Chapter 22
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Aiden had mentioned that Joseph wasn’t looking well and should return home, but Joseph refused. He didn’t take sick days; he didn’t have the time to take sick days. He had a lot of work to do.
Back when he was married to Anna, she used to provide him with his favorite soup and some herbal tea that made him feel better in the morning. She would sit with him while he slept and she would be gone by the morning, back to her own room because they didn’t share a room.
She always knew when he was under the weather, even if he doesn’t say anything. He felt his heart–tugging painfully as that memory came back to him.
He stared at the news article on his computer. He questioned how accurate the story actually was. As far as he knew, Anna didn’t have a mean bone in her body; that was part of what annoyed him the most about her. She was always so weak and soft–spoken. She wasn’t assertive and she certainly wasn’t a leader.
Therefore, it was so weird for him to discover that she was not only a bank manager but a well–known artist.
The statement to the reporters was made by that girl that proved to be a threat to Anna at the celebrity party. He knew she was going to cause problems as soon as he heard that Anna released her from the holding cell. If it was him in that situation, he would have fired her on the spot. Or kill her.
But not Anna, she just set her free with a slap on the wrist.
Joseph looked at the clock; it was just about 8 pm. He’s been in his office for over 12 hours, and he was running late for his small wine gathering. He was having an important meeting with an investor, and he couldn’t afford to be late and mess this up.
Aiden was at his office door, already putting his coat on. He looked exhausted too.
“The car is waiting out front,” Aiden told him.
Joseph nodded and followed Aiden out of his office. They locked up before heading outside. As they walked to the car, Joseph paused when he saw a familiar- looking luxury car outside of the new restaurant that opened across the street.
“I can smell her,” James said in a low growl. “She’s around here somewhere.”
“Why would she be all the way over here?” Joseph asked with an eye roll. “And why is her scent so potent all of a sudden?”
James didn’t answer; he didn’t have to answer. Because once those words left Joseph’s mouth, Anna came into view. She was sitting inside the restaurant by the window. Her hair was down and wavy, falling beautifully around her shoulders and down her back. She wore a light pink dress that fit her thin figure loosely. Her complexion was glowing in the candlelight.
Across from her sat Sean, who was staring at her with a loving gaze in his eyes.
Joseph swallowed hard as he watched them pick up their wine glasses and cheer with one another. She chuckled at whatever he was saying, and he looked like he was getting off on every word she spoke.
Joseph clenched his fists, trying to keep the resentment off his face. However, he couldn’t hide his feelings from Aiden.
Aiden stared at him for a moment before following his gaze over to the restaurant. Realization dawned on him as he turned his attention back to Joseph. Aiden had never known Joseph to be wrapped up around any female, so Joseph knew it was probably weird for him.
“Do you want me to go over there and find out if they are dating?” Aiden asked, curiously.
Joseph pulled his eyes away from Anna to address Aiden. It was a tempting offer, Joseph had to admit, but they were already running late.
“We need to go to the wine party,” Joseph said as he walked over to the waiting car. “Nothing is more important than work.”
Those words were a mimic of his father. He was a lot like his father when it came to his work; they were both workaholics. Nothing was more important than work and making money. It was the only thing that ever really brought Joseph joy.
Before he slid into the car, he looked back at Anna.
As much as he loved to work since Anna divorced him, he was starting to feel a bit empty.
