C10 Settling down finally

“This would be the best deal we will sign. So I have been putting extra effort into tying up all loose knots and securing an appointment with Crust Builders. I…”

“Hey Brianna, could you give us a second?” Miguel interrupted Carlos' P.A. The woman nodded and left the office, glad that she had narrowly escaped Carlos' wrath.

“Dude!”

Carlos didn't answer but kept staring into space, twirling his pen in thought.

Miguel sighed, then walked around the desk and stood behind his best friend.

“Carlos!”

Startled, Carlos turned to him, glaring daggers at a grinning Miguel.

“What's up, dude? Your sexy ass secretary has been rambling about Crust and you’ve just been looking so lost and I don't mean lost admiring her backside.”

Carlos sighed as he wondered how he became friends with Miguel.

“I wonder what Bailey will say about you, if I'm a manwhore, you should be the worst playboy in New York.”

“Nah. That's not me. I can't even think of having a girlfriend. I think incubus is more apt.”

“You disgust me.” Carlos made a gagging noise to drive his point home.

“I love you too, bro. Now back to the issue at hand. So, I'm guessing it's Bailey who has been occupying your thoughts.”

Carlos' silence confirmed this and Miguel smirked as he leaned on the large desk.

“Love is but a complicated affair, isn’t it, kid?” He teased Carlos.

But Miguel knew Carlos still loved Bailey because he let his mask slip and he could see the raw pain on his friend's face.

“Five years. I still don't know why she did that. She claimed to love me.”

“I'm rich, was rich at that time. I spoilt her with gifts. I'm great in bed, I know that Miguel. I'm not some stupid romantic but I was ready to leave everything and anything to attend to her, so why?”

Carlos' voice trembled with bottled-up anger. He still didn't know why Bailey cheated on him.

“Look, man. Women are a different species of humans. They're the most complicated creatures ever. I think it's time you stopped punishing yourself.”

“And her.” Miguel thought. He knew that Carlos wasn't ready to forgive Bailey yet.

“Damn! I regret stepping into that club that night I saw her. You were the one who pointed her out.” He accused Miguel, glaring at him.

“If I can remember clearly. I was more interested in her friend, Ava. Whom I couldn't recognize last night. I think that was why she was extra angry.”

“You were in full support of the relationship, Miguel. You said I needed someone different.”

“Now isn't the time for blame, dude. But I can vividly remember how you also made sure we never met. You made me promise to stay away and I cut off my connection with Ava because of that.”

Carlos looked at his friend and was shocked to see a flash of regret pass through his eyes. Did Miguel like Ava?

“I'm sorry.”

“You had better be, 'cause I’m not.” Miguel quickly returned to his jovial self.

“I guess I will have to turn up the heat. I will make her spill her secret out of anger.”

“What secret?”

“Bailey's hiding something from me and I must find out.”

Carlos smiled evilly as he formulated plans about maltreating his wife.

“You're sick, man! That's why I can never leave you.”

Carlos designed it an insult to respond to that comment, so he kept mute. Miguel turned to go but stopped at the door.

“One last thing. Could you call Brianna back and listen to her? Don't want you losing that opportunity over a woman.”

***

Bailey Aston belonged in an office.

This was the sad conclusion she came to after minutes of kneading the dough and it still resembled a disfigured sand castle.

“Why? Why isn't it working?” She wailed, angrily throwing away the second batch of dough she had ruined.

“I believe it's because you are not doing it the right way,” Natalie said as she picked her nails nonchalantly.

“Remind me why I'm the one baking while my housekeeper is around.”

“Because you must capture your husband's heart and the easiest way to do a man’s heart is food. Now shoo.”

Bailey watched as her housekeeper shoved her out of the way and started cleaning up the dirty counter.

“I thought it was sex.”

“Both mean the same to a man, Miss. And Mr Aston loves food.” Natalie snapped at her.

Bailey sighed as she watched her newest friend wash the dishes. She wondered what gave Natalie the guts to speak to her so bluntly.

“You speak to me as though I’m not your boss’s wife.”

Natalie gave her a quick once-over before shaking her head dramatically.

“Since you don't share a room with Mr Aston, I think it safe to call you a tenant here.”

Bailey's mouth dropped open, but she had to applaud the woman's boldness.

“You know, not many would like your boldness. You should be careful.”

“Trust me, I've met a lot. The first day Mr Aston approached me for sex, his balls ached for two days and his bitch didn't dare visit for a week.”

“You…kneed Carlos?”

“Yeah. Plus a bit of slap and an earful. You should try it out sometime. It works.” Natalie winked at her, smiling wickedly.

“He treats me like his sister now. I'm not a threat, Bailey.”

Bailey flushed red at how easily her thoughts could be read.

“You have just one major competitor and you will have to bribe me, so I can help you get rid of that leech.” Natalie's face was scrunched up as she spoke.

Bailey's response was stopped by her phone, as it rang loudly.

Excusing herself, she walked out to the balcony to answer the call, and she was ever so grateful when she read the caller ID.

Diana Newman.

She felt a strong sense of foreboding as she answered the call. Diana wasn't supposed to call her unless it was an emergency.

“Hello, Ms. Whitney.”

“Ms. Newman.”

“It's Carla. Someone came for her.”