Chapter 23

Kylie's POV

It was a quiet ride down. When we reached the reception area, he lead me to the underground garage to his beautiful Bugatti Veyron.
Once inside, my derrière was graced by the plush leather seat. I have never ridden, much less seen a Bugatti in my life so being in it was magical.
"You like it?" He asked, his face donning his signature smirk.
I nodded.
"I've never been in one. Thanks to you, I've ridden in a Ferrari and now a Bugatti."
He smiled, but I felt like the was more to his facial expression than just plain amusement.
Not wasting another second, he brought the engine to life and elegantly drove into the much dreaded New York traffic.
A few minutes into the journey, a question just popped into my mind.
"What is Cicilia to you?"
He tensed at my question. Even his grip on the steering wheel tightened.
"I don't see how that is any of your concern." He sliced coldly.
My temper began to rise.
"It is if she is claiming I stole the man she loves." Even though you were mine first, I bit back.
He huffed angrily. This was one of the reasons we got a divorce, our tempers were to much for each other and he was always so secretive. Some things don't change.
"Cicilia was just a mistake I made a few times. I would get drunk and she was just there. She got her feelings in the way, since she never understood it was nothing but sex."
For some reason, I felt a little bit jealous finding out he had indeed hooked up with her.
"It is highly unprofessional to mess around with your employees and you had no right to use her." I chided, because what he had done was very wrong.
"You know what!" He snapped, stomping hard on the gas pedal, sending the car into ticket worthy speed.
"Why don't you keep your damn opinions to yourself. I hate this side of you. You are so fucking judgemental. I didn't use her, she wanted it. I am a man, and I have needs."
I felt like an ice bucket had been dumped all over me. So he did hate me? Well, a part of me.
He extended his hand and changed the gear, brushing my knee in the process. When his skin made contact with mine, a delicious chill went up my spine. Even when I was enraged, he still turns me one.
"Why did you hire me then?" I found myself asking.
"I hired you because of pity." He said bluntly. Now my blood pressure was definitely skyrocketing.
"Pity?" I asked incredulously.
"I was doing just fine before you came back into my life." I fired bitterly. The hell I was.
He snorted.
" Come on, you were, and still are, basically broke. Have you seen your apartment block? You were at your wit's end until I came and rescued you."
I chuckled humorlessly.
"Now this is the side of you I hate. The side that belittled me all the damn time. The one that didn't want me to do anything for myself. I just hate you!" I spat acidly, then turned my attention to the window.
"Trust me when I say the feeling is mutual." He retorted with equal venom. "But, I must help you land back on your feet. I don't want you to blame me for your misfortunes the rest of your life."
I stayed quiet, refusing to spare him a glance. Here we are again, at the exact place we had ended our short lived marrige.
Now I know that us getting back together is just impossible. Oil and water have never mixed, and they will never mix.
The rest of the car ride was very silent. The only sound that could be heard was the car's engine revving and their erratic breaths, due to their wild tempers.
Kylie kept her gaze fixated on the surroundings that kept wheezing by. Her eyes were breamed with unshed tears and she did not want Bryce to see her in that state.
Just when I thought we were getting somewhere, she thought bitterly.
Mark, on the other hand, was nothing short of infuriated.
How dare she question my love life? He himself, thought bitterly as well.
From the day he had met Kylie once again, he felt like his life had become a great burden. He kept on making hasty decisions, that he wasn't even sure of were right.
And that's why he hated her.
She brought out the worst in him, and he did the same to her. Even with their nuptials tossed aside, the bickering hadn't stopped.
Maybe if she hadn't crashed right into his life again he would have been fine…
Yeah right!
Even though he wouldn't admit it overtly, seeing her again had caused a stir in the depth of his soul. An undying physical need for her because if he was being honest here, she was still undeniably ravishing. With her long dark locks that graced her delicate stawberry face, her porcelain skin, those mesmerizing hazel eyes and that not to mention absolutely delectable ass-
Stop! He chided himself, because he could feel his lower region becoming a little bit too excited.
He knew he shouldn't be having those crazy thoughts, thoughts that will awaken his inner beast and tempt him to stop the car and take her right there and then…
What they had was buried in the past and it would most certainly not happen again. That was an oath he made to himself.
She isn't worth it. After all, she broke your heart and completely disregarded holy matrimony.
Before he knew it, Mark was pulling up to the entrance of El Francisco's. He killed the engine and hopped out. Once out, he debated on whether to open the door for Kylie or not, but decided on the latter. She could most certainly do it for herself.
"Chivalry is totally dead, I guess." Kylie grunted below her breath, grabbing her purse and exiting the vehicle.
Mark handed the valet his keys. However, before they could enter the esteemed establishment, the valet's flirtatious look aimed towards Kylie did not go unnoticed by both parties.
Kylie blushed because the valet was quite handsome, but not quite as handsome as Mark.
"Are you from Tennessee, because you're the only Ten I See," he said, then sent her a wink.
Kylie laughed at his extremely corny pick up line. She was about to reply when,
"You are here to work, not to play love games Miss Carter." Mark said calmy, but his glare was enough to make a lion wet itself.
Kylie rolled her eyes, then they both proceeded into the building. The interior design was exquisite and elegant. By the looks of it, it seemed like it was a French themed restaurant and it just screamed 'pricey'.
They went towards the hostess.
"Good morning, sir. Do you have a reservation?" She purred seductively, announcing every word eloquently and shamelessly giving Mark the glad eye.
Mark gave her one of his show stopping smiles
. "Yes. It's under Johnson."
The hostess scanned the papers infront of her and then looked back up at him. "Yes, welcome Mr Johnson. Let me show you to your table." She grinned, and then lead them.
All the while, Kylie felt like a tag along. She felt belittled, for the second time that day, and angry as well. Firstly, Mark Moody Pants was back and now that damned hostess was acting like she was invisible.
She came to an immediate stop to a table overlooking the Hudson River. "Here is your table, sir." She gestured towards it.
Mark took his seat and Kylie was about to follow suit but the hostess stopped her.
"I'm sorry, who let you in? Do you have a reservation?" She snapped, rather curtly.
"Don't worry, she's with me." Mark replied, and immediately the hostess's attention was back to him.
"Oh," she said dejectedly, as Kylie took the seat next to Mark.
"Well, a waiter will be with you shortly. If you need me, I'll be by the entrance." She voiced sweetly and left, but not before sending Kylie a look full of resent. And Kylie didn't miss the way the hostess was sashaying her rather flat buttocks.
He laughed richly and Aubrey could feel butterflies erupting in her stomach. Why did she find every single thing he did attractive?
Mark was about to give her a sharp retort, when a man approached their table.
"Mr Johnson." He announced, sending him a friendly smile.
"Mr Matthew." He smiled back, standing up and extending his hand for a shake.
"I'm the one who called for this meeting yet you came earlier than me." He joked, taking his hand and giving it a firm shake. He then took a seat opposite them.
"Who is this beautiful young lady?" He acquired, giving her a warm smile. He had a certain air of friendliness to him.
Kylie just eyed the man in front of her. He definitely looked wealthy, but not in an obnoxious way like others. He wasn't in his prime anymore, maybe in his forties. His salt and pepper hair was a give away.
"She's just my P.A, Kylie Carter." Mark intervened, not allowing her to speak, and man did it infuriate her slightly.
"Why don't we order and get straight to business, Mr Matthew."
And from then onwards, Kylie was completely unincluded in their conversation. She didn't think too much about it, she was just there to take notes after all. But when Mark didn't bother to ask what she wanted to eat and just ordered for her instead, shit hit the fan.
Their eyes locked.