Chapter 2 A Meeting

As dusk settled, Dayna arrived early at the restaurant to ensure that everything from the menu to the room setup was perfect. Soon, the Matthews and Scott families began to arrive for the event.

Jon and his mother, Helena, made their entrance, followed closely by Madison and only her father, Craig Scott, since Madison's mother had passed away. Dayna, ever the attentive one, assisted each guest to their seats and busied herself pouring them water.

Madison, noticing the bracelet on Dayna's wrist, couldn't help but inquire, "Is this lady also part of the Matthews Group?"

Women often sense a subtle rivalry, especially when confronted with someone as striking as Dayna, who, despite minimal makeup, radiated stunning beauty.

"She's Jon's secretary. Her name's Dayna," Helena interjected swiftly before Dayna had the chance to respond.

"No wonder she's so efficient and capable, not to mention quite beautiful," Madison remarked, her smile polite yet measuring.

"Thank you, Miss Scott," Dayna responded, maintaining her professional demeanor.

Helena, ever watchful, glanced at her watch then addressed Dayna. "I asked Rhonda to bring the gift for Madison. Could you check if she's here?"

Understanding the underlying intent to dismiss her, Dayna nodded assent. However, before she could step away, Helena's aide, Rhonda Blake entered, flanked by two bodyguards carrying an ornate jewelry box. They opened it to reveal a collection of luxurious jewelry that captivated even the affluent Scotts.

Craig, visibly excited, remarked, "This seems incredibly lavish, doesn't it?"

Helena, with a tone of maternal pride, responded, "Nothing but the best for the future daughter-in-law of the Matthews family." She then turned to Jon and instructed, "Jon, why don't you help Madison try on the necklace?"

Jon, usually reserved except for sexual interactions, dutifully placed the necklace around Madison's neck.

Helena beamed at them and announced, "Jon had this custom-made just for you, Madison."

"I appreciate the gesture." Madison's cheeks flushed with a delicate pink as she turned towards Jon, a tender glance passing between them.

"Dayna, don't you agree that they make a stunning couple?" Helena inquired, deliberately calling out to Dayna, which drew Jon's attention towards her to gauge her reaction.

Without missing a beat, Dayna responded with practiced composure, "Indeed, they complement each other beautifully."

Years of working closely with Jon had honed her ability to conceal her emotions flawlessly.

Helena appeared pleased with Dayna's endorsement, her eyes softening as she looked on at the young couple.

Craig chimed in with his own enthusiastic endorsements, clearly thrilled by the prospects of aligning his family with the Matthews.

As the dinner concluded, Craig and Helena orchestrated a private moment for Jon and Madison, planning a date for them, and left the restaurant with contented smiles.

Left to her own devices, Dayna felt a surge of restlessness. Not yet ready to return home to an empty apartment, she found herself walking into a nearby bar, hoping to blend into the background and momentarily escape her tangled emotions.

"Miss Allen?" A familiar voice disrupted her reverie.

Turning, Dayna was met with the sight of Ryan Simpson, his presence unmistakable. He wore a silver-gray shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbow, and his jacket nonchalantly thrown over a bar stool. His polished appearance contrasted with a subtle sharpness in his demeanor.

"Mr. Simpson." Dayna acknowledged his presence with a nod, her guard instinctively up.

Ryan had grown up with Jon, threading through the complexities of both friendship and rivalry. Their intertwined pasts made their relationship complicated.

"Enjoying a quiet evening alone, or trying to drown out the evening's fanfare?" Ryan's voice carried a mix of curiosity and light mockery. Dayna offered a small, non-committal smile, choosing not to divulge her thoughts. Ryan's relaxed stance and the twinkle in his eyes suggested he was far from uninterested in her current state.

"I heard there was a family gathering between the Matthews family and the Scott family today? Perhaps discussing wedding bells?" Ryan casually lit a cigarette, his gaze never leaving Dayna.

Despite the secrecy surrounding Dayna's relationship with Jon, Ryan had a knack for seeing through pretenses.

"Are you planning to offer your congratulations? You just missed the celebration," Dayna remarked, striving for a neutral tone.

Ryan studied her closely, as if trying to decode a particularly challenging puzzle. "Your commitment is quite remarkable, Miss Allen."

Dayna offered a polite smile, masking any underlying emotions. "I'm simply fulfilling my duties. How else could I justify my salary?"

Ryan's observation was astute; Dayna always seemed to don an invisible shield, perfectly curating her expressions and responses to remain inscrutable.

"Be honest with me; don't you harbor any feelings for Jon after all these years? Don't you aspire to be Mrs. Matthews one day?"

Dayna's smile didn't waver. "Mr. Matthews pays me for my work, nothing more. What gave you the wrong impression, Mr. Simpson?"

Ryan's voice dropped to a teasing whisper, as he leaned in closer, his arm finding its way around her shoulders. "What if I offered you enough to spend a night with me? Would you consider it then?"