Chapter Nine

“She What?” Alex thundered at Chris.

It was the same reaction Chris had anticipated which was why he took his sweet time in relaying the news.

“She declined the settlement.” he reiterated.

Alex's face crumbled into a deeper frown.

“How much did you offer her?” he asked, not believing the greed of this woman.

“It was a blank check.”

For the first ever, Chris watched an expression other than a frown fall on his boss’s face.

Alex was genuinely surprised.

“Why?” the word slipped out before he realized it..

“She said she wants the whole matter to be forgotten and left in the past.”

The answer only left him feeling more intrigued.

From what Ava had told him, he knew she was freshly divorced and living with Ava.

Why would someone so broke decline a life changing offer?

His suspicion about Emily increased.

“Did you dig into her background?”

An alarm bell went off in Chris’ head.

“No,”

Alex shot him a dirty glare.

“I want every inch of her background info on my desk tomorrow morning.”

He didn't care if Ava claimed they were college friends, if there was something the strange woman was hiding, he wanted to know. Especially since she was living with his only blood.

They called rolled to a stop in front of an exclusive club and he stepped out without another word.

As soon as he walked into the bustling music, a worker was already by his side.

“Welcome Mr Alex. Mr Ezra is already in the private room, is there anything you would love for me to get you.”

He answered a cold “No,” before stepping into the waiting elevator.

He was greeted by the sight of dancing naked women as soon as he stepped into the private room.

Ezra was at the center of it all, caressing and kissing three of them.

He didn't notice his friend's arrival till Alex sat down on the luxurious couch and noisily poured himself a drink.

Ezra broke up his dirty performance as soon as he spotted his friend.

“Hey buddy, you're here. Wanna join us?’ he asked, pulling on the nipples of one of the ladies.

Alex casted him a glance without a reply.

Ezra chuckled before whispering to the girls.

“My buddy is such a killjoy. Why don't you go get yourselves more drinks.”

They giggled in silly tones before leaving him.

Ezra couldn't help but lick his lips at their juggling asses.

The only thing he loved more than money was fine women. And he showed it every night.

Alex pouring himself another drink snapped him back to reality.

He also poured himself one and scooted closer to his friend.

“What's up with you man? You look like shit. You should work less and live more or you're gonna get old soon.”

Alex smirked.

“We'll get old either way.”

“Not me. I ain't getting old any time soon, not when I'm surrounded by gorgeous women.”

Despite being best friends for many years, they two had completely opposite characters that people often wondered how they were able to remain so tight.

“You won't get old if you continue living recklessly.” Alex hit back in a reply.

Ezra only chuckled. “It's not called living if you're not drinking good wine, alcohol and….”

His words were cut short with the elevator and a new set of women walking into the room.

His eyes widened and sparkled with excitement.

A young worker who led the ladies with a bottle of expensive champagne gave them a slight bow.

“A little gift from the house for our best client.”

Ezra grinned from ear to ear.

He shot his friend a look.

“It's not living if you're not fucking pretty women.”

Two of the ladies went to Ezra who happily welcomed them while the last sat beside Alex grinning with excitement..

She couldn't believe she was seated one on one with the famous billionaire bachelor.

“Hi” she said with her best smile but was met with silence and him ignoring her.

She took a bold step of sliding her fingers on his hand.

He didn't tell her off so she continued.

She moved to his strong arms and looked at him with desire.

“Why don't we take this somewhere more comfortable darling?”

The words rang heavily in his ear.

Not that he was interested in the woman but that was exactly the problem.

A beautiful young woman was throwing herself at him and yet he felt absolutely nothing as he did for others.

Taking his silence for encouragement, she boldly tried to reach for his open chest.

Alex grabbed her hand in time and gave her a hard stare. She shivered in fear.

He let go of her and drowned down his drink before getting on his feet.

Then he cast a glance.

“Come with me.”