Billionaire Temptations: Rich, Ruthless & Obsessed

Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen

Wes

“Excuse me, Mr. Carter,” Tori spoke as she poked her head in my office.

“What is it, Tori?” I asked as I looked up at her.

“Can I come in for a minute?”

“Sure. Have a seat. What’s up?”

“I just wanted to let you know that Anna has been on her cellphone for quite a while.”

“Okay. What’s your point?”

“I just don’t think she fits in here.”

“You’re right. She doesn’t fit in, and let me tell you why. This position of being my personal assistant is beneath her. She’s actually a former COO of a company in California. She has more experience and knowledge about running a company than perhaps me. So, if I were you, I’d be nice to her because you never know. You could be working for her someday.”

She swallowed hard as she slowly rose from her seat.

“Yes, sir.”

As soon as she walked out of my office, I pressed the intercom button and told Anna to come into my office.

“Yes,” she spoke.

“There are a couple of things I want to talk to you about, so sit down. First, I didn’t appreciate that comment you made earlier about me being a liar, and second, Tori just came in here and told on you about being on your cellphone.”

“Of course she did. As for calling you a liar, just admit it. And as for Tori, she can kiss my ass.”

“We’re not going to discuss about me lying to you right now, but personal calls should be saved for lunch.”

“Well, it seems to me that you’re running quite a tight ship here. Not that it’s any of your business, but the call wasn’t personal. It was a business call from one of my friends and the VP of my former company. It seems my father will try and buy back my shares of the company and give them to Matthew. She’s flying in tomorrow morning to see me because there’s something else she needs to talk to me about.”

“I’m sorry to hear that about your father.”

“Thanks, but don’t be. Is that all?”

“Yes.”

She got up from her chair and headed towards the door.

“I know there’s more to all of this than what you’re letting on. I have a hard time believing that your father is doing all this to you because you refused to marry some guy.”

She stopped and turned her head.

“You really want to know the reason why?”

“Yes. Actually, I do.”

“I was born. That’s the reason.” She turned away and walked out of my office.

I sat there with my hands folded and a narrowed eye as I stared at the door. What the fuck did she mean by that? I grabbed my phone from my desk and sent her a text message.

“You’re having dinner with me tonight at my place, and we’re going to talk.”

“I already have plans.”

“You’re lying.”

“As much as you would love to believe that I am, I can assure you I’m not. Franco is hosting a pop-up event at a storefront space in midtown tonight, and I promised I’d be there.”

“Oh. I apologize for thinking you were lying.”

She didn’t respond, and I wasn’t going to push it any further. As soon as she went to lunch, I called Tori into my office.

“You needed something, Mr. Carter?”

“Yes. Since Anna is at lunch, I need you to find out about a pop-up event in Midtown tonight. The designer’s name is Franco Stiles. I want a time and an address.”

“Yes, sir.”

I left the office around six and headed home to change suits. All I could think about was last night. I vowed to stay away from her and keep things professional, but I blew it the moment I went over to her apartment. I couldn’t help myself, and I found that it was getting more difficult when it came to her.

I arrived at the pop-up event, and when I walked inside, I looked around for Anna.

“Wes?” Franco smiled as he walked over to me. “What are you doing here?”

“Hi, Franco. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No. Not at all. Welcome to my pop-up event. Did Anna know you were coming?”

“No. Do you know where she is?”

“She’s over there.” He pointed to the corner of the space.

“Thanks.” I patted his back.

As I walked over to her, she had her back turned and was holding up a beautiful black dress against her.

“I think you would look stunning in that dress,” I spoke.

She froze and then slowly turned around.

“What are you doing here?”

“I’ve never been to one of these before, and I was curious to see what it’s all about.”

“Okay. Enjoy.” She smiled as she began to walk away.

I lightly grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her back to me.

“You’re mad at me. Tell me why?”

“It’s a long story.” The corners of her mouth curved up into a cunning grin.

“Good, because I have all night.”

“You really don’t want to hear what I have to say to you. Besides, you’re at a good place in your life and don’t need any drama. I’m more trouble than what I’m worth, Mr. Carter.” Her brow arched before she yanked herself out of my grip and walked away.

Shit. She must have overheard my conversation with Christopher. That explains it.

She was standing by a rack of clothing when I walked up from behind and lightly gripped her shoulders with my hands.

“Then prove to me that you aren’t,” I whispered in her ear.

“I don’t have to prove anything to you.” She walked away, and I followed her.

“Stop being stubborn, Anna.”

She turned around as anger filled her eyes.

“We had one night in Paris and a couple of New York nights. It was nothing but sex. Let’s leave it at that.”

“You overheard my conversation with Christopher. Admit it.”

“You’re right. I did, and you’ve expressed your true feelings about me to someone other than me.” She walked out the door of the store.

“There are things you don’t know about me,” I said in a stern voice as I followed her out and grabbed her arm.

“And there are things you don’t know about me either. You based your opinion on assumptions, not facts. I heard you tell Christopher that I’m the one who had to be the problem, and you know what, in some ways, you’re right.” Her eyes began to fill with tears. “You don’t have a clue what it’s like not ever to be loved by your parents.”

A single tear fell from her eye, and I caught it with my finger before it had its chance to make its way down her cheek. I pulled her into me and held her tight as she struggled to get out of my grip.

“Let’s go back to my place and talk,” I spoke. “Please, Anna. Please just talk to me.”

“No. I don’t want to talk to you.”

“I’m sorry. Please. We’ll talk, and that’s it. I promise.”

She lightly nodded her head.

“Let me go tell Franco I’m leaving,” she said. “I’ll be right back.”

“And I’ll have the car brought around.” I gently smiled at her as I wiped away another tear.