All Chapters of BURNING THE LINES BETWEEN US : Chapter 41 - Chapter 43

 The board meeting had gone better than expected. Keiko had formally approved the expansion of compliance oversight, giving Collins and Jerome the authority they'd been fighting for. As they left the conference room, Collins felt something like triumph settling in his chest."Lunch?" Jerome suggested. "To celebrate not getting fired?""That's a low bar for celebration.""I have low standards. You knew this about me."They chose a restaurant in Shibuya,upscale but not ostentatious, the kind of place where business deals happened over expensive sushi. The hostess led them to a table near the window, sunlight streaming through glass and casting patterns on white tablecloths.Collins was reviewing the menu when Jerome went completely still across from him."What's wrong?" Collins asked."Don't turn around. Vanessa is here."Collins turned around immediately, because he was contrary like that. Two tables away sat a woma

 Vanessa made it to her apartment before the breakdown hit.She'd held herself together through the subway ride, through the elevator up to her floor, through unlocking her door with shaking hands. But once inside, alone, the facade shattered.She sat on the floor leaning on her door and she remembered all the memories she had with Jerome,the promise they made to each other,the way he looked at her like his life depends on her,the way he smile at her...All the good times were gone. Those loving looks on his face each time he looks at her were now replaced with hate and disgust.It was as if karma played a fast one on her.She cheated with the father and he now has the son,she hated how she felt...Hated Akihito for using her, Hated Collins for being with Jerome,Hated Jerome for not waiting for her to apologize before replacing her with someone who's meant to become his enemy." He said he love me,why