Page 22 of The Billionaire's Off Chance

“I’m not seeing her, Igor, and that’s final.”

“It looks like what she wants to say is important. It won’t take more than a minute. She’ll keep coming back. It’s better to end things now.” He speaks from experience. Claudette is relentless and keeps returning even when she’s shunned.

“When I broke up with her, I was done with her. We have nothing to say to each other. She’s just here to lie and manipulate me. I won’t give her that chance. Please, this should be the end of this. Or are you now on her side?”

“You’re jumping to conclusions, brother. I’m not on her side. I was just saying that I see you’re in a foul mood, so I’ll leave. I guess Claudette is gone given this attitude of yours.” He pats my shoulder before leaving the office.

For a flash of a second, I think about calling Claudette back, so I’ll hear what she wants to say. I crush the thought.

Chasmin returns and she closes the door gently behind her. “I know you’re in a foul mood right now. So, when you’re happier, we should talk about your earlier reaction.”

I shrug, not in the mood to talk about it. “Hmm,” is all I can say, and it greatly displeases Chasmin.

Chapter 11

CHASMIN

Okay,that’sit.I’vehad enough of Lance’s grumpiness. He won’t speak and he acts as if I’m air around him. He’s obviously trying to avoid talking about Claudette. There’s something fishy going on, but I can’t trust my suspicion just yet. I look at the door to Lance’s office, thinking about going in to talk to him. I hold back. When he’s moody, it’s easier to move a mountain than him.

I look around, seeing that I’m the odd one out in the decorated corridor, just standing and glaring at Lance’s door. I decide to take a walk. I’m hoping to come across Claudette, although it’s more likely that security has ushered her out. I take the elevator to the lobby. I remember having my first kiss with Lance in an elevator; now it seems that so much time has passed. That kiss changed the trajectory of my life, no doubt.

The elevator stops, and I step out. The people I see step aside as I walk past them. Before I became Lance’s assistant, I was the one who had to move away and defer to people. Now, it’s the other way around. Yet, I’m not arrogant. I acknowledge them with a nod and polite smile.

I see a small crowd gathering by the Christmas tree in the center of the lobby. There’s a loud buzz and murmur. I walk over to find the cause of excitement. The crowd begins to move, and I hear voices calling the name, Claudette.

“I can’t imagine that she’d dare come back here after what she did to Lance Rosii!” a masculine voice says with disgust. I can’t pinpoint the speaker.

“Shameful! Claudette, leave! He’ll never take you as his sister!” another voice screams.

“Sister? No, she’s his ex-girlfriend. They dated.” I’m able to pick out who is speaking. It’s a young woman with blonde hair and green eyes; she has the tag of an intern on her blouse. I keep quiet to hear more, but it all devolves into screams of support and cheers of derision as Claudette is ushered out. I thought she might have left, but this level of attention she’s brought to herself is astounding.

I move away from the crowd, moving ahead to catch a glimpse of Lance’s supposed ex or sister. I’m too late. The security forms a barrier around someone; they use their bodies to hide her among them. I only get a glimpse of a pink fur coat and huge sunglasses on a striking woman, as they pass through the sliding doors.

I stay back so as not to be swept up by the crowd. With Claudette gone, the excitement dies down, and everyone returns to their work. I stand by the huge Christmas tree, the lights flashing above and around me. I’m not exactly feeling the Christmas spirit. I try to understand what I just witnessed. The truth should be that Claudette is Lance’s ex; and from his reaction, things didn’t go down well between them.

I can’t stop myself from wondering what happened between them. What caused the breakup? Why is she back? I have so many questions; unfortunately, I won’t get answers now. I’m clenching the pendant attached to a chain around my neck. I let go, sighing. I feel a bit threatened by Claudette’s presence, even when I haven’t really seen her. The attention she commands alone makes her a celebrity, someone of Lance’s status. With the noise gone, a barrage of soft festive songs rises in the lobby.

I start to feel eyes on me. Scrutinizing and mocking, I furrow my eyebrows, pressing my lips into a thin line. I know there’s still a bit of dissatisfaction with my position as Lance’s assistant; it feels overwhelming getting attention and jealousy. I walk to the company restaurant. All the excitement has gotten me hungry. Typically, Lance would have driven us to a fancy restaurant during the break, but with how things are, I don’t think that will happen today. Getting food from the company is something I can afford.

The restaurant is spacious and lavishly decorated, laden with small Christmas trees in vases. The chairs are red, and the tables are covered with green coverlets. The space is lightly packed with people eating in pairs or groups. Everyone recognizes me. I smile politely as I walk past the diners. I can’t help but feel their eyes on my back. I am wondering what they’re saying about me.It can’t be anything good.

I head to the line, hoping to get what I need and leave quickly. Unfortunately, I’m stuck behind two women deep in conversations.Heavens!I roll my eyes internally. The line is moving slowly. The thin squeaky one says, “She was once an intern but when she got the position of the assistant to the COO she became haughty.” She snorts, derision plastered on her face. My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. I mean, I’ve heard people gossip about me in secret places but never in public right in front of me.

“That’s old news. She’s been in bed with him. They might be having an affair. This is a reliable rumor. An Italian tabloid wrote about them parading through Italy, romantically. Worst of all, they’re not doing their best to hide it back home. A cleaner said he heard wild sounds coming from her office.” The other woman, older and obviously with more experience gossiping was enlightening the younger woman.

The younger woman places her hands on her lips in surprise, her eyes wide. It’s now their turn to order food. The older woman digs into her bag to get something. The younger one says, “I heard about this but didn’t think it’s true. It seems the news has been suppressed from spreading. Else, HR should have done something and fired her.”

The older woman squeaks when she sees me. The younger one glances at her, worriedly. She follows the older woman’s gaze to me; she grows deathly pale, gaping at me. I stare at them coolly. I am disgusted yet feeling pity for their pathetic situation. They begin yapping, begging, and blushing. I turn my back to them, not deigning to say anything to them.

I’ve lost my appetite. It’s likely Lance had the rumors about our affair suppressed, but how long before HR finds out? Or they might have found out and are gathering evidence. I feel cold all of a sudden; with the threat of Claudette in the picture, I am suffocating.

For the remainder of the day, Lance and I don’t talk about the incident in the company. To my delight, my best friend Sheryl’s call comes in. She’s been with her parents in Bath and has just returned to London. “Sheryl, how are you? And are you back?” I pause at the door, knowing I’ll ask Lance to take me home.

“I’m doing well and I’m back. I just left your mom’s place. Mom asked that I give her something special for the holidays. I’m on my way now. Care to drop in for a while before you head home? I’ve missed you,” she says in the milky voice she uses when she wants me to do something.

“Sure. I’ll be there in a few minutes. I have nothing else to do. See you soon.” I end the call, leaving my office and coming face to face with Lance. “Hey. Head home, I’ll meet you there, I have to go see my best friend, Sheryl.”

He looks like he’s about to say something cutting, then he smiles. “Okay, don’t stay out long. I still have some things to take care of at the company. I’ll meet you at home.” He leans in; his lips are just inches away from my lips. He winks, pulling back.

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