Chapter 18

AVERI

THE HEADACHE WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD. I'm sorry for ruining the family outing. I was pleased to see Jazmin being so sweet to her family. At the very least, she hasn't changed the old her that I've known. She's still charming to the people she cares about a lot.

How about me?

Me?

No, you're not welcome.

Of course, I am. I'm from Jazmin's past. Yes, past. And, as I've previously stated, the past is the past.

I shook the thoughts out of my head. It will cause me more pain, not only in my mind but also in my heart.

But I'm feeling better now. My headaches strike at the most inopportune times, and they subside when I take the medications that my doctor has prescribed for me. This headache has been bothering me since a car accident seven years ago severely injured my head, resulting in three years of partial amnesia.

However, I forgot to bring my meds last night, and George knew that's why we went home right away when he noticed I didn't have them. He also knew I had a spare in my medicine cabinet at his house, so he preferred to keep me there because it was closer to the resto than mine.

I noticed George sleeping on the floor. He is a gentleman. He didn't force himself on me if I didn't want to. Yes, we hadn't had sex yet. George did nothing to make me feel uncomfortable during our nearly two-year relationship. We had some intimate makeout and touching, but nothing more. He respected me so much that he never pushed me into anything sexual that I couldn't do. I don't know. I just can't.

So I reasoned that I'd have to do it with him when we married. That is what I promised him. And he respected it.

I got out of bed to wake him up.

"George. George, wake up," I say, kissing his nose, and it works. He smiled and drew me closer to him. That brings me to his crowning achievement.

"Oh, I love mornings, and I especially love it when an angel wakes me up," he said, cupping my face close to him. He's so sweet. I smiled.

"Oh, you sweet lover boy," I said softly, kissing him lightly. I was the one who pulled up, but he wouldn't let my lips go, so we kissed for a while until his touches went to places they shouldn't, and I just let him.

When he noticed I wasn't resisting his touch, he continued and squeezed my other boob with his big hands. I had no idea what had happened, but he was now on top, caressing my entire body. Me? I returned his kisses and moved my hands to his body. I was turned on.

I wear almost nothing because I'm only wearing a nightgown and undergarments. Who changed me last night, anyway? I think I dozed off quickly after taking my meds last night. I'm sure I didn't have time to change. When George found my soft spot while I was thinking like that, I moaned as he continued to suck it.

"Oh, B——" Oops! What was I about to say? I was about to scream Bonnie's name! Oh my God! I felt as if I had been thrown into the middle of nowhere. I was astounded. I pushed his shoulder to get him to stop.

"George, please stop," I begged, my eyes welling up with tears. Why does she always have to ruin things for me? I can't do this with his father if she continues to haunt my thoughts and heart.

I can see the lust in his eyes, but he immediately exchanges a worried look when he notices that I am about to cry.

"Oh shit. I'm sorry, sweetheart. I got carried away. It will never happen again. Please don't cry," he said, wiping my tears away with his hands.

I wanted to tell him there was nothing to apologize for, but I just let my tears flow as I realized my feelings for his daughter were just as strong as they had been. I'm so screwed up!

He hugged me and apologized over and over. I told him it was fine and went to the bathroom to shower. I felt terrible for what I was doing to him. He didn't deserve any of this from me.

I tried not to think about the crazy feelings again, but I failed, and I ended up crying in the shower. And as I considered what I should do with my stupid feelings, I came to a decision.

I'll take any opportunity to avoid Jazmin, even if it means not going to their house and having dinner with them. I can't see her. Not yet, not now that I'm having these feelings again. No, not again.

~*~

JAZMIN

IT'S BEEN FOUR DAYS SINCE THE FAMILY DINNER, and I haven't seen Averi since. I have no idea what happened to her, and it will be evident if I ask Dad about her condition. I don't want him to imply anything. So I kept myself busy at Angel Food. I'm working and learning everything I can about the company. And I can say that I'm succeeding.

Thanks to Gemma, the youngest board member who also happens to be one of Angel Food's principal stockholders, she has her way with me. She likes me. She occasionally comes to my office and brings me coffee, or she invites me to lunch and purposefully allows our hands to touch if she has the chance.

Gemma is lovely, but I've lost interest in other girls since I saw Averi again, and I hate myself for it. I politely declined Gemma's offer and smiled at her thoughtfulness. I think she realized I didn't want her as much as she wanted me, so she stopped coming to my office, which didn't bother me at all.

"Ma'am?" asked the person at the door after three knocks.

"Come in," I said, not taking my gaze away from the paper I was reading.

Kylie, my secretary, walked in.

"M-Ma'am, here are the financial reports that you requested. I-It covers from 2007 to the present," she stammered as she placed the folders on my table.

I give her a blank stare. She's tense, and I wanted to laugh at her nervousness around me. But I tried not to betray myself. To gain the respect of these people, I needed to adopt a more stern demeanor.

"Thank you; you may go," I said, returning my gaze to the papers in my hand.

She rushed out the door. When she turned her back on me, I smiled wickedly. That is true of all of the employees. They told me that I'm not like my father, who is so kind and caring for his people. But I don't care what these people think. I'm going to be their boss, and they must respect me if they want to keep their jobs. But, of course, I'm not going to abuse my power to gain their respect.

My phone rang while I was reading and checking the financial report.

When I saw an unlisted number calling me, I raised one of my eyebrows. I don't recall ever giving my phone number to anyone. I answer the phone by swiping the call symbol.

