VIP Lounge
"George, where are you going after here?" asked Stella.
Despite the embarrassment she'd experienced after her husband humiliated her, and then Anna had only ignored her presence when she was a member of the Graham family, supposed to be serving more than Krishna, she was forced to pick herself up and pretend that nothing had happened.
She stood before George and put on an expectant smile in the hope he would coax her and make it up with her in place of Florian.
It has always been like that in the past years. George consistently put aside his work to comfort her, the things her husband had never done for her; thus, she's seeking it from someone else.
George, in just one call, was always there for her. Hence, she always had the confidence to bug him like today and casually ask about his plans, ignoring the fact the former had arrived with Krishna.
As Stella enquired about his plans, George turned around and looked at her with intent, seeming to search for something hidden in her pretty face.
Displaying an unusual behavior toward the woman he loved, the surrounding people, especially Florian, could not fathom what he was thinking.
When it comes to Stella, he never hides his affection, although he ensures he would not overly expose himself. However, at that time, his eyes were void of emotion. In fact, a glint of coldness flashed his eyes, but the former ignored it as her belief that George was in love with her.
Then, for a strange reason, the longer George stayed silent, and remained to stare at her with intent, which gave her a bad premonition, a chill crept down her spine.
'Why is George staring at me like that? Lately, he seemed distant to me. Or is it just my hallucination? I wondered if something had happened to him to act like this.'
Since all is well on Krishna's part, George sees no reason to stay but to leave. Thus, he deliberately rejected Stella's invitation.
"I must return to deal with some documents and attend a virtual conference after lunch." As he gaped at Stella, George lied without batting an eye. If Benny or Dillion heard what he said, the two would drop their jaws in amazement that he could finally learn how to turn down Stella, whereas he had cleared out his appointments for the day and divided his work among them. Also, he did not give a specific location where he would return later, whether it was his company or home office.
Meanwhile, Stella was stunned when George turned her down. She wondered if there was something wrong with her ears.
"Oh, then…" After a moment of uncertainty, Stella pursed her lips, then parted them to show off her perfect teeth. "How about you, Krishna? Would you like to join me for lunch? There is a steakhouse a friend recommended to me. In fact, I am meeting her later."
She had a massive smile on her face as she invited Krishna over. However, Krishna was hesitant to accept her invitation after Camilla had warned her to be cautious about Stella.
Camilla even sent her a text message not to be alone with Stella.
If she didn't grow up with Camilla, she would only ignore her warning. However, their friendship was like that of siblings. So typically, she'll believe her older friend more than the person she just met.
"I…" She had a hard time squeezing an alibi. She doesn't want to turn down Stella, but she has to be cautious, especially after someone attempted to kill her last night.
"Krishna has to watch her diet strictly. Thus, a steak is a no-no…."
Thankfully, George spoke for her. She thought the guy would accept Stella's invitation without a second thought. To her surprise, George actually turned her down that instant.
'I'm inquisitive. What's the cause of his sudden changes? Was he ready to choke and strangle me just the other day as he thought I was Florian's mistress? Or could it be that another reason he was nice to me now?'
Krishna fell into deep thoughts.
'Isn't he finished investigating me? He surely knew already that I was no one's mistress. Then what's with him being nice to me all of a sudden, and now he was ignoring Stella? But he promised to treat me to lunch! Now his mind has changed?'
Having this belief, Krishna did not hide her disappointment. Rather than starving herself to death, she chose to be obedient instead when the crazy guy's split personality had activated again.
Thus, she stopped looking forward to a sumptuous lunch while her stomach was already rumbling due to hunger.
Stella had noticed the disappointment appearing on Krishna's face. Since it was like this, she didn't pursue her invitation. She smiled sweetly and said, "Some other time, then."
Krishna nodded and smiled apologetically.
Somehow, she remembered that George's kitchen was fully stocked with ingredients. She can make quick pasta for her lunch. He had fresh vegetables and fruits as well. At least it would give her some energy to live on for another day.
'It's my fault to accept the job. Now I have to endure the consequences. Just a little more!' She kept comforting herself. All her sacrifice is for her son, after all. She could finally buy him the things he needed. A little diet is nothing.
Having this thought through, Krishna's gloomy face brightened, and George observed these changes in her mood.
"Stella, since I paid for the dress, you can have it. Let's grab brunch sometime," said George before he turned around and headed to the door.
"See you around, Stella…." Before she hurried to follow George, Krishna bid a quick goodbye to Stella and then nodded at Florian.
