Chapter 3 Bonus What Bonus

I entered the venue with my head throbbing, feet sore, and stomach in pain. Who knew it was possible to gain this much weight in two days? Says the girl who has been feeding on ice cream since she got home.

I spotted the other members of my old marketing department and walked up to them with a smile faker than my knockoff designer bag. They all returned it with their own artificial grins. Stupid bastards.

We weren't close. Heck, we wouldn't even talk if we weren't in the same department. They'd pick a million dollars over me any day, and honestly, I didn't blame them-I'd pick a million bucks over me too. I could be so annoying when I was alone.

"Tyra, I didn't think you would come after... what happened," Jenna said, and everyone visibly tensed.

I took a deep breath to stop myself from punching her into her next life and responded. "I didn't think I would come either, but after I saw that bonus, I just had to."

They all gave me a puzzled look, the kind you give a drunk person acting mad in the street.

"What are you talking about? We weren't given any bonuses."

I raised a brow, about to argue when they all exchanged quick, knowing glances.

"Tyra?"

I tensed, slowly turning to the voices behind me. Well, if it isn't the couple of the year-Zeke and Joanne.

"I didn't notice you were here," Zeke continued, flashing me a smile so fake it made me wish I could knock out all his perfect teeth without going to jail. And that excuse? Please.

"Well, I'm sure you didn't. Last I checked, I was the only one with ginger-red hair. Are you sure you didn't come here on purpose?"

His cheeks turned red, and Joanne wrapped her arms around his waist. Wow. I had to give it to her-I had never seen anyone turn into such a conniving witch in just a few hours. She pulled away, giving me an apologetic glance like she wasn't thinking about clawing my face off the same way I wanted to punch her right now.

"Tyra, we're sorry about what happened. We didn't know how to tell you without hurting your feelings..."

I rolled my eyes. The nerve of these two, trying to force me into forgiveness by playing the "we didn't want to hurt you" card.

Laughter erupted around me, and that's when it hit me-these idiots didn't even wait for me to accept their apology before moving on to small talk. Nothing good ever came from being the bigger person. I should have decked Joanne the minute I caught her making out with Zeke. These bastards were only going to push me further.

"Hey, sweetheart."

The voice, the scent, the strong arm wrapping around my waist-it all hit me at once. Warmth radiated through me as I subconsciously leaned into his touch, my body betraying me before my brain caught up.

"Hey," I said subconsciously, tilting my head up to meet my co-workers' stares and wondering why the ladies looked like they could kill me if it were legal. I shifted slightly, my body brushing against his, and a quiet exhale escaped his lips. A shiver ran down my spine.

He chuckled, lowering his head to my ear, his breath fanning my cheek. "If you keep this up, we might have our own party somewhere else."

His voice was smooth, confident-too familiar. That's when it clicked. The scent, the tailored suit, the presence that made everyone's attention snap to us the moment he spoke.

I tensed, my breath hitching as realization sank in.

"A-Ashton?" I questioned, tilting my head to look at him. For an elusive boss, he sure seemed to be everywhere that I was in.

He laughed, the sound enough to send shivers running down my spine. "Took you long enough, Sweetheart." He didn't wait for my response before pulling me away from the assholes I had once thought I could converse with.

"I'm glad you could make it." He said and spun me around to face him, his hand sliding to my waist.

"I wouldn't have if I..." I trailed off when I remembered my co-workers' expression when I mentioned the bonus. "You seem to be everywhere I am, are you spying on me by chance, Mr. Pierce?" I joked, but the look he gave me almost made me wonder if I was right.

He leaned his face closer to mine, his breath coming in contact with my face. "I am." He stated, no joking smile, he seemed serious.

The music stopped and he removed his hands from my waist, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I'll see you some other time, Sweetheart." He flashed me a small smile and left.

I sighed, looking back to where my co-workers were. The idea of Ashton watching me made me nervous and excited me at the same time. I shook my head as if it would remove all the bad thoughts in my mind, and made my way to my co-workers. Joanne quickly held my hand when I reached them and I gave her an irritated glare. I didn't know if gaining witch powers made her dense because she just smiled at me and tightened her grip on my hand. What were we, five?

I wanted to scream at her-hell, slap her and humiliate her here but I had to stop myself because everyone was silent.

"Can I get everyone's attention?" I tensed, turning to the stage.

Here he was in all his glory, chairman of Roe Foods, Cameron Pierce, Ashton's grandfather. He was in his late seventies or so and I had to admit that he did not age badly, not that I could be attracted to him like that but damn I hoped I could look that young when I was old.

"Firstly, I want to thank everyone who attended this event. The whole purpose of this is to announce my retirement..." Murmurs filled the room and I rolled my eyes.

Yeah, it was unexpected, but not for the reason any outsider would have thought. The man was due for retirement a fucking decade ago, we all just assumed he would die while working.

"I would also like to announce that my grandson, Ashton Pierce, will inherit my company..." there was small applause as Ashton went to the stage, he looked more humble. The applause seized and the old man cleared his throat and continued to speak. "Ashton will inherit my company, provided that he can get married within the first three months after my retirement."

I mentally rolled my eyes. What was with rich people and handing out inheritances provided their children got married? It all seemed like bullshit to me. There was no urgent need for marriage in a business.

My gaze shifted to Ashton, he didn't seem angry or particularly surprised and I couldn't understand why. Shouldn't he have been angry that his grandfather was controlling his life? His gaze shifted to me and I froze when we locked eyes. Even from so far away, his dark green eyes still managed to have an effect to me.

He smirked again-the smirk that always felt like it was for me alone-and mouthed something. I couldn't get what he was saying, but before I could question him, he was gone.