Chapter 22

The news brought to me by Mr Greg really made my day. I was really excited because I was right. The next day, we met with the state representative, selling off the land to them, and since then, news has been going around about it. We also had new investments, and I decided to grant the worker's wish. I reopened the cafeteria and seeing how happy they were, made me happy too.

"Welcome ma’am." My guard said the moment I stepped out of my car. I replied with a nod and went in. I also got a new guard for the house too.

Sighing loudly, I slumped on the chair, my eyelids closing on their own. The past few days have been really hectic. The chiming of my phone made my eyes open. I reached for it inside my bag. My eyes dilated in surprise when I saw a message from James.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WIN, GOODNIGHT.

I didn't realize when I began smiling as I re-read the message. After that embarrassing day, we had not encountered each other and seeing his message, it made me feel...

"You are back." I looked up from the phone to see Karen coming out of the kitchen.

"What are you doing here?!" Sitting up, I asked and she smiled, coming to sit beside me.

"Why are you smiling?" She collected my phone, giggling as she read James' message.

"What's with you and James? You have something going on?"

"Nothing is going on!" Sneering, I snatched the phone from her, and stood up.

"Are you sure?" She reached out to tickle my waist while giggling, but I hit her hand off and rushed upstairs. I could feel my face getting red, for the reason, I had no idea of.

I took off my clothes and stepped into the bathroom, having a warm and refreshing bath.

"What are we celebrating?" I went downstairs only to see countless foods on the sitting room center table.

Karen, who was placing glass cups on the table, looked up at me. "What do you think? Celebrating your win of course!"

I chuckled and crossed the chair to settle down on the floor, in front of the table. My eyes roaming around the table. On it were fried chicken, Pizza, pork meat, chips and a bottle of wine with two glasses.

"This is quite a lot. Did you order it?" I looked at her with raised brows.

"Yep. With your credit card."

"What?! How did you get it?"

"Your bag." She motioned at my bag on the chair. My eyes moved to it and I shook my head, facing her.

"What if I didn't come earlier? You probably ordered all this before I arrived."

"That's true." She settled down and faced me with her palms on her cheek. Bet she is trying to look cute.

"But you showed up at the right time, so why should I bother using my money?" She shrugged, and I chucked, taking a piece of the pizza. She also took one and faced me.

"Let's eat till we get blown up!!"

"Yay!!"

We jammed it together in a cheer like manner, and began eating, while talking. I was really enjoying it, but then she brought up the divorce.

"You know.... I like that even after the divorce, you are not hurled up in one place, crying and playing the pity-party, but you're becoming successful. I'm really proud of you."

I stopped munching on the chicken I was busy with, and turned to stare at her. She was staring at me with a smile, a proud one, which brought smiles to my face as I shrugged.

"The past is the past. Moving on is best."

"That's true. About James, I think he likes you."

I was about to go back to my chicken when she spoke up. I turned back to her and she continued. "I mean, he was staring at you all through, at the club. How about giving him a chance?"

"Yeah..he is a good guy, but... it's a no. You know, I may seem fine and all, but it's still there. The pain, the betrayal. It's something I didn't expect. I mean, I put so much time into building something that eventually resulted in nothing. I don't want that anymore."

"I understand you. It takes time to heal, but that doesn't mean you should shut your heart. Not all guys are like Reed. Reed is naturally a bastard, but James, just a glance at him shows he is a trustworthy guy."

I chuckled at her calling Reed a bastard. Karen never liked Reed since the moment he started wooing me. She always talked bad about him, but I didn't listen. I wish I did though.

"You know, you should really get married instead of saying this." I spoke up.

"Me? Nope. I'm just gonna focus on breaking men's hearts." She shrugged, causing me to laugh out loud. "Seriously?"

"Yeah. Guess what?" I leaned in curiously at her words, and she also leaned in too, whispering into my ear.

"I just broke up with my boyfriend of three months."

"What?!" I moved away from her with a shocked look.

"Why act shocked?" That's me girl." She chuckled, rolling her eyes.

"Woow...you are really bad."

"I know. Playing with guys' hearts is fun. You want me to teach you?"

"No, I will pass." I shook my head and she grabbed my hand, drawing me close.

"I can really teach you, so you will be a master of breaking guy's hearts instead of yours getting broken."

"Not me." I shook my head and snatched my hand from her hold. She laughed and we continued eating.

This night. The discussion we had, it was refreshing.

__________

The day of the product release finally came and it went successfully. We had more sales than we expected. The Gastons corp. also released their product as said and there were lots of arguments about which one was better. I didn't really pay attention to that cause the main thing was the sales we had and the good reviews we got. It was all good and exciting until we received a really bad review which spread widely, throughout the country and out.