AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Lucas defended the older woman. “I think you are way too harsh on her.”
His defense made Alina turn her head towards him so that she stared into his eyes. His face was twisted in a snarl when she said, “Don’t be a kiss ass, Lucas.”
In the midst of surprise and laughter, Lucas almost choked on her words. He tapped at his chest, trying to regain himself, while Alina watched with caution.
“I see you’re still as straightforward as ever, Alina,” he said when he could speak again.
She turned her head and raised her eyebrows. “I’m just saying. No need to suck up to my mother anymore. She already loves you.” Then Alina shook her head. “I swear if I had a penny for every time she asked me why I broke up with you, I would be rich.”
With a bowed head, Lucas spoke, almost too low to be heard. “If only her daughter felt the same way about me.” There was a one-sided smile on his lips, but Alina knew it was from him being uncomfortable.
“I care about you, Lucas. Just not in the way a girlfriend should and you deserve better.” Her tone was sympathetic though she’s been through this before.
“Alina.” Lucas took her hand and looked into her eyes. “I’m still in love with you.” He breathed out heavily. “I know right now your feelings towards me are that of friends, but I hope that someday it will change.” There was an intensity in his eyes. “Maybe someday you will love me. And I’m willing to wait until then.”
His hand went up to her face then and Alina stood frozen as Lucas stroked her cheeks, his heart hopeful and eyes wild. When he leaned in to place in lips to hers, Alina’s head jerked backward. Then she held up her hand and gently nudged him back so that there was sufficient space between the two of them.
“Lucas, I can’t.” She shook her head and took a step backward. “I cannot become more than friends with you. Especially not now.”
Lucas dropped his hand and turned away his head. “Is there someone else?”
“Yes and no,” Alina struggled with her words. “It’s hard to explain. But you know that’s not the reason we can’t be together.”
“I see,” he said as his head bobbed up and down.
Alina was about to say something comforting to her friend when he turned around abruptly. “Come on,” he said. “I’ll take you home.”
32
“Voicemail again?” Dereck yelled and slammed his phone on the table. He had been trying to get in contact with Alina ever since she ended things with him at the restaurant that night. Back then, he was too stunned to refute, and he allowed her to leave the restaurant without a rebuttal. Now he regretted it.
“Why the hell isn’t she answering?” He released a heavy breath and walked around the table in his office. His office wasn’t large, there were no windows, and could only hold about three people at a time, but he was still anxious the first time he showed it to Alina. Her excitement at his receiving an office as a doctor had led them to have sex.
Dereck folded his hand into a fist, refusing to ease the tension even as his hand went pale. His longing for Alina was clear to anyone who glanced his way. Though having a rugged appearance was not something foreign to Dereck, it was usually still modest. In fact, Alina had stated on several occasions how much it turned her on. But now his dark facial hair was wild and almost to the point of becoming a national disaster. Would she still find it sexy? His hand went to his beard as he smoothed it down, making a mental note to visit the barber. When he saw Alina, he wanted her to at least recognize him.
Breathing out hard, he wheeled his chair from behind the desk and plopped himself on it.
Dereck’s gray eyes were dull and sported dark circles, signs of his sleepless nights. For someone who was always health conscious, he was looking sickly thin and his pronounced jawline had sunk in. Luckily, his body was still toned under his sleek dress shirt.
He picked up the phone and tried to get in contact with Alina one last time before calling her friend. No response from them both. If anyone knew where to find Alina, it would be Taylor, but first, he had to find the eccentric woman. She was excellent at evading contact as much as his girlfriend. No. Ex-girlfriend.
A desperate man always finds the means to accomplish his task.
This was in the back of Dereck’s mind when he searched the internet for the contact information for another one of Alina’s close friends. He knew she was a publicist and manager and therefore would have a public presence, something needed to increase her clientele.
After a quick search, he found the number and quickly typed it into his phone.
“Bailey Fairchild speaking,” came the firm voice.
“Bailey.” Dereck was unable to contain his excitement. “This is Dereck speaking. Dereck Johnson. I’m trying to get in touch with Alina.”
“What’s the matter? You lost your girlfriend?” Her words were obviously sarcastic. “I hope you keep better track of your patients than you do your girlfriend.”
Dereck sighed. “Maybe I deserve that, but can you please tell me where she is? Give me a chance to make this right.”
“Don’t you think Alina gave you enough chances?” Bailey swallowed hard and tucked hair behind her ears. “You almost missed her exhibition, Dereck. You know how important that was to her.”
There was frustration in his voice. “I know. And I apologized for that.”
