C12 I Can Do It!

Riley's voice dripped with sweetness, "Mr. Rogers, you said you were just admiring the view from the bay window. What are you up to? Someone might walk in soon. Maybe you could sign this contract first? I'll go lock the door, and then we can... continue."

"What's the rush with the contract? Let me give you a little massage first."

"Stop it, Mr. Rogers, you always love to tease."

"Been reeling in a lot of guys lately, haven't you?"

"Ah... Mr. Rogers... a little gentler, please..."

The increasingly indecent sounds from inside made my mind race back to that day when Wesley had me pinned down on the office desk. I felt a wave of self-loathing and revulsion. I tossed the documents onto the European-style sofa in the living room and made for the exit.

In my haste, my knee slammed into the cabinet at the entranceway.

Abruptly, the panting from the bedroom ceased.

The door swung open, and a man with his black shirt unbuttoned, revealing his well-built chest, stepped out.

His expression shifted from anger to astonishment at the sight of me. "Aveline?"

I hadn't anticipated running into someone I knew here, much less so soon.

Rooted to the spot, I was momentarily speechless.

"You're out? Weren't you sentenced to ten years?" Mateo approached me.

Mateo was a good decade my senior, his family owned a hotel, and his father had business dealings with mine. He'd been a guest at our home a few times.

"I got out early," I replied, brushing off the question.

"Mr. Rogers, you know my colleague?" Riley, now fully composed, stepped out and looked at us, puzzled.

"Your colleague?" Mateo's eyes landed on my uniform, and a sly smile crept across his face. "Aveline, you're selling houses now?"

I bristled at his tone, giving him a curt nod. "The paperwork's done. You're busy; I should get going."

"Aveline, hold on. We haven't seen each other in years. Let's catch up, old friend. What's the hurry?" Mateo blocked the door with a wide stride.

He grinned, "Selling houses is hard work. Can you handle it? Come work with me instead. I can offer you a deal that's several times better than this. Our families go way back, and you should be calling me 'brother.' I couldn't stand to watch my little sister struggle like this."

Mateo had a notorious reputation in Loxford for being a womanizer.

Seeing him now, it seemed he hadn't changed one bit, still the same old dog unable to resist his old tricks.

I frowned in distaste. "No, thank you. I'm quite comfortable here."

"Alright, alright. If you're not keen, I won't push. But since I've seen you, I feel obliged to lend a hand. What area are the properties you're handling? Take me for a tour. I'll pick up a couple of units, boost your sales figures a bit."

I couldn't deny it; the offer was enticing.

I glanced at Riley, troubled, and as expected, her eyes were laced with malice. I swiftly dodged her glare and turned back to Mateo: "I'm sorry, but our company policy doesn't allow for changing consultants midstream. You'd be better off continuing with Riley."

Mateo looked at Riley and asked, "You got a problem with that?"

Riley's smile was tinged with sadness. "No, not at all. Mr. Rogers has already done plenty for me in the past. Why would I mind?"

Mateo nodded. "Then it's settled. I'll inform the company that I'm requesting a consultant change. Don't worry, Riley. Mr. Rogers will take good care of you. Next time, I'll send even more friends your way."

"Sounds good, Mr. Rogers." Riley shot me a venomous look as she left.

Her gaze was chilling to the bone.