On the other hand, Stella was rooted on the floor, still shocked that George had turned her down for the first time. 'Is George seriously will keep that b*tch?'
If it were not for Florian's scoffs, she would not snap out of dazed.
"Why aren't you moving yet? You should inform the staff if you have some changes to the dress." Florian glared in her direction before he entered the fitting room to take off the suit he tried on and change into the clothes he had worn earlier.
Stella blinked and stared at her husband's disappearing back. His mocking tone cut her heart in two. However, she would be the loser if she showed more weakness in front of her husband.
Hence, Stella straightened her back, and composed herself, pretending she was not hurt after Florian reminded her with a hint of insult.
"You are right. I have a few things I wanted to change in this dress." Coldly, Stella uttered this. She then called a store assistant to narrate the changes she wanted.
Stella changed her clothes back and handed the dress to the store assistant.
She noticed Florian wasn't there anymore. She asked the assistant and told her that her husband had gone out to answer a phone call.
Stella stepped out of the VIP Lounge and found Florian on the corner, speaking in a low voice. She wondered who he was talking with.
With careful steps, she strode closer.
"I'll be there after my work is finished for the day. Alright. See you later."
Unfortunately, Florian had already ended the call and turned around. Seeing her standing five meters away, the former's face became dark.
"Are you eavesdropping, Stella?"
Stella overlooked his tone filled with accusation. She smiled and shook her head. "No, I did not. I'm here to ask if you can accompany me to have lunch."
"I have a client to meet over lunch," Florian said nonchalantly while his eyes stayed on his phone, typing something on it, then he strode toward the elevator.
"Can I tag you along?" Stella followed behind. When Florian stepped into the elevator, she scurried not to be stuck by the doors.
Seeing her being persistent, Florian displayed his displeasure. "You were only a nuisance to the meeting."
One more time, Stella was hurt by Florian's words. Although she was used to his deliberate insult, it would still crush her heart.
When they reached the second floor, Florian exited the elevator with long strides. Stella struggled to keep up with him with her high heels.
"At least, drop me in the hotel, please…"
"Aren't you meeting a friend?" Florian halted and snapped at her.
Stella, on the other hand, was late to stop. Because she was chasing him, she slammed into his broad back, and wasn't able to hold on to him; thus, she was thrown to the ground. Florian did not even bother to catch her or help her get up to her feet. Instead, her husband resumed walking and left her alone.
The humiliation she always received from her husband should be enough to give up and walk out into this marriage. However, she doesn't want anyone else. She is the legal Mrs. Graham. They have a daughter, and the elders never allowed their divorce.
"My dear husband, if you want a hell of a marriage. I will give you that! Watch me!"
~
Meanwhile, a black supercar was speeding to the south skyway. In no time, they were exiting the central city and taking a smooth drive toward the south coast when there was less traffic.
Regardless of the entire trip, George had already thrown countless glances at the woman in the passenger seat; however, she seemed not to pay attention to him. Instead, she remained motionless in her seat.
'Is she still mad at me because of this morning? I thought she had forgotten it after I told her I'm going to treat her to lunch.'
George has forgotten something the reason he was oblivious to Krishna's disappointment. Remaining to wonder, he was racking his head on how to initiate a conversation that he was not been concerned about in the past to anyone.
He never put an effort into anyone except his immediate family and Stella is always a special case. However, for unknown reasons, he felt obliged to be at this woman's mercy.
'She is just my baby mama. Should I really please her all the time?' He wanted to make it up to her, yes. But he found it difficult because he knew nothing about Krishna. He has never even courted a woman before!
As she was minding her own business, she had no idea what the man behind the wheel was thinking at the moment. Then, suddenly, she gasped in fright when the car halted without warning.
"What happened?" She shoots a look at George in the hope of getting an answer. But when she made eye contact with the man, she was startled to see how dark his face was.
'And what's wrong with him again? He's really a crazy guy having a split personality, as he was moody! Is he suffering from menopausal symptoms? But men almost have no menopausal period, right?' She was bothered by his unpredictable mood again. 'Yet, he was difficult to please!'
On the other hand, George felt upset to confirm that Krishna was truly not paying attention to him.
'Who was she thought when I was around her? Is she still thinking of her deceased fiance?' he mused.
Actually, he came up with this assumption when he felt that his charm did not affect her, nor found him intimidating.
All of a sudden, George leaned over.
Krishna widened her eyes when the guy did that. She buried her back on the leather seat in the hope she could avoid his advances. But to no avail, George succeeded in claiming her lips, pinning her down on her seat, and restraining her to struggle.