Please Me Daddy (Gracie) novel Chapter 181

Apollo Reed is a complicated man

Grace

I had never understood jealousy.

I never understood why people got jealous when someone stood too close to their crush or partner. Why feel threatened by something that probably meant nothing? Just because someone flirted with the person you liked didn’t automatically mean that feeling was returned. It always felt pointless to me, a complete waste of energy spent on insecurity instead of trust.

I wasn’t even jealous when it came to Charles. Women flirted with him sometimes, and I never cared. Maybe it was because Charles never stayed near women to begin with. Or maybe it was because he was gay. Either way, I never felt that sharp, ugly twist in my chest people always talked about.

I honestly thought I didn’t have a jealous side.

So why, why the hell was my heart pounding so hard right now?

Why were my fingers clenching the chair again, why was my jaw tight, and why was I actively stopping myself from standing up, crossing the table, and knocking that coffee away?

The realization made me angry. Not even at her, but at myself. I was annoyed over something so small.

I didn’t like the feeling of another woman flirting with Apollo. I didn’t like how close she stood to him. I didn’t like how confident she looked doing it. And I hated myself for feeling this way over a man.

Damn it.

It was his fault anyway. If he didn’t have such a handsome face, maybe women wouldn’t feel the need to bring him coffee and smile like they’d won something just by standing next to him. If he were a little uglier, maybe they would leave him alone.

“Grace?” Chase whispered, concern etched on his face. “Did something happen to you? Are you in pain?”

I turned toward him, and forced myself to smile, even though it felt stiff on my lips, and nodded.

“Y–yeah,” I said softly. “I’m just tired. I didn’t sleep well last night.”

Chase sighed in relief. “Oh. I thought something serious happened. I’ve never seen you act like that before. Maybe you should go home and rest. I’ll talk to Mr. Apollo about your absence.”

I shook my head immediately.

There was no way I was leaving.

It was childish, but the thought of going home while Katherine stayed here, standing beside Apollo, smiling at him, possibly flirting without restraint, made my mind restless. I wouldn’t have peace.

“I’m fine,” I said, “Don’t worry. I’ll stay.

I turned back toward them.

Katherine was still standing beside Apollo, her eyes bright like simply being near him made her happy.

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Apollo Reed is a complicated mon

+25 BONUS

I looked at Apollo.

He wasn’t looking at her.

He didn’t even glance at the coffee she placed in front of him. It sat there untouched, and forgotten. His gaze was locked onto Theodore instead, as if Katherine didn’t exist at all.

Katherine didn’t seem bothered at all by Apollo ignoring her.

If anything, she looked more intrigued. The way her eyes followed him, the faint smile on her lips, it was almost as if the more he dismissed her existence, the more determined she became. That realization made my frown deepen. I didn’t like this feeling crawling up my spine, and I liked her even less for triggering it so easily.

Apollo’s voice cut through the room. “Where were you last week?”

Every head turned toward Theodore. It was obvious who the question was directed at. Theodore lifted a brow slowly, a lazy smile tugging at his lips. “What an intriguing question, Mr. Apollo,” he said. “If I may ask, why would you want to know?”

Katherine remained standing for a moment, watching the two men as if she were enjoying a private show, until one of the executives leaned toward her and whispered, “Miss Katherine, you should sit down, unless you want all their attention on you. And trust me, you don’t want Mr. Apollo’s attention on you.”

Well, jokes on him, because that was exactly what she wanted. Still, she nodded politely. “Yes, thank you.”

Her

gaze

drifted across the room, until it landed on me. The moment our eyes met, her lips curved into the same mocking smile she’d worn in the elevator. She didn’t hesitate. She walked straight over and took the seat beside me, close enough that I could smell her perfume.

“Hi,” she said sweetly. “We meet again, Grace.”

I looked at her and gave a brief nod.

She turned to Chase. “Hi.”

“Hi, Miss Katherine,” Chase replied, his voice tight. He didn’t know what was going on, but he’d clearly picked up on my mood, and he probably suspected Katherine was the cause.

His phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, looking almost relieved to have an excuse to escape the space between us. “Oh, if you’ll excuse me, I need to take care of something.” His eyes flicked back to me. “I’ll be right back. Try not to stress yourself.”

“I will,” I said, and he hurried out of the room.

I turned my attention back to the front just in time to hear Apollo speak again, his tone deep. “Mr. Theodore,” he said, studying him closely, “have you been to Paris last week? Or perhaps your older brother has.”

The room seemed to thickened. Apollo’s eyes darkened.

“If either of you has,” he continued calmly, “then our next conversation will be very interesting.”

Theodore met his gaze without flinching. “It seems so. I would also like to have that conversation. But

Apollo Reed is a complicated man

+25 BONUS

unfortunately, I didn’t travel to Paris last week. Nor did my brother.”

Apollo didn’t speak for a moment. Then he looked at him and said, “I see.”

I watched Apollo carefully.

Why that question? Was it connected to whatever he’d traveled there to do? Whatever the reason, his trip to Paris clearly wasn’t as simple as it seemed.

Before I could think any further, Katherine leaned slightly closer to me. “He’s handsome when he’s focused, isn’t he?” she murmured.

I paused and turned to look at her. Her eyes were still fixed on Apollo, glowing with interest. When I didn’t respond, she smiled again, unfazed.

“You know,” she continued, “for such a serious and emotionless man, I’ve always wondered what other expressions he could have. How he would look at someone he’s truly interested in. Would he still be cold, or would he finally show a side of himself no one has ever seen?”

She tilted her head, as if considering it. “I’ve never found the answer. Apollo Reed is a complicated man, after all.” Then she turned to me, that cunning smile slowly spreading across her face.

“But in the end, all men are the same. Once they find something interesting, something that makes them feel good, they’ll drown it in attention, make it feel protected and loved. And when they’re done…” Her eyes locked onto mine. “That something will mean nothing to them at all. Right, Grace?”

EliJa author

I apologise for the late updates. Christmas has been hectic. I know some of you are upset, but my update will be better now. And I plan on completing this book don’t worry.

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