AllFreeNovel
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The truth is, I had been scared as well. Too many things stood in the way of us getting together. He’s my best friend’s father, what would Ava say? He’s over twenty years older than I am, what would my parents say? He’s my current employer and a prominent figure in the science world, what would my colleagues and professors say?
Then I realized that, for a girl who has always wanted the freedom to do whatever makes her happy, I’ve only ever been thinking about other people and what they would think. Not once did I think about how happy Chris would make me. I didn’t think about the sense of fulfillment I feel whenever I’m around him. I didn’t think that the heavy pounding of my heart whenever thoughts of him filled my head could be love.
Now, I know better and I’m going after the man that I love even if I have to fight for him.
The plane ride that takes hours feels like years and the amount of relief I feel when we finally get to the airport is immeasurable. I take a cab straight to the harbor where a boat will be waiting to take me back to the lab. Thankfully, a crew will be leaving earlier than the students, so I don’t have to wait for my one week break to be complete before seeing Chris again.
Besides, I don’t think I can wait that long.
“Can you please go faster?” I tell the driver who steps on the gas per my request.
Leaning against the back of my seat, I let myself create scenarios of how Chris would react to me confessing my love for him. He’ll probably say something about not deserving me again, but I refuse to let him run because of fear this time.
I am determined to do whatever it takes to convince him that he and I are meant to be together.
By the time we arrive at the harbor, the sun is already setting and the clouds are darkening. I pay the driver quickly, dragging my suitcase along while in search of the crew’s boat. I don’t go far before someone approaches me. I instantly recognize him as George, the man that had been in charge of Chris’ yacht the last time he and I were here.
“Miss Wilson, so lovely to meet you again.” George smiles at me in a way that makes me think he looks adorable.
I smile back. “Thanks, George, it’s nice to see you again too. Um, do you know if Mr. Young’s research crew is around?” I ask, looking around to see if I can catch sight of any of them.
“Oh, they left already, they were asked to go on their way by Mr. Young.” George’s reply makes me panic until I realize that it doesn’t make sense.
“But how? Chris is back at the lab so there’s no way he could have gotten in contact with the crew.”
George’s smile widens. “About that…” He trails off then dips his hand into the front pocket of his shirt and pulls out an envelope. “I was asked to give this to you. Who knows, you just might find the answer to the question you’re looking for.” He winks at me and turns around, leaving me there wondering if I’ve somehow been transported into a fairytale novel.
I tear open the envelope and find a note in there. I mumble out the words.
“You can’t come all the way to this beautiful, famous island and spend it holed up in a fancy suite, especially if we’ll be leaving first thing tomorrow. Come eat with me, Charlotte. I promise it will be just the two of us this time. Signed, Chris.”
No way! I gasp, feeling giddy with excitement. I briefly remember saying these exact same words to Chris the first night we were here and he asked me if I wanted to have our food brought up to the room or if I’d like to go down to the restaurant to eat.
I am also ninety-nine percent sure that “it will just be the two of us this time” is referring to when he invited the Knights to our table and our dinner took a rather awful turn.
This can only mean one thing. Chris is here… in Hawaii. But how and why? I have so many questions, however, there’s no one around to answer them. So, I turn around, ready to go and meet the only person who can answer my questions where I know he definitely is.
When I turn around to start leaving, a black limousine drives up to me, stopping right in front of me and the driver steps out. “Miss Wilson?”
“Yes?”
“I am Andy Kane. Mr. Young has asked me to accompany you to dinner where he will be waiting for you,” he says and then hands me his phone.
I place the phone against my ear and feel my body react with a thrill when I hear Chris’ voice through the speaker. “Charlotte…”
Christ, just the sound of my name falling from his lips is enough to make me feel light headed. “What are you planning, Chris?”
I can almost hear his smile, if that’s even possible. “Get in the car, Charlotte, and come see for yourself.” The call disconnects and I hand the phone back to Andy, who proceeds to take it from me and open the door to the passenger seat.
Smiling happily at how my day went from anticipation and anxiety to this feeling of joy, I duck into the limo. Andy places my suitcase in the trunk and soon enough, we are on our way.
My mind goes into overdrive wondering why Chris is here and what this is all about. I know nothing is wrong because if it was, he wouldn’t sound so calm over the phone. Could it be that he’s here for the same reason that I am? Could it be…?
No, I shake my head. it’s best not to get my hopes up. Instead, I muster the courage that I need so that I am able to tell him exactly how I feel. Perhaps whatever brought him here is the universe’s way of telling me that I am doing the right thing.
The ride is a lot faster this time and before I know it, Andy announces our arrival. He opens the door for me to step out and I am immediately approached by the hotel’s doorman.
“This way, Miss Wilson,” the impeccably dressed man says, guiding me into the building with an outstretched arm. I follow him, feeling impatient from all the suspense. I just want to see Chris.
