Jake's POV
"If you keep pacing to and fro like that, you'll sink right through the hole that is formed!"
Tiffany sat on the sofa, filing her nails and sipping on a fruit Chapman. She barely had her eyes on me as she watched a reality show.
But my mind was in too much of a turmoil to care.
It had been three days since I was shamefully thrown out of the event, yet Tiffany didn't think it wise to even apologise for her role in getting us kicked out.
If it was Eva, she would have apologised a million times and even brought up ideas on how I could fix the mess.
I sunk into a single-seater sofa, running a hand through my hair.
For the first time in five years, I let myself wallow in that threatening feeling that I hated the most —regret.
And who the hell was that bastard to just take Eva from me like that? She definitely couldn't be getting married to him.
Just because he was the most successful businessman in the whole country and one of the wealthiest men in the world did not give him the right to just swoop in and take my freaking wife—ex-wife!
Eva definitely couldn't hate me, though. We were once in love. She couldn't live without me. After all, she had said that countless times when we were entangled in bed.
But the look in her eyes at the event suggested otherwise.
But I had to get her back, hook or crook.
My mind flashed to the stupid news she had put out, looking for a father for her kids—my kids. I had two boys!
This gave me some assurance at least. Eva was wrong if she thought she could get rid of me that easily.
My phone rang for the umpteenth time. I was about to swipe left like I had done almost twenty times but the name on the caller ID caught my intention. It was a private number.
It could be Eva—probably calling to tell me she had agreed for us to come to a conclusion about our kids. At least, that's what I hoped since her line had been unreachable.
I placed the phone to my ear but it was an unfamiliar voice that spoke.
"Am I on to Mr. Donovan?"
No pleasantries. Then I guessed this was business related.
"Yes. And you are?"
I wasn't wrong. "Patrick. Dekker Stone's assistant. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Now, I was at the event with Ms. White three days ago and sad as the event turned out for you, I would like us to see."
Dekker Stone. He owned one of the leading media industries in the country as well. I guess there was some good in me attending the party as well.
I relaxed on the sofa, my brows furrowed. "Oh well, in that case, you can consult with my personal assistant to schedule a perfect time for us to meet."
Best for me not to show my excitement.
There was a huff in the background. "And why would I do that when I'm speaking with you already? Mr. Stone is doing you a favour by seeking a partnership with you but since you're obviously not interested, I'll relate that to him."
My eyes grew hard. "Well, I'm certain Mr. Stone didn't just reach out to me to do me a damn favour. When you're ready to meet me with me for the exact reason you want to reach out to me, you can reach my personal assistant."
There was another pause in the background and then a sigh. "Fine. Mr. Stone will meet you in a week's time if you're interested."
A smirk tugged at my lips. "Good for both of us."
As the call came to an end, I relaxed further into the seat. I could as well make the most of this opportunity.
Oh, Eva. Always beneficial for my business even in her absence.
I'll deal with this first and then focus on getting my kids from her... Or her altogether.
*
I stared at my watch for the umpteenth time and back at the door of the restaurant where I was meeting with Mr. Stone.
The man obviously had some ego.
It had been thirty whole minutes yet he was nowhere to be found. I would not be here if I didn't need his partnership and whatever information he had about Eva.
Yes, I was no fool. I had done my assignment. He was one of the men who wanted Eva for himself. Turned out he father wanted to matchmake her with him but she had chosen with me instead.
Whatever our partnership was going to be, I was going to make the most of it.
"Mr. Donovan. Good to see you," the loud, unfamiliar voice of Dekker boomed from my left.
He looked like he had put his time into fixing his appearance because he definitely looked quite good.
"You're late, Mr. Stone," I interjected sharply, trying to mask my irritation at the snarky expression on his face.
"Ah, you're just early," he quipped, sinking into the chair opposite me. "Like you were in taking my woman."
His words sent a smirk to my lips. "Good to see you're still sore about it."
His smile faltered slightly but soon again, it was quickly replaced with an even wider grin. "We'll as if now, we're on the same side. We both lost her to Mason freaking Green. But, that's not the major reason for our partnership, of course." He called from the waiter. "Yet."
I shrugged. "So?"
"You can drop the attitude now, Mr. Donovan. A mad man has nothing else to be proud of. I don't know if you know but your name has been making waves on the tabloids."
A knot formed in my stomach. "Tell me what I don't already know."
He lit a cigarette and puffed on it before he said, "I'm here to offer you a deal. We want the same thing, even if it's in different forms. You get your kids, I get my woman."