Page 5 of The Billionaire's Betrayal
"I love English expressions!"
"Wait," said Steve, "I have a 'dad joke' for you.What's the gardener's worst nightmare?"
I took a few moments to think.
"Having a green thumb but blue tomatoes," I replied with a smile.
"Not bad," approved Steve."But that's not it, try again!"
"Um...Planting carrots and harvesting spaghetti."
"Haha!I love it!No.The gardener's worst nightmare is to plant himself when he thinks he has a green thumb!"he said, laughing.
"Pfff!Your joke is barely funny," I grumbled."Where did you hear it?At the coffee machine?"
"I don't see what's wrong with it," he replied, pretending to be offended."Besides, for your information, we've invested in a superb Italian coffee machine that makes incredible cappuccinos!"
"Now you've got my attention!"
"You can test it on your next visit.Let me know as soon as you've booked a date, and I'll get you tickets to visit the London Tower."
"You're the best!Speaking of visits, you're still coming in two weeks, right?"
"Yes, I already have the plane tickets."
The door to the room opened, letting Tristan and Audrey in.
Didn't he see that she was deliberately invading his personal space?Of course not: he was already cheerfully chatting with Steve, oblivious to Audrey's game.She gave me a mocking look, daring me to react.Fury rose in me, burning, but before I could say anything, Leila and Satoshi entered, followed by the other department directors.In the blink of an eye, Audrey put a professional distance between herself and Tristan, displaying a perfect expression of innocence.
She knew exactly what she was doing...The bitch.
I greeted my colleagues.We then took our places around the table, and the meeting began.Seated next to Tristan, Audrey immediately took notes, focused and professional, like an exemplary assistant.At no point did she display any questionable attitude, despite the admiring glances that some men present sent her way.Her behavior in front of others was impeccable, and it was only with me that she showed her true face, and I had no doubt about the reason.One way or another, she knew I was Tristan's partner, and she fully intended to get rid of me to take my place.Let her try!
3.They were forcing our hand
TRISTAN
It was past 12:30 when Satoshi barged into my office, his gaze lingering on Audrey as she stepped out for her lunch break.
"Mind lending her to me?"he asked dreamily.
"Are you serious?!"
"Damn!Why does this never happen to me?With a knockout like that, I’d be in heaven every single day!"
I couldn’t help but laugh at his antics.To be fair, Audrey was stunning—5'9", an hourglass figure highlighted by a fitted blouse, a pencil skirt, sheer stockings, and four-inch heels that made her legs seem endless.Her silky blonde hair cascaded down her back like waves of gold, and her blue eyes were the most mesmerizing I’d ever seen.Even her voice was sensual.
"Shut up, you idiot!"I shot back at him.
"Come on, don’t tell me you don’t find her smoking hot?"
I rolled my eyes, trying to stay serious.
"Shut it, unless you want to get fired for sexual harassment.And in case you forgot, I’m in a relationship."
"Oh, just because you’ve got the Mona Lisa at home doesn’t mean you can’t visit the Louvre."
"You’re such an asshole.For your information, my Mona Lisa happens to be just down the hall."
