Chapter 10

Paul POV

"Let's just pretend what we did never happened."

I feel like a coward with just one sentence that I really don't want to say. I said it but I can't do it myself. I can't forget what I did with Grace.

It sucks.

Look! Even the tie I had been wearing was no longer formed. My body is here but my mind is not. Grace has taken over all my thoughts to her.

I decided not to wear a tie for today. Only shirts and jackets. Opening the two shirt buttons at the neck exposed my chest a little. I also moved from the room while carrying a coat and briefcase towards the dining table for breakfast.

When I got there I saw Al was eating his food voraciously. I joined without a word. Since parting with Fio, Al and I are no longer as close as they used to be. I do not know actually this child is disappointed, hate or something else to me. And I myself do not want to ask. let the wall between us both grow higher every day.

"Al?" This is the first time I called his name in a long time.

"Yes?" The response is also very short.

"Did you know Grace is no longer living with her parents?"

I didn't look at Al's expression because I was busy with the toast I was smearing with jam.

"Yeah, I know," Al replied.

"Then why didn't you tell me?" I asked, starting to eat the bread I had finished smearing with jam on the plate.

"Why do you suddenly care about Grace?"

That question suddenly made my cut on the bread in front of me stop. I looked up at Al who was sitting in front of me. I can't read the look on his face because Al has a straight expressionless face.

"Dad didn't suddenly careisn't Grace your friend?" I tried to give the most logical reason. "I has also considered Grace like my own child, so it's natural for you to care about her," I continued, acting as normal as possible.

"It's been a long time since Grace hasn't lived with her parents because they always compare Grace and Angel."

I breathed a sigh of relief. Thank God because it seems Al is no longer suspicious of me.

"Tsk! What makes Angel better than Grace?" I can't believe Grace's parents behaved like that. Because when we were still neighbors, Grace's parents were good people and very friendly.

"Because Angel does whatever they want while Grace doesn't," replied Al.

Some parents are like that. too impose their will on their children regardless of whether the child likes it or not. I'm not saying that I'm a good parent because I can't maintain the integrity of my household with Al. but at least I'm not a father who will force Al to be what I want. She's free to choose her own path in life as long as it's not a negative thing, I'll always support her.

"I'm leaving," said Al. I daydreamed too much apparently that I didn't realize that Al had finished his breakfast while I still left a lot of food on my plate.

No need to get an answer Al has already walked out of the house we both live in. My appetite suddenly disappeared, making me just finish the juice and leave the house for the office.

Doing many meetings every day has become a routine for me.

Tired? Of course.

But I love this job.

"Do we still have another schedule?" I asked Jonas, a 37-year-old man, my private secretary. Many have asked why I didn't hire a woman as a personal secretary like most business people.

First because I'm comfortable working with Jonas. Not only smart, he is also very reliable. and what I like the most is the honesty of the man.

Second because I'm a loyal type of guy. Not boasting nearly 27 years with Fio, she is the only woman in my life. I don't want to hire a woman to be my personal

secretary because I don't want to misunderstand her.

But it turns out that my loyalty was betrayed. The woman I loved so much disappointed me by having an affair with another man.

"There is only one more meeting, sir. But our client wants to have an outside meeting," Jonas replied.

"Okay. Prepare the best place for him." If it's a profitable thing for me I won't hesitate to invest. Because I know what I get will be more.

This client of mine does have his own taste. This is our third partnership and this is also the third club he has chosen to speak to me about business.

Jonas and I came first to greet him in the VIP room. because he is also a man who likes to have fun with women, don't forget that I also invited some of the women to accompany him.

"You can always make me happy, Mr. Paul," he praised with such a happy face.

"For you, surely I will give my best Mrcarson," I replied smiling, genuinely pleased.

Mr. Carson raised his glass to invite us to toast. Of course it was my pleasure and Jonas and the man who served as the male secretary raised a glass too. made a toast then took a sip of the white wine that I specially prepared for him on purpose.

We're done with business now it's just a matter of spoiling it with some of the women I paid for before. I signal Jonas to call the ladies inside.

Mr.'s eyes Carson beamed as he saw the women enter the room one by one.

Originally I had intended to go because these ladies were gifts for Mr. Carson. But the figure who was standing in sexy clothes and thick make up made me not want to move.

What is she doing here?

The woman only glanced at me briefly. Gives a faint smile that does not know what it means. Two of his friends had started to approach Mr. Carson. He also stepped forward to approach the man.

I don't know what's on my mind right now. I got up from my seat and held her hand tightly. Stopped his steps to approach Mr. Carson.

The woman turned to look at me with a confused look.

"What are you doing?" I asked in a low voice. Stare at him with a sharp gaze.

"Work," she answered briefly as if without the slightest burden.

I snorted softly and chuckled sadly. My hand has now let go of his switch to folding it in front of his chest. My gaze turned petty. Pay attention to her appearance from toe to hair. She looked uncomfortable with my gaze that made her try to cover her body with both hands as if that would be enough.

"I never thought that you would leave me to live like this, Fio."

Yes. The woman who was now standing in front of me was Fio. My ex-wife.

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