8 His Friends

And a tall foreigner-looking man, about 6’2 inch walked toward us. Ajax was taller, but the loud man approached us. He had brown hair and brown eyes and his tanned skin was glowing. He had a fit and muscular body, almost the same stature as Ajax.

"Ajax! Man, Why are you here? It’s the first time I've seen you working out in here!” He chuckled.

Ajax’s mood suddenly changed and his face formed into a scowl, "You know, Phoenix; you need to shut your mouth sometimes.”

"That’s harsh. You were not answering our calls when we invited you to hang out. You didn’t even tell us you were going here in the Philippines, man.”

“Right Eion?” The man called Phoenix asked and another man appeared with an expressionless face. He had raven hair and dark green eyes and was taller than the man named Phoenix. The man named Eion nodded.

Another one appeared and greeted Ajax, “Ajax, you’re here? You didn’t tell us, man!”

The three men suddenly swarmed in, blaming Ajax for ghosting them and I stood beside awkwardly. Ajax noticed my discomfort so he cut their loud voices off, “I got to go, I’m busy at the moment.”

“What are you busy for?”

“Last tie I saw you you were golfing alone. you are the most chill out of all of us.”

The three of his friends’ eyebrows creased, eyes following Ajax’s stare at me and they nodded understandingly, “Oh, yeah. Right.”

“We’ll hang out soon.” They all replied.

Phoenix squinted his eyes at me and mumbled, “She’s familiar, oh right, Isn’t she the model you have in your magazines?”

“So you got her as your girlfriend? Wow, man-”

I blinked, “I’m not his girlfriend. And I have a name, It’s Ellaina.”

Their mouth hangs wide open and chuckled at Ajax’s flushing face.

“Oooh, busted, you just got rejected, Ajax.” Phoenix teased his friend.

“She’s feisty for you man, you don’t have a chance. It’s a pleasure meeting you, Ellaina.” Said The one named Aiden.

“We apologize if we bothered you two, we’ll get going now.” the man named Eion said, who was grabbing his phone and muttering a curse. “Damn, I’m late for my wife’s monthly check-up.” Eion then walked away, followed by the other two.

“Sereia’s going to kill me if I missed out on her Ob-gyne check-up!”

“Oh, no, Isleen is going to kill me if I forgot to pick up Aurora at school!

They were running to the door now, hands clutching their keys as they jingled.

Ajax waved at them, “It’s not nice seeing you guys here, bye!”

When we were left alone, awkwardness suddenly crept in. "Who are they?”

“Business friends.”

I nodded, So you now own this building?" I spoke up, half meaning it and half joking it.

"My older brother owns this…."

I gasped, so that is why Sillas Corp is familiar. I think I saw it last time for my lease contract in my condo. Damn.

"Aren't you going to the gym?"

I suddenly lost motivation to go now.

"Aren't you going to the gym?"

I suddenly lost motivation to go now.

“Go, I’ll wait for you here.” He said as he walked away, leaving me alone.

I sighed, ignoring the stares still tracing me that I tried to start my workout routine now.

The actress that I usually see, Leah, suddenly came up to me with a smirk, “Hey.”

The actress that I usually see, Leah, suddenly came up to me with a smirk, “Hey.”

I nodded politely, flashing my model smile.

“So you know Ajax?” Her tone was a question.

I shook my head, wanting to deny it, and not wanting to be caught up in a rumor or any scandal.

Not when my career is at its peak now.

I shouldn’t mess up.

“But he seems to know you….” She trailed off, still not leaving. She seems to be not receiving the hint that I am not comfortable talking to her. Instead, she stayed.

“We just worked in a shoot.” I simply replied and she nodded, eyes changed into an expression that seems to be judging me. Thank goodness that Leah didn’t probe further and left me alone.

Now left alone, I did my usual workout routine starting with a warm-up, squats, and pilates.

I was all grind and full of sweat after an hour passed. Grabbing my gym bag, I went to take a shower in the shower room and freshened up myself.

“Have you seen Ajax? Oh gosh, he’s still such a cutie!”

I could hear a woman squealing in excitement.

“Right? I told you! If we didn’t work out this morning, then we won’t even catch a glimpse of him!”

Gritting my teeth, I instantly finished my shower, put on my clothes, and went outside to catch the two gossiping girls.

I gave them a hard stare and they blinked.

“Oh, are you Ajax’s new toy?”

“Shh, Ajax must be his new escort.”

I scrunched my nose in disgust. I wanted to maintain my good image yet this is what I could hear if I hang out with him.

Goodness. People are dense these days.

I clenched my jaw and instead of spitting fire, I gave them a deadly smile, “Watch your mouth, ladies.”

I walked out of the shower room and sa Ajax himself, waiting for me by the door as he lean on the wall. He seems to be typing something on his phone and when he raised his head, he instantly brightened up.

“Hey.”

I coldly just stared at him, “Your waiting for me?”

“Of course. I have to wait for you so we could have our lunch first and have our adventure.”

I scoffed, “You know, people are thinking I am your escort or toy. I had worked hard to get this point with a good image so please…I don’t want to ruin my career. Stop showing up like this.”

I know he has pure intention but I have to think ahead and prioritize my career.

It’s not like I am born rich and can do anything I want. I still have to work hard and sustain my family.

Ajax’s smile disappeared in his eyes. His jaw clenched, “Did someone tell you that?”

I pursed my lips. “If they did?”

“Tell me the name and I’ll punish him.” He firmly said, his eyes were angry now.