4. ~Klaire~

His smile immediately faded as Mr Hale said those words and he retracted his hand from mine.

His expression was rather confusing. Was he angry? Did he not have a good relationship with his grandmother?

"Grandmother?" He repeated flatly, stepping forward and completely blocking view.

Before Mr Hale could affirm it, the door flew open and the quiet office was thrown into immediate chaos.

"Aleksander!" Her cheery voice blew through the entire office space.

Wait a minute… that voice!

I stepped away from Mr Aleksander's back, hoping to catch a glimpse of her to confirm my thoughts but my view was blocked by a six foot bodyguard that entered with her, along with a nurse.

"You were supposed to be resting," he said coldly, walking toward her.

I was about to get a better view when a hand tapped me.

"This way, Ms Kingston," Mr Hale said, directing me to the door. "Be here tomorrow by 8am."

Right. My business here was done.

"No need to fuss over me," I heard her say as I headed towards the door. "I was bored in that hospital. Do you know how terrible the food is there?"

"You fired all your private chefs," He reminded her.

Hospital?

The door closed behind me, cutting off the words and I sighed. I was probably overthinking this. Besides, I cook for the old lady everyday so she couldn't have been eating hospital food or hiring chefs.

I shook my head with a smile. I should probably go see her. It was all because of her I even had the opportunity to know about this position.

I took a cab to the hospital but on getting there, I was told she was discharged. Sadness bubbled in my chest.

She didn't even tell me she was leaving today. How was I supposed to see her again?

My phone buzzed at that moment. The notification caught me off guard.

LEX, MY UNKNOWN HUSBAND.

A text. Not a call.

My grandmother mentioned you visited the company today for a job. She gave you a recommendation letter. Did you use it?

Was he texting to talk about the divorce too? I bit my lip. How do I convince him not to? At least, not yet.

I typed back quickly.

I didn't use it actually.

Three dots appeared, then vanished. Then:

Suit yourself.

Another message followed almost immediately, and somehow I could tell it was no longer him typing.

My lovely girl!! I came looking for you but you were nowhere to be found!! — Grandma

I laughed out loud right there in the hospital corridor.

You were the one who disappeared on me, Grandma. Why didn't you tell me you were getting discharged already?

My bad my bad. I was in a haste to catch up with you but my silly grandchild already filled all the free spots. He is very hopeless, this one. His father was a true romantic. Nothing like him!!

Come over for dinner dear. I will send you the address now okay?

Alright, Granny. I'll be there.

********

When she said dinner, I thought she meant actual dinner not a dinner party. The mansion was exquisite and a lot bigger than I imagined.

Elise nudged me. She insisted on accompanying me since she had nothing to do at home.

"Didn't you say it was just dinner? There's a whole fleet of expensive cars here. It seems there is some sort of party," she whispered. "Do you think we are going to look out of place?"

I was wearing a simple black evening dress with my ring as the only piece of jewelry on me. It was loose and really comfy. Elise on the other hand was wearing a red knee-length dress with heels and matching jewelry.

If anything, she looked more suitable for a party.

"I'm sure we are going to be fine," I told her. I have been to several events like this with my father so it wasn't new to me.

Luckily, the guards didn't seem to mind us. It was probably a high society event only people with connections could be aware of so they didn't need to check invitations. It was just a guess though.

Elise entered with me and I immediately froze. Inside was even more intimidating than outside. There were many popular faces inside. Faces that even my dad couldn't connect with.

"I feel like we just stepped into a billionaire hive. Who did you say your husband was again?" Elise was whisper-squealing at this point. "Do you think he could introduce me to one of his friends? Anybody at all, I don't mind."

"His name is Lex. I'm not sure what the last name is."

She looked at me like I had grown a second head. "What do you mean you don't know his name? Didn't you read the papers?"

Yeah, I totally didn't. I just scanned through the prenup and signed at the end of it. Thinking about it now, I should definitely take another look at my marriage certificate. I couldn't walk around without knowing my husband's name at least.

"Not really but I'll take another look at it."

She rolled her eyes playfully and grabbed two glasses from the waiter's tray. She handed one to me and took a sip.

"Time to mingle, baby," she winked at me. Before I could even say anything, she was off. I shook my head and scanned the room, hoping to find the old lady but my eyes caught a man I definitely didn't want to see.

Andrew Vaughan. My ex-fiance.

How the hell did he even get here? He wasn't even in the same social class with these people.

I spun around quickly, hoping to avoid him but I ended up bumping into someone.

The contents of my glass spilled over a white tailored suit and my gut twisted in panic.

I gulped. Oh God!

"I'm sorry…" the words died in my throat as my eyes locked with a familiar set of sapphire eyes. That expensive cologne hit my nostrils again.

"Mr… A-Aleksander?" I stuttered in shock.

His eyes flickered to the nasty stain on his suit and I swallowed thickly.

I am dead. Like really dead this time.

I haven't even resumed my job yet and I already ruined my employer's suit. How many months' salary would it even take to pay for this?

A year? Two years? Five?

"Ms Klaire," his voice was every bit as icy as I last remembered.

"I know, sir. I will pay for it," I clasped the glass with both hands, bowing in apology. "Just tell me the cost and I will cover it."

"Five times your annual salary. I'd like an advance of fifty thousand before deciding if you will be keeping the job after all," The calmness in his voice did not match the brutality of those words.

"In the first place, why would anyone spend that much on a suit?" I blurted in sheer disbelief. "And you clearly saw me coming so why didn't you try to avoid me too? Or is this some grand scheme to extort your poor helpless staff?"

His eyes narrowed and I quickly added, "Sir."

If looks could kill, I'd probably be ten feet under now. I silently cursed my big mouth for pushing me into an even deeper pit.

"Lex? What are you doing?" I heard suddenly and blinked.

Huh?

Wait… Lex?