CEO’s Romantic Affair

Keith’s eyes lit up. It was obvious by the expression on his face that he was pleased with Jeremy’s comment. Cathryn’s eyes widened. She waved her hand in the air, trying to deny it. “No, I’m pregnant. I can’t drink alcohol. Keith’s just looking out for the baby. He’s not my protector.”

Jeremy noticed that Cathryn was looking a little anxious, and her face was flushed. “Okay, give me a break. I know you two are having a baby. It was a joke,” he said. Jeremy couldn’t help it, he burst out laughing. They all laughed, and it seemed to resolve Cathryn’s feelings of anxiety.

As the waiter walked past Jeremy, he gave Keith a glass, and Jeremy took another glass of champagne. “I was talking to Amanda, and she suggested we should go to the island for horseback lessons. Do you think you would be available?” asked Jeremy.

Amanda intentionally got Jeremy to ask Keith. She knew they were close friends, and if she were to ask him, Keith definitely would’ve declined her proposition.

“Sure! I would love to,” Keith didn’t hesitate, as he missed the riding days too after they talked for a while. Jeremy turned around and raised his glass in Amanda’s and Betty’s direction. He nodded, and the woman understood. Their faces shone with self-satisfaction and pleasure. They raised their glasses and took a drink of wine.

Cathryn noticed the gestures Jeremy made to the woman. She glanced quickly at the women and noticed one of them was Betty. It made Cathryn feel uncomfortable because they were staring at her so intently.

Cathryn wondered, ‘They must know each other well, but I’ve never heard Keith mention them. If they’ve gone horseback riding before, they must have known each other for a while.’ She remembered the name Betty called her. ‘Ada Clinton, who is she?’

“Jeremy, are you coming over to play poker?” Cathryn’s wandering mind finally broke free. Suddenly there was a big guy standing in front of her. She couldn’t move. Cathryn stood there looking up at him.

“Excuse me, but could you get your fat-ass out of the way?” Jeremy said and slapped the man on the back. He couldn’t resist, so he slapped him one more time.

The man’s name was Irving Walsh. He was an old friend of Jeremy’s.

“Ouch, that hurt like hell, Jeremy. All you had to do was ask,” Irving retorted.

Irving Walsh was about five feet and eleven inches tall. He weighed at least two hundred pounds and standing next to Even, Jeremy looked like a pole. They had grown up together and calling him names wasn’t unusual.

Irving laughed and greeted Keith. “Good to see you, Keith. I haven’t seen you since I obtained the land from the real estate company. Did you know the Po Group is now standing on it?” Irving paused and shook his head. “Of course you do!”Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

“A poker game! Can I play too?” After hearing Irving speak in such a loud voice, Amanda quickly came over with her glass in her hand. She sat down at the table, Amanda turned and said to Betty. “Are you going to play too?”

Betty stood there with no emotion on her face. She looked at Irving, then Keith. She waved her hand and shook her head. “No, you go ahead and play without me. I’ll stand here and watch.”

Keith was listening to everyone talk about the game. He turned and looked at Cathryn. By the expression on her face, Keith could tell she was interested in the game. “I can see how curious you look. Do you want to play?”

The idea intrigued her. Cathryn had always shown an interest in card games. She loved playing these kinds of games, but she never won a single game. “I’d like to play Keith, but I may offend someone because it takes me a while to catch on to the rules.” Cathryn lowered her head and took a sip of lemonade. She murmured, “No, I’m a really bad player.”

Jeremy’s eyes lit up. “Just what I need, someone who isn’t a great player. That just means all the more money for me. The odds are looking in my favor.” He pulled Cathryn over to sit down. “Maybe we should bet on some stock tonight? I’m feeling lucky.” Jeremy said and smiled at Keith.

Hearing what Jeremy said, Cathryn quickly stood up. She waved her hand in the air and repeatedly shook her, “No, I’m not going to play.”

Keith wasn’t going to let Cathryn give up. He held her shoulders and gently pushed down for her to stay seated. “Don’t worry, I’m going to play with you. Let’s see how much Jeremy can win when he’s playing against us.” Keith smiled.

“Hey, are you teasing me again?” Jeremy asked.

“You tell me,” Keith said and grinned at Jeremy.

The cards were dealt, and everyone put chips in the middle of the table. As Cathryn looked at the chips, she stayed calm, but actually, she was very nervous. Cathryn whispered in Keith’s ear. “What should I do? We are betting with your company’s stocks.”

Amanda looked at Irving, who was sitting across from her and started to tease him. “You’re in the real estate business! What’re a few hundred thousand dollars to you? That’s pocket change.”

Cathryn couldn’t believe what she had just heard. Not only were they betting a substantial amount of money, but Jeremy and Amanda had bet three times the amount. Cathryn’s hands started to shake. She tried to stand up again, but Keith quickly put her hand on her shoulder and said, “Don’t worry, it’s going to be okay.”

Cathryn glanced around the table. Everyone had the same look on their face. The look of seriousness. She whispered again to Keith, “Why are the stakes so high? Each and every one of us has so much to lose.”

Keith casually leaned against the back of the chair while Cathryn could feel her body touching his. It made her blood quicken, and electricity made her skin tingle. She looked up at Keith, and all she could do was stare into his eyes. Keith leans a little closer and touches the side of Cathryn’s cheek with his hand. He whispers, “It’s all under control. I thought you said you weren’t any good at playing cards. I guess you’re going to prove us all wrong tonight.”