Chapter 5

When Cole returned back to his office feeling proud of himself for being able to send Mia away without his parents getting to know about it; he decided to contact Mariana but her devices were not reachable.

He asked his PA to check on Mariana. He was told that Mariana wasn't in LA city any longer. She got transferred to the main branch and is now residing there.

Cole flared up in anger as he didn't get to know about this arrangement.

He asked his PA to investigate Mariana's new place of work and where she lived currently.

While in the conference room having a meeting Cole's aura was so domineering as the whole room was quiet and everyone had to go about their reports without making any mistake as they were scared out of their wits.

Meanwhile, Cole was thinking of how to go over and see Mariana wherever she is. His attention was far from the meeting.

The directors and shareholders were shocked to see their boss act so weirdly, as he hasn't put up a nonchalant attitude towards work before.

In the past, no matter what might have been the problem, he always tries to separate his work from his personal life. Do they all wonder what was going on today and what made it different?

Dismiss, they heard Cole ordered them.

They stood up abruptly and left the conference hall.

Meanwhile, Emmy tried to push her luck by trying to seduce Cole but she was pushed away by him.

Lucas met Emmy who was going out of the room and smirked. From her expression, he knew that her advances towards the boss were refused.

He couldn't help but think about how foolish she was to lower her self-esteem.

He went into the room and told his boss the results of the investigation which he made regarding Mariana.

He reported that Mariana now works in San Diego in the Smith's main branch office and that she had been promoted to a position of a director in the finance and public department.

Lucas reported everything that he knew about Mariana including her house and car that was given to her by the company.

Cole told him to investigate the company and their big boss and also investigate the company's activities.

Cole rose to his feet, put his hands into his pants and strolled out of the conference room; taking his private elevator he went to his office.

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Mariana couldn't dismiss the thoughts of Alex.

So, she called Yolanda, her PA and asked her to meet her up at a club for a chit chat.

She changed into a fitted, red strapless gown and wore a red heel that matched her outfit and drove to the club.

When Mariana got to the clubhouse, she went in and met Yolanda who waved her hands to help Mariana locate her faster.

As she entered the club, the red velvet gown clung to her curves, accentuating her figure. The deep V-neckline revealed just enough cleavage to be tantalizing, while the gown stopped below her knees to reveal her shapely legs beneath. The material shimmered under the lights, catching and holding the gaze of every man in the room as she walked past them towards the corner where Yolanda was seated, she didn't realize how the men in the bar lust for her. She walked in gracefully, swaying her hips as she moved.

The clubhouse was bustling with a lot of activities taking place.

Strippers could be seen dancing and some people were gambling by the corner.

In a corner, a pair of eyes have been fixed on Mariana since she stepped into the bar.

He wore a black coat and sunshade and took a long drag from his cigar as he kept his eyes on the Lady.

Mariana got to Yolanda and took a seat across from her as they chatted while drinking.

Their chat varied from their career life to their social life and even their privateer life.

Mariana felt so relieved than she had ever been in a long while.

She excused herself and went into the restroom.

A middle-aged man who is in his 40’s followed Mariana into the restroom to assault her. Mariana screened for help which attracted the young man's attention that was in the corner of the bar. He sent his men to handle the situation but his men called him when it seemed that the man was acting tough.

That old fool is really hard to crack, The young man whispered to himself and went towards the female restroom.

He pushed open the door and saw Mariana struggling to free herself from the man.

Hmmp! So, this is how you go about harassing young ladies ?

This is so shameful of you.

Who are you and what gave you the impetus to come in ? The middle aged man retorted.

For the scores, you should know that you aren't fit to know me, I'll rather advise you to let this young lady go.

The middle aged man laughed at what he heard. It was as if the younger man had just cracked a joke.

He challenged the younger man to do his worst.

Pulling out his mobile phone from his coat he made a call and asked that the older man's business be closed down.

The older man seeing this confronted him and told him to put the acts away.

Within thirty seconds, the older man's phone rang and he answered the call. His face turned crimstone as he received the news of his company bringing black listed.

He quickly asked for the younger man's forgiveness.

Who are you? He asked the younger man again.

I'm Ethan Smith and I hope you've satisfied your curiosity, the younger man responded.

The older man fell on his knees and begged Ethan for mercy but he was blocked by Ethan's bodyguards.

Ethan took his coat and dropped it over Mariana's shoulders and took her out of the clubhouse.

Yolanda had been following the group silently as she didn't understand what was going on.

When they reached the car park, Mariana thanked Ethan for saving her day and also declined his offer of taking her home as she came with her car.

She returned the coat to him and went into her car accompanied by Yolanda as they zoomed off.

Ethan was angry at the behavior that was put up by Mariana.

How could she have left without waiting for his orders? She just thanked him and returned his coat. That attitude was totally unacceptable by him.

He was the only one that could reject people and not vice versa. He felt his pride had lowered.

Shit….what was he thinking, it's not like he was interested in her.

His mind kept telling him that he was lying to himself but he won't accept the fact that he has fallen for that lady no matter what.

He ordered the chauffeur to take him back home.

Ethan said his head on the head rest of his luxurious Royce rolls and closed his eyes thinking during the journey.