Treating Mr. Billionaire

~ 25 ~

"What's your problem?!" Maria yelled at his back, trying to wiggle her hand free. But she felt her fingers being gripped harder and tighter by him, refusing to give in to her attempts at escape. "Goodness, what do you want from me?"

His long strides halted when they reached the other side of the house, turning around to face her again. His expression was stern, staring down into her eyes like an interrogator. "I didn't call for any health emergency," he began.

"Yeah, I know. The last time you did, it was a prank." She responded sassily, folding her arms across her chest to emphasize her words.

"So, why are you here?"

Her head pushed backward slightly, her brows squeezing at the question. "Um, I was invited obviously."

"And you had a choice to reject it. So, why didn't you?" He was getting annoyed with her stubborn attitude, but Maria wasn't in the mood to care. "Are you not bothered about Ashley? "Are you not bothered by Ashley? I know you are dumb but are you that naive to not see that telling you to come here might just be a trap set by her in order to degrade you again?" He questioned, head bent downwards just to make sure their eyes communicated as he spoke.

It took a moment for Maria to digest his words, blinking her blue eyes a few times before letting the weight of his insulting remarks sink into her. "Why should I be bothered about some lady whose words or actions would not get to me? I came here because of your sister and no other." She stated daring, with her stance akimbo.

She heard a scornful scoff from him before he lowered his head to meet her eye level. "Just so you know, I am not going to help you or get involved with you tonight if anything goes wrong. Do I make myself clear?" he asked her, voice stern.

"Pfft." Her lips curved upward to mimic a sarcastic laugh. "You must think of yourself as some kind of savior." She mumbled under her breath but he could still hear her. "Anyway, make sure to keep your word. Mind your business tonight." She added in a louder tone, turning around to leave without another word.

"Isn't that my line?" Jayden voiced from behind, still greatly unsatisfied to see his doctor around.

His words made her stop. The corner of her lips turned up to give a sly smirk as she slowly spun around on her heels to face him once more. "Whatever, I am just asking you to keep your promise." She retorted before leaving his presence.

***

The sitting arrangement didn't exactly favor Maria because she found herself sitting directly opposite Jayden and Ashley, and the worse part was her eyes had to bump with either one of them every now and then. The only good thing was Jayden was more focused on his tablet to notice her uncomfortable gaze after all the confident facade she put up when she confronted him earlier.

Her eyes shifted away from the grumpy sitting partners as her attention was stolen by the realization that someone was sitting next to her. It wasn't Hilary since the charming lady was already seated on Jayden's right side, so she looked to her left.

There, her eyes almost pop from their sockets upon seeing the familiar face sitting beside her. She found herself inhaling deeply to contain her surprise as she stared into two charming green eyes. "Justin?" She uttered his name with a gasp, hoping her affirmation was correct.

He nodded, her shocked expression creating a steady smirk on his lips. "Surprised?" He asked, his half-smirk renovating to a full beam. "Don't worry, I was too," he added, resting one side of his sculptured jaw on his palm, with his elbow resting on the table.

She replied with a controlled stiff nod at first, still surprised to see him there. But that was not too confusing to figure out. Since he also was a guest at Ashley's elite party, there were huge chances he was friends with the Stanleys as well.