Chapter 22

MEGAN'S POV

Lucien and I were seated at a fancy restaurant with the piping hot delicacies served in front of us. I sipped the cocktail slowly as he started. “How is your new job treating you? You know you could have just started as the MD?”

“I don't want that yet, Lucien. I just started, and I hope it gets better.” I simply uttered, spooning the creamy pasta into my mouth.

After a few seconds of silence, with a worried voice, Lucien added. “How are you coping with your ex-husband?”

I choked. My gaze went from the plate to Lucien. “He's working as a partner of the company. Of course, I'm there to do my job, which is precisely what I've been doing.”

“Megan, if you can't cope with him around you, do not hesitate to tell me. I'll do anything and everything to buy the shares back from him and…” Lucien was determined, but I interrupted him softly. “You don't have to. Austin and I are divorced. Whatever we had was in the past. Now, we're just co-workers or partners in a business place. That's all we can be.”

With that, Lucien smiled softly at me, and we continued eating silently. My mind wandered. How would I cope with Austin being in my face all the freaking time?

While we were waiting, my eyes caught a familiar figure, and I turned my gaze at it. My eyes grew the minute I saw Austin and Kayla standing at the counter and speaking with a waitress. “What the… Why do I keep running into these two? Dating his dream girl again? Is it?” I thought with my fists clenched as I watched Kayla laugh heartily at him.

I picked up my phone on the table and glanced at the screen. “Shot! It's late already. I'll get going now, Lucien. I have to go… I can't leave Eleazar on his own for long, and you know, pack calls. My father is already aging, and he can't do everything on his own. Thank you so much for dinner; I love it, and I hope we can hang out some other time.”

“Oh… I'm eagerly awaiting that, Meg.” Lucien mumbled as I reached for my clutch purse and my cell phone, tapping his shoulder tenderly, and headed to the exit of the restaurant.

Kayla sighted me and started walking towards me. I tried to ignore her and walk away, but she intentionally bumped into me. My clutch purse fell on the ground, and I groaned.

“Oh, my goddess! Look who we have here. If it isn't the Alpha Prince's little omega toy. What the hell are you doing here? Don't tell me, you're here with another man? Well, that's what you're good at, isn't it?” She laughed mockingly.

I didn't say a word to her, but she refused to step aside for me to pass through. “What? He has rejected you too, hasn't he? Oh, poor you, Megan. Do you plan to get laid all your life by different men just to climb the social ladder? Now, you're back to washing dishes in a restaurant?” She clasped her palm over her mouth while laughing.

Austin, who had just ordered two glasses of champagne, walked to us, and the moment he saw me, his eyes grew. Kayla rushed to him and smiled nervously. “Austin and I always have our anniversary celebrated here every year. This is our favorite restaurant, and the champagne…” She pointed at the glasses Austin was holding. “It's like a tradition. We always have these every year. More like a couple of choices."

"Well, happy anniversary to you both. Can you step aside now?” I finally found my voice and uttered with a flat voice and an unreadable expression.

Kayla, who was unsatisfied and eager to embarrass me, continued with a fake smile. “Since you work here now as a waitress, why don't you serve us? Consider this your tip.” She reached for a hundred bucks and threw it in my face, but I stepped backwards, and the money fell on the ground.

“Every year?” I scoffed. “Well, that explains a lot, doesn't it?” So, every single night that he abandoned me on this day, he was always with Kayla, celebrating their anniversary? Oh, how foolish I've been to love and serve this man right here for 3 years, hoping he would love me back.

With that, I shook my head and turned to leave, but Kayla stopped me. “One more step…” She pointed a warning finger at me. “I'll have the restaurant manager fire you.”

“Stop it, Kayla.” Austin whispered to her, and I sneered in disgust. “Fire me?” I let out a mocking laugh. “This restaurant is owned by the Alpha King.”

Without hesitation, I opened my clutch purse and brought out of it a bundle of money. Turning to the restaurant manager, who was staring at me. I handed the cash to him, and with a stern voice, I ordered. “This lady right here…” I pointed at Kayla. “I never want to see her here ever again. Understood?”

“Yes, ma'am.” He readily nodded and snapped his finger. “Security, throw this woman out now.” He ordered, and that instant, the security grabbed Kayla and started pushing her out of the restaurant while I watched with a smug smile filled with satisfaction.

“How dare you touch me? I will sue you. Get your filthy hands off me now.” She yelled at them. With a wolf force, she pushed them off and then rushed to me and pushed me hard.

I was caught off guard, so I gasped as I fell, but someone caught me. It was Austin. The security dragged Kayla away while I gulped nervously, pushing away Austin's hand.

Instantly, I rushed off, and he followed me, running after me. “Megan, Megan, wait…” He kept calling out.

Then, I halted and reluctantly turned to him with my eyes staring fiercely at him. “What is it?”

“Megan, look. I know what Kayla did was wrong, but please talk to the manager to let her come here during the anniversaries. This place is significant to her. It holds plenty of memories.” He pleaded.

“No.” I snapped. “She's never going to dine here again, and it's pointless trying to convince me.”

He continued in a pleading voice again. “Look. I'll buy you any restaurant you want, anything. Just let her come back here again.”

I felt nothing but disgust as anger ran through my veins. He's literally begging me just to make her happy. That's rare!

“Fine. Since this is so important to both of you. I have my conditions too.” I snapped with a cold glance at him.

“Anything.” He responded, and I clenched my fist. He would do anything for her, huh?

Taking a deep breath, I replied. "Leave the Wolf's Joint Empire. Sell off your shares and never return."