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I don’t know why I ask, maybe it’s the sadist in me. I know it will infuriate her, but the fucker was all over her, and knowing it’s her now, I want to go back and beat the living shit out of him. Drag him out of this place and demand he return what belongs to me.
“Excuse me?” She turns around abruptly, blazing eyes with her nostrils flaring like a bull ready to attack. “First of all, you have no right asking me that. It’s none of your business who I’m fucking, Alex.”
My blood boils as the words ricochet like bullets spraying against my bruised ego. So what, she’s fucking him? Had she turned into a cold-hearted woman fucking men without attachment?
I’m losing control, ready to walk over and show him who the fuck she belongs to, but as I bow my head to calm the storm lashing within me, the shimmer of a large diamond catches my attention.
My eyes widen, my stomach twisting in a gut-wrenching knot as my heart pumps hard while my adrenalin spikes. Without hesitation, I yank her hand toward me to make sure what I’m seeing is indeed a ring on her finger.
“What’s this? You’re engaged?”
She allows her hand to linger for a moment, but then, with force, she pulls it back. Her face looks slightly guilty, then it quickly transforms into anger.
“Julian is my fiancé.”
“Your fiancé? So, you’re marrying that jerk?”
“Typical Alexander Edwards. It’s all about you, right? Remember, you left me without a goodbye, without an explanation. I’ve moved on just like you did with her. Goodbye, Alex. Have a nice life.”
I loosen my grip, stunned by her words as she storms off back to her table. Resting my back on the wall, I close my eyes for a brief moment to compress the rage consuming me. My pulse is elevated, and my vision is clouded as the pounding inside my head is dominating my normally rational thoughts. With my heart still beating erratically on the verge of combustion, my feet move on their own accord back to my table. I need to end this meeting now.
But like a force of nature, I’m drawn back to her again, unable to turn away. Charlotte sits back down before leaning in, whispering something in his ear. He places some bills on top of the black check holder, and they both stand. She grabs her purse and starts walking toward the main door. For a split second, her eyes meet mine, and undoubtedly something passes between us.
The same look which passed between us nine years ago.
The guy grabs her hand, holding it firmly.
My anger is on the brink again, losing control, my temper getting the better of me. I need to find a way to talk to her, to get her alone and to have that chance to explain everything. I’m certain if she knows my side of the story she will forgive me, understand my mistakes and regrets.
In a moment of clarity, it all starts to make sense.
I rule the business world, I am on top of my game. I have everything I want, at least everything I thought I wanted. Now, it stands before me, the one thing I never knew I desired more than life itself.
The one thing I would give up everything I own for.
It’s no longer a figment of my imagination.
I touched her, felt that surge that no other woman in this lifetime will make me feel.
It’s Charlotte who has been missing all along, and now, I’ll stop at nothing until she’s completely mine.
CHARLIE
Eric yanks my hand toward him so fast my body jerks forward, crashing into his.
“Oh-em-gee,” Eric screeches like a hyena on crack.
After I gain my composure, I allow him to examine the diamond ring adorning my finger, reminding me how surreal this all is.
“Charlie, this is a Harry Winston princess-cut diamond. I need a total replay. What were you wearing? What was he wearing? The speech… oh, did he get down on one knee?” Catching his breath he sits on the chair, crossing his legs in anticipation.
I replay the entire night to him and even re-enact the proposal part, getting down on one knee, which was interrupted when Nikki walks in. Her face falls slightly as if she thinks me accepting Julian’s proposal is a bad idea.
She sways her head, motioning Eric out of the room. “Charlie, I think we should talk about this.”
“Whatever it is, Nikki, it can be said in front of Eric.” I laugh as Eric shrugs his shoulders, laughing with me.
“Okay fine, have it your way. Don’t you think you should get to know him for a little bit longer rather than jump into marriage? I mean, what’s the rush? You’ve only been dating, what… three months?”
