Anthony's Pov*
"Yes Grandma, right away", I replied with a brief smile then she shot me a withering gaze. Sensing her anger, I had to say something quick "Okay, okay, Grandma I understand. I know it's not the right time to end things. Even before the press finds out it'll be hell"
"The press Tony". She added then she rolled her eyes and tilted her head to the side.
Everywhere fell silent for a moment, neither I nor my grandma had anything to say to each other "This time around go for what makes you happy Anthony, decide for yourself for once" I thought, then I dipped my right hand in my pocket and reached for my phone, I dialled Donovan's (my lawyer's) contact immediately "Donovan, find those divorce papers for me real quick". I broke the silence with the phone call.
"Consider it done Mr Price", Donovan retorted from his end then I hung up on him.
As soon as I dropped the call, I was ready to leave, at least I'd passed the information already, "Bye grandma, I'll be on my way now" I said, expecting a response from my grandma but she kept mute and said nothing.
"Bye Grandma" I said again before I left her place.
*Aileen's Pov*
It was past 9 pm and I was on my bed trying to get some sleep but I jerked up when my phone kept buzzing with an incoming call "Who would be calling Aileen by this time gosh" I muttered then I fixed my eyes on the screen to know who the caller was. My eyes widened at the sight of the caller, it was my boss Anthony. I picked up without hesitation, "Hey Anthony, do you need something?" I asked in a groggy tone without even waiting for him to speak but a different voice came through, "Hi ma'am, I'm Peter. Are you, Aileen?" He sounded so urgent when he asked.
"Yeee...ah, I replied darting my eyes slowly around my room.
"You must be his wife then". He said from his end.
"Uh, no no no I'm his assistant", I retorted, rubbing my temples.
"Well, he's been calling your name ever since he's dead drunk", he continued and this time around, my eyes widened "What? dead drunk?" I asked with a flicker of puzzlement etched in my voice.
His voice came through "Anyways, listen, he's kind of wasted. We're at Crystal Lounge can you come pick him up please?" He asked. "Yes sure" I replied.
"Thanks", he said before hanging up.
As soon as he ended the call, I jumped out of bed, grabbed my phone and left The room.
"You two, my boss needs my attention and it's an emergency " I notified Liam and Stella, they were seated in the living room, having a good time. On hearing my words, Stella gave me a suspicious look "Hm Alien", she said in a teasing tone.
"Don't even go there Stella, you're such a weirdo and you're unbelievable" I chuckled as I rolled my eyes "I'll be back in a short while, you two take care" I added before I dashed out of the house.
"Have a good time and be safe Aileen", their voices came after from inside.
I flagged down a cab immediately after I saw one "Crystal Lounge" I said before hopping into the car and It zoomed off thereafter.
*AT ANTHONY'S MANSION*
After a while of staggerly pacing back and forth, we finally got home with the help of Peter. He drove us home in Anthony's car and left afterwards, leaving me alone with Anthony "Oh heavens, please help" I thought as I threw my arm over his shoulders for support. We managed to walk a few paces close to the entrance door and suddenly, Anthony wrapped his arm around my tiny waist. My eyes widened and I froze as I felt his hand snaking its way around my waist. He continued by forcefully pulling me to himself then he drew close to my ear and whispered "I can barely stand please take me inside" he whispered in a low husky tone, his eyes, filled with pain and vulnerability. "What could have caused him to drink so much?" I asked in my thoughts but I was revived back to reality by Anthony's breath, it smelt like warm alcohol "Aileen, take me inside".
"Ew," I cursed under my breath.
"Okay, let's get you inside". I said then I opened the fancy entrance door and we both managed to go inside.
"Here, sit here", I helped him to sit on a two-seater sofa then he relaxed his head backwards and I sat beside him. But he didn't seem relaxed at all he started panting like someone who just finished running a 500metres race, and he constantly tilted his head sideways restlessly It was as if his chest was going to pull out, I got confused at that moment but I kept calm "Hey, Anthony", I called out softly as I placed my palm on his forehead gently, it prompted him to stop tilting his head and he fixed his eyes on mine. For a moment, I felt like we had this deep connection like I'd seen him before and that was the second time I felt about him like that "No Aileen, he's your boss, he's married and so you are" a voice said in my head then I brushed off the feeling "okay Anthony, you're burning up. I'm going to call your doctor okay?" I said but he cut in with his weak voice I could barely hear "I.... Contacted m my... Doctor already so.... Don't bother".
"Okay," I retorted. "At least let me get you some water" I added then I stood up only for Anthony to pull me back by my wrist, I lost balance and landed on him "Whoa!!" I exclaimed but Anthony said nothing. He locked his half-closed eyes onto mine, my heart raced a million times with a series of unanswered thoughts. Everywhere fell silent for a moment but Anthony broke the silence "Aileen" he called.
"Huh," I raised my brows.
"Why do you have such an awful name" he asked with a frail smile across his sexy lips.
I darted my eyes slowly with furrowed brows "Uhh..., what's wrong with my name?" I asked, trying to figure out where the question was coming from.
"My grandma named me. Why did you ask?" I added
"Mmm..., never mind". He ended the conversation then he turned his face away.
"Okay Anthony, you need some rest, you look stressed". I said then we heard a knock on the door. "That must be his wife" I thought then I tried to stand up to get the door but Anthony wouldn't let me go he gripped me tightly preventing me from standing up "I Don't want you out of my side Aileen. My house guard will get the door," he said.
"Uh... Should... Should I hide?" I asked with a shaky voice.
"And why would you hide?" he furrowed his eyebrows.
"Because your wife may see us" I replied.
"she won't see us," he said with a brief eye roll. Just then, his doctor entered the living room, and her entrance prompted Anthony and me to sit upright. She held her kit Like she was in her office, she looked so elegant, demure and professional. She probably will be in her early fifties.
"Eh em...." she cleared her throat adjusted her transparent glasses and flipped her black shoulder-length hair backwards then she proceeded by clicking her heels on the marble floor to where Anthony was seated.
Seeing that I was too close to Anthony didn't make her comfortable, she shot me a disdainful stare but Anthony noticed it quickly "It's okay, she's on my side, shes Aileen my assistant" he said and her face softened with a smile then she turned to Anthony "Anthony, you know you're allergic to alcohol" she complained as she dipped her hand into her kit and brought out an ointment then she turned to me.
"Aileen, can you please help me out?" she asked with the ointment still in her hands.
I couldn't quite get what I was going to help her with but I thought that being nice would be better "Sure" I replied with a smile across my lips.
"Anthony, take your shirt off" she commanded and Anthony froze not having anything to say. He slowly turned his eyes to me.
Then she turned to me "Aileen, can you apply this ointment please on him?", she asked, my eyes widened on hearing her question "What is she asking me to do?" I asked in my thoughts then I replied, "Okay" and I collected the ointment from her.
Anthony couldn't say a word he was just staring at his doctor like she had committed some sort of crime "What, is she not your personal assistant? " she asked, following his stare. " Besides, You didn't pay me enough to do this" she added. Anthony raised his eyebrows then he turned to me "It's fine Aileen, am fine, there's no need for ointment" he said but his doctor interrupted him "Doctor's order, otherwise I'll call Cynyhia your grandma to convince you" she warned but it sounded like a threat.
At the mention of his grandma's name, his countenance changed it seemed like he didn't want her to know and sensing the growing fear in him, I did something to save the moment "I don't mind Anthony, let me do it don't act stubborn" I said.
"That's the spirit," his doctor said. "I'll leave the two of you now. Please, Aileen, take care of him and Anthony, please don't act stubborn. Good night" she added before leaving.