T H R E E

Three Years Later...

The phone on her table rang and she picked it.

"Aspen." The rich voice came.

"Sir," She replied, knowing fully that it was her boss that was speaking with her.

"I have something important that I need to discuss with you." He said and she knew that it was her turn to come and meet him. Clearing the files that was before her, she stood up and exited the office. Without knocking, she entered his office.

"Good day, sir." she greeted with courtesy and he nodded his head in response, and urging her to come closer.

"So we will be going to Texas for some business meeting." He said and her heart skipped a beat.

Texas. That place?

"Okay, sir. When are we going?" She asked, making sure she does not slip her fear.

"In two days. Just prepare the flights tickets." He said and she nodded her head in response.

Throughout that day, all she thought about was going back to that place but then, why was she scared? She was no longer that timid lady of before.

***

Two days later, Richard and Aspen finally reached Texas and they lodged into an hotel.

It was a dinner that they had planned to meet the other party over.

"Boss." Aspen called out from the outside and Richard scoffed at the name she called him.

"How many times do I have to tell you that you can call me just Richard?" He asked, feigning annoyance as he pulled the door open. She smiled a little and nodded her head. She obviously did not want so much familiarity between them but Richard who is bent on having her call him by that had a reason behind it.

Like who wants one's crush to call you by a title?

"We are to get there by 7:40 PM." She informed him and he nodded his head. Her diligence and punctuality was what made her stand out and also one of the qualities that he fell in love with.

"I'm done." He replied and they both stepped out. He was dressed in well ironed shirt and a pair of black trousers while she was dressed in flare black gown matched with pair of black wedge. They both marched out of the hotel. A limousine drove before them and they entered.

"Are you ready?" The driver asked.

"Drive." Richard ordered as he focused on his phone.

***

The drive took just some minutes and they appear before the restaurant. While they were on the road, Aspen's mind was filled with the way everything had changed over the last three years.

They stepped out of the car and Richard led the way while she followed behind him.

He placed a call to his partner and the person told him where the table they were meeting was.

"Oh, over there." Richard said, pointing to the end of the room and Aspen looked over. And to say the world stood still for a second was an understatement.

Him? What was he doing here? That was when it dawned on that she was meeting her Ex-husband which happened to be the partner Richard was talking about. How possible was that?

She scoffed. "Who cares anyways?"

She exhaled deeply and wore the 'I don't care' expression, and walked towards the place. She fought the urge to scoff as she saw who was perched on Floyd's side. Nicole. The B*tch.

"Hello, nice to meet you." Richard said as he extended his hands out while Floyd took even though his eyes was on the lady that was sitting already– Aspen. Richard noticed this. "Oh, this is my Assistant." He introduced with a bright and proud smile and she smiled softly at them.

Nicole's eyebrows twitched as several murderous thoughts filled her head. She was not supposed to be here but Loretta, being Nicole's back bone, had forced Floyd to take her along under the excuse that maybe she might be able influence the deal with her position. Not like Daniel needed her. He was about to give an excuse to leave but since Aspen was here, he felt like she should stay. At least. To say he was surprised would be a big understatement but since she behaved like they were strangers, he would also play along.

"My pleasure." Floyd replied, making it look like they were all total strangers to each other. It was the best solution he can ever find.

"Floyd told me about you, Mr. Richard. I am really glad I finally get to meet you. Considering the fact that Floyd and I are engaged and will be getting married soon." She said, side glancing at Aspen who did not tick a jaw at all. When she did not get a reaction out of her, she planted a kiss on Floyd's cheek which he fought to hard not to clean the sticky mess away.

Aspen faced Richard and they both smiled at each other. It was an easy smile that could have melt the hearts of onlookers.

"You both are a loving couple. A lot of people will be definitely jealous of you." Richard said in admiration and Aspen smiled even if it was fake. For the sake of the deal.

"Jealous? Lol." She snorted internally.

Nicole did not stop giggling as Floyd smiled at her with feigned love.

She definitely could not deal with this. Exhaling deeply, she stood up. "I will love to use the rest room." She said and left.

Getting to the rest room, she looked at herself in the mirror. She has changed. And he also did.

Did he move on from her immediately? Like he was for real when he said he was in love with Nicole. She should not be thinking about this. But... Her heart broke as she watched him say all kinds of sweet things to her.

She should not care about these things, should she? She needs to be strong. She adjusted her clothes and exited the rest room only for her to meet Nicole leaning against the wall.

She arched an eyebrow. "How may I help you?" She asked.

"You know I never knew you would come back." Nicole said and Aspen scoffed.

"Who said I came back?" She asked, with her arms akimbo.

"You didn't? I mean after you ran away like a coward three years ago. Oh, bad memory. I mean the way you were a slut." Nicole said in mockery while Aspen stared at her blankly.

"You know..." Nicole pushed her against the wall in midst to hit her but Aspen was quick to move as she raised her hand and hit Nicole on the face. Nicole yelped out in pain as she held unto her burning cheek.

"What the hell is going on here?" Floyd asked and Nicole took that as an hint and started crying. She looked up at Floyd with teary eyes.

"She hit me." She said tearily and Floyd looked at Aspen. Even though he knew that Nicole was the one who would have instigated Aspen to give her the slap. "I know you hate her but at least be modest and don't involve it in the business meeting." He said and Aspen's eyes widened in surprise.

"Really?" She asked, not believing her ears.

"I mean, you are saying this? Who hates who? For your information, I don't care about anything. Rein your dog, Floyd. Just make sure tell her to stay out of my way or else...."

"What happened?" Richard asked as he came to stand beside Aspen. Floyd quickly composed himself and tucked Nicole to his side.

"Hmm, it is nothing. Just some misunderstanding." Floyd was quick to talk, for the fear of Richard knowing that they were once acquaintances. He pulled Nicole by her arm and led her outside.

What the heck was that? He just denied knowing her in front of Richard? Two could play the game.

Aspen looked at Floyd's retreating body with utter spite and the place he held Nicole, she snickered and raw hatred filled her heart for him.

She knew he was a devil. But now, he was an hypocrite.

"Is there something wrong?" Richard asked but Aspen managed to smile and shook her head negatively.

"It's nothing." she said with a small smile.