Chapter 22: He isn’t my lover!

Daniel

“Did you get the mail, Sir? I've worked on the file and it just needs your authorisation. Also your meeting with the Randalf is in two hours. I've made reservations at the restaurant.” Linda let out while I immediately pulled my laptop closer and scrolled through my email.

“Ohh, yeah, I see it now. I'll check it and send it back to you once I'm done. I hope you are aware we are going to the meeting together?” I quizzed.

“We are? Alright sir. I'll get ready.” she asserted.

“Let me know when we're ready to leave.” I chimed in while she turned around and left.

I went through the file and I was satisfied with it so I signed and sent it back to her. I quickly went back to the files I was working and I had no idea how long it took me until my door flung open and Linda was back there.

“It's time sir. We have to leave now if we're going to meet up.” she let out.

“Okay, I'll be out in ten minutes.”

“No sir, we do not have ten minutes to spare. It's now or we're going to be late.” she insisted and I couldn't get mad at her tone.

She was firm and formal at the same time. I just dropped my pen, got my things and walked out while she locked the door after me.

We arrived at the restaurant just for the clients to also arrive and I was happy I listened to my firm assistant.

The meeting started and went really well. The contract was already finalized before now and we were just having one last meeting to agree on the pattern of the project.

“Thank you, Mr. Sterling. We have no doubt you're going to give nothing but your best into this.” the boss stood up while I also rose to my feet.

“Certainly, you have my word.” I affirmed and we shook hands while they left.

“Wow, that was something.” I let out.

“Welldone sir. You really outdid yourself on this one.” Linda chimed in.

“Thank you, Linda. But I can't take the whole glory over this. You did the most work.” I replied and just then, I looked up and saw a very familiar face.

“Linda, take a look at that table ahead. Who do you think it is?” I asked while she also looked in the direction.

“I'm not sure but it really looks like your wife sir. Want me to go confirm?” she asked while I shook my head.

“No, I'll do that myself. You can just leave and go home. You've done enough for today, get some rest.” I said and without waiting for a response, I made my way to the other side.

The more I got close, the more it got clearer that it was the person I thought it is.

“Yes, and I'm happy I got it and just so you know, the contract I have for you offers even twenty times that amount. So what do you say beautiful Ms. Lila?”

The guy let out while he let out and she just sat there, blushing like a clown. I wanted to walk away but I just couldn't resist the anger that surged through me when she addressed her wrongly.

“It's Mrs. Lila Sterling!” I let out angrily while Lila immediately turned around. She looked like she saw a ghost and was ready to flee.

“And you are?” the guy asked and the audacity in his voice and face infuriated me so much but I tried to control myself. I can't be creating a scene in public like this, it's not a good look on me. But Lila isn't going to like what I'd do to her.

“I am the husband of the woman you were just trying to hit on.” I let out and Lila tried to speak then but one look from me and she swallowed her words.

“I think you're getting this all wrong because there is nothing like that happening here. This was just business.” he replied but I wasn't having it.

“She is my wife and you stay away from her!” I said firmly.

“Get your things, we're leaving now!” I turned it Lila, who immediately grabbed her things and followed me.

I got back to my table and I was surprised to see Linda still there.

“I thought I asked you to go home,” I asked.

“Your things, sir. You left them behind.” she replied and handed them to me but I didn't wait to reply her.

“Go home!” I said without stopping.

I got in the car, and Lila got in too while I zoomed off.

“Calling your lover already?” I asked when I saw her scrolling through her phone with urgency.

“What?! No! I'm only trying to reach the driver so he wouldn't just keep waiting for me.” she replied.

“And no, that man you saw isn't my lover. I do not have any lover.” she added while I scoffed.

“Ohh really, so why was he talking about buying your attention and trying to pay for it! You are surprised I know, right? Well, yeah, I heard everything. Every damn filthy talk you had with your lover.” I let out and I don't even understand why I did that. Of course I only heard his last sentence and it wasn't filthy like I described. Maybe I was just curious to know what they were discussing that got her blushing so hard.

“I don't think you heard it all because if you did, you would understand it was only business we were discussing. He wants to buy one of my artwork and we were meeting to negotiate the price. If you weren't so arrogant, you would have listened when I wanted to tell you in the morning.” she let out and I turned to look at her in a hurry.

Why the fuck did she get the nerves to talk to me like that?!

“And again, he isn't my lover!” she added.

“Ohh, you think this is what this is about? I don't care if you have lovers or not. There's no love in our contract so you're absolutely free to get love whereever you find it. Just don't forget that my reputation is on the line here and I will do anything to protect my image.” I let out.

“What are you even talking about now?” she cut in.

“I'm not done talking here.” I jumped back in.

“You're absolutely free to do whatever you want as long as you maintain your discretion. No scandals or that forfeits the contract and you lose your money.” I let out.

I expected her to say something but she didn't even say a word. She just sat there with a straight look on her face.

We finally got home, and she still went in without saying a word. That got me really angry because now I can't get the chance to unleash my anger on her.

I went into my room, had a cold shower to calm myself but I didn't work. I was so restless so after about thirty minutes of tossing around in bed, I got up, threw a shirt on and left.

I drove to the private bar, the same one where I met Lila. I haven't been there since that night but once I walked in now, the boss had a big smile on and it's because of the money.

“You already know what I like. Get me your best,” I said to him.

“Right away!” he chimed in…