Chapter 52 Fifty - two

Chapter 52 Fifty - two
"What do you mean?" I ask, puzzled. "Why did you say he's full of shit?"

"Because he is," Clara replies, scoffing incredulously. "He was flirting with you just now, wasn't he? It's okay. You can be honest with me. It's not like I'm going to tell your husband anything."

I frown at her statement, a pang of annoyance stirring within me. Why does she think I care whether she tells Lorenzo about my encounter with his CIO or not? Does she think I'm scared of him or something?

However, despite my displeasure, I answer in a calm tone. "He wasn't... We were just talking. Like I said, he brought some documents that need reviewing." I pull open the drawer where I had kept the file Aiden gave me earlier and show it to Clara as evidence.

"Hmm." She nods in approval, prompting me to push the drawer shut. "Okay then."

"You still haven't answered my question, though..."

"What question?" she asks with knitted brows, appearing to have forgotten what I asked her earlier.

I repeat, "You told me to be wary of Aiden. Why is that? Is there something he did around here or what?"

Clara hesitates before offering me a feigned sweet smile. "Let's just say he's a man-whore, Liora."

"What?" I ask in bewilderment.

She chuckles. "What? You surprised? Of course you are. You should probably see your face right now," she taunts, pointing at my face, which I'm sure has gone pale by now.

I wasn't expecting to hear that about Aiden from her because, while I was speaking with him earlier, he seemed like a genuinely nice guy. So what does Clara mean by saying he's a man-whore?

Was I mistaken about Aiden? Or is Clara just trying to deter me from becoming close friends with him, which I don't intend to do anyway?

Like I said before, I don't think Lorenzo would appreciate me befriending other men.

"Okay, let me explain since you obviously look so confused." Clara sits beside my desk, adjusting her position as she faces me directly and leans a little closer. Her voice drops to a lower tone. "Everyone around here knows the kind of man Aiden is, except you. Well, I'm more than happy to fill you in. So listen, whenever a new female employee is hired into the company, Aiden's number one priority is to get between her thighs by any means."

"What?!" I exclaim quietly, disbelief rippling through me.

"That's not all. He's slept with probably eighty percent of the women in this building. Now, eighty percent is quite a high number, Liora. So you do the math."

She leans back, a satisfied smile curving her lips as though she's pleased she just destroyed someone's reputation in my eyes. Or maybe she's simply smiling because she succeeded in warning me to stay away from Aiden before it was too late.

I swallow, at a loss for words, a tight knot of displeasure and betrayal forming in my chest.

I feel betrayed because now I'm starting to realize maybe Aiden's apology wasn't genuine after all. Or maybe I was right about him staring at me like a creep earlier. Could it be that he wasn't just staring at me yesterday, but checking out his next victim?

Was that his true intention when he approached me this morning with his peace offering? When he invited me out to lunch? When he said he wanted to know more about me because he found me interesting?

Were those merely his usual clichéd ploys to make me fall for his charm?

My blood boils with anger, my teeth grinding together.

If what Clara has just told me is true, that simply means Aiden had just tried to play me for a fool. He probably believes I'm one of those dumb girls he can easily lure into his bed.

Liars are people I simply can't deal with. I hate being lied to and made a fool of. I won't let this act of betrayal from Aiden slide.

How dare he try to... use me?

I must applaud him, though. He's got the nerve to even approach me, disregarding the fact that I'm married to his boss.

Licking my lips, I push aside my thoughts and refocus on Clara, who seems to be going through a file on my desk. "Thanks for letting me know, I guess. I'll be careful around him."

She nods without sparing me a glance. "That's what I thought. Better late than never."

I don't know what to say to that. I'm upset, but I can't take out my frustration on Clara because she isn't the reason behind my sour mood. Although she played a part in ruining my spirits, it was for the greater good, I guess.

"And just to make sure something like that never happens to you," Clara says, turning to me, her voice cheerful, "I'll go warn Aiden to stay away from you."

"You don't have to do that," I counter. I hate being put in a complicated position.

However, Clara disagrees, straightening her posture as she waves a finger at me. "Uh-uh, no," she says firmly. "He needs to get it through his thick skull that you're a married woman, not just any lady he can approach and put through his usual cycle of madness. He should know when to back off..."

I tried telling him that too, but he kept testing the waters.

Knowing there's nothing I can possibly say to dissuade Clara from confronting Aiden, I remain quiet, at a loss for words.

"I'll be right back," she says, forcing a smile as she gently taps my shoulder before exiting my office.

I'm still reeling from my conflicting thoughts, trying to process what just happened and everything Clara just told me, when I inhale Lorenzo's intoxicating scent.

I stiffen, realizing he's nearby. Reluctantly raising my head, I meet his icy gray eyes as he strides toward me. I wasn't expecting him to say anything, especially since I could tell he was pissed off.

There's a look of displeasure on his face. However, as he passes my office, he abruptly stops at the doorway, grunting a firm command. "In my office," he asserts. "Now."