chapter 20: You lost a gem

Aiden stood up as soon as I drove off and went straight to his workplace. They were about to have a meeting and he came in just in time.

“You're here” a coworker greeted.

“Yeah. Let's go.”

The meeting was going smoothly until Pierce brought up his intention to build an architecture branch, starting a whole new project.

“We can't just start a new project because you want to.” Aiden said confrontationally

“It's not like we're a small company.”

“Aiden, I don't think that's the way to speak to our boss.” His coworker tried to correct him.

Pierce raised his left hand, signaling them to stop.

“If I can't run MY own company the way I want, I should just start a small business. Your job is to give opinions not to make the decisions. Else, why would I be the CEO?” He said condescendingly making Aiden go silent for a while

“Are you saying you don't trust your own employees' judgement?”

“Yes. Especially yours. You couldn't tell a gem of a woman from a bad woman–”

“Hey hey Collins, I have something to speak to you about. Urgently.” Jason said, trying to drag the coworker away from the office, leaving just Aiden and Pierce.

“The CEO’s still talking though.”

“I assure you, he doesn't mind. Just follow me.”

Once left alone, Pierce continued

“Stop speaking in riddles and dragging work into the discussion. Say what's on your mind Mr Harlow.”

Aiden sighed.

“I've been working here for nothing less than 3 years, how could you have eyes on your staff's fiancée?”

“Fiancée? I'm certain we got together after you guys broke up. I assure you, she was very much single.”

“You're wrong. We just had a rough patch and decided to take a break to think things through–”

“I'm sure she decided to be with me after thinking things through. You see, she agreed to marry me.”

“She wasn't in her right mind and wasn't sincere with her decision?”

“Really Aiden? Do you know her that well? I'm jealous.” Pierce replied sarcastically.

“Yes. You must know how much and how long she's loved me. We've been a couple since after high school. I know she's currently upset and I'm trying to figure out why she's doing what she's doing right now and how to make it up to her. Sadly, you're being used by her right now.”

“Really? I don't mind being used by her.”

“Excuse me?”

“I'm so in love with her that I don't mind. She can use me as much as she wants to. As long as it's me she's using.

I don't want her pretty name to be in the lips of another man. The thought of her being in another's arms makes me so angry I couldn't burst open. So bad that I feel like rendering you unable to speak.” He paused and smiled coldly

“This must be love, right?”

“Be honest, what are you planning on doing with Kara?”

“What else? What couples should do. I'll let her use me, support her, trust her, be there for her and love her so much so she can be free to do what she's really wanted to do all this time I wasn't in her life.”

Aiden sat there, frozen in anger and disbelief.

“If that's all, get out of my office.”

He stood up abruptly and left.

Jason walked in as soon as he walked out.

“Pierce. What was that about just now.”

“Nothing serious. Just a little kid whining about a gem he lost while chasing a sea shell.”

“Aiden took the day off.”

“He should. He needs it.”

“About the scandal article of yours that came out two days ago, Grandma told them to take it down but it seems they can't take it all down, should I get our men on it?”

“No need to do that because I'm marrying her.”

“Sorry? What do you mean?”

“I had shadow upload the article to every web portal so even if they try to take the ones here down, they won't be able to take it all down even if they tried.”

He picked up his phone, staring at the pictures of him and Kara dreamily.

“Look at these pictures, don't we look amazing together?”

“Am I to answer this as your best friend or as your personal assistant?”

“I don't care. As long as it's a positive answer.”

“You know that's not possible. Mother will never agree to the marriage–”

“Yeah? Well she reacted the same way when Scarlett decided to marry you but in the end, you both got married.”

“You know we had to face a lot of issues and struggles–”

“You guys got married in the end. Be it business or marriage, as long as the outcome is favourable that's all that matters. All I care about it's the results.”

Nate's call came in.

“Hey Bud, how's it going? Hope she's better?”

“Yeah she is, she's able to go out now. Thanks for your help.”

“Anytime man.”

We hung up.

Kara's number displayed on my screen as my phone vibrated.

“Hey. Is everything okay?”

She laughed and my eyes softened at the sound.

“Yeah everything's fine, you don't have to be so worried you know. They won't just jump at me and tear me apart. I went to take some things from the house after meeting with Grandpa, I just called to give you a heads up.”

“Do you need help?”

“ No, I've left there already.”

“Alright. Be safe.”

“You too.”

As soon as she hung up, she called Gia to meet up.

If I'm going to get Pierce's family's approval, I better know what I'm dealing with.

Aiden's call came in shortly afterwards, requesting her to meet him one last time and hear him out.

She said nothing and hung up not knowing it was a ploy by Serena and Aiden. They were both seated in a vehicle in front of Pierce's private residence, waiting for her return to set the plan in motion.