My voice grew louder. “Winthem Hotel on Southfold Street.”
“Okay, see you later!”
I hung up and prepared to take a shower. We were going to dinner later, so I knew Macy would ask me to go shopping with her.
It was nice to walk around. After all, I hadn’t done that in a while.
I wanted to return to the other room to take a shower, but I couldn’t find the other room card anywhere. Since Nick was asleep, I didn’t wake him up and took a shower right in this room.
It should be fine. I was not going to shower in front of him, anyway.
I felt really sticky all over. After taking a shower, I felt so much better.
I blow-dried my hair, changed into a new outfit, and put on light makeup. When I emerged from the bathroom, Nick was talking to someone on the phone.
“Hello? Who is this?” he uttered sleepily.
The person on the other end of the phone said something, so he replied, “She’s taking a shower. You can call her later.”
He ended the conversation with a murmur and hung up.
Exiting the bathroom, I saw him lounging on the sofa lazily.
He yawned after seeing me. “Why are you all dressed up? It’s just dinner.”
I ignored him and noticed he was holding my phone. Recalling the conversation he had earlier, I realized he had answered my phone.
Shocked, I questioned, “Did you answer a call meant for me?”
He nodded and straightened his back. Flinging my phone to me, he replied, “It kept ringing and woke me up.”
I caught my phone and went through the call records. The last call was from Ashton.
When I tried to call Ashton, his phone was switched off.
Glaring at Nick in frustration, I asked, “What did you say to him?”
He rose to his feet casually. “Nothing. Ashton asked me where you are, and I told him you are in the shower. Then he asked if I was in the same room with you. I replied in the affirmative, of course.”
Giving me an innocent look, he quipped, “I was telling the truth. I did nothing wrong, did I?”
All I wanted to do was to beat him up. “Yes, you’re right,” I replied sarcastically.
His words were very misleading!
I tried calling again to no avail. But then again, I didn’t think Ashton would be that petty.
By the time I gave up and pocketed my phone, Nick had just come out of the bathroom. His hair was wet. He must’ve washed his face back there.
Drying his hair with a towel, he said, “Come on, let’s go. It’s getting late.”
As we walked out of the hotel, I texted Macy and Jared. Macy had just arrived at the hotel, so she told me she’d take a nap first and come later. Jared informed me he had something on for now.
I replied to their texts briefly and went to the restaurant Howard had reserved.
Howard was an efficient man. When Nick and I arrived, the others were already waiting for us.
In the VIP room, Howard introduced us to everyone and made some small talk.
The others were all higher-ups from the branch office. Nick chatted with them casually before delving into work-related matters.
They were conversing pleasantly when I left, but there was a slight change in their tones when I returned.
Nick said to Howard, “Mr. Wrangler, you’re a shareholder of Fuller Corporation. It was listed two years ago and doing well currently. If someone embezzles a few million, it won’t affect the company much. But if it happens frequently, one day, it might sink the ship we’re all on.”
Howard was confused. He raised his glass politely. “Mr. Harrison, you’re young and capable. I don’t understand what you mean by that.”
“Then read your financial reports closely!” Nick raised his glass, too. “Cheers!”
Before I could reply, he had downed his drink. He took my glass and added, “I know you can’t drink. Let me drink on your behalf.”
The other higher-ups were scowling at Nick’s words. The manager of the Finance Department spoke, “Mr. Harrison, cheers. Thank you for auditing the branch office personally.”
The other higher-ups came to toast with Nick one after another, and soon enough, Nick got drunk.
At the end of dinner, I struggled to bring Nick into a cab. I had a splitting headache by then. Why was he so fond of drinking when he was not good at it?
Macy’s call arrived. When I answered, she asked cheerily, “Where are you? Come, let’s go shopping.”
I looked at the unconscious drunkard beside me and sighed, “I have to take care of a drunkard. Can’t come now.”
“Damn it!” Macy cursed. “This is no fun.”
Staring at Nick, I resisted the urge to pinch him as I replied, “I’ll still be here tomorrow. If possible, I’ll finish work in the morning. We can go shopping after that!”
