Chapter 15: She’s Desperate
For the next two days, Riley had been looking for an apartment so she could move off–campus. Her phone rang. She excused herself from the real estate agent to answer it. “Hello?”
A familiar chuckle came from the other end.
““Riley, remember me?”
Riley’s grip tightened on the phone. She couldn’t forget. Chloe had mentioned him.
“Yes, George.”
He laughed.“I thought you’d forgotten me.”
Riley replied, “Don’t be silly.”
“Let’s meet tomorrow. It’s been years.’
Riley refused.“Sorry, I’m busy these days.”
George and Jake were childhood friends, and he was a jerk, too. The incident years ago had been huge, resulting in George being sent abroad and Riley being talked to their mothers. Sherry Keller and Jane Perry were close friends, both of them possessing an air of superiority.
Riley still remembered Sherry and Jane sitting across from her, their disdain evident. They’d said the same thing.“You’re not good enough for my son.”
“Too bad. Maybe next time,” George said with disappointment.
Riley said
yes and hung up.
“Miss Aldrin, what do you think of this place?” The real estate agent approached.
in the financial district. The price was reasonable, but it was newly
by surveyed the a
built, potentially high in formaldehyde.
Before she could respond, he continued, “I have another one. Want to Riley nodded.“I’m not asking for a brand new house.”
see it?”
They left the building. Checking the time, Riley suggested, “Let’s grab some lunch. My treats The agent readily agreed.“Great! I know a fantastic local restaurant nearby. Meanwhile, at Perry Corp.
Jake returned to his office after a meeting. His assistant, Lily, presented him with a lunch menu. “Mr. Perry, here’s today’s menu. Is there anything you’d like?” She’d noticed his recent sour mood. Before Jake could say anything, his phone rang. He frowned at the caller ID.
“Hello.”
Ava’s voice, full of distress, came through the phone.
“Jake, I’m at your company, but the receptionist won’t let me in without an appointment.” “You’re at my company?”
Yes, I missed you.” Her voice was kind of annoying.
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Chapter 15 She’s Desperate
Menu
Jake felt weary.“Wait, I’ll have my assistant get you.” He hung up and told Lily, “Cancel lunch. Go o the front desk and bring a young woman here.”
Lily, an experienced assistant, knew Ava’s close relationship with Jake. She approached Ava, greeting her warmly, “Miss Moore,
Moore, I’m Lily Jones, Mr. Perry’s assistant.” Ava sized Lily up, noticing her knee–length skirt.“Do you always dress like that for work, Ms. Jones?”
‘Lily was stunned but nodded with a smile.
“Where is Jake’s office? I’ll find him myself. I want to surprise him.”
Lily said, “Mr. Perry’s office is at the end of the hallway, on the right.” She didn’t understand why Mr. Perry would choose this woman over Riley.
Lily, maintaining her professional smile, directed her. Ava, playfully sticking out her tongue, thanked her before leaving. Lily shivered, feeling uneasy.
The receptionist was curious, “Ms. Jones, who was that? She seemed like a bitch.” “Mr. Perry’s new girlfriend. Be polite to her.”
The receptionist was surprised.“Isn’t Miss Aldrin his girlfriend? They broke up?” Lily hushed her.“Less talk, more work.” She watched Ava go.
Ava, seeing the office number, felt a surge of vanity. She knew the Perrys were rich, but she hadn’t expected Jake’s office to be this grand. If she married Jake, she’d be the boss’s wife. She poked her head inside.“Honey, can I come in?”
Jake looked up.“Come in.”
Ava grinned, walking in.“Wow, honey, your office is huge!”
Jake raised an eyebrow.“What are you doing here? Why didn’t you call me first?” “Surprise!” She presented her lunchbox.“Honey, this is a special lunch for you. I spent hours making it!”
it!” She showed him a bandaged finger.“Look. It hurts SO much.” Jake saw the bandage and held her hand gently.“Don’t cook if you can’t. I’ll worry if you get hurt.” Ava giggled.“For you, honey, I’ll try anything. Taste it, see if you like it. Jake sighed, pinching her cheek.“Thank you.” He opened the box and froze. Ava noticed his expression.
“Honey, what’s wrong? Don’t you like it?”
Jake put the box down.“I don’t eat spicy food.” He had a sensitive stomach, and Riley had helped him quit spicy food years ago. He preferred bland meals now. Ava’s lunch looked too spicy. Ava was disappointed. “I’m sorry, honey. I didn’t know.”
honey. I didn’t know.” She started crying. Jake was stunned for a moment. He hadn’t scolded her; why was she crying? He sighed, hugging her.“There, there. I didn’t mean to make you upset.”
“Honey, I just wanted to surprise you. I’m sorry,” Ava sobbed.
There was a knock on Lily entered with coffee and juice.“Mr. Perry, your coffee, no sugar.” She placed the coffee on his desk and the juice on the coffee table.“Miss Ava, fresh juice for you.”
the door. Jake released Ava and sat back.“Come in.”
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Chapter 16 Sheets
Asla eyed Lily Ms. Jones, 1 don’t think your oute is appropriate for work. You’re not here to Vaid, are your
go
Lily was speechless. This woman was already acting like the Bood’s wife. Lily explained professionally, “Miss Moore, I’ve been married for years‘
Ava didn’t care “So what? Married women don’t cheat?
Jake’s face darkened, he slammed his coffee cup on the dark
Ava was startled, looking at him anxiously Honey, L…
Jake interrupted ‘Lily, off you go
Lily left. Seeing his displeasure, Ava
started
crying, “Honey, I’m sorry.”
Jake felt exhausted. He sighed. “Don’t come here again!
Ava gasped. “Honey, don’t be angry” Sobbing, she said, “I love you so much. I’m sorry! I’ll apologize to Ms. Jones,”
Jake sighed, reaching for her.“Here”
Ava went to him, whimpering, “Honey, I’m really sorry!
He wiped her tears, soothing her ‘It’s fine, sweethean. Les go eat, okay?
Ava nodded, Jake ran into Riley with another man while having dinner with Ava Last time it was Peter; and this time it was a man he didn’t know? She was really desperate. Jake was furious. Riley was a slut!
