Chapter 49
1531words
"Ember isn't going anywhere, she and I were having a moment," Paris said, looking down at me and I angrily snatched my hand away from his,
"moment's over. Attend your Beta. Excuse me, Jackson." I said and walked to the door, but Paris blocked my path,
"I've had enough of this," I said through gritted teeth, but he only looked down at me calmly,
"I haven't."
" Well, you should." I stormed to his bed, and set my bag on it, bringing out the documents I had been hesitant to give to Paris earlier.
"Because I really am," I said, and showed him the documents when he drew closer,
"What is that?" he asked,
"Look for yourself," I said and handed him the files.
It only took a couple of seconds of scanning through the documents for him to look up at me, his eyes set.
"I already told you that I am not signing anything."
"If you won't, I still will, and I'll look for a way to forge not with this with or without your cooperation."
"Good luck then." he said and gave me back my papers, " because I don't plan on entering such cooperation any time soon."
"fine," I said and sat in his bed, well aware of the fact that his beta still watched me. I took out a pen from my bag, and sought the places I was meant to sign,
"what do you think you're doing?" Paris asked,
"making efforts to free me of you," I said and brought pen to paper, and had to snatch it out of my hand right before my eyes.
"Jackson? What the hell ?"
I watched in horror as he ripped the papers and stuffed them all in his mouth. It might have been funny, honestly, if it weren't an important document he just bellied.
"not very tasty," he said and burped.
"Your tummy disagrees, mate," Paris said in wonder, and Jackson patted his belly.
"Why did you do that?" I yelled, and he shrugged,
"how was I going to stand here and watch while you sign the papers that would make you divorce my best man?"
"Because your best man and I are done. And if he weren't being so stubborn he would have signed it as well."
"Ah well, at least now, there's nothing to sign."
"Do you think so? Do you think that's the only copy I have? I'll have you know that I've got enough of that to spare. For you to eat and still to spare." I said angrily.
"you're one tough cookie, aren't you?"
"I prefer the word thorough," I said stiffly.
"he's just a man who doesn't want to lose his Luna," Jackson said and shrugged, while I guffawed and stood,
"I'm done here. " I said with irritation,
"I wish you weren't," Jackson said quietly,
"Excuse me?"
"You said you were done with Alpha Paris. I know he isn't a perfect man, but he is the best man there is. So I wish you weren't done with him. Done with our pack as a whole."
I looked from Jackson to Paris who watched me intently. In the end, he was the reason we were at that point.
"Please take care of him." I finally said, and this time, when I made to leave, nobody stopped me.
PARIS'S POV
I wanted to hold on to her as she walked away, but it would have been the umpteenth time, and I figured the best thing at that point was to let her be. Hopefully, she would give Jackson's words a chance.
I waited till she walked out of the room and the door was closed before turning to Jackson,
"one hell of a fiery woman that one, how did we ever miss that?"
"became even more fiery after she left me," I said. Running my hand over my head, I walked back to my bed to lay in it.
"Did she sign it? Before you snatched it?"
Jackson shook his head, "didn’t get to. Make sure of that."
"Thanks, mate," I said and heaved out a breath.
It was a small thing, but I was glad she hadn't gotten to it, even though I was never going to sign it in the first place. But knowing she didn't have her signature with that one gave me some comfort.
"do me a favor, will you Jackson?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"Please keep an eye on Ember. Tell me if you see her spending most of her time with the William bloke."
"You think he's the man in the picture?"
" I believe he might be trying to be."
Jackson shrugged,
"If that's what you need, well, sure, of course."
"thanks. Now, if you don't mind, I think I need a nap."
~~~~~
I got discharged days later with news from Jackson about Ember having a contract signing meeting. I made it a point to be there, and another point to put William in his place if I found him sniffing around her.
He wasn't, but Ember looked as beautiful as ever, taking charge in a fine business suit that gave her a majestic air.
I waited till she was done before I approached her, and watched her expression go from surprise to mild irritation when she found me,
"What are you doing here?"
"Why, I came to support you. I don't think I've ever seen you in a business suit. The whole air suit."
She looked at me for the longest time before nodding, "Thanks. Now what are you doing here?"
"alright. You got me. Of course, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't a partner. I see you have partnered with a few top dogs, how about one more?" I asked and stretched out a hand.
I saw her hesitance and was glad for the onlookers. It meant she wouldn't cause a scene.
"What is this partnership about?"
"Nothing strenuous. Just a bit of funding for the empowerment program I hear you've got going for yourself."
"that was never your business to hear about ."
"but I did. And I'm interested."
"take it, Em. It will be useful and so helpful for the youth." the young woman who had been sitting at Ember's side while she signed, said happily and I smiled down at her. Ember frowned
"Take it, Em," I said echoing the young lady's words.
Ember folded her hands and said, "The people will benefit so grateful from this."
"they will," I said and shook my outstretched hand. Ember looked at him and took it begrudgingly,
"Fine then." and the young girl at her side squealed.
I lingered after the meeting with Ember and her team, trying to pry a conversation out of Ember, but she didn't budge,
"go home Paris. The meeting Is over."
"I need to talk to you."
"I don’t mix work and my personal life."
"Oh, spare me the bull crap."
"Now, Paris. You spare me. It's been a long day, and I'm very tired. You just recovered, so you need to rest too. So if you'll excuse me."
“Wait a minute.” I said, grabbing her by her hand. She looked down at where I held her and let out a sigh.
“I’m really getting tired of all of this.”
“Here me out.”
“No.”
“You won’t even just listen to what it’s all about.”
“Has anything changed since the day at the hospital? Or are you finally ready to sign my divorce papers?”
“I’m not signing those.”
“Then we have nothing to talk about. Thank you, Paris, for partnering with me. But that’s all that’s between us at the moment.”
And with that, she turned away from me, leaving me where I stood.
I wasn't sure how long I stood there, but I was soon joined from early on, and she still had that bubbly air of hers. She reminded me of a pixie.
"you know, she's a big softie. You just have to hit the right mark with her."
I looked down at the pixie woman and shrugged, "I once was able to hit the right mark, but I took her for granted and flopped it."
"I always wondered if there was ever someone at some point that she might have loved deeply. I’ve always believed that she must have loved them with all her heart to have had to be strong when they left. And now I see you, and even though I feel sorry, I must tell you that you were terribly wrong to hurt her the way you had.”
"She loved me deeply, hadn’t she?" I asked myself more than the pixie, “yes, I was very wrong. So stupidly wrong.”
"but I see how hard you’re trying now. Of course, I know you didn’t need to partner with her."
I smiled at her, "Her ideas are brilliant. It's an honor."
The young woman nodded, "I can help you if you want."
I tilted my head, and she smiled, and a small part of me, the part that was desperate to get Ember back chose to trust her,
" Alright then. Cause I could use all the help I can get."
