10: Shadows From The Past

Carla

I flew into his arms just as his arms came around me and we hugged extremely tightly. I couldn’t believe that I ran into him right now. I literally thought I wouldn’t ever see him again.

Back in highschool, I had been about to confess my crush to him, and Serena, my best friend back then had been aware.

But the day I planned to confess to him, he had suddenly transferred schools and moved over the to the other side of the country. I had been so confused, heartbroken and sad. I had cried so much that I starved so much till I almost fainted.

He still smelt the way I used to remember, like leather and mint together.

In the next moment, I was being wrenched out of the hug by a hard grip and I gasped in surprise, my eyes flying open at once.

Sebastian had his eyes widened as he stared down at me and when I glanced up at who had wrenched me out of the hug, my eyes settled on Zade’s stormy face. He wasn’t staring at me, he was looking at Sebastian as he spoke in a calm and low voice.

“Why do you have your arms around my fiancee?”

I stiffened, head whirling around to focus on Sebastian who had a shocked expression on as he glanced down at me before looking back at Zade. I tried to wiggle out of Zade’s grip but his hold was impossibly tight, and I helplessly looked over at Sebastian who was clearly confused as he gestured over at me.

“Ah, Mr… Gomez, I didn’t know you’re engaged to her. I didn’t know she was engaged at all… I thought she just got divorced…” Sebastian trailed off, looking lost and awkward as hell while my cheeks flushed with embarrassment. What he meant was obvious as hell, since I’m just engaged after recently ending things with Dave, it means I had been cheating on him… and that wasn’t a good look on someone like me who already had a very horrible reputation.

I shifted awkwardly while Zade nodded, then he tugged me into his side.

“Of course you didn’t, Sebastian. It’s not out in the public yet anyway.” Zade breathed out.

Seb glanced down at, clearly wanting me to say something, but I was at a loss of what to say. I want to point out that I’m not engaged to this bastard whose grip is still so tight on my arm, but I didn’t dare utter a word.

It was at that moment that it dawned on me that Zade had referred to Sebastian as his name, without me introducing them.

I glanced between them, shock churning within me. “Do you two know each other?” I asked and Zade snorted beside me while Sebastian tensely nodded, his hand settling behind his neck.

“He’s my boss.” He revealed and my eyes widened in realization.

“Oh.” I whispered before peering up at Zade who had an unreadable expression across his face.

“T- that’s good, right? What a small world.”

I muttered awkwardly as I glanced between them again. Sebesrisn nodded again while Zade didn’t move an inch.

Proud bastard.

“How do you know Sebastian?” He asked me this time, his eyes a little narrowed. I wanted to demand that he let go of my arm right now, but I just knew that was gonna be a bad idea so I bit on my tongue.

“We met in highschool.” I grunted.

If Zade noticed my attitude, he didn’t indicate at all.

“Were you two friends? Or lovers? You hugged him a little too tightly for my liking.” He informed me and I blanched from embarrassment as I gaped at him. Was he seriously doing this right now?

“We were friends, and it’s been ages since I last saw him.” I bit out, glaring as I responded but Zade only hummed before glancing up at Sebastian who nodded tensely.

“We were just friends. I even see her as a little sister.” He explained and that word broke something in my chest at once.

Even though I had gotten over my crush for him years ago, that still made my heart ache painfully, especially since I clearly liked him.

Zade hummed as he nodded. “That’s good then. Can you excuse us now then? My fiancée and I have a lot of lingeries to stock up on.” He drawled and my face flushed beet red as I subtly elbowed Zade, but with the way my elbow ended up being the one that was now hurting, I doubt that did anything to his rock hard body.

Sebastian was clearly embarrassed as he nodded fast. “Of course, Mr. Gomez. I’ll be going now.”

“Wait!” I called out before he could turn around. He is the only person I’ve met from my past that didn’t outrightly shame me for having been to prison or the likes, and I’d definitely like to catch up with him some more.

“Can I speak to him a little? In private?” I stared up at Zade as I spoke. I couldn’t believe a grown woman like me is presently subjected to asking for permission from him like I am right now.

He clicked his tongue a little, staring between Sebastian and I, then he shook his head. “Absolutely not, honey. We still have a lot of errands to run, remember?”

His grip on my arm tightened and I custard him out within me as I forced a smile on while stiffly nodding.

I brought out my phone, determined to not let this moment slip me by.

“Put in your number for me, then.” I said to Sebastian.

As he accepted my phone, he glanced over at Zade, looking wary, before he put his number in quick. Zade was silent throughout, and I let out a relieved sigh as I quickly shot him a text and informed him that was my number, then I put my phone away.

“I’ll see you at the office today, sebestain.” Zade called out and Sebastian looked like he was about to faint as he nodded, then he offered me a small wave before turning and disappearing behind rows of clothes.

Once I was certain he was gone, I whirled around as soon as the tight hold on my arm came off.

“What the fuck was that?” I demanded, anger swirling through my insides as I glared up at him.

“What is your problem, Zade? In case you’ve forgotten, I had a life before this damn contract between us!”

He rolled his eyes. “I didn’t notice. Last I checked, you were in prison for two years. You sure as hell didn’t have a life in there.”

I blanched before scoffing in outrage.

“What you did back there was uncool! You made that man uncomfortable as hell. Even though he works for you, and so?! It’s ridiculous for you to act this way when we’re only faking things. It’s not like it’s real between us, so… I don’t understand why–”

I was still speaking when he cut me off.

“Shut up, Carla.”

That made me angrier and I pointed a finger at him.

“Don’t do that again no matter what!”

“I’ll do whatever I want and you know that.” He responded smoothly and I got the sudden urge to scream from frustration.

“Your actions sent out a wrong message, you fool. An engaged woman definitely shouldn’t be hugging a man like that, it’s an act between us, sure: but we’re supposed to keep said act up at all times in public. It’s illogical to hug another man that tightly, especially when your fiance is present with you, cause that’s disrespectful amongst other things.”

I let out a scoff of disbelief. “What are we in? The medieval times?”

When he ignored me, I folded my arms as I spoke. “You’re being very ridiculous.”

Again, he ignored me as he turned away this time.

“Finish shopping fast so we can get the hell out of here. I need to be away from you as fast as possible because you’re making my head hurt.” He informed me from across his shoulder.

I felt enraged to my bones. This man was the most irritating man I’ve ever come across!

“You can leave if you want.” I snapped as I folded my arms.

He turned around slightly as he scoffed. “Actually, you’re right for once. I’ll be leaving now.”

When he turned away this time, I panicked.

“Wait! How do I get home without you? And pay for the dresses I’d get?” I demanded as I trained after him.

He shrugged. “That’s not my problem, is it?” He drawled and I gaped at him in shock, unable to believe my ears.

In the next moment, before I could get a word out, he was sighing as he dug into his suit jacket pocket to retrieve a black card which he handed to me, then he rattled off the pin.

“If you like, try to run away with my money like a little thief. You know I’ll find you, then what I'll do to you…”

“I won’t run this time!” I cried out but he only hummed, clearly unconvinced.

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

As he turned to leave this time, I glared at him till I couldn’t see his back anymore.

Stupid bastard.