Elena's POV
I don't look forward to work at all. I never expected him to be working alongside me in the company. I dragged my feet as I approached the car today.
"Could you walk any slower?" Ryan sarcastically asked me, today he was the one behind the wheels.
"I don't have time for your drama this morning, Ryan." I said biting my nails nervously, a habit I wish I could break.
He gave me a gaze that I was too familiar with, one of disappointment. "You never take anything seriously. We're supposed to be out of the house by now but you're always late for everything. If now because of how it would be if I left you, I would have done that."
I hopped into the back seat and ignored his comment. I thought this marriage would give me a break from my Dad but I just needed up with his carboncopy.
"Just take me back to my manufacturer." I answered simply.
"What's that?" He looked confused.
I rolled my eyes at him. "Take me back to my father since you're so tired."
"I have too much to lose if I do that. Anyways we have a visitor later today. Do well to behave."
He started the car and zoomed out of the gate. This man really needs to chill, for goodness sake, he is the owner of the establishment. No one will query him for being a bit late.
"Who is that?" I was curious that he even informed me. He usually didn't ever care to acknowledge me.
"No one you would need to concern your head with. Don't behave like some brat, I know how you do things."
"I'm pretty sure it's one of your numerous mistresses." I rolled my eyes at him. I don't even know why the idea of him having mattresses irked me to no end. I know I DON'T have any feelings for this brute.
"Yeah, whatever rocks your boat." My inner voice echoed at the back of my head.
"If it was, I would have told you. This is an important business meeting and I need you to be present in your best behaviour."
"Whatever. What about George? It's unusual for him not to take us to the office."
"You infuriate me to no end, woman. You never listen, I'm beginning to feel like your father needed you out of his hair."
That stung because I know it's the truth. I know my father was tired of me messing things up for me and needs me out of his hair.
We finally got to the office and he parked the car at his usual spot.
"I ask again, what happened to George?"
He gripped the stirring wheel, obviously annoyed with what I said. "His daughter fell ill during the weekend and he needed to stay back and take care of her."
"Oh! Wow, that's something." I'm surprised. I never expected him to actually have a heart.
He ignored me and stepped out of the car. He paused for a while and I followed his line of sight. Wait, what! My Aunt Maria is here. My eyes widened and I rushed to go to her. She is a force to be reckoned with and I didn't need that drama right now.
She had a stare down with Ryan and didn't back down, she instead held her head high. I rushed to block her view and hug her tight to myself.
"What are you doing here, Aunty?"
She shrugged and hugged me back. "Can't I miss my little girl?"
"Of course you can, I just didn't think you were back so soon."
She gave me a toothy smile and pulled away from me a bit. "I'll be staying for a bit of time, I need to put something straight."
I turned back to see where he went and saw Ryan started walking towards us, then he seemed to have second thoughts and instead just walked past into the building.
"Aunty, you scared him off."
"I don't care, I'm not happy that your Dad chose to sell you off to another. I never liked the Redlands, especially his father. He hurt too many people and I fear that it might rub off on you."
"What do you mean by that, Aunty?"
"Look, his father was a dangerous man. I know that Ryan may not be like him but he inherited his enemies and that automatically puts you in constant danger."
My heart sank at what she said. This is so overwhelming for me. My life seems to be spiraling right before me.
"Tell me the truth, how has your marriage been?"
I shrugged and took a deep breath. "Surprisingly, not as bad as I thought it would be. We are still like cat and dog but at least he doesn't necessarily treat me badly." I said thoughtfully.
"I know you always like seeing the best in people but please I'm here for you. You know I'd send hell down if you told me to right now."
"Please, Aunty, not right here or right now. I think I'm already in enough trouble from the last ruckus I created."
"Well when I saw the papers I was so proud of you. You took after me after all." She had a proud smile on her face.
"I've missed you so much but I need to go to work now."
"Okay, I understand. But please keep me in the loop of anything happening. I don't want you to be in this on your own."
I nodded and hugged her once more. "I will do just that, Aunty and please take care of yourself. I'll come see you soon, okay?"
She nodded and waved at me as I walked into the firm. The receptionist has an awful attitude so I chose to walk past her and go straight to my unit.
Once I reached my desk, I saw flowers on them. I looked around and no one seemed to be here. Where did they all go? I wondered all alone.
"Do you like them?" His baritone voice echoed behind me, my back stiffened at this.
"Theo, why would you send me flowers?" I gritted my teeth in irritation.
"I knew you always loved tulips so I thought to give them to you."
"I'm married in case you didn't notice. I don't know how you got employed here but stay the hell aways from me."
"Come on, stop behaving like a kid and grow up, Elena. Everything that happened was in the past."
I tried to sidestep the idiot but he chose that perfect moment to hold my waist and pull me to himself. Before I could blink his dry lips were on mine.
I placed my hands on his chest and was just about to push him off when the clearing of a throat made us both jump away from each other.