot of customers blocked her opportunity to find him, which resorted her to talking to the cute bartender in her front instead, maybe he has any idea about Mr. Zamora?

If that brute is a frequent customer, then most probably any of the staff knows him.

"Alistair Zamora is his name. Tell me if you know something about him. I will pay for every piece of info. just name your price."

She fished for her expensive trifold wallet inside her bag. Anna was preparing her money and about to pull out some cold cash when something got her stilled all of a sudden... that smell!

The sandalwood scent that made and still makes her knees melt so bad up until now, and put her through hell getting rid of it after that damn night.

Anna was quick to turn her head for the man standing uprightly on her side. He looked dashing and downright hot over his printed dress shirt paired with dark slacks, on his left arm was his watch creating an atmosphere of lavishness. She never really doubted when Amelia said he is a businessman with multiple investments in and out of the country, his pieces of stuff spoke for himself.

He raked Anna with a cold stare, his eyes squinted when it reached her face. "So, why the need to pay someone just to have any information about me when you could have asked me personally instead?"

And just like the first time they met without the influence of alcohol, his gorgeous face got her stunned again a couple of times. She's not the type of girl who would be easily mesmerized by his drop-dead face.

All of her past boyfriends were all handsome and fat-cat, also she is not the type to get distracted by a handsome man easily, yet this guy contradicts her belief.

His perfume seemed to be blended with some magical potion or maybe his bewitching eyes came with some spell for Anna to be completely overwhelmed whenever the two of them were meeting.

Before Anna could pull herself together and make a harsh reaction, a skinny hand flirtily wounding into his neck caught her attention first. Right from his broad shoulder, a woman's face suddenly peeked out into her view.

Annoying giggles came out of her red lips right after she pecked Mr. Zamora on his cheek, slowly her vibrant lips traveled down his neck, then to his nape and Anna stopped breathing while she was watching the girl nipping his skin right there... And the guts of this bastard, he's even enjoying the pleasure while his eyes never dared to leave Anna's fixed gaze.

Watching them flirting in her front triggers Anna to her verge, she can't understand herself but she's starting to hate the girl when it should be both of them? Goodness, gracious!

"Can't you be a little decent? You two are just in front of me, in case those small heads of yours forgot." She truly lost her cool and surprisingly bitched out like that.

The two stopped with their make-out just to look at Anna with their faces dancing with amusement. So, what's funny now?

"Descent? Don't be so hypocritical, girl," the girl whose arms remained wounded on Alistair's neck heckled. "If you want something decent, you better go to church and wrap yourself with freaking thick clothes. In case you also forgot, we are here at the bar to have fun, bummer b*tch!"

That shocks Anna to the core, the girl's sarcasm reaches her last nerves and she knows that she won't let that slide easily. The coolness she was trying to preserve boiled like water and the next thing she knew her glass of juice was in her hands and she was so quick to splash the remaining liquid towards the harlot's face.

It earned a sharp shriek from the poor girl, shock rose even on Alistair's face. But her eyes focused more on the drowned rat's face, she can't help smiling as she watches her wipe the liquid away from her body.

"You b*tch!" she lashed out, trying to pounce on Anna from her seat, even though she was having a hard time moving.

Extending her right long leg, Anna effortlessly drew one forceful kick on her tummy which caused the girl to lose her balance. She then jumped off her chair to tower over the girl who is now pathetically lying down on the floor, crying with the pain while causing a scene.

"You're a desperate bitch!" she shrieked while enduring her painful tummy. "You will pay for this."

"Well, sure. But I don't pay for cheap things, if you will make me pay make sure it's worth a page of my cheque."

After teaching the girl a lesson, she turned to look again for Mr. Zamora who was now standing and leaning against the counter with his well-toned arms crossed like a hot male model of some sort. He was there just watching so chill and relaxed when his girl is down on the floor, lying with a pained tummy?

He is really an ass! A conscienceless bastard!

With long strides, Anna went towards him. Just a meter away, she was able to breathe his alluring scent one more time. It weakens her whole body, but she tries hard to fight it just to stay sane. She then gathered all the strength that remained in her so that she would be able to hit his face to her heart's content.

