2| BUSTED

ERON

"Stop being grumpy, man. We didn't lose everything, we still have —"

"We don't have anything, Liam! We couldn't close such a simple deal! Do you know how hard I've worked for it? I was totally embarrassed in that board room. Even my father looked very disappointed in me." I spat, loosening my tie as I kept pacing around.

"Yeah, your dad looked pretty disappointed but you closed three deals in two weeks now. This one might be one of the biggest but I believe everything happens for a reason. Come on, man. Okay, how about we go out to eat? At Kimmy's palace? I really loved their food the last time." Liam proposed and my brow raised.

"How is eating supposed to make me feel better?" I questioned. Liam shrugged.

"We could look at some beautiful waitresses.."

I laughed. "You like a waitress there?"

"You can't blame me. She looks different." Liam stated, shrugging.

"Wait. Like like, or under the sheets obsession?"

Liam rolled his eyes. "I just met her once, man. Of course I haven't decided what I want with her yet. I gave her my number back then and it's over a week now but she hasn't called me."

I scoffed. "I don't get why they all play hard-to-get when they should know the right thing to do. Did you tip her good?"

"10k enough?"

"She didn't call you?"

"Exactly."

"She was that girl that served us, right? I didn't pay much attention."

"Because on that day, you lost the other deal to Sergio, as well."

"Let's go to Kimmy's palace." I finalized.

"Copy, boss."

---

"Keep your eyes open for her. I hope she serves our table." Liam said, I could literally hear the excitement in his voice.

"I don't really know her, man."

"Check around for someone who doesn't exactly fit in here. She's like, bougie and modest at the same time, really pretty with blue eyes."

I sighed, "Okay."

Soon enough, my eyes were glued to my phone until I heard a voice ask softly,

"Welcome to Kimmy's palace. Can I take your orders?"

I looked up, catching her eyes which averted immediately she caught me staring. She was beautiful, no doubt. But she was like all the other women. They were only good for a nice, long fuck. I really hoped that's what Liam was chasing after. It was no good to go into long term with these kind of people. They always turned out to be golddiggers. Though, she looked dainty and different from the other girls. Polished, even. I wondered why.

"Hello, beautiful. You look like you're in a better mood from last time." Liam started, baring all his white teeth at her. He looked stupid. She blushed.

"I– my brother did something silly the last time."

"Wow. Okay, I'll have same steak and chips. You guys make some of the best ones around here."

"Thank you, Sir." She smiled widely, wrote down his order and turned to me. Her smile faltered a little, she looked a little bit scared. Heaven knows I don't do weak girls. She plastered on a big fake smile suddenly and asked me,

"Your order, Sir?"

"Are you on the menu?" I couldn't resist asking, just to mess with her and get a reaction. Her reaction was worth it. She gasped loudly, almost lost her balance and Liam came behind her to help.

Just for one question. Fucking dramatic. I rolled my eyes and finally made my order,

"Get me Liam's order as well."

She nodded, untangled herself from Liam's arms and scurried away. I couldn't help but think that there was something about her. Something that made me really mad. Not just her innocence, clumsiness or weakness. There was something else. I fucking hated the feeling. Maybe I hated her too. I'm Eron Castile. I don't need a reason to hate her. So I'm going to hate her. I'll keep Liam away from her, too. Until I figure out what's not right.

She came back with our orders, looking brighter and happier. She avoided my gaze as much as possible, like it would take away the shred of happiness she was hanging unto at that moment. She turned to Liam and they both grinned at each other. Turned to me and fucking nodded. I didn't need her smile anyways. I'm a bad, bad man, she shouldn't be smiling for me. She should be screaming for me. From pleasure or pain. I didn't care. Suddenly, I was thinking too much about her. I turned to glance at her.

Her body was exquisite, though. Real men go for the meat and she literally was meat. Her backside was plump and her hips stood out from most women in the restaurant. Her front was almost a D and her stomach was flatter than my palm. She was petite even with all these features. She looked 19 or 20. She was not slender but she wasn't big either. She was on the average side in weight, perfect for her curvaceous body. Her face was pretty too. Light blue eyes, long lashes, pink, plump lips, fresh baby skin with innocence corresponding with her personality.

"Phew, boss. You've been staring at Frema for minutes now. You want my hands off?" Liam said, his smile half-hearted.

"Yes." I stated, matter-of-factly. "She's not good for you. Look somewhere else."

"I like her a lot, Eron. What do you mean she's not good for me?"

"I can set up a night of wild sex for the both of you, just so you could get your mind off her. That's what they're good for. I promise you she won't turn my offer down, I'm going to give her—"

"Let's just eat and go back to work."

I didn't care that he was having a hard time. He'd get over it. Women are deathtraps. You couldn't trust them. Especially ones like this. Poor and opportunists.

"She's not worth it." I said, rubbing his shoulder. He looked up at me, his face red.

"You should have at least let me try, Eron." He looked over to her. I did, too. She was discussing with a guy, laughing and squeezing his face. They had so much resemblance. Maybe he was her brother, the one she'd been talking about.

Looking closely, my jaw tightened. Her brother's belt had the initials of the man I hated the most. His shoes too. He laughed again and my knuckles turned white gripping the side of the table.

"Eron, what's wrong?" Liam asked. I couldn't tear my gaze from the pair. It all clicked. Why I hated her, why I thought about her so much, why she was so damn polished. There was a damn reason all along. How did I not notice the resemblance right away?

"Fremantle is Kayden Michaelson's daughter."

The sound of Liam's cutlery hitting the table made them turn abruptly. Hate coursed through my veins.

You can't hide, Kayden Michaelson. You will pay for ruining my family. I looked over to his children and thought, you will surely pay.