Chapter 26
Mia’s POV
A rush of nostalgia surged through me as I stepped into the headquarters of Schaeffer’s Group. Everything looked the same, every section in the hall bred one memory or the other; some were good and had broadened my knowledge, others were awful.
It was in this hall that Xander’s father had applauded and promoted me in the presence of everyone. In this hall that Aspen had pulled. me to a comer and warned me to stay away from her husband.
It was in this hall that my marriage to Xander was announced to everyone, a day that became my happiest and then my worst. As I walked further, I realized that agreeing to meet here was a bad idea but I was glad that I had Nathan to pull me back to reality from time to time.
The moment I told him of my plan to meet Xander at his company, he immediately affirmed that he would be coming with me and then proceeded to clear his schedule.
As we walked towards the lift, everyone minded their business, paying no attention to me, unlike what I expected, and I knew that it was Xander’s doing
Nathan and I stepped into the elevator, its familiar walls evoking memories of the moment I had braced myself to share the news of our baby with Xander. My final day in Schaeffer’s Group.
How time flies!
We were escorted to the executive lounge by a lady who introduced herself as Anna, Xander’s new secretary. The place was remembered and Anna ensured we were comfortable before she left
“Are you okay?” Nathan asked for the umpteenth time since we made it our of the house together.
s just as I
I nodded once as the door slid open and Xander walked in. The space was immediately filled with his domineering aura. I had seen this look a thousand times, but somehow, he still managed to tear a reaction out of me every time.
The crisp lines on his tailored suit were a stark contrast to my rumpled nerves. I swallowed hard, keeping my reaction simple. I hadn’t come here to drool over this man that I knew I hated with every fiber of my being,
“Mia” Xander’s enthusiasm died as his gaze shifted to Nathan. “Mr Walton, he continued, coldly, a dash of disappointment on his face.
“I thought it’d just be the two of us, I wasn’t expecting… him,” he threw Nathan a cocky once over. “I looked forward to being alone with you.”
“I consider Nathan a part of me. I don’t hide anything from him,” I said.
Xander nodded once. As he pulled out a seat, I think I saw his eyes dim, a flash of yurt resting within but maybe I imagined it I believe you want to hit the nail on the head”
Without wasting time, I pulled out the invitation card to Kyle’s homecoming party and dropped it at his side of the table. He arched a questioning brow at me and I spoke
“I won’t be attending”
Uttering the words had to be the most brutal thing I’d done today. My best friend was coming back; it had been four years since I last saw him, yet here I was, declining an invitation that I would have paid millions to obtain.
Except that Kyle was no longer my best friend. Well, I doubt he would consider me one after knowing what I was planning for his brother.
When I read Xander’s letter, I was tempted to go out and call him back. To ask him if Kyle was really coming back and if he still remembered who I was, until I was reminded of the reason why I had returned.
Kyle would never abandon his family and support my dream to destroy them. I badly wanted to see him, too; I wanted to hug him and apologize for not listening to him that night. For not calling him even though he never stopped trying to reach me. To find me.
I knew of all the effort he put into trying to contact me again but it was important that I lost contact with everyone to recuperate and harden my heart,
If I had answered his call that night, maybe things wouldn’t have turned out so bad.
‘But it did, and now I wanted nothing but revenge. The same way I had abandoned my past, was the same way I needed to ignore Kyle as
Chapter 26
well. He would be nothing but a distraction and I hadn’t come this far to be distracted
I was going to o ruin his brother, so he couldn’t be my friend anymore. He wouldn’t support me like he used to and I won’t blame him for
that.
“Why? Do you have plans?” Xander asked calmly, his gaze on the card.
“Yes,” came my
“Is it a date?”
false response. “But I’ll put something together as a gift for him. What would you suggest?”
“What?” I asked, confused
“This plan you have, is it a date?” He asked in a measured tone.
1 sighed, deciding to ignore the question. If there’s anything specific that Kyle likes, anything money can buy, I’ll get it for him.”
Xander said nothing but his gaze remained fixed below him. His hands were on the desk, clasped, and I couldn’t tell if the action meant that he was annoyed or speechless.
That’s all I came to say,” I stood up and Nathan followed. “My regards to Kyle, I’m sure he’s a sweet person.”
“The only thing Kyle specifically asked for is your attendance. He wants to see you again, he misses you,” Xander finally spoke, raising his head. The hurt in his eyes was evident but again, maybe I was mistaken.
Oh, Kyle… At that, I almost lost my grip, but Nathan’s arm was around my waist, and my hand gripped the table before me.
“I’m sure we’ll meet some other time. I’ll get going now
u come here?” He asked. “You could have chosen not to inform me of your decision to not attend.”
“So why did you
“I wanted to be polite.”
“You’re supposed to be his homecoming present. I promised him,” he said. T’m sure he’d appreciate a few minutes of your time. It took a lot from me to advise him against flying down here the moment he heard you were back. He was your best friend.”
promise to
My heart melted. I was wondering why Xander was intent on having me attend but here was my answer. Kyle had made him pro have me there.
“But I
I guess your plans‘ can’t be adjusted,” he finally picked up the invite and stood up,
“Thank you for at least telling me beforehand. Anna will see you both out
“Wait. He halted and then turned to me. “T–I’m sure I can spare a few minutes.”
For some reason, his eyes lit up. The hurt I had imagined vanished and surprise took its place. I couldn’t help but wonder since when he and Kyle developed such a strong bond that he’d go to such great lengths, discarding our rivalry for the moment, just to make Kyle’s
wish come true.
“You’ll come?”
I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant, “Only if my invite is still valid;”
