Chapter 2

Aniya:

“Congratulations.” The words escaped my mouth like it was a cry for help. I tried hard to pull up a smile but it felt like a partial stroke hit me and my face couldn’t move.

“Thank you…” Nicole’s chirpy voice mortified my ears.

I could hear the noise around us, the people talking and cutlery clattering on plates, but I saw just Logan. The man whom I had spent years loving without asking for it in return.

What else was I going to say? Ask about the wedding? Ask why the fuck he had gotten engaged to her? Or how in the name of heaven did they get back together when he had told me he was moving on, and that he had wanted me for so long.

He kissed me.

My phone’s ringing jolted me back to reality. I grabbed it from my bag.

“Excuse me, I have to take this.” They both nodded as if I cared for their response.

“Hi, Maya.” I placed my phone by my ear.

“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Have him wait comfortably.” I replied, already grabbing my bag with my free hand.

When the call ended, I looked at the newly engaged couple sitting right opposite me and finally feigned a smile.

“I’m so sorry, I have an emergency at work. I have to leave now. Congratulations to both of you once again.” I was already standing on my feet and racing for the door as I spoke. I didn’t give them the time to reply.

One step at a time as my tears blurred my vision.

I was so stupid, stupid to think that Logan would ever love me. Stupid to think that a drunk man knew what he meant when he said he had always wanted me.

I pulled my car door open, threw my bag into the passenger seat, and was ready to drive when I heard his voice from behind me.

“Do you really have to leave?” He asked and I turned to face him, blinking back the tears that filled my eyes.

“Yes, a client showed up earlier than expected. I have to leave now.” I replied.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah! You? Are you happy?” The question flew from my mouth.

“Yes, I am.” I could see the smile forming on his face. He really was happy.

“How about me?”

“What do you mean?”

How about me, who has loved you for so long, when will you ever love me? should have asked but I swallowed my words.

“It’s nothing, Logan. We can talk later, bye.” I got into my car and hit the road.

The next ten minutes I spent driving were insane. I held back my tears because they kept my eyes blurry and I didn’t want to die on the road.

I walked into my office, took one good look at myself, and I looked a mess and it was nothing some retouching of my makeup couldn’t fix.

The door to my office opened two minutes after I had told Maya that I was ready for Mr Lawson.

Her eyes lit up as she pushed the door open.

Mr Lawson walked in but he wasn’t alone, beside him were the most familiar greyest eyes I have ever known.

My breath seized.

Structured jawline, tall with broad shoulders. His white polo shirt clung to his body like a second skin. Dark hair styled to perfection.

Donovan Sterling.

“Miss Carter,” Mr Lawson stretched his hand out and I took it, pumping it twice, my eyes still lingering on the first Sterling brother who was not supposed to be in my office.

“Mr Lawson, it is great to see you, although we weren’t expecting this visit.” I smiled, pointing them to the chairs.

“Miss Carter,” Donovan stretched his hand out in front of me. I took it firmly and pumped it gently. His hand was soft and warm and I hated that I noticed that.

“It is indeed great to see Miss Carter of Lumiere. The owner of the fastest-rising PR firm in New York...” he paused, his eyes danced around my office and then he looked right at me before taking a seat.

“It is why I was surprised when my proposal email sat untouched for the past few days.” He added.

“I apologise for that, Mr Lawson. As you know, this is a very crucial season and we have been weighing our options.” I replied sharply.

I had been weighing his proposal, it was good, better than anything that I had ever negotiated. As a matter of fact, it didn’t need negotiation because his proposal was that good and Donovan Sterling was going to be my client, it was like gold served on a platter of gold.

“So what do you say, Miss Carter?” he asked and I watched him stare at me with anticipation. Either he had dealt with the worst PR company in the past or I simply was the best.

The question lingered: What do you say Miss Carter? Not Niya the best friend of Logan but Miss Carter the CEO of Lumiere.

‘You don’t always have to adjust for Logan.’ Janelle’s voice was loud like she was right in the room with me.

“We will have the contract ready and sent out before the end of today, Mr Lawson.” He smiled and my eyes shifted to Donovan, he sat void of words and emotions like always.

“That’s wonderful.” Mr Lawson was a cheerful man and he knew how to be a manager, persuasive and calm.

I collapsed in my chair the moment I watched both of them walk out of my office. Maya walked in minutes later, her eyes wide in anticipation.

“It’s closed, Maya. Have the legal team send out the contract,” She almost jumped and it was because she was excited.

“Okay, anything else ma’am?” she asked and I looked at the wall clock ticking right in front of me, adrenaline suddenly hitting me, and the pain I had absorbed before the meeting came crashing and all I could think of was the way Logan looked at Nicole as they broke the news of their engagement to me. He would never look at me that way because I was just Niya, the girl he had known all his life and not the woman he could ever love.

“Cancel all my meetings for the day,” I was already leaving before she could say anything.

~~~~

I rang the doorbell and waited for a response.

“Miss Carter,” Tom the butler called, a pleasant smile hung on his lips.”

“Hello, Tom. I will be in Janelle’s room.”

I walked through the foyer and up the stairs until I was in the master's room.

I knocked and waited for a response.

“Tom, I told you I didn't need any..” she was saying as she opened the door.

“Aniya?” She paused,

“What the hell! Why are you here?”

“You’re looking at Donovan Sterling's Publicist,” I said.

“Yes!! I knew you were going to come around. What did Logan say about it?” I pushed past her and plopped on her giant bed.

She waited for an answer but I had nothing to say.

“You didn’t tell him.”

“He and Nicole are engaged.”

“That is impossible. He kissed you yesterday.”