Derek's POV
I'd been waiting for Tara at work that morning. My dressing was a little extra, with a colorful tie that I wanted to bring out my blue suits because I remember Tara loved the color blue. It was a little fun playing dress up but I felt extremely comfortable after bouncing into my office with eyes admiring me left and right.
Tara would be visiting that morning for a board meeting with very important people, so I put in effort to clear my office and make it neater.
She was always an extreme woman, keeping the house clean and tidy all the time. I couldn't help but compare her with Melissa now who was very lazy and depended on the maids so much that I wonder if she knew how to do anything at all!
"Sir," my secretary said to me, "she is here. Madam Aniston."
I nod calmly, as if I had not been very excited. "I'll join you soon."
Once in the grand hall, I searched for her and sighted her a couple of seats across the high table, glaring so strong at the Chairman, Mr. Joshua. He was the highest investor in many law firms, and a mighty man in the whole of New York.
Her face was still the same beautiful and relaxed one, and instead of looking older at twenty eight, she looked even younger like she could pass for a twenty year old lady.
"But Mr. Joshua, you're wrong there." It was her voice, calm yet loud across the room. "That's where I won't agree with you. You are an important man in our lives, and we can't object to that. But what you intend to do with the stock shares, it's impossible. We have families at home too."
She said in a tone that conveyed arrogance, but people were laughing?? I just can't understand how this woman has become so powerful like this!
"I understand your fear, madam Aniston." Mr. Joshua said and I scoffed. Madam Aniston??
The rest of the meeting was boring and annoying, so pathetic of me forgetting about being a businessman that I got carried away acting all petty. But I just couldn't take it from her! What spell has she casted on these poor fools?
We were done now and she got up, ready to leave. There was a young man following her around like a leach. I ignored and walked up to her. "Tara? We need to talk."
She glared at me like I was a forbidden thing, cold eyes observing me too strictly.
"What is wrong with you? How long are you going to pretend like you don't know me? It's getting annoying--"
"--madam? We should leave now. I've been getting a call from Richard's...." Her leash dog was saying but he suddenly caught my angry frown and stopped. "We should leave. I can't say anything in the presence of strangers."
That was what tipped me off. "What the hell! You fool, low life idiot! Do you not know who I am?? A stranger?? I am her ex fucking husband!"
My voice was getting loud because some people turned in our direction. Tara's stare became so intense I had to shift back a little and clear my throat.
"You keep trespassing every time, Mr. Derek. Next time, I won't take things likely with you." She warned.
"I keep insisting that we need to talk. How long will you keep running from me? You lied to me about a lot of things, and you think you can go scot free? Like how you--"
"--let's go, Mathew. I've grown my patience with this man." She cut me off, then before I could utter another word, Tara turned and walked away, the sound of her heels clicking to the ground as she walked.
I stood there like a fool, mouth opened in shock. No. This isn't the same Tara that I married nine years ago. Wait, it has been nine years already??
I just cleaned my office and dressed so fucking well for her, but she pulls this stunt on me!? I wasn't going to accept defeat like that. "Miss Aniston? Your son is such a handsome boy!" I shouted loud enough, causing her to stop. Then I walked over to her.
She looked stiff and for a short while, I could see the fear residing in her eyes. Why did she look so frightened at the mention of her son? So she did have a son?
"Don't you agree? He must look just like his father." I stared at her, waiting for the same reaction but she seemed to have gained her emotions together because that heartless frown had returned.
"You keep trespassing, Derek Marisol. But I will ignore because you are a fool who needs help." She said, then went on after seeing my anger. It seemed to please her. "I am a lawyer, and the next time you try this nonsense with me again, well things will get rough for you. I will withdraw from this contract, and make it known to the judge just how psychotic you are."
Her annoying assistant leaned forward and whispered something into her ears again. She seemed to flinch at the mention of whatever he was saying. She turned and stormed off, seemingly in a hurry.
I was forced to remain still like an idiot, wondering where it had all gone wrong. Tara was always so afraid of me. No. Rather, she was so in love with me that she even dyed her hair to match my own brown for many years. She did everything I asked of her willingly with a smile on her face.
But now, she was acting like I'm a stranger?? I was getting more and more angry now. I couldn't just stay still and let her speak to me like this like I was trash!
I grabbed my phone and dialed Ronaldo's number. "Hey, I need you to do something for me. Bring me information about Tara, every little detail ever! I want to know if she has ever been married before, if that boy is her son, and who the hell Richard is!"