Chapter 5: More than a stranger

Chapter 5: More than a stranger

Sarah gasped softly. Despite her shock, she quickly managed to maintain a calm expression. She never expected him to be their new business partner.

Edward was momentarily shocked to see the same pair of baby blues that often flashed in his mind. She looked very different. Was she the representative James was talking about?

James watched Edward and Sarah curiously,he knew something was wrong when he saw their expression shift when they saw each other. He was Edward's close friend and business partner. So many pairs of eyes in the room were watching the both of them.

Deciding to ease the tension, James rose to his feet. “Edward, meet Miss Sarah Tanner from Soar Aviations, our new partners. Miss Tanner, this is Edward Van Huxley, our ceo.”

Edward was surprised at the change of her surname. Perhaps she was married, but there was no ring on her finger. Sarah had changed her name to her mother's maiden name, and her children bore the same name. Remembering her children, Sarah felt a rush of unease. She would never let this man find out about them.

Sarah extended a slender, well manicured hand to Edward, which he took in a handshake. He was still gazing into her face, but her expression gave nothing away.

“It's a pleasure to meet you,Mr Huxley,” she said calmly in a professional voice.

“Same here, Miss Tanner,” he replied, his face blank. Sarah quickly retrieved her hand from his grasp. All through the meeting, she was acutely aware of his gaze which was on her the entire time.

Edward noticed that a lot had changed about the woman in front of him. She was confident and bold. There was a fire in her azure blue eyes that he never saw before. She was more beautiful too. Her waist length hair was now shorter and styled in a chic shoulder-length layered bob. Edward frowned at his unusual thoughts and observations.

As soon as the meeting was over, Sarah hurried out of the room, she needed to get away from this place— from him. The doors of the elevator were about to close when Edward walked in. Sarah cursed her luck.

“We meet again, Miss Tanner, or should I say Miss Maxwell.”

Sarah kept her expression blank. She had decided not to speak to him. She did not move to reply or acknowledge him. Irritated, Edward stepped closer to her, and Sarah instinctively stepped back.

Despite the panic setting off alarm bells in her head, she managed to speak without tremors in her voice.

“I would appreciate it if you kept your distance, Mr Huxley.” She was alone with him in the elevator,he might decide to manhandle her again like before.

Edward scoffed. “You seem bolder than the last time we met,” he noted.

“There should always be room for a change, Mr Huxley. It's a tough and dangerous world we live in...a girl has to be able to hold her own.” She was not going to let this man intimidate and hurt her again.

Edward's dark eyes narrowed. “I see. What are you doing in my company? I clearly remember telling you never to show your face to me ever again,” he snarled.

Sarah's anger bubbled over. She had no desire whatsoever to set eyes on him ever again if she had her way.

“Don't flatter, MrHuxley, I have no desire whatsoever to cross paths with you again. If I had known that you were affiliated with Stellar Airlines, I would not have accepted this project or partnership,” Sarah challenged.

Edward clenched his fists in anger, onyx eyes growing darker with the rage. He stepped closer until he was so close that he perceived her strawberry and vanilla scent. Sarah stood her ground, her head held high in confidence.

“You have quite the mouth on you now.” He dragged his gaze over her.

“You look different, too. Tell me, what unfortunate wealthy man have you hooked into your trap like you tried with me?” he sneered.

He still saw her as a golddigger. Sarah had no intentions of defending herself to him. “My personal life is none of your business. I owe you no explanations. You are nothing but a stranger to me.”

Edward smirked. “I'd say more than a stranger, Miss Tanner.” He paused and let the meaning he was driving at sink in before he continued with satisfaction dripping from his rich baritone. “Now, that's no way to describe your first; the man who took your virginity.” He knew he was crude, but it was very intentional.

He wanted to get a reaction out of her, and he achieved his aim. His smirk grew when her face reddened, and her beautiful feline eyes widened in shock.

“How dare you?” She hissed in anger.

Edward chuckled darkly. “Oh! but I would dare, Miss Tanner. You have no idea the things I am capable of doing,” he warned darkly.

Sarah knew just what he was capable of doing. He had hurt her both emotionally and physically. She still had the scar from the charm bracelet on her wrist, and that ugly and painful memory of humiliation to remind her of just how cruel this man could get.

“Are you threatening me, Mr Huxley?” She asked calmly, earning another dark chuckle from him.

“I have no room for threats or idle words, Miss Tanner. I don't know why you are here, but I am watching you.”

Edward had no idea why this woman affected him so much, nor why she was getting under his skin.

“In that case, there's no point going further on this topic. Let's terminate the agreement. It's better this way. I don't want to work with you either,” Sarah said calmly.

“No,” Edward said without a second thought.

“Terminating the contract would not be possible, Miss Tanner. Unless you want a reputation so bad for your organisation that you would not be able to do business in America again.”

Sarah became dispirited when she heard this. She did not want to take action that would harm the company's reputation. Although she knew that Benicio would not mind. He would rather she ends the agreement.

“Fine. We would push through with the project. But I would require that you keep your distance. Whatever happened between us, was in the past,and so we will have a strictly professional relationship Mr Huxley—”Sarah paused, her mouth set in a thin line…” and would you mind, some personal space.”

Edward's face darkened. He hated her aversion to his close proximity. Who the hell did she think she was? Women would literally kill to have a second of his time or be this close to him. His dark eyes burned with something that unsettled Sarah.

“And what if I don't Miss Tanner? Wasn't this what you wanted four years ago? To marry me…Get into my bed?” He sneered to get a rise out of her.

Sarah glowered at him. She hated his guts. He was trying to humiliate her just like before. She was about to reply to him when her phone rang. Edward shoved his hands into his pockets but made no move to step back. Sarah fished out her phone, still glaring at him.

Sarah was surprised that it was the children's teacher at their new preschool. She remembered she was supposed to pick them up today. Back in Italy, it was Benicio who always picked them up from school, she had to manage now. Casting an uneasy look at Edward, she picked the call.

“Good day, Miss Tanner. This is Glenda, Robyn, and Liam’s teacher. You need to come pick them up right away.”

Sarah frowned, her heart racing. “Did something happen? Are my—” she quickly halted mid sentence, and briefly eyed Edward nervously “...are they okay?”she quaked.

Edward's brow knitted in confusion. Why did she seem skittish all of a second, and who was she referring to?

“They are okay, ma'am.” Sarah heaved a sigh of relief, releasing the breath that she was holding. She was wary of taking the call from the children's school in front of Edward. Who knows what he would do if he found out what she was hiding?

“But there is a minor issue with Robyn.” The teacher's voice returned on the phone, making Sarah freeze in fear.