Chapter 39 - 39
The rumors about the Reyes Heir having a crush on Adrianna never really died down. People continued to talk about how she had managed to capture the heart of the most eligible bachelor and yet chose to remain loyal to her husband.
I wasn't just online that people were talking about Adrianna, even in the office rumors had spread. Some of those that were with Adrianna at R Tower recalled how Mr. Reyes just stared at Adrianna the whole time they were in the lobby or on the elevator.
First hand witnesses like these helped fuel the already burning rumors about her.
"Do you think she only got the project because he has a crush on her?" Adrianna heard a female employee ask her companion. Adrianna was in one of the washroom cubicles when she heard the new arrivals talking about her.
"It's possible, but I saw the paperwork, it wasn't the Reyes heir that signed the contract. It was the VP for Elisia Mall. Also what role does he have there?" As a subsidiary of the Reyes Group, Cedric owned 10% of the total shares in Elisia Mall, his father owned 50% and Ayanna owned 25%, together their word was law in Elisia Corp.
"Do you think she'll leave her husband for him?" the female employee asked.
"I doubt. Even when her family was pressuring her not to marry him she refused to do as they asked." It seemed that the 2nd employee had been an older one since not many knew that Adrianna had refused to follow what her family wanted.
Adrianna was extremely frustrated with what the employees were saying. Although from the start she wanted to step out of the cubicle and tell them off, she was also very curious about what people were saying about her. She eventually just chose to stay quiet and listen.
"You know, if she had chosen a guy like Mark Chu, I would think that Miss Adrianna was just a pretty face with a rich background. The fact that she married a poor man really shaped my opinion of her." Adrianna's interest was caught again by what the female employee had said.
"Yeah, we all know that Asia kid is a bitch and a social climber, I don't even know how she got her diploma!" said the younger employee.
"Sadly, she'll probably inherit a larger chunk than Miss Adrianna. I like Miss Adrianna more." The voices started to fade as the employees left.
Adrianna exited the washroom with a small smile on her face.
After that she invited her friends out to go shopping and to have dinner and coffee. Despite the good things she heard in the washroom there were still more people talking badly about her. She also invited Cedric to come along.
Cedric, who was scheduled to have multiple meetings that night, asked Camilla to clear out his schedule and move all of them to the next day.
During his last meeting of the day his father called.
"Your sister made Ray give her a ride home again." Emilio Reyes was ecstatic at the thought that his daughter was coming home for the long weekend.
"Did she make Ray cancel a flight again?" Cedric asked with a sigh.
"I sent the plane, don't worry." His father told him.
While he was on the call with his father the 5 princes chat was buzzing with conversation.
Ram Abad: Cedric! My sister said Ayanna is back for the weekend.
Ray Laurence: What?! She didn't ask me to empty out a flight?
Alexi Sebastian: It seems Cedric's scolding got to her.
Ram Abad: She probably asked uncle to send the plane.
Alexi Sebastian: Something she should have been doing this whole time.
Ray Laurence: Hey all your sisters keep hijacking my flights. There was a time that they took so many trips that people were complaining about delayed and cancelled flights.
Ram Abad: Was this the shopping trip?
Ray Laurence: Yes it was the shopping trip!
Alexi Sebastian: My sister's are responsible women! They would never do that. It was probably Ayanna's idea.
Cedric Reyes: It most definitely was Ayanna's idea.
Miguel Chan: Nicole just called. They're inviting us to the mall tonight.
Alexi Sebastian: There goes my credit limit.
Ray Laurence: Your card has a limit?
Alexi Sebastian: A limit on them. Do you know how much two girls can shop? It's not like they don't earn their own money, they just like spending mine!
Cedric Reyes: So that's where Ayanna picked that up!
Alexi Sebastian: My sisters would not be shopping as much if it weren't for your sister!
Cedric Reyes: I don't know where she picked that up, probably from Veronica!
Ram Abad: Most likely.
Miguel Chan: Are you coming with us later @Cedric Reyes?
Cedric Reyes: It's so tempting, but I can't. Adrianna made plans.
Ray Laurence: Can't you just ditch her? Just apologize later on. It won't do much harm.
Ran Abad: Yes, listen to the perpetually single Ray Laurence, his advice should be the best.
Ray Laurence: Who should he listen to then, Alexi who has a new girlfriend every month?
Alexi Sebastian: Collect, collect, then select.
Miguel Chan: You make me sick Alexi. Ced, even Eric is going with us!
Cedric Reyes: And how will you explain that to his fans, especially when they realize that he has the same last name as you and Nicole?
Miguel Chan: He works for Ram, and we're the 4 princes, who wouldn't want to hang out with us!
Cedric Reyes: Enjoy your shopping trip, Ayanna should arrive at any moment to steal my card again.
Right on cue Ayanna came bursting in the door.
"Why am I always the last one to know that you are coming home?" Cedric said as she jumped to give him a hug.
"Cause you wouldn't be happy with me spending so much. But brother you and dad make so much money that I couldn't spend all of it in one lifetime." Ayanna giggled. Although Emilio and Cedric Reyes had made a lot of money, the women of the Reyes family were not idle either. Elisia Mall was at the level it currently was due to Ayanna's business smarts, it also helped that she loved to shop.
"Here, I know you came for this." Cedric handed her his card.
"Will you really not come big brother?" Ayanna asked.
"I'm accompanying your sister-in-law. So, no." Cedric said, chasing his sister away.
Not long after Ayanna left, Cedric went to fetch Adrianna to go to the mall. Adrianna had been texting him about how sad she felt due to the rumors. Cedric felt really guilty since it seemed that he managed to make things worse with his plans. He began to consider telling her about who he really was so that they could both have a good laugh at the rumors.
Adrianna had decided to go to Pris, it was a mall under Elisia Corp. that was built to target a higher end market. It was also the largest mall that they had built to date and if rumors were to be believed, Ayanna Reyes named this mall after her mom, Priscilla.