Somebody somewhere gasped in surprise, no one was prepared for her show but that didn't make Anna stop. Not even the wound she caused down on his lips, in a matter of fact, sent her a bit of satisfaction. He deserves it...

Only that Alistair never bothered granting her any reaction to the pain he got, not even flinching nor wink.

"After the incivility, you've done to me, that ain't enough!" Disgust was burning in her eyes as she looked at his face.

The days she spent keeping the fear and anger to herself in fear that somebody might find out what happened between Anna and this asshole gives her more fury. She wants to pour down all of her frustrations to him.

But seeing no tint of fear nor pity crosses on his face left her perplexed. He remained with his stoic, deadpan expression as he effortlessly wiped the bloodstains on his swollen lips through the back of his thumb... He looks scary and... so cool.

And she's furious!

"Ain't enough? In which part? I have no idea about what you were talking about, Miss. The same goes to we don't even know why you were doing this to us —"

"Liar!" Anna said with a growl, she pointed the man in front of him firmly. "You are a liar! Stop acting like we haven't met before, stop acting like you are innocent. You conscienceless bastard!"

His eyes blinked enumerable times, shocked by her accusations. He scratched his head in confusion, he even got to fake his chuckles. Such a jerk!

"Miss, I think you were just mistaken. I barely even know you, and I have no idea why on earth you're accusing me this way? If you are one of those girls who ask for my attention or wish to date me and I failed to notice you, pardon me. Just pardon me..."

What? This bastard is one hell of an annoying and certified ass!

Whispers came around next— people started talking about Anna's desperate and pathetic move—which was insinuated by Alistair's disgusting act.

Their malicious stares put her in a daze and worsen the commotion inside her stomach. To be humiliated this way had never happened to her... well, her grandmother sometimes does. But right now...

"Miss, do you really have to throw a fit just for some attention?" asked the woman who's currently helping Alistair's b*tch. "So desperate of you."

"Shut your big mouth, you know nothing!" Anna lashes out. The irritation she's feeling makes her want to fly into a rage. She wants to pierce each of their eyes to stop them from staring at her annoyingly.

"That's Annaztaxia Contreras, right?" a man's voice said this time in a contemptuous way. Based on his tone, it sounded like he knew something about her. "I knew it! I have known her as everybody's girl since college. Still hasn't changed, I see."

The whispers around her worsen. Too much annoyance balled her palms, she never felt this hopeless all her life. If only Monet was there, somebody would curse these people for her.

Too much embarrassment stiffened her whole body, Anna couldn't move to walk away until an arm suddenly held her shoulder and pulled Anna towards his ambrosial and broad chest slowly. It feels familiar. His warmth brought her a sweep of nostalgia, and his chest feels like home.

"You guys can be sued for accusing her this way. Stop this nonsense with her," a familiar voice defended her while he was keeping Anna in between his strong chest and arm. "Leave her alone!"

"But Matthew, you're just defending her because you two are best friends. Stop covering up her bullshit," somebody bravely added. "She's moving her filthy plans to get another victim for herself again, can't you see that?"

"Shut it now, Ryan. If you can't do something good with your life, you better stop the hell with Anna, or else we will file a case against all of you. Don't try me!" Matthew threatened them without flinching.

Unknowingly, his threat dissolves the crowd. Those nosy people around them moved away slowly until they vanished from her sight. Matthew pulled Anna outside to breathe fresh air, he guided her towards the empty bench from there.

He squatted in front of her as he tried to check the tears from her eyes. He reached for her cheeks with the plan of wiping them away, but he suddenly stopped and shook his head like something was wrong with that... Eventually, Matthew stood up and turned his back on her.

"I better take you home now or do you have a car with you?"

"Matthew, can we talk?" Her voice was brittle. "Please... I miss you."

"Anna, stop it. I have said everything the last time we talked, cut it now. You are just inflicting pain on yourself! We better—" his phone loudly rings from his pocket, and suddenly cuts him off. Matthew took it out and answered. "Yes, babe. I will be there in a bit. Dad just asked me to do something... of course, I love you."

So, it's still Cherry?

Then, why does he have to come over and act as her knight and shining armor again? Why does he keep on giving her high hopes if he can't take full responsibility?

This world is really one hell of an unfair b*tch!