Chapter 135: THE INVITATION
Ace turned behind, and stared at the big clock for a few seconds. When his head returned to proper position, he dragged his gaze straight into Celine’s eyes.
"Fridays, standard closing ti for employees is 12pm. It’s 1pm already, so technically, we’re working overti right now. How exactly are any rules being broken if accounting week is technically over?"
A shudder of disgust ran through her spine as she shot daggers at him. He was too smart with the retorts. It was getting even more difficult getting under his skin.
Despite all the losses she was accumulating, she couldn’t afford to give up. With ti, she would have him exactly where she wanted him, but for now, let him gloat.
"You always know how to manoeuvre your way out of rules that are set in place for a reason. You’re the president of this company, and as such, you’re supposed to lead by example. If you keep breaking rules, do not be surprised when an anarchy ensues." She stepped forward, and dropped the file in her hands on his table.
As she turned around, her eyes caught sight of Landon who had an amused smiling twitching the corner of his lips. She glared at him, and the smile swiftly disappeared.
"When you have riffraffs around you, I can’t be surprised at how worse you get by the day."
Scoffing, she stord out of the room, leaving behind the echoes of her stilettos.
"Wow!" Lynette breathed out.
"She’s sothing, and you’re even more a thing for putting up with that," Makayla hissed.
"He has no other choice. A few more months and the company will be fully his. Then he can do whatever he likes. Right, bro?"
Ace didn’t respond. He was too deep in his thoughts to pay attention to whatever it was they were talking about.
The thing with his Aunt Celine was she didn’t make empty threats. The fact she had talked about an anarchy was enough to know sothing was brewing.
He quickly reached out for his telephone, and dialled Grant.
"Are you okay, bro?" Landon asked, as he watched him tuck the telephone in his ears.
Again, he was ignored.
"See
in the next one hour," he said, and ended the call.
"Who was that?" Landon tried for the third ti.
"Or maybe you should just give it a rest? It’s clear he doesn’t want to talk about it," Makayla said.
"True." Lynette agreed.
Landon wanted to go against their advice and pushed until Ace told him what was going on. Instead, he stifled the thought that was just at the tip of his tongue, and reclined into his seat.
The door opened again, and Makayla sighed. "Your office is really popular today."
They all turned at the sa ti towards the door.
Ace’s eyes lit up when he saw his mother. "Mum?" He rose to his feet, and walked up to her.
"My darling." She opened her arms for a hug, and he tilted his head to the side, as if to say, "oh common now."
She smiled, but her arms just grew wider. Sighing in defeat, he stepped in, and she enveloped him in a hug. "That wasn’t so bad now, was it?" She chuckled, letting him go.
He shook his head, and stepped back. "Just for you, mum. Just for you."
"Gabrielle!" Makayla jumped to her feet, and dashed towards her.
Before she could prepare herself for the storm, she jumped into her body. "You look as gorgeous as ever!"
"And you look stunning too, my darling. I didn’t know you were in the country," she said, as she dragged her back to take a good look at her.
The last ti she saw Makayla was at her mother’s vow renewal which had gone South really fast. Ace had been the one to comfort her, so naturally she thought they would be a thing when the dust settled.
She received the shock of her life when a few months later, he was suddenly dating Reign King. A relationship she never approved of.
"I know, mummy. I was supposed to drop by the matriarchs, but I’ve been having a rough ti with mum pushing
into the business more, and my fiance."
"Yeah, about that. Congrats?"
Makayla noticed it was more a question than a statent, and laughed. "You’re so real for that, mummy. I’ll tell you everything about it when I stop by."
"You do that, darling." She ruffled her hair, and looked forward to see Landon standing before her with a pout on his face.
"Oh darling, what has Ace done to you this ti?" She grabbed his cheeks, and stroked them lovingly.
"I was just trying to know what’s up with him? You know, because I care. He ignored . Embarrassed
in front of everyone," Landon explained, faking teary eyes.
"What?" Ace opened his hands in disbelief.
He wasn’t fast enough to dive, before Gabrielle swatted his arms.
"I’ve told you not to be an to Lan. He helps you a lot. The least you can do is be grateful to him. Co here baby." She pulled Landon into a motherly hug.
Landon could not get enough of it. He loved Gabrielle like she was his own mother. It was easy too, because she was just the easiest person to love.
When they finally separated, Landon turned to see Ace throwing him a threatening look. He stuck out his tongue in retaliation, and Makayla burst into a feat of laughter when she caught the exchange.
"Finally, the adults can talk," Lynette said, a smile fixated on her face, as Gabrielle walked up to her, and placed a kiss on her cheek.
"You look more youthful every ti I see you."
"And you’re simply ethereal Gabby. I tell you to co with
to the singles club so I can get you a handso billionaire who would leave you with even more money, but you never agree."
"Oh common, Lynette!" Ace wriggled his nose.
"What?" She said innocently. "I’m just saying your mum is hot, and still young. Does she plan on spending the rest of her life alone? I knew your daddy. He would have wanted her to get her groove on." She shrugged.
"That’s just disgusting." Ace returned to his seat, his nose still turned up.
"You’re such a delight," Gabrielle laughed.
"I just speak the truth, my darling Gabby."
"It’s a full house I see," she said looking around.
"What would you like to drink, mum?" Landon asked.
"Oh, but I wasn’t offered anything? Neither was Makayla." Lynette glared at him.
"You’re practically always here. Mum cos once in a blue moon. Do you see how this goes?" He defended himself.
"I don’t want anything, Lan," Gabrielle cut in before an argunt would begin. "I’m here for just a few minutes."
"Is everything okay?" Ace asked, suddenly worried.
"Oh yes, everything’s fine. I just realised I haven’t formally invited you for Sophie’s birthday party yet, even though I took Alice for the day. So this is
dropping by to invite you, and everyone interested in making a little girls day special."
"Who is Sophie?" Makayla asked.
"Our little sister," Landon said.
"I didn’t know you had another child. Are you secretly seeing soone, Gabby?" Lynette threw her a suspicious look.
"No, please," she laughed awkwardly. "I adopted her. She lost her parents, and was in a bit of trauma. She’s only just opening up enough to tell
her birthdate. I want to make it a special day for her."
"You’re such a gem, Gabby," Lynette couldn’t help the respect in her heart for the woman.
She was one of those people you just couldn’t help but to adore. A kind woman, who despite the challenges that she had to fight, never lost her sparkle. In a way, she envied her.
"Thank you, but it’s really thanks to Ace. He was the first person she ward up to. When he told
about her, it was with so much compassion, I knew he wanted
to take care of her even before he made the request."
"Ace? This sa Ace Atticus?" Makayla gasped.
"Don’t be ridiculous." Ace rolled his eyes.
"See what I’m talking about, mum? See how he talks to ? Where’s the compassion?" Makaylas nose flared.
"You’re so annoying," Ace hissed.
"And you’re not? Joker!"
"Brat."
"Arrogant."
"Selfish."
"Pompous."
"Pretentious."
"Asshole!"
"Anno—"
"Okay, that’s enough!" Gabrielle stepped into the back and forth, and stopped it before it escalated.
"Oh common, ma. I was enjoying the dance," Landon said.
"I was too. They’re always at each other’s necks. That’s what makes their relationship so good," Lynette said.
"Well I guess. Anyway, I have to leave now. See
off?" Gabrielle directed at Ace.
"Sure mum. Lan, take care of the office, and I’ll be right back."
Rising to his feet, he walked over to his mother. With a glint of mischief in her eyes, she pushed her hands into his, and made him hold it.
"Bye everyone!" She laughed, as Ace sighed at her antics.
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