Hey! Jacque here! I'd like to thank everyone who read, followed, favorited, and shared their reviews the last time. Now off we go again.

Chapter 13

I was able to save the partnership with the airline company. That's the problem when there's a new administration. New people have new ideals and they couldn't stick to the standard protocol. I just shook my head and prepared for yet another busy day.

We're out for lunch in the Mondragon Hotel. It's a five-star hotel in Seattle, and I could tell that Ray was enjoying his time. He has been accustomed to the business meetings and socializing in lunch or dinner. I saluted how he could still be confident despite meeting socialites.

Today we're attending a press conference about this new business payroll system, and they insisted I join instead of my accounting department head. If they weren't such big clients, I would've ignored their invitation.

We sat opposite each other in one of the tables and I told him, "Ray, that was a great thing to do. I love how alert you are. You really do care about my company. But next time, don't barge into the bathroom, okay?"

"I apologize about it, Sir. I know that I can only enter the premises of your lounge, but I was panicking. It was my first time dealing with an awfully rude business client."

I nodded, "Fair point, but next time, no entering the bathroom, alright? Just sit on the sofa and wait for me. Calm down and don't panic."

"Duly noted, Sir."

That's what I loved about Ray. He may be thirty years my senior, but he never disregards my authority. In fact, he's a very humble and trustworthy newbie. I know that I can train him to be better. He has proven to me that age isn't really is a hindrance when you want to succeed.

Then, I thought about Anastasia and guilt crept inside me. Her old man needs to know how I feel about her. That proves how sincere I am.

"Ray, there's something I've been meaning to tell you," I felt the nervousness almost consuming my entirety. Adrenaline rushed across my body, traveling in my every nerve and bone.

"What is it, Sir?" Ray asked after grabbing a bite of pink salmon.

"Uhm . . . I—"

"YOU ASSHOLE!" Then out of nowhere, a girl shouted at me. I looked to my right and I couldn't help but cuss.

"You slept with me and then left me the next morning?! What the fuck is wrong with you?!" Everybody was shocked as their attention was on us. I cared less about what everyone in the room might think. All I cared about was Ray's reaction, and how worse he'll think of me.

She almost hit me with her clutch, but Taylor appeared and shielded me.

"Ma'am, let's go out. We don't need to do this here," Taylor was calm, but the woman was ballistic.

Well, things just got worse, didn't they? Another woman who seemed familiar came up and screamed at me too, "What the hell, Christian?! I thought we had that great night because you feel something for me, and then I find out that there's this girl?!"

The first girl stopped and retorted, "What? You slept with Christian?!"

"Yes, I did and guess what? He enjoyed it with me more than he did with you!"

"You bitch!" The first girl shouted before she aggressively jumped on her and pulled her hair. They started pulling each other's hairs, and everyone was gasping. I shook my head as I realized that media men were taking photos.

Then, Ray stood up and tried to help Taylor break the fight. The hotel's security team came too but these women were just too much.

I decided to stand up and said, "Carmen, Flora, this is beyond immature. I know I'm wrong, but this is embarrassing. You don't need to make a scene."

The two women stopped fighting and they gasped at the same time. The look of horror in their faces was evident.

"Carmen? My name is Carmella!"

"And I am Bernadette. Who is Flora?"

The waiter with the tray of champagne passed by and both of them grabbed a glass and motioned to toss it to me.

I'd rather took the insult, because I deserve it for fooling these women. But to my shock, guilt, and embarrassment, Ray stood before me and he was the one who took the champagne. There he was—wet, stained, and humiliated . . . all because of me.

The whole room gasped and all I could utter was, "Ray . . ." I sounded apologetic.

Then, Taylor was on beast mode. He literally scared the two women until they left the venue.

I rolled my eyes at this. Serena, my publicist would hate me once she knew about this. The whole room echoed in whispers and malicious stares. I used to not care about my reputation. I used to not care if people talked shit about me, but I guess it's completely different now that I genuinely care about someone—about Ana.

"Let's go, Sir," Ray said before he wiped himself.

000

We were back in my car while Taylor was driving. Ray and I were seated in the backseat.

"Ray, I am so sorry with what happened. Look at you, you came all prepared at lunch but what a mess. Give that suit to my housekeeper named Gail and she'll wash it."

"It's okay, Sir. It's just a suit," he said. Goodness! I really was doing this wrong. He must think that I'm shallow.

"No, uhm . . ."

"So what did you want to tell me, Sir?"

I realized with all that's happened, I just had to zip my lip. I doubt he would react positively if he found out that his daughter and me are seeing each other.

"Nothing important," I told Ray.

"Then can I tell you something, Sir?"

"What is it?"

"I know my place. I know that you are my boss, and I am nothing but your assistant, but as a father, I think you need to hear this advice: stop playing with women, Sir. Those girls may not be the smartest, but they have feelings to. Whatever kind of woman you meet, treat her like a woman and not a piece of meat."

That silenced me. I could tell he was enraged.

To add up to my already ruined day, he added, "If you're dating my daughter, I would never ever approve of you."

And I was disheartened.