Chapter 7 - Chapter 7

J.K.L Restaurant

A smirk formed across her cheeks. Her plans are going well. She knew that Carole would go out after calling her. Though she was surprised that the man she ordered was quick. 

Natalie was having the best lunch when her phone rang for notification. She crossed her legs and sipped her tea. That photo was enough to convince Aston.

She immediately sent it to the man who was busy signing papers in his office. He wasn't planning on looking at it, but the photo notification caught his eyes. 

"Do you like what I sent you?" 

A short message from Natalie with a heart emoji. 

At first, Aston couldn't believe what he saw. He thought that it was Natalie who edited that photo or made that up, but that photo looks very real. His wife was with the international actor Royce Cox.

He never thought that Carole would go on such lengths to get his attention. What would people think if they saw his wife with another man? Of course it will ruin his reputation, and since his father is a strict businessman, things like this are unacceptable. 

Aston felt his nerves popping as he gripped his phone while looking at the photo. This will become an scandalous issue. He didn't want his business to get dragged by this. 

He stood up from his chair and went to the upper floor balcony. There, he releases a heavy breath before texting Carole. Aston took out his phone from his pocket and then sent the photo to his wife. 

Meanwhile, Carole was stunned when she saw the photo came from her husband. She almost dropped the phone when it rang loudly. 

"H-Hello?" her voice stammered as she answered the call from Aston.

"Where are you?" His deep husky voice tingled Carole, making her notice that he is not in the good mood.

"I went out, alone." Carole replied, adding the word alone so that Aston will not misinterpret. Her husband might think that she went outside with another man.

"Did you see the photo I sent you?" He asked.

"Um, yeah." Carole replied, looking around. "Aston, did you hire someone to spy on me?" 

Her question rang through Aston's ears and it left an undesirable sound to him. 

"Is it important?" He asked, "Why are you with Royce Cox? Do you know what might come out if someone saw you with him?" he asked with his voice losing patience. 

"I'm not with him, I just happened to bump into his nephew and niece." Carole explained clearly, doubting why her husband needed to spy her. "Do you not trust me?" she asked.

"Trust you?" Aston's voice turned louder. "Do you even hear yourself, Carole? You just went out carelessly and met a man behind my back."

The emphasis on his words struck Carole. She was about to cry but she held back her tears and breath.

"I didn't meet a man behind your back. I told you I just help the kids." She explained, gulping the saliva clogging her throat.

She can't believe that her husband of five years will think of her this way. She did nothing but to be his loving and loyal wife and suddenly just because of this event, Aston already thought of her as someone who will meet another man behind his back. 

"Do you even know what will be the consequences of this? I don't want to restrict you because I know you have a life, but if you are going to bring me shame then I might lock you up, Carole." 

Aston's angry voice made Carole bite her lips as it quivered. Restrict her? For what? She did nothing wrong. She just wanted to help, that's all. Why does he need to lock her up? 

"You're crazy, Aston!" Carole blurted out angrily, hanging up from the call.

She put her phone back in her purse and stood up. She walked in the middle of the crowd, trying to compose herself while wiping her tears. She couldn't believe that Aston could ever say those words to her.

"I did nothing wrong. I just wanted to help," that's what she said in her thoughts as her legs brought her to the exit.

Suddenly, she bumped into someone. That tall figure loomed over her. The man quickly grabbed Carole's arms before her knees hit the floor.

"Sorry, did I hurt you?" His soothing voice asked, calming the woman.

Carole looked up and was surprised by who she saw. Though before she could hide her expression, Royce already saw the tears forming in her eyes.

"Miss Carole, are you alright?" He asked, worried.

He gently held the woman up and then stepped backwards. Seeing the tears in her eyes, she's not okay at all. Royce looked around, thinking that he might find something or someone chasing the woman. 

"Is someone chasing you or harassing you?" He asked, uneasy.

Someone had seen them earlier, and it might be the reason why Carole was crying. Since he knew that he was a famous celebrity, things might get out of hand, and he didn't want to cause any trouble to anyone, especially Carole. 

"I'm fine,"

Carole broke all his thoughts. She took her bag from Royce who picked it up from the floor earlier.

"I'm sorry, I need to go."

Without any explanation, the female dashed outside, only leaving her shadow visible to Royce's eyes. The man was left there, confused. 

He shook his head and his eyebrows knitted. After meeting Carole, there's something in him that wanted to know more about her. Royce didn't know what he would call this feeling, but right now all he wanted was to find out who did it to the woman who didn't want to leave his mind.

He walked back inside and took out his phone. He dialed a trusted number and waited three rings before someone answered.

"Are you busy?" Royce asked the other line. 

A smirk formed on his face when the other line confirmed that it was not busy. 

"Good, I need you to find something for me." Royce ordered.