Lahat ng Kabanata ng REGRET UNTIL SHE SAYS GOODBYE : Kabanata 181 - Kabanata 190

SARA'S POVSomething about Alaric's silence was unnerving.His usual silence always gave me a quiet sense of comfort but it didn't feel like that tonight. It just left me feeling confused while wondering what in the world was going on that he couldn't say to me before we had dinner.The whole idea of dinner wasn't top of my list right now either but since he refused to talk unless that happened, I followed him quietly.We took the elevator to the ground floor, with neither of us saying a word to the other.When I glanced at him with a renewed sense of curiosity, all he did was smile at me, reassuringly, but I didn't feel reassured, I was on edge.I wanted to know what was going on and I wanted to know if the audit would take a step further, if the collaboration would fail and If we would have to return home without achieving what we came here for which would be a total disappointment.Messing up wasn't something I'd prepared my mind for and I didn't want to mess up either, not just fo

THIRD PERSON'S POV As if she'd spoken under the influence of alcohol, Alyssa blinked at him a minute later then a small, guilty smile curved her lips, "I did drink...a few glasses."Derek's expression eased almost instantly, as though the sharpness of his gaze was an illusion and he nodded then took a step forward in Alyssa's direction, "Why?"As though he'd only thought of it, he added, "Is everything okay?"Alyssa glanced briefly at him then shook her head and ran her hands through her hair, messing it up even more, "Derek...""I'm disheartened," She said after a slight pause, voice lowering to add more effect.She waited after that, with crossed arms, expecting him to ask why but even after waiting a couple of seconds, Derek didn't.Alyssa sighed with disappointment, "I knew you would not ask why but I'll tell you anyway."Derek raised an eyebrow, still quiet Alyssa's lips quavered, as though what she was about to say weighed heavily on her mind and her voice lowered even more, "

SARA’S POVWhen the meeting ended, people filtered out in tense clusters.I remained seated, trying to regulate my breathing and get it under control.Alaric stopped beside me and he spoke in a lowered voice. “Are you okay?”“Not really,” I admitted truthfully.“You didn’t do it.”It wasn’t a question. It was a statement, one that he knew was true just as I knew and it warmed my heart to have someone trust in me so unwaveringly,His trust was certain and steady and it made me begin to wonder-were he to trade places with Derek right now, would the latter take my side so staunchly?When it came to Alaric, I didn’t need to ask if he believed me, I just always knew he would.I heard the faint shuffle of steps and I looked behind us to see Leah, who had paused in the doorway, watching us with narrowed eyes, fury simmering beneath her perfect makeup.Her fingers tightened around her folder until the edges bent.When Alaric caught her staring, she offered a brittle smile and walked out.I sw

SARA'S POV I halted just in time and the flicker of surprise in my eyes dimmed.The person I had almost run into was Leah.She paused when I did as well and crossed her arms in a way that was supposed to give off relaxation but didn't quite.Her eyes swept over my face in a quick study and then her gaze trailed downwards, to my feet, confirming that she was indeed assessing me.I pursed my lips and my frown that had barely vanished emerged again.She didn't speak, neither did I.We just stood there, staring at each other with shared displeasure. Before now, I could have managed to summon a smile around her but now, I didn't even want to force myself too.The fake exchange of pleasantries was over and she had stopped pretending to be polite with me.Her look was threaded with iciness and displeasure, as if she had walked in on something she wasn't expecting to.I didn't mind her looking at me like that, I paid her expression no heed. There was no point giving her the satisfaction of a

SARA’S POVThe next morning began like nothing had changed and that in itself was unsettling. Vienna city looked the same from my window.It was the same city I had admired upon my arrival here. The movements of cars were still just as orderly and even if anything significant had happened the night before, there was no indication of it.I got dressed, selecting the most monotone colors I could find and I didn’t check my phone until I was done strapping my wristwatch to my wrist. There were no missed calls or messages when I checked and I let out a slow exhale. “No news is good news.”I knew those words weren’t true for all cases but I hoped it was for mine.My phone buzzed the instant I grabbed my bag, with a message from Alaric.It read; “I need to do something urgently and won’t be able to have breakfast with you. I however did make a reservation for you so ensure you have breakfast before heading to the office.”The message was detailed and very thoughtfully written. I smiled at t