Chapter Four

Aubrey

I attempted to use work as a distraction from thinking about Everett, but it didn’t work. Why did he need to make an appearance once more? Why won’t he leave me be?

“Aubrey, are you okay? You have been somewhere else today?”

Hugo’s voice interrupts my thoughts. I raise my eyes to him and give him a smile. I can’t tell him what is wrong. If I do it, he will be furious.

“I’m good. I am tired, that's all. I didn’t sleep very well last night.” I lie.

I hate lying to him, but I refuse to cause an argument between them.

“Why couldn’t you sleep?”

I gesture with a shrug. “I’m not sure. Just one of those nights.”

“As long as you are okay. I will let you get back to work.” He smiles and disappears.

A sigh escapes me as I run my fingers through my hair. I have no idea what to do about tonight. Everett is going to show up, even when I told him not to. I know it. He must shift his focus to another person since it cannot be me. Perhaps the smartest choice is not to be at home when he is expected to be there. The issue is that I have no place to go. Showing up at Hugo and Erica’s place might lead to them asking questions. My family is not around, and I lost friends because of my previous relationship. He was controlling and abusive, and he made sure to sever all my connections. Thanks to Hugo and Erica, I was able to escape.

My phone buzzed on the table. I look down and notice a text from Everett. What does he want now? I open it.

I am outside. Come on down, and I will take you for lunch x

He’s just impossible to deal with!

No, I am busy.

It is my lunch break, but he doesn’t need to know that.

I could always come and get you, gorgeous. XX

Seeing the word “gorgeous” makes me blush. I don’t know what he sees, but I am not gorgeous, beautiful, or pretty. I still can’t grasp why he’s interested in me. With all the women he could choose from, why pick me? What is his game? Try to seduce a loser?

I can’t have him coming up here to get me. He isn’t going to go away, either.

Fine, but if I join you for lunch, it means you let me out of dinner tonight. I think that is a fair deal.

There’s absolutely no way I’ll be spending my lunch break and then dinner with him. It would not be in my best interest to do so. I can’t deny that I am attracted to him. I wish I weren’t.

We will see. Hurry up now. I know you don’t have long xx

Despite the likelihood of regretting my decision, I will go to prevent him from coming up here. I log off my computer and collect my belongings. I let Hugo know I would be out of the office for lunch. He seemed a little confused because I don’t usually. He didn’t ask any questions, though.

I rush outside and see Everett’s car. He is parked right outside the building. He couldn’t have parked down the street. It would have been less risky. I am not surprised; he seems like a risk-taker. I made my way over and swiftly climbed inside.

“Nice to see you again, angel.” He smirks.

“Like you gave me a choice? Why won’t you leave me alone? Any woman you choose can be yours. Why are you wasting your time on me?” I whine.

Laughing softly, he places his hand on my knee, causing me to shiver at his touch.

“Because I don’t want to leave you alone. You don’t want me to leave you alone. Yes, I can get whoever I want, but the only person who is piquing my interest is you.”

I roll my eyes. “Well, you need to find someone. This isn’t happening.”

“Look me in the eye and tell me you are not attracted to me. Tell me I haven’t been on your mind since we met?”

I stare at him, ready to talk, but silence fills the air as my mouth opens. I am really bad at lying.

“It’s irrelevant either way. This can’t happen.” I sigh and turn away from him, crossing my arms over my chest and huffing.

“You look adorable when you get all worked up. What would you like for lunch? Please don’t say you don’t want anything, as that won’t be acceptable. You are going to have a meal. You are very thin,” he says.

Who does he think he is to comment on my body like that? I did lose weight due to stress recently, and I might be a bit too thin, but it’s still nothing to do with him.

“Excuse me? Don’t talk about my body. You don’t have the right.” I snap.

I am incredibly self-conscious. Throughout my life, I’ve always felt uncomfortable when people comment on my appearance, whether the comments are positive or negative.

“Yes, you are right. I am sorry, it isn’t my place.” He sighs, pulling his hand away.

“No, it is not. As for food, we can eat wherever. I don’t care.”

I gaze out the window. I feel his eyes burn into me for a moment before he starts the car. He better not take us far. My lunch break is only an hour long. We drive for about ten minutes before he pulls into a parking spot. I look around curiously and realize we are now outside an Italian restaurant. Yummy. One of my favourites. I would be satisfied with either Italian or Korean cuisine.

“Italian, okay?”

“Yes.”

We climb out of the car. He comes around to my side, taking my hand in his, interlocking our fingers. I know I should let go of his hand, but I can’t bring myself to do it. He guides us indoors and is quickly greeted by someone.

“It’s nice to see you, Mr. Amery. Let’s get you a table.” She says.

“Thank you.”

If he is known, I assume he comes here frequently. Then again, he and Hugo are well-known everywhere due to their numerous businesses. He maintains a strong grip on my hand until we get to our table, or rather, our booth.

“Ladies first.” He says, dropping my hand.

I slide in and expect him to sit across from me, but he takes the spot next to me instead.

“Um, why are you sitting next to me? Wouldn’t it be better if you sit across from me?”

It would make it less awkward.

“I am fine here, for now.” He winks.

I shake my head and take a menu to shift my focus. The staff members step away so we can make our decision. He casually glances at the menu while his hand lands on my thigh.

His constant touching is driving me crazy, and I wish he would stop. I can’t get involved with another man so soon. I am still in the process of healing and feeling fragile from my previous experience.

“What would you like?”

“Hmm, bruschetta and a pasta salad.”

“Good choice.” He smiles.

He signals the waiter nearby by snapping his fingers. How rude! He hurries over quickly.

“What can I get you, sir?”

Everett told him our orders before dismissing him with a wave of his hand. I roll my eyes once again. He and Hugo are definitely not the same. Hugo would never behave towards someone like Everett did. It is hard to believe they are brothers.

He positions himself sideways to look at me. I make an effort not to look at him.

“Eyes on me, Aubrey.” He commands.

I follow instructions obediently. He is staring at me.

“Yes?”

After considering it, I have decided that we are still having dinner tonight. We don’t need to go out. I will come to your place and cook for you.”

“No. I won’t answer the door.”

“You certainly will,” he says confidently before standing up and sitting across from me.

He can show up, but he isn’t getting in. What is he going to do? Break in? Even he can’t be that crazy. I wish he would give me space and stop bothering me, even though a part of me secretly desires his attention. I am so confused. Despite it being only the afternoon, I’m eager for the day to end.