Chapter 82 Chapter 82
“Get out,” I said through gritted teeth. I pulled my phone out and texted Jax. I pulled the broken pieces of glass still stuck in the frame; I cut my hand, but I didn't care. The idiotic woman just stood there. The door opened, and Jax came in.
“Boss?” he asked, coming towards me. He looked at the woman, then at me. This picture was all I had left to remember her by.
“Jax, her… Please replace the glass. Make sure it wasn't damaged from the fall,” I said.
He took it from me, making sure it was face down, and she couldn't see it.
“I’ll have it fixed,” he said.
After he walked out, I looked at the woman still standing there. “Don’t ever step into my office again. I don't care about working relations. Any report you have, leave it with my assistant. Now get out,” I said.
“Mr. Rhyland, it was an accident. As you wish, but we both need to attend a charity event in DC this weekend,” she said before walking out.
I ended the workday early and went straight to the apartment. I needed a drink. After my shower I poured myself a drink; I was standing in the living room looking at her picture. I had taken one sip when I heard someone clear their throat. When I turned around, Carlo was standing there with Solane Garrison. I saw when her eyes flicked to the picture on the wall.
“WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING IN MY SPACE?” I yelled.
She dropped the file onto the coffee table and walked out without a word. I looked at Carlo. “If you ever let another woman into this apartment beside family and staff, I’ll kill you,” I said. He just nodded and walked out.
She had seen the picture; now she would have questions. No one knew about Tessa, and I didn't want anyone to know. I drank way more than I should have. I didn't go into work the next day and just stayed in the gym, beating the hell out of a punching bag, trying to take all my anger and frustration out on it, but it was no use. Jax ended up sparring with me. After three hours I still wasn't satisfied.
I received the invitation later that day. The event was being held at the Waldorf Astoria at nine pm. My inbox had an email from Garrison.
I opened it and scanned it; she’ll be there. That's all I saw before closing it. I made a call and reserved the presidential suite; I didn't feel like coming back the same night. I didn't care about Garrison; her arrangements were up to her. I spent the day just being and trying to rein in my anger.
On Saturday at noon, I was already in the presidential suite. I didn't go out; I just stayed inside. I didn't bring security with me; why would I? By eight fifty-five I was standing outside the Ballroom. I could see them and hear the chatter. I was about to walk in when Garrison walked up and stood beside me.
“I was waiting for you outside,” she said. I didn't even glance at her.
“I don’t need to tell you my whereabouts,” I said coldly.
“Mr. Rhyland, tonight is about the merger; we can put our differences aside for a few hours, can’t we?” She asked, and I looked at her but didn't answer. I just pushed the door open and walked in. The minute I stepped in, all eyes turned to me. A waiter passed by and handed me a glass of champagne. I took it; I didn't take two steps in before they rushed me. One by one, the men I've done business with came over, and we talked.
The conversations were too tiring, and the questions were the same in different form, until I started to get annoyed that I went looking for something stronger. A server passed by, and I stopped him. “Sir?” he asked.
“Get me a scotch double. “Every ten minutes,” I said.
“Yes, sir,” he replied.
I drank and kept the conversation going. During dinner Solan Garrison was sitting beside me; I managed to ignore her for the first half of the evening.
“So how is it working with Ms. Garrison?” Conway asked.
“Work is work,” I replied, not putting anything into it.
“That’s the way Mr. Rhyland is,” Luther replied.
After dinner they were bidding. I flagged the same server, and he brought me a scotch. Out of nowhere Salone came up and stood beside me.
“Is she your wife?” she asked. I turned on her, the alcohol fueling my anger, but I couldn't lash out at her here. She waited for the perfect time to ask, but I didn't answer.
I downed the scotch and called for another one. I had already had enough. The server brought it to me, and I downed half of it when it hit me. Not drunk but unfocused. I looked to my right, and she was smiling. I downed the rest and excused myself.
I walked to the washroom but made a turn. My vision was blurry; I was still conscious, but I was getting lightheaded fast, and I was starting to feel hot. I felt someone grab me. I don't get drunk; I know my limit. Someone put something in my drink.
“I got you, Zaiel,” the voice said. It was Garrison, but I didn’t have the strength to push her away or move. I tried to get my phone but couldn't. A woman was walking towards us. She was wearing a server's uniform and a mask.
“What are you doing?” She asked, looking between me and Solane.
“Oh, Mr. Rhyland had a bit too much to drink,” Solane said.
I blinked a few times and tried to move but couldn't.
“Did he drink too much, or did you drug him?” the woman asked.
“How dare you?” Solane said. She moved fast and yanked Solane away, which caused me to lean against the wall. I don't know what she did, but Solane was on the ground unmoving. Another server passed by.
“Can you have someone take care of her? She passed out,” she said to the guy, and he nodded. After a few minutes the guy came back with someone else and took Solane away. She walked over to me.
“Are you staying here?” She asked, and I could barely nod.
“Keycard?” She asked, but I couldn't answer. She came closer to me, and I caught a whiff of it. I was feeling hotter. Did she really drug me? I felt her hands on me, in my pockets. I guess she found it. She took my hand, throwing it over her shoulder. She was short, short like Tessa.
“Lean on me; I’ll take you up,” she said quietly. She helped me up to the room; she opened the door and took me straight to the room.
“Why did you drink so much?” She asked.
“Tessa,” I whispered, and she stopped for a few seconds, then continued walking.
“Is Tessa your girlfriend? Should I call her?” She asked her.