39. Jealous


    KREW


    “I just received a call from Atty. Sanders, and guess fucking what?”


    My brother arched a brow. “Early in the morning, you greet with a curse. What is it that pissed you off


    again?”


    I briefly closed my eyes. My jaw was still clenching. “River dropped the case.”


    “And why the fuck did she do that without consulting us? I know you two fought, but I couldn’t think of


    any reasons to free that asshole.”


    “I have one.”


    “Care to share with the ss.” I groaned at the voice of my sister behind me. “Because I couldn’t


    believe she shut me out. I should have been there with her at a time like this. What is it that you do that


    made her stay away from her friends? Where is she right now anyway?”


    I slumped my ass to the chair in front of my brother. “I told her to stay away from me.”


    I wasn’t expecting the reaction of my brother would beughing his ass at me. “You’re the dumbest


    man I’ve ever met, Krew. I may not have the longest rtionship like yours, but man—”


    “Consider telling you’ve never been in the rtionship, Kai,” Krys cut him.


    “Fine. And how in the hell did it help you?”


    I looked out of the massive ss window. “I don’t wanna talk about it.”


    “This is certainly the right time to talk about everything, brother,” Krys demanded.


    I huffed a breath. “I have to go.”


    “You’re not going anywhere.” It was Krys’ demanding voice.


    “Oh, please, try to stop me.”


    Krys kicked me in the shin with her stilettos.


    “Christ! Why did you do that?” I groaned in pain, rubbing my shin.


    “Look, Krew. I may not be on board with your obsession over River, but I think no one could control


    your feelings over her or any situation. I learned to like her, and she’s a wonderful person. I love to see


    you happy. That’s what our father would do in the first ce, for us—to see his children happy and


    sessful. Let us help you.”


    I gave him an uninterested look. “You missed the point. I told you that I already told her that I didn’t


    wanna see her again.”


    “Do you really expect me to believe that it came from your heart? You’ve been in love with her for


    years. And going to see her father is not something or someone should do to help the old man other


    than the fact that he has my dad’s liver. You did it because you’re in love with his daughter. I mean, I


    admire yourpassion. You have the kindest heart that Selik would be proud of, but you went there


    because of River as well. Did he approve of your rtionship with his daughter?”


    “Thanks for the peep talk, Kai, but we’re over. There’s nothing left to pick up. Consider this


    conversation did not happen.”


    “You’re wrong. I just learned from Ally that you redo another room in your penthouse.”


    I closed my eyes in irritation. “I just asked her for a piece of advice. She’s a personal shopper and not


    an interior designer. And that was before we broke up.”


    “Ouch. Did you catch that flinch, Kai?” Krys gave a knowing look at my brother.


    “I think I just did,” Kai was enjoying my not-sofortable situation.


    “I hate you both right now.”


    “I want you to talk to River to reconsider what she did.”


    “I won’t. She signed the settlement. It’s only possible to reopen the case when Briar came to harass her


    again. I mean, the hearing didn’t even start, so Briar is free like a bird.”


    “Damn it!” I rose from my chair, pacing back and forth.


    “You still care about her.”


    “Of course I do.” I pointed out. How could I not? It was impossible to forget and hate her.


    “You still love her,” Krys said.


    “Of course—”


    “You still do. Otherwise, you wouldn’t feel this so desperate and frustrated. There’s nothing to be


    ashamed of. My best friend is awesome and gorgeous, and I am jealous of her eyes.”


    “I better go if you two won’t help me.”


    “And where are you exactly going?” Kai asked. “To your sanctuary?”


    “Nope. Down to my office.”


    “Well, that’s first.” Krys grinned. “I love you, brother.”


    “I love you, too.” Before I could hold the doorknob, Kai called my name.


    “Where’s River?”


    “In her father’s home.”


    “Don’t forget the fundraising tonight, Krew.”


    “I know. My assistant just reminded me,” I answered irritably.


    “Good.”


    ***


    I was a little bit nervous about the fundraising event tonight with the possibility that River might be the


    plus one of her father. But this is my life now. I should be there because ourte father was the founder


    of this organization.


    “You look good, Mr. Selik.”


    I fixed my bow tie one more time and looked at my assistant through the mirror. “Not bad yourself.” I


    hired her because she didn’t look at me like she wanted to fuck me. She was a decent woman with


    pretty good credentials.


    “Thank you, sir. We should go.”


    “Give me a minute, and the event is held just next door.”


