The CEO’s Ex-Wife Can’t Escape

The Ceo’s Ex-Wife Can’t Escape

Chapter 34: Without Discretion

Matthew, who was grinning from ear to ear looked odd and creepy for Airina. She knew he wore a smile to put others at ease and to make him look approachable. However, this unfading smile which appeared to be sweet yet at the same time giddy was just not sitting right with how she knew him. They had been together for a year; it couldn’t be that he found something so amusing to smile unsettling like this.

She tapped her elbows, narrowed her eyes, and asked. “So… what is your business with me?”

Matthew regained his senses belatedly and almost instantly blurted, “Do you ever feel lonely?”

Airina wore a look of disgust, “What did you say?”

Matthew chuckled at her response and then reclined deeply on the swivel chair. He shrugged his shoulders, then coyly uttered, “You know sometimes it’s fun to have some barbeque night at this venue.”

He pulled out a contact card which she reluctantly grabbed and read. It was a famous venue and only high-class people had the right to enjoy inside. She furrowed her brows at the sight of the contact card. She nonchalantly gave it back.

“Is this your date with Elisa?”

Matthew froze for a while, “Of course, not. You know that she likes Jackson, no?”

Airina looked at the lampshade on his desk and nodded her head. The reason she asked Elisa’s help was to push Jackson away and give her a chance with him. While the second was solely for her own sake. Jackson’s face brings back both the good and the bad memories she had shared with her family and with him.

Each time she thinks of her family, he also pops into her mind – especially the moment he smiles at her affectionately as if he bears feelings for her. She blinked her eyes, lost in her thoughts, and took a deep breath.

“Why do you not date Elisa?”

“Why do you not give Jackson a chance?”

Airina’s eyes fluctuated and zipped her mouth momentarily. “Matthew… you know what happened. Besides, aren’t the stocks of Halton group already rising to the top 1?”

Matthew smirked. If Jackson hadn’t been occupied with his affairs with Airina, Halton Group wouldn’t even have had the chance to make it to the competing level with Georgiñia’s group. Since Jackson had another priority, it was the perfect moment to strike. Of course, Matthew doesn’t know his future plans but at least now they have the upper hand.

Matthew tilted his head as if thinking about something. “The other day Jackson came to meet me.”

Airina frowned, “Why does that have something to do with me?”

“Because we made a deal.”

“And?”

“At first I don’t have the thought to inform you about it.” Matthew released a happy laugh and Airina shuddered.

Airina wriggled her brows upon discovering what he really meant, “… That deal has something to do with me, right?”

He nodded his head. From the looks of him, he didn’t seem to want to hide anything from her. Matthew had always been considerate and polite. He also knows how to crack jokes, but his personality makes others think he is not that smart when in fact he grabs all the possible chances to make Halton’s group stand out.

“That is where you’ll see him this weekend, only for a night.” he pointed at the contact card with his chin.

Airina frowned, “Alone?” Her eyes turned bewildered.

“Yes.”

Airina slapped the table, upset. “Matthew… I know you’re always considerate but why did you arrange a meeting with him without my knowing?”

Matthew tapped the desk with deep concentration. “In exchange for that, I’d have dinner with Elisa. You only need to appear; you’re not necessarily needed to stay with him for long.”

What she was upset about was the fact that he didn’t intend to hide this from her, but because he made a deal with Jackson which regarded her. Among others, he should have known the hatred she is weighing for him and now he had just agreed to a meeting without even asking if she was fine with it. It felt utterly disappointing.

“If you wanted a date with Elisa, you always have me. Besides, Elisa would know of this… I can’t afford to make a mistake in this crucial time.”

Matthew frowned at her unwillingness.

“Isn’t it time for you two to have a serious talk? I agreed with him to wholly help you and lessen the tension between you.”

“And does your action make me feel that way?” She remarked with solemnity.

He tightly closed his eyes.

“You know I don’t mean it that way. Jackson didn’t oblige me to force you, I revealed this so that you have your choice.”

Airina clenched her fists.

“Choice? Did you give me one?” she seriously looked at him as though she’d yell at him in an instant.

Matthew inadvertently intertwined his hands, and restrained a sigh, “I apologize.”

She glared at him. “I hate it when others control my life.”

Airina glanced at the contact card, bit her lower lips, and then stormed out of the office in aggravation.

*© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Elisa swallowed his saliva, ruffling her hair with her right hand in frustration. Airina was downing two bottles of alcohol by herself. If she hadn’t seen her tonight, would someone else see her this way and save her? She exhaled heavily, snatching the bottle she was gulping from, and warned her.

“That’s enough. You’ve drank a lot.”

Airina infuriatingly looked at her, wanting to grab the bottle back but she had already gulped it one go. Elisa felt powerless. Why did she even notice her in this bar?

Elisa asked her, “What are you doing in here?”

Airina grumbled, snickering, and laughing dramatically. She pointed at her face which was prompting for her answer, but she only hiccupped, a sign that she was already tipsy. Elisa felt her head throb and folded her arms.

“Do you know that we’re not that close to having this situation?”

Airina hiccupped, clumsily trying to stand up. “I… (hiccup), you… haha, my dearest friend, Elisa…. Haha.”

Airina was definitely defeated. Elisa held her by the arm and supported her as she walked. Airina reeked from strong alcohol which made Elisa more confused. Matthew once mentioned that Airina was the type of woman to put on a brave face but in front of alcohol, she was just like others – tipsy and lost.

Elisa wanted to laugh at Airina’s stupidity. If Matthew knew her circumstances, Airina should have known better but why did she drink that much?

Elisa made sure Airina was seated properly before urging the driver to take them home.

Since she didn’t know where she lived, Elisa had only one option; take her home with her. Since she was going to leave tomorrow, maybe it’s also better to say her farewell.

As Airina was laid on the bed, she moaned and tossed around. Elisa shooed the guard who carried Airina then sighed heavily.

“Dearest friend….?”

Elisa wistfully scoffed at the question and left Airina alone. Upon washing up and changing clothes, Elisa sat on the edge of her phone and saw a message from Jackson.

She frowned. Jackson had never initiated a text or a call. Did something happen?

[‘Is Airina with you?’]

Elisa was in disbelief. Really? He was worried for Airina?

[‘Let’s meet up tomorrow. At 10 in the morning before you leave.’]

Elisa felt suspicious.

She asked, ‘Is there something wrong?’

[‘I have something to tell you.’]

‘Just text me.’

[‘I said meet me.’]

Elisa rolled her eyes and then threw her phone on her bed after plopping and covering her eyes with her arms. Suddenly, a scene appeared in her mind. It was when Matthew was beaming at the cats he was feeding and was playing with them.

She unconsciously mumbled, “… Well, he looks handsome.”