CHAPTER THREE

I quickly looked away from him, so he wouldn't see me checking him out but curiosity tugged at me again, and before I could stop myself, I tilted my head slightly, sneaking another glance, my hand absentmindedly scratching the back of my neck.

And just then, our eyes met again. As if he had never taken his off me before. A strange unease fluttered in my chest. Heat crept up my neck and I turned away shyly, lifting my glass to my lips and taking a long sip.

Fuck Charlotte, what are you doing?

“So, is it a boyfriend or a girlfriend that got you in the mood?” his husky voice drawled, low and smooth.

Was I that obvious? Or had he overheard our conversation?

I fiddle with the straw in my drink, using it to mix the drink around. “Sort of.” I decided to say with a soft nod, remembering what happened again; the way they hugged each other on the stage. The way Genevieve told me she’s not coming with me. And Clyde…

Thinking about it more, my chest tightened painfully and I find tears lacing my eyes again. I quickly raised up my gaze, throwing my head backward, trying to stop any tears.

How exactly had my life taken such a devastating turn?

How could my own husband and daughter do this to me?

Did our 8 years of marriage truly mean nothing to him?

“You know, I’m also going through something similar,”

I turned my gaze back to him again and seriously, he didn’t look like he was.

“Oh,” I managed to say.

“We will get through it.”

“Yeah. I already did”

“Well, that’s great.”

But then something hit me. I think I have seen him somewhere before. I couldn’t place a finger on the exact place but he looks somehow familiar.

“You look familiar.”

His gaze lifted slowly until his eyes met mine. One brow arched in mild curiosity.

“You know me?” he asked.

“I’m not sure,” I admitted. “But I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before.”

He studied me for a brief moment, then shook his head.

“Really?” He asked again and I gave a light nod. “ But I doubt it. I only flew back recently. I haven’t been around here in years.”

“Oh.“

“And you won’t believe the first thing that happened to me when I arrived,” he added with a dry smile. “I got jilted—right at the airport.”

I stared at him, trying to process his words and that was when it hit me.

My two o’clock meeting!

I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth.

“It’s you…”

But before I could complete my word, the doors to the bar swung open and instantly, all attention shifted to the woman who just walked in. Whispers filled everywhere, men gushing over her while some took pictures.

She’s Ashley Miller.

Everyone knows her, including me. She’s that famous hot-shot actress and moreover, her father owns one of the biggest oil companies here. And I am also a fan of hers. I love her dramas.

Her eyes darted around as if she was looking for someone and when it landed on the man sitting next to me, a radiant smile graced her face and she started approaching.

“Hey, honey,” she said brightly, wrapping her arm around his and pressing herself against him. “Sorry I’m late.”

I stared, unable to believe this.

Wait… what?

Is she his girlfriend?

Didn’t he just say…

“How do you know I’m here?” he asked, yanking her hand off him, his expression turning cold and I hardly believe this was the same man that just smiled at me not long ago.

Unbothered, she pulled out her phone, tapped the screen, and showed something to him.

“Fuck,” he muttered under his breath.

“Mother said we’re having dinner tonight,” she said, pouting slightly. “I came to get you.” She then wrapped her around him again, sticking to him like a glue.

She looks a bit clingy but I think they look good together.

Not in the mood for this scene, I took one last drink and started to get down from the stool. I needed to go and get Lucy so we could head home.

“I’m sorry, I don’t think that will happen. I am busy.” He said coldly.

“With what?”

Then I suddenly heard, “With her,” and I turned around to see who he was referring to, only to see him gesturing to me. Ashley turned to me and then let out a sharp scoff, her eyes raking over me from head to toe with open disdain.

“You’re joking, right?” she asked him, still staring at me like I was less of a human.

Ok, yeah I get I dressed weirdly with my glasses, big fluffy slippers, baggy clothes and messy hair but that didn’t mean she should gave me such a look.

Then he stood up brushing Ashley’s hand away from him with so much force that almost sent her down and saying, “Since you are here,” then he started walking towards me, “How about i introduce you to my woman?”

He was now right in front of me, staring so intently at me that I thought I would burn up under his scrutiny.

I looked behind me, trying to see the person he was referring to as his woman but no one was there. Then I looked back at him with widened and confused eyes, pointing at myself,

“Me?!”

Then he moved his face closer to me and then whispered, “Consider this payment for making me wait two hours at the airport.”

And before my head could fully get a grasp of what he meant, I felt a strong arm wrapping around my body, pulling me closer to him, my body pressing against him and then his mouth came crashing onto mine.

There was a loud gasp, followed by different shutter of cameras.

I froze.

My eyes widened as if it would pop out of their socket.

His kiss was everything. Soft and sweet, that made me melt right into his mouth. I never knew this is how a kiss felt and right now, I would say it felt so good.

His tongue made its way between my lips, tasting every inch of me while I just stood still, finding it so hard to process this. And by the time he finally broke off, I was still standing rigid, completely lost.

What just happened?

“Do you still need any more explanation?” He turned his face to Angela, his arm still wrapped around me possessively. Angela looked at me with so much rage, before storming off and I caught a satisfying smirk on his face as he watched her leaving.

Then he turned back to me, removing his hand around me, “Thanks for…” but before he could complete his sentence, my hand connected to his cheeks, the sound echoing through the room.

“How dare you…” but before the word left out, I received a notification.

I dipped my hand into my pocket, bringing out my phone to check the message;

“This message is to formally notify you of the results of the DNA analysis conducted between the alleged mother and the child.

Based on the genetic markers analyzed, the test results indicate that the alleged mother is NOT a biological match to the child. The probability of maternity is 0%, and maternity is therefore excluded…”

The rest of the words became blurry as my entire body shook with so much force and the last thing I saw before darkness claiming me was his blue eyes widening in alarm, his arm reaching for me as my leg gave away.