Chapter 32 CHAPTER 32
Michael’s POV
I knew something was wrong with her but I guessed I had underestimated just how bad it was.
“A shareholder?’ I laughed. “You can’t just become a shareholder because you want to be one. Or because I kissed you.”
“Why not?” she pressed. “I am your wife afterall.”
“Don’t push me, Evelyn.”
“Why not?” she shot back. “You make all the crazy demands and don’t keep them.”
I slapped my palm against the steering wheel in frustration. “You seem to be forgetting your place, Evelyn Moon. Let me remind you. You are nothing but a placeholder in my life, and all you need to do is just smile and shut the fuck up!”
I realised immediately that my words were too harsh but it was what was needed to set things back into place. I needed to remind myself that too. Whatever it was that I was beginning to feel for her was dangerous. She was only meant to be here for a year, and with the outlook of things, she wouldn’t even last three months.
“Let’s go,” she said, turning away and facing the road ahead.
I sighed and started the car. “Evelyn,” I started.
“No,” she whispered. “It’s fine.”
The rest of the drive home was painfully silent. I was also frustrated and wearing it on my sleeves. So when I got out of the car and tried to help her and she shoved me away, I turned away and drove off.
I thought I would find respite by burying myself in work, but I was wrong. The conversation replayed in my mind. I had been too harsh on her and I was too proud to admit that I was wrong.
“You look like you are about to throw someone off a cliff,”Jasper said, strolling in.
I grunted. "You are late, Jasper.”
He collapsed on the sofa. “I’m sorry. Traffic. It’s been hectic with the elections almost here.”
I said nothing.’
“You look tense.”
“I’m fine," I replied, sharply.
“No, you are not,” he persisted.
I grunted and slammed my fist against the table. “I’m choking, Jasper. I need some air.”
He wasn’t flustered a bit. I took a deep breath. “I kissed her,” I said finally. “ I fucking kissed Evelyn Moon.”
He watched me silently.
“Are you not going to say anything?’
“What do you want me to say, Michael? Do you love her now?’
I tightened my fist. “Absolutely not”
“It was just a kiss. Did you feel anything?"
I shook my head but I was lying. I felt something. The cry of my wolf for her. Those few seconds when her lips were on mine were the best seconds of my life. And I hated that I enjoyed it too much.
“Then it doesn't mean anything. Why are you so upset about it?’
“She’s making demands," I said. “She said I broke the terms of our contract.”
He smiled. “You did break it. What does she want?”
“Shares.”
He broke into a laugh. “Shares for a kiss?”
“It’s ridiculous," I said, heaving.
“Take her out. An apology dinner or something. And don't get drunk again.”
I laughed. Perhaps we could have dinner together at the terrace. I would apologise for the kiss, and for shouting at her and I hoped I would not kiss her again. “Good idea, “ I said.
I heard some arguments outside and just then, Rosaleen pushed the door open and walked in. She had an angry scowl on her face.
“Give us a moment," I said to Jasper and he sprinted out of the room.
She threw a folder on my desk and it landed with a loud swat. “I won’t be insulted by you again, Michael. I came here and stayed because I valued our friendship. What we had nurtured for so many years."
“Rosaleen-” A headache was thrumming in my head
“That is the framework you asked for and the team contributors. Is here any other thing you need?”
I rose up.”I’m not taking sides here, Rosa. Evelyn mentioned that it was her project and I just wanted to be sure.”
She stepped back as I moved closer to her. “And you take her word over my integrity?”
“Rosa -”
“No,” her voice trembled with hurt. “I don’t take any money from Greywood because I put you above money. Why would I steal? And you dare question my integrity on a day that was supposed to be a happy day for me.”
“I didn’t say the project wasn't yours,” I said. “‘I'm only following due process. I need to investigate.”
“But you thought it, didn’t you?” she stepped closer. “For a moment you did. Perhaps you are upset about what happened between us last night.”
“I -”
“And all for what? For a common harlot like her!”
I turned away. “You are crossing the line, Rosa.”
She followed me. “She's nobody. She has no money. No background. No power. No influence. She is nothing but a prostitute who doesn’t mind sleeping her way to the top, even if it means sleeping with her own step brother!”
I faced her. “What did you say?”
She blinked away. “I’m done here, Michael." And she stormed out.
I wasn’t aware that Evelyn Moon had a step brother. And she was sleeping with him? I felt my guts twist and bile rise up in my chest. I didn’t know that Trent Moon had a step son. I typed his name on the web and searched for the details of a step son. There wasn’t really much news about that. I wondered if I should confront Evelyn Moon with this. I knew she was desperate for power, but I didn't realise she was this desperate and unprincipled.
When a search result led me to a name, I stopped suddenly. The name was so familiar. I knew it because I had seen the name recently. I opened the picture that was linked to the name and I recognised him instantly. Xavier Heart, the step brother of Evelyn Moon, was the man who Rosaleen had introduced to the board as her partner.