She accepted it. “Valentina Flores.”
“Beautiful name for a beautiful lady.” He brought her hand up to his lips and gave the back of it a kiss.
She pulled away immediately, flushing as the other two witnesses looked between them warily.
Nicolas cleared his throat, making it obvious he didn’t take well to Chase flirting with his wife’s friend, especially knowing the mess of a relationship she’d come out of. Thathehad.
Emily had given him the rundown about her situation. He’d also told her a bit about Chase’s past disappointment. Her eyes went to look at his friend.
Chase clearly found Valentina attractive and the way she took secret glances at his side profile gave her away too.
Maybe inviting the two of them overtogetherwasn’t such a good idea…
50
The moment Emily entered Starz’s building there was an uproar. They employees and creatives didn’t bother to hide their whispers and shocked expressions as she strutted through the building. It was like they’d seen a ghost.
It had been a while since she’d been here so it was understandable.
She didn’t bother knocking on the door to Jake’s office. His head of sandy brown hair rose when she entered. Jake stood and gave her a strained smile. “Long time no see.”
She walked over to the chair before him and took a seat. He watched her, waiting for her to speak first.
Emily regarded him with cold eyes as she crossed her legs. “Let’s get this over with.”
Jake’s lips made a thin line. With the pace of a slug, he reached for the file in the drawer of his office’s desk. He slid the document across the table, his gaze closing around her. “By signing this, you’re severing all ties with the talent-agency division of Starz Media. Are you willing to do so?”
“I wouldn’t be sitting here if I weren’t, would I?” She couldn’t help but snap and his brows flew up in surprise.
“You’ve changed,” Jake noted. His eyes roamed over her. “And it’s not just your appearance.”
“People change not because they want to, but because they’re forced to.”
He scoffed. “You’re always like this. Acting all high and mighty. It’s like you can’t help showing how much better you are than others.”
“I’ve never acted conceited in your presence, Jake,” she said. “Not once. You’re the one who was delusional because you always had some inferiority complex against me.”
His face grew red. “I never?—”
“And for the record, I don’t act as if I’m better than you,” Emily cut him off. “Iambetter than you.”
He bristled and pointed his index finger at her. “This is what I’m talking about. You playing the victim until this side comes out. No wonder everyone regards you as an ice queen.”
She rolled her eyes. “I didn’t come here to argue with you about the past. I came here because of my future. Now can you hurry up and give me those papers?”
With a forceful shove, the stack was on her side of the table. She didn’t bother giving him the reaction he wanted. Silently, she flipped it open and began to read the contents carefully.
Meanwhile, Jake stared at her, lips curling in discontent. “You’re dating again, aren’t you?”
Her eyes halted on a word.
Lifting her head to look at him, she spat, “I don’t think that’s any of your concern.”
“You didn’t deny it. That means you are.”
“I thought I just said it has nothing to do with you,” sherepeated between clenched teeth. “And don’t you have a family to worry about? Stella’s pregnant and your baby is on the way. Don’t exert all this energy into my business. I can assure you it doesn’t require it.”
Stella had gotten her karma. After the drama with her and Jake going viral, no major contractor wanted to sign her for a movie. Her pride was so big she refused supporting roles, so she claimed she was going on a hiatus.
