THREE : Disrespect and Self worth

Maren's pov

I ran after him.

I don't know why I went after him but I won't let me him leave getting all the satisfaction. Rylee had always told me to stand up for myself and this is my way of it.

“Mr Patton” I called.

He stopped in his tracks and turned to me, his eyebrows furrowed. I walked towards him and stop right in front of me. He is tall, I glanced up looking into eyes as he stare me down with those grey eyes.

I cleared my throat, he folded his arms. “I want to make something clear, I don't know what kind of impression I gave you at first but I won’t do anything that goes against our contract” I breathed out.

The corner of his lips lifted, I saw a smile but briefly. He is mocking me ?.

“What things?, Miss Maren” He said quietly which made his voice deeper. He leaned down, staring into my eyes like he is looking for something.

“I don't know…but I just want to let you know I only think of this as a business nothing more” I straightened my posture.

“Ah” He also stood up straight, “Alright then, Miss Maren” he turned to go.

But I held unto his arm, I quickly put my hands away when he turned, He looks at me with amusement. “I thought we are only on business” He mused.

“If you thinking I would take you home, you are not my type” He declared. Oh no that not it. He is hot, yes but I won't dream about dating him.

“No that not it, I just wanted to say I hope we don't say things that are disrespectful to each other, like…like what just happened now” l explained.

He studied me for a while before replying, “Understood, Miss Maren”.

I brushed past him before he could start walking away. When Rylee told me about this offer, I hesitated, then she told me about the pay. It was good but being a public figure comes with a lot of work and patience but I was in need of the money to change my life and put myself back on after wasting ten years of my life in a fruitless relationship.

Tears pricked the back of my eyes. I hate it when people don't get to know before judging or accusing me of something I didn't do, just like most of my foster parents.

I reached the parking lot before any one, anger and embarrassment surge through me. When I reached Rylee’s car, I pulled at the car handle, forgetting it is locked.

I only cut out of it when I heard Rylee’s loud voice boomed through the parking lot.

“Do you apologized to her?!” She yelled, I turned and found her facing unbothered Gideon.

“No” he replied, he walked past her and goes towards his car.

“I shouldn't have let her do this? I should have just make you solve your problem on your own”

Gideon turned, “Your job is to make me look good in public. Not to nag me and if your so-called friend is good like you have portrayed her, why does she wants to do this so badly ?!” He retorted angrily.

I gasped. My heart sank, is there anyone who doesn't think lowly of me.

My phone rings, heads turned towards me. “ You are an asshole Patton, and trust me you eat your words back, Mother f**ker” Rylee screamed.

Jaxon walked up, I quickly turned picking the call without looking at contact. “Maren, you are supposed to be here by now” My Boss’s cut through the speaker.

“Yes,yes ma. I am sorry there's just a little delay…” I was cut off by my boss before I could finish explaining.

“Alright, Alright just get yourself here before an hour” she says and ends the call before I could reply.

I turned around and Jaxon was leaning against Rylee's car. “Hey” he said.

I gave him a small smile, Jaxon is nice and funny unlike Gideon who is rude, grumpy and arrogant.

“I am sorry about what Gideon had said, he didn't mean.. he just angry about the turn of events” Jaxon said.

I didn't reply, I just nodded. An habit I knew was bad but I found it difficult to say a word when I have a lot to.

My eyes fell on Rylee who looked like she about to pounce on Gideon. “Rylee” I called. She huffed and matched towards I and Jaxon.

“You should put your friend in control” she hissed at Jaxon.

“Right, the only time you talk to me is when you are mad at Gideon” Jaxon muttered under his breath but it was loud enough to hear.

“Do you say something, Mr Merrick” Rylee sneered.

“Nah” Jaxon chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. “See you soon, Miss Maren” He starts to jogged towards Gideon's car. “And you too, Miss Hugo”.

I laughed at their antics, Rylee opened her car as we entered her car, she apologized about what happened earlier and I told her it is okay. Even though I am not, I hate it when people look down on me.

Rylee do say “Don't let anyone determine your worth” and won't let anyone do that to me. Not anymore.