286 Meeting the Wests (1)
“A man?”
“I didn’t know people became deaf once their true intentions were uncovered,” Ximena remarked spitefully.
Abbie crossed her legs at her knees. “Look, it doesn’t matter how we know each other personally or if we know each other at all.”
“We don’t.” Ximena shot back. “You looked me up and came here to make a scene. What’s your aim exactly, to make Liam think I am evil and you are the victim of my wickedness? Well, newsflash. Liam knows me better than you’d expect.”
Abbie stood up, closed in on her, and attempted to intimidate her with her gaze. “It’s never been about men. It’s about my honor. I will never let anyone take away what I want.”
Ximena scoffed. “And if someone takes it away, you would rather destroy it.” She filled in. “Hey, I think we should be friends. I wouldn’t be so forgiving if someone took something-or someone-from me either.”
Abbie took a step back in disgust. “Watch your back, Ximena Morel.”
“And you watch your neck, Abbie Watson.”
As the woman sauntered away, Ximena knew it wouldn’t be long before Abbie started launching attacks against Morel Beauty. However, that was the least of her worries.
.....
“Oh God, what did I get myself into?” She ran a hand through her hair as she stared at Zeus’ reply to her text earlier.
[Abbie Watson: the second daughter of Holland Watson. Not even your angel can save you this time, Ximena.]
Zeus made fun of everyone. He was the most arrogant man in Olphire and thought of everyone else as a joke. For him to use that kind of tone on anyone, who the hell was Holland Watson?
...
The West golf course.
“Welcome, Mr. Preston.” Liam was welcomed by a voluptuous woman in the tiniest maid outfit he had ever seen. “Would you like company?”
“Where’s Evan?” He asked, pushing away the small hands running down his chest. The staff at The West golf course was a little too friendly.
“You are so mean.” She pouted. “Mr. West is in the pool area.”
He ignored her seductive wink and headed for the pool area, where Evan was sitting under a parasol, sandwiched between two blondes. He smirked when he saw Liam. “Here to join in on the fun?”
“You never have enough, do you?” Liam frowned at him, then at the women. “Scram!”
They scurried away, making Evan complain. “You better have a good reason to ruin my fun.”
“It’s an emergency.” He sat down and took out his phone, sliding it over the table to Evan. “Abbie Watson.”
Evan scanned the woman’s picture on the screen. “What about her? Fake lashes, fake double eyelids, a nose-job gone wrong, fake breasts?”
“It’s not...”
“Come on, I have seen enough boobies to know what’s real and these are implants.”
“It’s not about the authenticity. I need some dirt.” Liam lowered his voice to explain his intention. “As soon as possible.”
“What did she do?” Evan demanded.
Liam was frustrated. “Does it matter? My life will be ruined because of her.”
Evan studied the picture again, with more interest, and shook his head slowly. “She is nothing like Zaria.”
If the man opposite him was not his friend, Liam would have punched his guts. “Zaria Williams is engaged, in case you didn’t know.”
“Makes her hotter, don’t you think?” Evan reclined in his chair, thinking about it for a while. Liam was not the only one who was frustrated. He was, too, majorly because he couldn’t understand why it had to be Zaria. Even before she got together with Desmond, she had never spared him a glance.
He shrugged and thought back to the woman Liam was so distressed over. “What do you want me to do? Be a jerk and seduce her just for blackmail material?”
“I know that’s the worst thing I could ever do to a woman, but I need it.” He confirmed, despite being ashamed of himself for doing this.
Evan nodded. He didn’t mind shutting his eyes for a moment, though he wondered, why did it have to be him? There was certainly another way.
___
Zaria and Desmond got home on Saturday morning, only to prepare to leave.
“Daddy, are you leaving again?” Rosaly was upset.
“We will be back before you know it, princess.” Desmond picked her up and hugged her.
“You said that before.” She pouted. “Is Zaria leaving too?”
Overhearing their little banter, Zaria felt terrible. “Sweetie, do you want to spend the day with Grandpa Theo?” She asked.
The girl shook her head tearfully. “I want to come with you. You promised to go shopping with me today, Zaria.”
“I’m sorry, we can’t...”
“You can come with us.” Zaria interrupted.
“I can?”
“She can?” They asked at the same time, one excited and the other worried.
“We are meeting Gabriel freaking West. Heaven knows he would want to grab the chance to hurt Rosaly to get to me.” He reminded her.
“I know. I didn’t say anything about her following us everywhere we go, did I?” She smirked after managing to find a way to keep her promise while not jeopardizing her work.
Rosaly rushed to her room to get changed into a peach-colored dress to match Zaria’s, making Desmond smile.
“Are you ready, beauties?” He called to them as he headed out the door.
“Cheesy.” Zaria rolled her eyes, and Rosaly agreed.
“Daddy, if you don’t up your game, Evan will charm Zaria away.” She scolded him, making Zaria burst into laughter and Desmond pick her up for an interrogation.
“Who told you that?” He asked, knowing Rosaly wouldn’t come up with such a thought on her own.
“Evan did. He likes Zaria.” Came to her innocent answer, making Desmond grit his teeth. That bastard!
...
The drive to The West felt like a ride to hell and by the time they arrived, Zaria was clutching onto her purse nervously.
Desmond noticed her pale fingers. “If you don’t want to meet him, you can grab a snack with Rosaly while I wait for him.”
“It’s fine. Besides, I have plans for Rosaly.” She opened the door and looked around.
“Jupiter!” Rosaly called out excitedly, having spotted Devonte before Zaria did.
“What the hell is Devonte doing here?” Desmond hissed as the actor walked toward them with a grin.
“I forgot to tell you, he is going to stay with Rosaly for a while.” She tried not to smile, having known the whole time that Desmond would never agree if she said it before.
“That man is not going to spend a minute near my daughter.” He clenched his fists, ignoring Devonte when the latter said hi.
Zaria shrugged and lowered her voice. “Of course he is. If anyone is good with kids, it’s him. Besides, his little fan can’t wait to play with him. Right, Rosaly?”
The girl nodded excitedly, practically sticking herself onto Devonte. “Can we, daddy? Please, please?”
He was helpless against his daughter’s pleading eyes, but how could he entrust his daughter to a man like him?
“Do you trust me?” Zaria whispered. “We are not going to find a babysitter right now, much less one that Rosaly will agree to stay with.”
“You did this on purpose.” He spanked her and glared at the man before them. “If a single strand of hair goes missing on my daughter’s head...”
“If it’s a single strand, you will not notice.” Devonte countered with a sheepish grin. “I don’t eat children so you will be sure to get your daughter back in one piece.”
“And Rosaly and I will go shopping once the two of you are back.” Zaria smiled and dragged her frustrated fiancé away.
Once Rosaly was taken care of, they entered the lobby one after another.
“Hey, do you think Gabriel might want to conspire against us, murder us in the elevator where there is no surveillance and hence no evidence of the crime?” She whispered.
“He wants Veronica’s shares.” He held her hand. Although her speculation sounded like a joke, he knew she was terrified of the man. Who wouldn’t be? The bastard could fire a shot at his grandson.
“He wouldn’t do anything to us before he gets his hands on them.” She took a deep breath.
She already knew the man was a scumbag but when they met in the conference room, she was nearly baffled by how insane one could be.
“Look who decided to grace us with her presence. Lucy Roatta’s daughter, in the flesh. Should I have a red carpet rolled out for you, princess?” The elderly man taunted.
Visit freewe𝑏(n)ovel.co(m) for the b𝘦st novel reading experience