"Hello, good afternoon. Is this Miss Miller?" asked the familiar voice, but I couldn't recall where I had heard it.

"Yes, speaking; who is this, please?" I inquire in a businesslike tone.

"Do you happen to know Angel Bonnie Ramirez?" Oh my God! Now I remember.

"P-Pearl? Is this you?" I ask, almost choked. We haven't spoken or seen each other in seven years, and now she's talking to me. She's going to kill me.

"Bonnie! You jerk! Where did you hide? I'm going to kill you if I see you. Why did you leave us?" she exclaimed, echoing my thoughts. I smiled as tears streamed down my cheeks as I listened to her rant. I'd forgotten how much I missed her.

"I missed you, Pearl," I said when she kept nagging.

"I missed you too, best, so much," Pearl said, now crying on the other end of the line. "You'll meet me tonight, or I'll find out where you live and drag you out to see me," she said emphatically, "I'm not taking no for an answer."

"All right, Cheetah," I agreed, wiping my tears and smiling even though she couldn't see me. I know she smiled when I called her by her pet name.

"Okay, do you know where Aiden's restaurant is?" Oh, I think everyone loves that place. Why?

"Yeah," I replied.

"Okay. Meet me there at six o'clock, is that okay?" Pearl asked, but her tone implied, 'you should meet me there.' She's eager to see me.

"Uh-huh," I said, smiling.

"Alright, tigress, I'll see you tonight; I've missed you so much, and I'm glad to see you again," Pearl replied. But before I could respond, a bell rang. I heard her sigh. "I have to go for now, best. I have a class to attend. I'll see you tonight, okay?" Ahh, so that explains the bell.

"Yes, best," I said, "and I'll see you later."

"Bye for now. Much." Then she's out of the line, so I put my iPhone back on the table.

While rechecking the papers, I'm grinning like a fool. I'm thrilled that Pearl and I will see each other again. Even though I'm a little nervous because I have a lot of explaining to do, I'm still overjoyed to hear from an old friend.

I returned to work, got caught up, and almost forgot the time, so when I checked my phone, it was thirty minutes before six o'clock. I didn't get a chance to change, so I redo my makeup and let my red hair curl in big curls. I double-checked my work suit to ensure that it did not appear to be a work suit.

I undid the two buttons on my white blouse, tucked into my above-the-knee skirt. When I'm done fixing myself, I walk by Kylie and tell her about the documents I'd like to see the next day. She nodded nervously, but her eyes were filled with awe.

"M-ma'am, may I say something?" she asks, fidgeting her fingers and looking at me nervously.

"Yes? What is it?" I asked, looking at my watch.

"Y-you're so beautiful, ma'am," she said, looking down. I can't stop the smile from forming on my lips. I know she said it with no intention of 'liking me,' but it was a compliment.

"Thank you, Kylie, and you, too," I said, a genuine smile on my face. She raised her head and smiled. She's lovely as well, but as I previously stated, I've lost interest in liking other girls since meeting Averi.

"Thank you, ma'am," she said, blushing but not taking her gaze away from me.

"Okay, I've got to go. Tomorrow, the papers?" Kylie nodded, and I dashed off.

~*~

I ARRIVED AT AIDEN'S EXACTLY AT SIX P. M. I passed by the receptionist. She recognized me and smiled, but she looked at me again from head to toe. I just raised an eyebrow and cleared my throat.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. I can't help myself. You're too beautiful," she blushed and looked down. I let her off the hook this time because I don't want to get in trouble tonight, and she's just telling the truth. Why should I be angry? Too cocky.

"It's okay. Hmm..." I said, smiling as I looked at her name tag. "It's okay, June. Hmm, nice name, and thank you." I smiled, and she smiled back, still blushing. "I came here to see Miss Pearl Kim," I said. The receptionist furrowed her brows, but instead of responding, she nodded and summoned a waiter.

"Roel, please assist Miss Miller at the VIP room where Ma'am Pearl is," the waiter said, nodding and assisting me to the VIP room. I had no idea this place had a VIP room. Why did Dad choose the regular table when we came here? Maybe he didn't know either.

Don't get me wrong: the common area I was referring to was lovely. I can't describe it, but the restaurant is lovely and cozy. And they had great food, and when I say great food, I mean it. Of course, I'm aware; I'm a Chef and Chocolatier, after all.

The VIP room was accessible through the common dining area. The Japanese/Chinese decor and exteriors astound me. When we arrived, the waiter knocked three times before opening the door for me.

I noticed Pearl in her back with her phone in her other ear. As I approached her, she must have heard the tapping of my heels on the unique tiled floors. She immediately put her phone down and looked at me with wide eyes, then squealed and tackled me with a bone-crushing hug.

"Oh my God! How did you get so tall? I feel so small now," she said, still hugging me tightly; I hugged her back. "And you look so, so, so amazing!" she exclaimed, pulling back and scanning my body from head to toe.

"Hey, do you like switching teams now?" I jokingly asked when I noticed she was staring at me for too long.

She smacked my arm playfully and said, "No! I'm taken. So sorry," lifting her hand to show me the ring on her ring finger. She appears to be ecstatic and proud to announce her marriage.

"What? Who's the unlucky guy?" I smirk.

"Unlucky? Really? Come on, let's take a seat first; I'm tired of standing all day," she said, then sat. I smiled and followed her.