The Billionaire's Hired Girlfriend

Chapter 33

"Mary, I hate you. I hope one day you get what you really deserve," Alex gritted out and walked away.

"What's that supposed to mean, Alex?"

Alex ignored Mary's outraged question and headed toward the exit. She passed Peter, who stopped and looked at her with concern.

"Alex, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," she replied and rushed away.

Peter glanced over at Mary. The woman saw him and shrugged her shoulders. Peter headed back to catch up with Alex. "Alex, wait!"

Alex stopped and turned to look at her friend.

"Alex, I know it hasn't been easy for you, but—"

"I don't want to talk about it, Pete. Can you just leave me alone for a while? I need space." She bowed her head and turned to go.

Peter watched her walk away. He knew Alex hadn't been the same since she got back from New York. He needed to know what Jayden did to her.

He went up to Mary and slid into the seat opposite her. "What did you say to her?"

Mary looked taken aback. "What do you mean?" she asked innocently.

"Mary, you know it doesn't work with me," he snapped. "Stop playing innocent."

Mary bit her lip. She frowned and thought she'd better tell Peter the truth. She folded her arms across her chest and said, "Just the truth."

"What truth?"

"That he's out of her league. That she's daydreaming."

"Get to the point."

Mary grunted. "Oh, all right. I told her she's a slut, running off after Jayden. But I'm right. He's way out of her league. I mean, he doesn't even look at me. Why would he want her? I can't believe she went all the way to New York after him and lied to everyone that she was there for a conference."

Peter was stunned. "That's what you think happened? That's what you said to Alex?"

"Yeah? What else could there be to it? I mean, just think how much money she wasted to go to New York. She's poor, and her old man isn't well, what with his heart problem. She's selfish and a slut. I can't believe you don't see that in her."

"What else did you do?"

"Nothing." Mary glanced away. She couldn't bear the intense gaze of Peter's eyes.

"Mary? What else? How did you know Jacob has a heart problem?"

"I—I went to her house. I met her dad. I told him."

"What exactly did you tell him?"

"That Alex ran off with Jayden."

"Holy shit, Mary. Do you know what you've done?"

Mary snorted. "What I've done, Peter? What exactly have I done? I'm helping them. I helped Jacob, or whatever his name is, see what his daughter is truly like."

"Alex is nothing like that. She's not like you, Mary."

"What do you mean by that, Peter?"

"Stop fooling around, Mary, and open your eyes. You know you'll never be a doctor. And stop using those boys to do your work for you. I know what you've been up to. If the deans knew about this—"

"Peter, you won't!"

"Yeah? Watch me." He stood. "And don't interfere with Alex's life again. Understand?" Before she could utter another word, he stalked away.

Alone in the quiet corridor of the hospital, he took his cell phone out and dialed Jayden's number.

* * * * *

NEW YORK, USA

The penthouse, spacious and luxurious, overlooked Central Park and New York City below. It was dark, and all Jayden could see were dots of tiny lights across the city. He felt alone, as though he were missing half of himself. How he missed Alex. How he wanted to hug her and kiss her and do so much more to her. Just hold on, Jayden, he told himself. Soon, you will have her again.

His BlackBerry rang. He glanced over his shoulder and reluctantly picked it up. "Jayden speaking."

"What the hell did you do to her?"

Jayden frowned in confusion, and then he realized who it was. "Peter!"

"Yeah, it's me. So tell me, old friend, what the hell did you do to Alex?"

"I'm sorry, Pete, I—"

"Explain yourself. I told you Alex is like a sister to me. I told you not to hurt her in any way. So what happened? I'm giving you a chance to explain before I terminate our friendship."

Jay raked his fingers through his hair in frustration. "I'm willing to explain everything. I—Pete?"

"Yeah?"

"I love Alex. I would never do anything to hurt her."

"Oh?"

"Things just kind of got in the way. There's Sarah—"

"So you're back with her and broke Alex's heart? Is that it?"

"No. That's not it. She came back and made things messy. Alex found out I wasn't gay. Then she found out about Sarah, who wants to get back with me."

"Holy shit, mate! What the hell?"

"Yeah. Well, my grandmother wasn't exactly happy with me. She tried to match-make me with Britney and things got even more complicated."

"So what are you going to do about it?"

Jay paused. "I'm going to ask Alex to marry me. But first I need to get things straight with her parents. And, Pete?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you help me?"

"Sure thing, mate." A merry laugh followed. "Just so you know, our friendship has not been terminated."

"Good." Jayden chuckled.