    “You’ve been fidgeting. What’s wrong? Can’t see you this nervous for just fundraising.”


    I sighed deeply. “I might bump into my ex.” The word ex fucking hurt. I even winced.


    “Oh.” She widened her eyes with interest. “Ms. River Rouge. I’m a fan of hers. I thought she’s beautiful


    and her voice is so angelic. She reminds me of my mom’s favorite singer.”


    I eyed her with intensity. “And you know all about me her. How?”


    “I researched before I applied for the job, Mr. Selik. And you and Ms. Rouge are not exactly a secret


    considering Mr. Kai Selik is all over the social media circus.”


    “Whatever. And no fangirling tonight.”


    “Fine.” She pursed her lips. “And do you know that Ms. Rouge—”


    “Please. No more talk about River.”


    “Of course, sir. I can be as professional as I can be.”


    “And stay by my side all the time.”


    “Sure. I can do that.”


    We entered the ballroom hall, and it was packed with businessmen, politicians, and even social media


    influencers and celebrities. I greeted a few guests before I joined my brother.


    “d you made it.”


    “I told you I would be here,” I said irritably.


    “How are you doing, Everest? You look great.”


    My assistant blushed crimson beside me. “I’m good, Mr. Selik. Thank you. You cleaned up pretty well,


    too,” she said politely.


    “I like her. She doesn’t flirt.”


    “And stay away from her,” I warned Kai.


    “Jeez, brother.” He snatched a flute of Champagne. “It’s my cue.” Kai emptied the ss before he


    walked to the stage.


    “Good evening,dies and gentlemen. My family and I are happy that you could make it here tonight


    and to see familiar faces. My father always said that helping people in need doesn’t have to give you


    praise. The best help you can give is to someone who can never repay you. He once said that the


    purpose of his life is to be useful, honorable, to make difference. To bepassionate. That’s why he


    built this foundation. Before we get ourselves drunk tonight, get your phone, log in to your ount on


    Selik Foundation and make a difference. While doing so, I’d like to call a very dear friend of mine. She’s


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    a wonderful person and closes to my heart to entertain us…”


    The voice of my brother disappeared. All I could hear was my own heartbeat and pulse thumping in my


    ears. How did I miss these details?


    “Please, help me weed, River Rouge.”


    “Fuck me.” She walked to the stage in front of the mini-orchestra in a red floor-length dress. Her hair


    was curled, flowing down her shoulders. She looked so gorgeous with that makeup that made her eyes


    stand out. Her red lips spread wide as she smiled at the crowd.


    “Breath,” Everest jarred me out.


    “Huh?”


    “You’ve been holding your breath for too long.”


    “Isn’t she lovely?” It was Krys, joining us, but I couldn’t break my gaze away from River as she


    acknowledged Selik Foundation.


    “That word doesn’t do any justice.” Fuck. Did I just say that?


    My sister giggled. “I bet it doesn’t.”


    “Everest?”


    “Yes, sir?”


    “Did you intend not to inform me about this detail?”


    “Your brother threatened to fire me.”


    I red down at her. “Am I writing your paycheck or him?”


    She grinned sheepishly. “I’m sorry, but I want to meet her in person. And you can’t exactly back out.


    This is Selik''s event.” She leaned closer and whispered, “You just have to suck it up.”


    River’s gaze briefly met mine before she looked at my right side. I would be lying if I didn’t notice a pain


    glittered in those eyes. She still cared. She was jealous.


    “River, that was beautiful.” Krys pulled her into a hug.


    “Thanks. I thought it was your father’s favorite song.”


    “It is. Good job, brother,” sheplimented Kai.


    “Meet your number one fan, Everest,” Kai introduced my assistant to her.


    “Oh, do I have now?”


    “Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Rouge.”


    “Please, I sound older. Call me River.” She shook Everest’s hand briefly and was very professional


    while I received nothing as I stood there like a statue—no hi no hello from her. Just great.


    “I have to go to my dad. He’s alone and probably needs mypany. Good to see you all.


    Congrattions on the sess.” She smiled, and that was all. She walked away.


    “Really?” Krys said through gritted teeth. “Oh, my god. I will knee you on your balls right now.”


    Fuck. I blew a shaky breath before I followed River. She was busy entertaining our guests.


    “River,” I called out her name. I didn’t miss the sudden rigidity in her posture. I managed to hold her


    arm and felt the clenching of her muscles against my palm.


    “You already have a date.”