Chapter 590 - Plan: take care of Regina (2)

It was apparent that Regina ignored Sarah, and Aiden didn't like that. And the way she looked at him… he knows that look well. It's the same look that made him take advantage of girls, punishing them for their shallowness… but that was all before he met Sarah. Now only the feeling of disgust was left, and for a brief moment he wondered how was it possible for him to even touch such girls. Aiden exhaled while staring at the glass of water in front of him. He needed to clear his mind. All that is in the past.

Aiden didn't want to be courteous to Regina at this point. Besides 'be yourself', Sarah didn't tell him anything else about the plan, so he can do whatever he wants. He decided to focus on Sarah. She is the only one worth of his time, anyway.

Regina was stunned. No one ever treated her like this. Did Aiden size her up and frown? Does that mean he does not like what he sees? But she didn't give up. She can't. That would be out of her character as someone who always gets what she wants. And right now, she wants Aiden's attention. Regina didn't let her smile fade away while swiftly making her way on the other side of the table. She sat next to Aiden.

Sarah exchanged glances with JoAnna. This is just what Sarah guessed will happen. Instead of sitting next to JoAnna, this pesky woman sat next to Aiden! How shameless can she be?

Bridgette sat opposite Aiden, leaving seat on JoAnna's right empty.

Regina assumed that empty spot is for her and decided to ignore it. Why would she sit next to JoAnna if she can sit next to Aiden? Who cares if he has any relationship with Sarah? That never stopped Regina before.

"We ordered appetizers.", Aiden told JoAnna while shifting his body.

"Good. Let's start with that… Did you get a chance to see the resort?", JoAnna started talking about the resort amenities.

Regina watched Aiden move and now she was facing his back! She thought how those two really are brothers. Both Jeff and Aiden disregarded her in the same way. But will she allow something small as that to discourage her? Of course not.

They chatted about the resort, while Regina tried to include herself into conversation. But whatever she said, they ignored her, like she is not there at all.

"I'm sorry I'm late… I got stuck in traffic." Jeff said before giving JoAnna peck on the cheek and taking a seat next to her.

JoAnna laughed. She didn't want to ask Jeff in front of Regina how can he get stuck in traffic when he came with a helicopter? 'This man can tell a lie without blinking. Shameless.'

Regina was so focused on Aiden and trying to get into conversation that she didn't notice Jeff's arrival!

Regina watched Jeff sit next to JoAnna and was in disbelief. It seems that empty seat was not for her, after all. Or maybe it was… She scolded herself. If she sat there, Jeff would not be able to sit next to JoAnna. And he might even sit next to her! He is a gentleman, there is no way he would ask her to change seats, right? She was screaming inside.

She could not hide her displeasure with current situation. Aiden was her choice number two, and even he was not looking her way. How can he ignore her?

Regina felt dejected seeing that six of them are chatting. Her eyes moved over people: Aiden, Sarah, JoAnna, Jeff, Bridgette, Steve. No one talked to her. She awkwardly smiled while thinking how to get some attention to herself.

They ordered food. As soon as waiter stepped away, Regina thought this is her chance, she opened her mouth to speak…

"CEO White, I wonder if I can have few minutes of your time?", a lady in her mid-thirties approached their table and gestured toward the door, indicating that their talk should be away from that table. Probably in private.

Jeff glanced at JoAnna and she smiled while giving him a nod of approval.

"I can give you five minutes.", Jeff responded to the lady while standing up.

"Of course, I will not take more than that.", woman smiled as they walked away.

Regina looked at Jeff leave with that woman, and she felt the need to dash after him. But she knows it will not be appropriate. In her mind, she saw Jeff scolding her for intruding into his talk with that woman.

"Miss Hill…", Regina called.

Both Sarah and JoAnna looked her way.

"Uhm, Miss JoAnna Hill", Regina clarified. "Aren't you concerned about that woman having ulterior motive for approaching CEO White during lunch?"

"What ulterior motive are you talking about?", JoAnna blinked innocently.

Regina thought how this woman is to careless. And that is just perfect! But not if some other woman has her eyes on Jeff. "Don't you think that she might be interested in him, romantically?"

JoAnna smiled. "Miss Heaven, aren't you, again, overstepping the boundaries of professional behavior? But let me answer that: Do you believe that I don't have faith in my man? His whole lifetime he was able to successfully defend himself against unwanted advances. Why would that change now?"

Regina was not happy with that response. "He left with that woman. And she seems interested in him. How can you be sure it's unwanted advances?"

"Does he look interested in her? Trust me, that is all that matters." JoAnna gave Regina few seconds to think about that before continuing. "The fact that he is talking with another woman means that he is a gentleman, and not that he is interested. There is a big difference between those two. I would assume that woman of your age should know that."

Regina felt like JoAnna stabbed her with her words. She didn't like that her age was brought up. She was 27 years old! She looked around the table and suddenly she felt that all people present look younger than her. Her thoughts were interrupted by JoAnna who was still talking.

"Oh, and while the boundaries of staying professional are removed, I will take the liberty of noticing that you are single, Miss Heaven. Since you just arrived at Los Angeles, as your employer, I want to make sure you are not bored. How about we find you a date? Maybe we could all go together for a night out? What do you say?"