Chapter 13 CHAPTER 13
Rosaleen's POV
I glanced at my phone. No text from the anonymous man who had sent the nude photo of Evelyn Moon yet, and nothing from Tamara too. She mentioned that Evelyn would be meeting Alpha Raymond today and I was expecting some interesting news.
Marcus pushed the door open and glanced disapprovingly at the bottle of wine on the table. “Rosa, you've got mail dear. Why have you left your emails unanswered?”
I eyed him, slightly irritated that he couldn't see that I was heartbroken. “I'm not interested, Marcus,” I said, emptying the glass cup. “I may not be moving back.”
I had just decided that just that second. He looked mortified. “What?!” He rushed to my side and pushed the alcohol away. “Are you serious? We are about to peak in your career. Primus is that big deal and you've always wanted to work with them.”
I sighed. “I don't know what I want right now, Marcus. I just know I don't want to lose Michael.”
He frowned. “This is not how to get the man you want, Rosa. Sulking in your room and drinking alcohol. You step out and make your demands.”
I nodded. “Right. But he's engaged already. To that nobody.”
He scoffed. “When has that ever been a problem? We can get rid of her in a second.” He snapped his finger for effect. “But promise me you'll consider Primus?”
I reached for the bottle but he pulled it away. “I will, Marcus. Can I have my wine now, please? I need to think clearly.”
He pushed it towards me. “Don't do anything without informing me, Rosa. I'll be really mad if you flop this.”
Tamara called minutes later.
“Tam,” I cried. “I've been waiting to hear from you.”
“I'm sorry,” she said, a door closing in the background. “I was only able to get info from Jasper when he came back.” She lowered her voice. “The dinner was a massive flop. She showed up drunk and basically embarrassed herself.”
I felt instant relief. “Drunk? Who the hell shows up to meet alpha Raymond drunk? She isn't as much of a threat as I expected.”
Tamara chuckled. “Wait for the big deal. Alpha Michael didn't bother to escort her home. The driver took her home and Jasper said he was very troubled.”
I smiled. “He'll need me tonight. Thank you so much for this, Tam. I owe you one.”
“Oh hold on,” she called. “If you are going to see Alpha Michael tonight, tell him you are interested in spearheading the company's new project launch.”
“What product?” I asked.
“I don't have all the details but the product is a big deal. And I hear he's been looking for a media lead.”
Tamara had outdone herself. I owed her at least one designer bag.
I found Alpha Michael in the swimming pool. He was buried head deep under the water. I sat on the chair and watched as he swam. I knew swimming was one of the ways he eased off stress. The night had definitely been stressful and it wad likely high up in the list of stressors.
He approached me with a white towel hung around neck while he wiped streaks of water from his hair.
“Rosaleen,” he said. “A pleasant surprise.”
I stood up, reaching for the towel and dabbing moisture from his chest. “I heard your father was here tonight.”
He raised his brows.
“ I have my ways of getting information,” I said, my hands lingering on his back. “How did it go?”
He moved away. “Don't remind me, Rosaleen.”
I tossed the towel to the man standing by the pool. “I told you she was no good.”
He sighed. “I don't know, Rosaleen. It's hard to please my father. And I feel I was too hard on her.”
I grunted. “Let's have some wine, Michael. Forget about her. She isn't worth your breath.”
He looked at me. “I've had enough wines for today, Rosa. But help yourself. You can sleep in the guest room if gets too late to leave.”
I leapt forward and caught his arm. “Tell me you don't know why I'm here, Michael. Do I have to make myself plain?”
“Rosa…”
I held on to his arm. “Doesn't this feel right to you? You and I? Why haven't you ever looked at me beyond being your friend?”
“You've had too much drink, Rosa.” He moved forward.
“Fine,” I said, my desperation peeking. “I may have had too much to drink. I heard about your new product launch.”
He stopped.
“Bring me on board,” I said. “I heard you need a media manager.”
He chuckled. “You don't belong here, Rosa. You belong on the world stage.”
I laughed. “I want the role. I'm perfect for it. Let me have it.”
“I must have a mole in the office,” he said lightly and turned around to face me. “Why would you want a role like that?”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “It's a role that involves foreigners. Who is better than me in fitting into that role? That's what my whole life is about.”
“You make a point,” he said. “But how much would you want for the role? I'm afraid you might be too expensive for us.”
“Too expensive for Michael Greywood?” I edged closer, closing the gap between us.
He let me move very close to him. “It's a new product. We are still in the phase of budget approval.” I felt the warm air from his nostril on me as he spoke.
I drew patterns on his chest with my fingers and played with the little growth of hair. “I'm willing to take the role without pay, Michael. I don't need money urgently. Neither is my family in financial ruins.”
He caught my hand. “I know you enough to know you don't do anything for free.”
I smiled. A slow, alluring smile. “You are right. In exchange for being your media head, we'll go on a date every weekend. At a place I choose.”
He said nothing.
“Deal?”