Chapter 29
Emily looked at Jackson, and they shared a brief staring at each other before Jackson turned his eyes back to the road, a silent sigh escaping his lips
“Okay Emily, I didn’t call you out here for the sentiments, I need your help”
“How exactly?” she asked, her racing heart gradually calming down as Jackson changed the topic and she was able to take a deep breath.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
Jackson eventually stopped by a fancy looking restaurant, the ambience and soft lights befitting a casual date. it was mostly scanty, giving them the privacy they needed and hidden away from the watchful eyes of paparazzi.
He walked through the glass doors, Emily before him. The uttermost need to touch her, hold her hand but he restrained himself, pulling himself back because the last thing he needed was a scandal with his brother’s wife and he wanted to keep it that way. He didn’t want anything that would ruin his chances in organizing the Banquet dinner, so far he had a clean slate and he wanted to keep it that way.
After they were seated, a glass of juice at hand, varieties of pastas and pastries placed before them, Jackson spoke.
“I’m sure you’ve heard of our annual banquet dinner coming up in about 3 weeks”
“Yea, I heard Ethan mention something about it” Emily said, spooning a mouthful of pasta into her mouth.
“You’re a part of our family now Emily, so you should be very much involved in everything we do. But anyways, I’m in charge of the event this year and I need your help in planning it”
Emily nodded, holding his stare “do you have anything in mind?”
“As a matter of fact I do, when you worked at The Luxe, how would you have felt if the hotel made you, the workers a part of the functions, appreciated you guys” he asked
“Would’ve felt uplifting” Emily replied “we weren’t supposed to be seen by the guests during functions. I’m sure that it’d have meant a lot”
Jackson stayed silent for a while, crafty ideas running through his head as he studied Emily a bit more and he smiled
“Thank you Emily, that was very helpful and I want you to be a part of this. Would you join me Emily?”
******
Meanwhile Ethan brewed at his office in Hatton tech, his collar loosened as his publicist Nicholas stood before him, a brown envelope at hand. Ethan stared at him, his brows furrowed together, a mix of apprehension and anger
“What do you have for me?” He asked and Nicholas extended out his hand, his already blank face void of any emotion as he handed the envelope to Ethan. Ethan swiped it neatly, tearing it open and pouring the contents on his work table and he smiled, which slowly morphed into a maniacal laughter. They were pictures, plenty of them, of Emily and Jackson eating together, sharing a laugh. He picked up the first picture and stared hard at it, focusing his attention mainly on Emily. Her eyes smiled in a way it never did with him, she leaned forward giving him all his attention, her body at ease and the jealousy coursed through his veins like a poisonous venom and he stared up at Nicholas unable to look anymore at his contract wife visibly falling for his younger brother.
“This was this afternoon you say?” He looked up at Nicholas who still stood before him and Nicholas nodded
“Yes sir, I’ve been able to block it from getting to mainstream media, it would be quite a scandal and not a good look especially for the upcoming banquet dinner”
Ethan thought, ideas going haywire in his head but he quickly thought against it. It would affect him way more than it would Jackson but still he needed to keep an eye on his brother.
“Keep an eye on Jackson, follow him. I want a report on his every move. Where he goes, who he talks to, every single thing he does I want it reported back to me, understood?” Ethan barked, his eyes unconsciously skimming over the pictures, and he felt the familiar wave of anger wash over him, he flung them off the table.
“You can go” he said to Nicholas who quickly gathered the pictures and walked out of the office.
When Nicholas walked out of the office, there was already a call waiting for him and he pressed the phone to his ears immediately, his voice light yet professional and composed.
“He’s out for revenge” Nicholas said, waiting for the other line to process his statement before proceeding.
“I’m sure he feels threatened, but you don’t have anything to worry about now. I’ll let you know the best time to swoop in”
“We have to pit them together” the other said and immediately the line disconnected.