Chapter 4: Right When I Need Him

My pride and I were no longer on speaking terms, I think.

The moment Gabriel's SUV stopped in front of my building, I thanked him quickly and got out before he could say anything. I didn't want to talk anymore and I definitely didn't want another reminder that I had just been rescued from a crowd of reporters like I couldn't handle my own life. I walked straight inside without looking back and the first thing I did when I got to my apartment was grab my phone and text him before I could change my mind.

I told him straight that I would handle things on my own this time and I didn't need him or anyone showing up every single time whenever something went wrong. It was making me look weak and I had enough of it. I had already given the world a scandal to talk to for too long.

My parents were in the living room when I walked in and the looks on their faces told me that they had no idea I had even gone out. I kept it from them on purpose because the last thing I needed was another set of worried eyes following me around the apartment. I gave them a quick smile, told them everything was fine, and went straight to my laptop to do my pending work.

Work is the only thing that is keeping me sane right now. As the CEO of the Laurent Group, I always had something waiting for me and I used every single one of those tasks to keep my head busy and away from everything else. I refused to waste another second of my day thinking about Evan. He made his choice and I won't follow the direction he thinks I will go.

Two days passed like that doing like that. And when I’m already feeling too comfortable that's when another problem came. The pipe burst and my parents went out for a while, leaving me alone here. Great.

By the time I got to the living room, the floor was already wet and the water wasn't stopping. I grabbed every towel I could find and tried to slow it down but I know it was useless. I ended up standing in the hallway completely soaked, about to call for help, when a team of contractors came walking down the corridor like they had been called already. Followed closely by Gabriel's personal secretary. What the hell is going on.

I stared at them before looking at the secretary, who was already discreetly tapping on his phone with his eyes scanning every corner of the hallway like he was looking for something. I already knew exactly who he was updating.

I let them fix the pipe because arguing with them felt pointless, but the moment they were done I called Gabriel immediately. He picked up before the second ring.

"I told you that you are under my protection, Ayanna. That includes everything," he said before I could even start.

"I am a lawyer, Gabriel," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "How am I supposed to stand in front of a courtroom and defend people if I can't even deal with a broken pipe without you sending a whole crew to my apartment? So, back off."

"No."

He hung up.

I stared at my phone for three seconds before letting out a short, awkward laugh because I genuinely could not believe him right now. I put the phone down and went back to work because there was clearly no point arguing with someone who didn't even let me finish a sentence.

But then my phone buzzed again and I saw a text from an unknown number. I almost ignored it but something made me open it anyway.

"Ayanna, please. I know you hate me but I need to explain. Meet me at the park near your building tonight at midnight. Just ten minutes. Or even five. Please. — Evan."

I read it once, put my phone face down on the table, and didn't look at it again for the rest of the evening. I had nothing to say to him. He made his choice at that altar and whatever explanation he had now was too late. I told myself just that for the next four hours.

And then at eleven fifty I was pulling on an oversized brown hoodie, slipping a mask over my face, and sneaking out of the apartment while my parents slept. I know I wasn't going according to the promise I had made to myself but I wasn't going because I still had feelings for him. I just needed to hear him say it to my face so I could finally close that chapter for good and stop letting it take up space in my head.

At least that's what I kept telling myself the whole way there.

The park was dark and empty except for one figure sitting on the swings with his head in his hands. I stopped behind a tree the moment I saw him and something in my chest tightened without warning. He looked nothing like the Evan who had stood at that altar. He looked tired and lost and like someone carrying something way too heavy for one person.

I pressed my back against the tree and told myself to breathe. I wasn't ready. I thought I was but standing there looking at him made me realized I wasn't even close. If I walked up to him now I would definitely fall apart and I refused to give him that. I had already given him enough.

I turned around to leave. And walked straight into someone I told not to meddle anymore.

His hand caught my waist before I could stumble and that familiar scent of expensive cologne hit me immediately. He was in a dark overcoat, looking down at me with that sharp unreadable expression, his grip steady like he already knew I needed it without me having to say a word. He didn't ask what I was doing there. He didn't say anything at all. He just stood there and somehow that made me feel comfortable.

"Looking for someone?"

The voice came from behind us and that's when my body froze for a while. He's getting closer now. I could hear and feel it. And I didn't have to turn around to know who it was.