The Billionaire's Promise
Chapter 80: Her Schemes Failed

Chapter 80: Her Schemes Failed

"Hi, Cassie. What a coincidence to meet you here. How have you been?" Marlon extended his hand for a handshake but retracted it when Erik glared at him.

"I’m doing well now. Got a name for myself as a ramp model here in Italy." She laughed lightly. She turned to look at Aryana with a question mark on her face.

"And who is this pretty lady over here?" She sounded amiable but Aryana felt malice deep inside her. She can easily read people and at a glance, she could tell that Cassie was wearing a mask of pretense in front of Erik and Marlon.

"I am the secretary. Aryana Jones." She did not wait for Erik or Marlon to speak up. She extended her hand for a handshake. Cassie took it and held it quite tightly. Aryana frowned and retracted her hand.

"You guys heading out for dinner? Mind if I join you?" Cassie said in a charming voice. No man should be able to deny that request.

"Sure," Erik responded before looking at Aryana wanting to gain her attention. Aryana was looking at the floor indicator counting the few floors before they reached the restaurant level.

When the elevator opened, Aryana hurried out and blurted, "I’ll go and check the reservation."

Cassie placed her hand on Erik’s arm but he casually shrug it off before increasing his strides to follow Aryana.

Aryana reserved a big table for them. Marlon introduced Cassie to the rest of the team before they settled down at the table. Cassie sat to the side of Erik while Aryana was to his left.

No sooner has the waiter handed them the menu when Emma approached their table together with a handsome-looking gentleman.

Emma bowed slightly to Erik and said, "President Lee, can I borrow Aryana for dinner? I coincidentally ran into our old acquaintance."

"Hello, President Lee. I don’t think you remember me but I am Aryana’s classmate and we meet during graduation" Hector offered his hand and Erik took it briefly.

"Boss, I’ll let you and Marlon can catch up with your friend here while I’ll catch up with my friends at the other table." Aryana’s nonchalant remark irked Erik. Does she not care at all if I eat with another woman?

Marlon laughed and then coughed when he felt Erik’s cold glare. He gave Aryana a silent thumbs-up.

Aryana did not wait for Erik to reply but hurriedly followed Emma and Hector to their table. She needed this escape. She did not want to witness Erik being close to another woman.

"You look good Hector. I didn’t recognize you earlier." Aryana’s praise caused Hector to blush.

"Thank you. You too. You look lovely. Are you here for business?"

Aryana nodded.

"We will be attending the conference tomorrow on European Architecture." Aryana shared.

"What a coincidence, I’ll be at that conference too," Hector said happily.

After some time, Hector’s parents and his sister joined them for dinner. They were visiting Hector.

On the other table, Erik lost his appetite. He kept stealing glances at Aryana who seemed to be enjoying her meal. It looked like a family affair and he was jealous.

Marlon was smiling inwardly while enjoying his meal. Cassie on the other hand was trying her best to serve Erik. She would put food on his plate from time to time and her actions were seen by Aryana who was secretly watching them.

"Is the food not to your liking? You want something else?" Cassie asked in a concerned voice.

"It is alright. I just have no appetite and am a little tired." Erik said gloomily.

"We need to leave soon. I need to be early at the venue to prepare." Cassie said softly. She turned to Marlon and handed him two invitations.

"Marlon, you can come and watch the fashion show. Please invite Aryana as well!"

"Marlon is busy and Aryana has something else to attend to." Erik cut her short.

Erik stood up and went in the direction of Aryana’s table. ’This damn girl doesn’t have an awareness of how jealous she makes me. I just bumped into Cassie and suddenly different men are lurking around her.’ He muttered under his breath.

"Aryana, I’ll be heading out. Don’t get drunk and come back early. We have a long day tomorrow." He said using his CEO voice. He looked at Emma and gave her a warning look.

Aryana looked embarrassed. She felt as if Erik poured a bucket of ice over her head with his cold voice.

"Sure Boss!" She said in the most cheerful voice she could muster. Erik clenched his fist and then left without looking back.

He went back to their room and changed into a suit then he went to the hotel lobby to wait for Cassie. Cassie had wanted him to wait in her room but Erik rejected the request.

Erik messaged Marlon and warned him not to let her drink. Marlon replied back with an ok emoji.

Erik was impatient during the fashion show. He was busy looking at the photos that Aryana posted on her moments. She was wearing another trench coat from last night’s fashion show. This time it has a matching scarf.

Cassie was finally walking on the catwalk. Erik was looking at her clothes and he thought that those would look good on Aryana. Cassie misunderstood Erik’s gaze and thought he was enthralled by her beauty. She looked at him seductively and Erik felt uncomfortable.

After the show, Cassie invited Erik to join her for a drink in a bar. She said she wanted to introduce Erik to her circle of friends. Erik reluctantly agreed.

He finished two glasses of alcohol when Erik felt something wrong.

"You drugged me!" He said to Cassie accusingly.

"No Erik, it’s not me. Why should I do that?" Cassie glared at her friend who soon called the waiter.

"I’m sorry Ma’am. The order that was brought in was supposed to be for the next room. My apologies." He bowed several times and was trembling.

Erik dialed a number from his phone and soon two of his bodyguards came.

"Erik, let me take you back to the hotel or I can send you to the hospital," Cassie said in a panicked voice.

"There is no need." He said as he took off his coat.

"You’re drugged and you need help." Cassie hugged him but Erik pushed her away.

"Stay with your friends." He said and motioned at his bodyguards who flanked him on both sides. He left without casting a backward glance.

Cassie pursed her lips. Did she make a mistake? How can she fail? How can Erik reject her?

Erik called Marlon.

"Where is Yana?" He said hoarsely.

"At the hotel. Is something wrong?" Marlon asked. Erik’s voice sounded weird.

Erik ended the call. He heaved a sigh of relief while he loosened his necktie.