Chapter 574 - Great Ocean Resort (3)

~ Los Angeles, Jeff's and JoAnna's penthouse ~

JoAnna had difficulty shaking of the unpleasant feeling from Great Ocean Resort. She didn't like how they treated her. They didn't ask anything before assuming that she does not have money and can't afford them.

JoAnna and Bridgette realized that those people underestimated them because of their relatively normal clothes. But those are nice dresses, they fit well and are comfortable. And they are not cheap either!

' Hmph! Their loss! ' JoAnna huffed while trying to calm herself down.

Bridgette was also upset, but her anger subsided significantly when Steve texted her time and place for lunch. That means Big Boss will make things better. JoAnna should tell him what happened, and he will sort out those rude people.

Bridgette was watching JoAnna who went into the kitchen.

"What are you doing?" Bridgette asked when she saw JoAnna pull out ice cream from the freezer.

"I'm depressed. Ice cream helps." JoAnna was double checking that she got the one with chocolate chunks inside. Extra chocolate means extra help.

"But… it's lunch time.", Bridgette reminded her.

"Exactly. That means I can eat more ice cream." JoAnna grinned.

Bridgette rolled her eyes at JoAnna. "Are you sure you are not looking for an excuse to eat ice cream for lunch?"

"Maybe…? You can join me or not." JoAnna started opening the ice cream container, and saw Bridgette giving her a non-approving look. "Come on… it was a sucky morning, and this will make my wounds heal faster."

Bridgette took the ice cream away from JoAnna. "How about this… I found a nice restaurant close by. Let's go eat something and then we can come back for ice cream."

JoAnna reluctantly agreed. She was not in the mood for going out, but she knows that what Bridgette said is correct. She can't eat ice cream for lunch. Well, she can, but it's not healthy.

~ Los Angeles, downtown ~

JoAnna and Bridgette stepped out on the rooftop restaurant and JoAnna frowned when she saw that it's empty. Then her eyes landed on a lone figure smiling at her while standing next to the table in the middle of the dining area. Jeff was holding a large bouquet of flowers and walked toward her. With each step he made, JoAnna's smile widened.

"I heard you had a rough morning.", Jeff approached JoAnna and pulled her in his embrace.

JoAnna wrapped her arms around Jeff and the world was better.

It took few minutes for JoAnna to recharge her batteries while holding onto Jeff. He waited patiently for her to finish her hug-treatment. He didn't mind. Jeff likes holding onto JoAnna, and he would do it anytime.

JoAnna looked up to Jeff and smiled. "Thank you." She was touched that even with his busy schedule he found time to meet her for lunch.

"It's my pleasure." He leaned down and kissed her.

"Let's sit." Jeff ushered her to the table and gave her flowers.

JoAnna glared at Bridgette who was seated in the corner table with Steve. "You! Who told you to call him?"

She wanted to look angry, but she was happy that Bridgette got this lunch setup. She needed Jeff.

Bridgette just smirked and ignored JoAnna.

"Hey! Don't ignore me! I'm your Boss!" JoAnna pointed her finger in the air.

"I'm on a lunch break!", Bridgette grinned.

"At least come and have lunch with us." JoAnna laughed.

Bridgette and Steve joined them at the table and four of them ordered food.

JoAnna was happy to have lunch with Jeff, but at the same time she felt guilty. She knows that he is busy. He even told her that his day is packet, yet he made time for her. Such a wonderful man.

"I'm sorry to drag you from work." She voiced her thoughts.

"I will always find time for you." Jeff smiled and kissed back of her palm.

JoAnna felt like she is turning into mush from all the feelings she has for the man sitting next to her.

"I know. But that means that you will end up staying late to finish work." If she needs to pick, she would rather if he comes home on time than to have lunch with him.

Jeff shook his head. "No. I will come home as usually. Any leftover work I will leave for Steve to handle."

Steve almost choked on his drink. He cried internally: 'This is what I get? I clear your schedule, book the restaurant and even order flowers… and I get extra work?'

"Will you tell me what happened this morning?" Jeff didn't want to upset JoAnna again, but he wanted to know.

"Nothing important."

Jeff didn't believe her. "It's important enough to spoil your mood. Tell me. You went to visit some resort for the wedding. It didn't go well?"

"It's really not a big deal…", JoAnna wanted to brush it off.

Jeff already has plenty to think about. Few bullies who are irrelevant should not be on his mind at all.

"Hmph!" Bridgette was not able to contain herself. "Not a big deal? Big Boss, you should see how they disrespected us…"

JoAnna glared at Bridgette to stop talking.

Bridgette was not happy about it, but she kept her focus back on the food.

Jeff's face darkened. "Disrespected you? What happened?"

JoAnna sighed seeing that she needs to say something now. "Really, just few bullies. Nothing important. I'm fine. Both of us are fine. They were just a bit rude. We will not give them business and I will keep on looking. End of story."

Jeff listened to JoAnna and was confused. He saw JoAnna sort out a pretend girlfriend, shoot off an arm and a leg from a man, and he personally assisted her pulling teeth out from people who schemed against her… Since when his Anna let's someone off easily? "Bullies? Why would you let someone bully you?"

"Because she really likes the place." Bridgette blurted out.

"Bridgette!", JoAnna warned her.

"Fine! I will stop talking…", Bridgette pouted her lips and then resumed her lunch.

Jeff didn't ask anything else related to that topic.

They started talking about their plans about going back to White family property and how Sophia and Felix will join them when they are back from their honeymoon.

JoAnna and Bridgette compared photos that they received from Sophia and Felix and showed them to Jeff and Steve.

~ Los Angeles, White corp. ~

Jeff entered his office and Steve closed the door behind them.

"Ask Bridgette about the resort they went to.", Jeff instructed as he looked through his office window.

Steve smirked and forwarded him a text. "Done."

Jeff looked at the text and called Sarah.

"Hi Sarah, I will need your services...", he didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

When Sarah heard that someone bullied JoAnna, she dropped all her plans for the day and told Jeff that she will get him any information he needs.

Not long after, Jeff was watching video footage from surveillance cameras in Great Ocean Resort. His expression was getting colder and darker by the minute.