Chapter 298
Gianna acted like she didn't hear a thing and hopped in her car to bounce.
Pretty soon, word got out that Felix and Raymond threw down at the restaurant over Gianna.
Faith rushed over to Gianna, "Gianna, someone posted a video online of Felix and Raymond scrapping, saying it was all because of you!"
If Gianna had known, she would've skipped that dinner for sure.
Faith asked, "So, does Raymond really have a thing for you?"
Gianna rubbed her temples, looking all kinds of done, "Yeah, but I set him straight today."
Faith said, "So Felix thought you were on a date with Raymond, and that's why he lost it and fought him?"
Gianna shook her head, "I don't know. Quit being nosy and get back to work."
After Faith left, Gianna tried to read a document but couldn't focus. Frustrated, she tossed it aside and leaned back in her chair to chill.
Meanwhile, over at the Musk Mansion.
Isaac was fuming, glaring at Raymond, "I told you to find a girlfriend, not to mess around with Felix's ex-wife! You brawled with Felix in public; have you thought about our family's rep?"
Plus, the Musk and Clinton families had a lot of business together. A public fight was a bad look for their partnership.
Raymond knelt before Isaac, looking dead serious, "Grandpa, the woman I want is Gianna. If you want great-grandchilds, you better back me up on this."
"You!" Isaac raised his cane to whack him but thought better of it and sat down, speaking earnestly, "You can like anyone, but not Felix's ex-wife!"
If this ticked off the Clinton family, it would be a huge hit for the Musk family.
And if Raymond married a divorced woman, wouldn't everyone in Dawnridge laugh at him?
Raymond stood his ground, "I only want her. Either let me go after her, or stop bugging me about finding a girlfriend. Your call, Grandpa."
Isaac laughed angrily, "Is this even a choice? You're forcing my hand!"
Raymond stood tall, "I'm not gonna like anyone else, ever."
Isaac snorted, "You like her, but does she like you? Look at you, all beat up by Felix. Has she even called or texted to check on you?"
"I don't care," Raymond said firmly.
Isaac shouted, "You're so stubborn! Anyway, I won't agree to a divorced woman marrying into the Musk family. Tough luck."
Raymond's face didn't change, "Then get ready for me to stay single and childless."
Isaac fumed, "You're trying to give me a heart attack!" Seeing Isaac's chest heaving with anger, the butler quickly tried to calm him down.
The butler persuaded, "Mr. Raymond Musk, just go along with Mr. Isaac Musk a bit. You know he can't handle too much stress."
Raymond stood up, "Grandpa, I won't stick around to upset you anymore. Go out and enjoy yourself; don't worry about my stuff."
Isaac pointed at him, furious, "Are you out of your mind? Get out! Just looking at you ticks me off!"
Raymond didn't say another word and walked out.
The butler kept trying to calm Isaac, "Mr. Musk, let the young folks handle their own drama. Don't get involved."
Raymond said, "I don't want to interfere. I'm sure Felix's ex-wife doesn't even like him!"
What a loving grandpa!
In the days that followed, Raymond went all out trying to win over Gianna. Flowers every day, dinner invites, even snagging tickets to musicals.
But Gianna shot down every single one of his attempts.
After a week of this, Gianna had enough and decided to meet up with Raymond to set things straight.
"Mr. Musk, I don't dig these flashy gestures, and I'm not into you. You're my savior, and I'm super grateful. If you ever need my help, I'm there. But feelings? Nope, not happening," Gianna said.
Raymond paused, then asked, "Do you still have a thing for Felix?"
Gianna nodded without a second thought, "Yeah, but I don't want to be with him anymore."
Raymond sighed, "Got it. I won't send you stuff anymore, but I need a favor."
Gianna raised an eyebrow, "What kind of favor?"
"Just pretend to be my girlfriend for a month. After that, we're even for me saving you," Raymond said.
Gianna frowned, ready to refuse, but Raymond added, "Don't worry, just a few family dinners. We'll still be friends in private."
After mulling it over, Gianna shook her head, "I can't do that. If you'd asked before confessing, maybe. But knowing you like me, I can't fake being your girlfriend."
Plus, the Musk family would probably flip out, causing a whole mess.
Raymond looked disappointed, his smile bitter, "You won't even pretend?"
Gianna sighed, "Sorry, Mr. Musk, ask for something else."
"This is my only request," Raymond said, eyes full of sincerity.
He wanted to be her boyfriend, even if it was just pretend, even if it was only for a month.
Gianna bit her lip, looking down, "Let me think about it."
"Okay, I'll wait."
Raymond knew it was low to use his life-saving favor to make Gianna pretend to be his girlfriend, but he was out of options.
After dinner, as they walked out of the restaurant, they spotted Felix leaning against his car in the distance.
Felix's eyes were locked on Gianna and Raymond, but he didn't come closer, just watched from afar.
Gianna didn't care what he wanted and wasn't about to guess. After saying goodbye to Raymond, she hopped in a cab and left.
Halfway through the ride, the cab driver kept glancing in the rearview mirror and finally asked, "Did you have a fight with your boyfriend?"
Gianna was puzzled, "No, why?"
The driver replied, "There's a car tailing us."
Gianna turned to look and saw Felix's car following. She frowned, "Don't worry about it."
Half an hour later, the cab stopped in front of a villa in Elm Bay. Gianna paid the fare and got out.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Felix's car still trailing her, and her mood soured.
She had broken up with Felix, but he kept popping up, keeping her on edge.
She marched over to Felix's car and knocked on the window, "Felix, what do you want? Do you know your behavior is creepy? I can call the cops on you anytime!"
