Chapter 4:His defense

Anthony's POV*

"So my wife doesn't even know my name? And on top of that, she's with another man?" my mind raced with series of thoughts as I dropped the phone.

I stood up from the couch aggressively and headed straight to my room.

"Sir!, dinner is ready". My housekeeper yelled from outside of my room.

"Do away with it, am not hungry" I retorted, my face turning red.

"Sir! Is everything okay?" she asked with so much concern.

"Am fine just leave". I instructed.

"Okay sir" she retorted, followed by the clicking of her shoes on the marble floor.

I retired on my king-sized bed "Ha" I sighed deeply. "So my wife is a cheater? Or maybe am just imagining things" I muttered, narrowing my eyes and then widening it slowly. I had that thought in mind until I fell asleep.

Aileen's POV

The next morning, I dressed up in my usual mini skirt and long-sleeve top, swept my hair backwards to a cute ponytail style and whilst I was dressing up, I received a message from my boss. It read 'kick-starting the day with a game, meet me at the game shop close to my company. I've contacted Dean already' I rolled my eyes on seeing the message "I can perceive how stressful today's gonna be" I muttered then I grabbed my phone and left my room. I rushed to the dining table to grab some coffee, I gulped some sips then I dropped the cup "Bye Stella! Bye Liam". I said, barely looking at them.

"Bye Aileen" they chorused. "And have a nice time with your handsome boss," Stella said teasingly.

I smiled and shook my head "Naughty girl" I said under my breath then I dashed out of the house and flagged down a cab. It halted in front of me "Pennington and Price, game shop" I said then I hopped into the car with a rush and it zoomed off.

In the space of 20 minutes, the cab arrived in front of the game shop, I paid the cab driver off and I rushed into the game shop. It seemed like I was the latecomer there. Mr. Price, Dean and SolCraft enterprise manager all turned in my direction as soon as I entered their eyes were all over me for a moment then everyone turned back to what they were doing after I had greeted them.

I paced quickly to where Mr. Dean was standing "Good morning" I greeted him, my voice as low almost like a whisper. He replied in a whisper as well. I joined Dean in watching Mr. Price play ball swing with the other manager. Something seemed to be off about his attitude towards the game. I thought I was the only one noticing it but then, Dean bent slightly to my ear level "Mr Pridoesn'tn't seem to be in a good mood today. Could it be that something happened between him and Mrs Price last night?" he asked in a whisper, I want to reply him but theMrMr. Price started coughing. I grabbed a bottle of water along with a glass cup and rushed to him, he took a few sips and he felt alright.

Seeing that he was fi I took the water and was about leaving the ut SolCraft manager had other things in mind, "Anthony, where did you find this gem?" he asked Mr Price as he gave me a lustful stare. His question sent a chill down my spine Wanted to leave their presence but then, his question held me You play ball swing?" he asked, raising his eyebrows at me.

"No sir, I don't" I retorted without even looking at his face.

"Now get me some water" he instructed I gave him the bottle of remaining water I was holding. "Here's your water" I stretched the bottle towards him barely looking at his face. Before I knew what was happening I felt him shaking mine then he pulled me into a tight hug.

"Excuse me sir" I pushed hardly.

"Take it easy, relax we're just having a little fun come on we both know how a girl like you got to this position". He said, one corner of his mouth raised.

"Apologize to her now" Mr. Price instructed, he pulled me to stand beside him.

"Anthony, easy, come on we were just having some more fun. We know how this business works. Relax all right?" SolCraft manager retorted with a loud chuckle.

"I'm not going to say it again. Apologize". Anthony commanded, his patience wearing thin.

"Are you shitting me?" the manager asked, his eyes widened "i'm responsible for millions of profits in pennington and price and you want me to Apologize to this bitch?" he said, pointing his index finger at Aileen.

Anthony clenched his fists, forced a tight lipped smile then he turned to Dean "Dean, get this piece of s*it out of here".

"Yes sir". Dean retorted then he stepped foward and grabbed SolCraft manager by his arms. "I'll take care of him boss".

"No, no! This is a misunderstanding" the manager pleaded, trying to comvince Anthony.

"I don't want to see this piece of s*it ever again. That's it". Mr. Price maintained a strict face.

"Mr. Price, come on, we can figure this out. Come on". The manager pleaded again, his brows drawn together.

"From now on, pennington and Price will no longer be doing business with solcraft enterprise". Mr. Price said with a fierce voice before Dean finally dragged the manager out.

After they had gone out of sight, I bent my head, my joy unexplainable "Mr. Price, I... I really appreciate what you just did for me, but, losing SolCraft enterprise will cause significant losses for the company". I said nervously then I felt him turned to face me.

He cupped my chin and lifted my face, he fixed his eyes on mine, "Aileen, I have to you're my employee I won't accept anybody disrespecting you. Do you understand?".

"Yes. Thank you Mr. Price" I nodded my head with a half nervous smile.

"Mr. Pri... " I wanted saying something but Mr. Price cut in "call me Anthony". I froze for a moment, having nothing to say but stare at him.

"Are you okay?" He asked with worry in his eyes. His question defrozed me "i'm... I'm fine, Mr..., oh Anthony".

"Your work is done here for now. Get some rest okay?".

My eyes widened a little, "oh, really!, but Anthony, now that we're cancelling our cooperation with SolCraft, you'll likely be free tomorrow. Would you like me to schedule something else?" I asked with my eyebrows raised. Anthony seemed to have something in mind after hearing my question, he kept mute for a moment, narrowed his eyes and tilted his head to his left, he caressed his chin then he turned to me "I think i'll have dinner with my wife. Can you schedule a table for two of us?" He asked, I shivered a bit "yes sir, of course". I replied with a wide smile then I left quietly.

Later that evening, I got everything ready for Mr. Price. I went into his office with a beautiful bouquet that contain nice red roses as he had instructed.

I opened his office door only to find him pacing back and forth nervously on a spot..

"Hello sir!" I greeted with a warm smile. He paused and turned to face me. "Diamond ring is hidden in the roses. I reserved a table at your favorite restaurant and bought you your favourite wine. You can check your email for more details", I said as I stretched forth the bouquet to him. "And I hope you have a lovely night" I added then I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket, I took it out to see what notification it was. My eyes widened on reading the news notification.

Mr. Price paced a few steps close to me on seeing the reaction on my face "everything okay?"

"Sir, the news regarding the SolCraft enterprise. Not that it has anything to do with you. I just... " I was trying to complete my sentence but Anthony cut in "He's lucky he didn't lose both of his hands". He said, gritting his teeth. His words sent a chill down my spine, my eyes darted slowly.

"Aileen, did I scare you?" He asked with soft eyes.