The Latecomer Novels & Stories

I sighed into her hair, my chest tightening, then lightening. My heart tripped over itself like it always did around her. Warmth spread through me, deep and immediate, settling deeply below my sternum. God, I missed this. I missed her. Anyta pulled back, beaming and ushering me inside breathlessly. “I thought you were coming back tomorrow!” “I wanted to surprise you,” I said. “I came back early.” She glanced around the living room, then at the walls. “Notice anything new?” I bit my lip, then smiled. “Yhe gadgets look good.”

With half an hour left on the countdown before the show began, Maria lifted a glass of wine and glanced around, bored. Noticing the distant look in her eyes, Hector smiled. "What is it? You look a bit spaced out." "No. I was just thinking… There's no way Richard would show up here, right? He's been watching me a little too closely." Hearing that, Hector curled his lip. "You're overthinking again. Only heirs of local family businesses can get an invitation. Richard isn't from here. He has no way to qualify for one. Relax." Maria let out a sigh and nodded lightly, then raised a hand to touch the cold mask on her face.

That woman had once held Nathaniel’s heart, and Cassandra couldn’t bear the thought of being overshadowed by her again, especially not tonight, when the entire business world was watching. Nathaniel returned to the table, glancing briefly at his watch. “Strange,” he said softly. “Adrian’s never late for official meetings. Something must’ve come up.” Cassandra forced a smile. “Maybe he’s busy showing off his perfect wife,” she said sarcastically. Nathaniel gave her a sharp look. “Don’t start, Cassandra. Tonight isn’t the time.” Her fake smile didn’t waver, but her jaw tightened. “Of course,” she murmured, taking another sip of her wine.

He stood like someone at the top looking down—clearly saw through their schemes, but never outright exposed them. He played along like a cat with a mouse. And by the time the mouse realized what was happening, it was already too late. “It’s 9:30, getting late. I’m heading back to rest.” Clemens stood up from the sofa. Andrew quickly followed suit, and the rest of the group stood up as well. Yuan: “So early, Mr. Clemens?” “Good health starts with good habits,” Clemens said with a friendly smile. Then, as if remembering something, added, “You should try closing the barn door before the sheep are gone.”

“This is what happens. This is what happens when you show up too late, Adrian.” ***

Just as I thought such peaceful days would continue, Niall unexpectedly appeared before me. The gallery director informed me that a VIP customer wanted to purchase several paintings. He asked me to introduce them to the paintings we had for sale and negotiate the purchase. I never expected that the said customer would be Niall Luther. He looked like he had not been faring well since I last saw him. He had an untidy beard, his hair was rumpled, and at a glance, he just looked unkempt. In the past, he would refuse to wear his leather shoes if I did not polish them to a shine. In fact, he would even get mad at me for doing a less-than-perfect job of it.

he asked jokingly. “You’re quite humorous, Mr. Luther,” I replied coldly. “I was just helping you find a hidden camera. In case your intimate moments here are captured and sent to the Luther family, I'd be the unlucky one."

Unlike Yelena, there was no hint of hostility in her eyes when she looked at Bethany. “Wow, you’re so pretty! No wonder Hudson likes you so much. I like you too!” Nicole even shared a little secret with her. “Hudson came back to work here just to find you. He was almost a bit late. Luckily, you two ended up together! If you hadn’t, he would’ve cried for sure.” When Bethany was in middle school, Hudson had moved overseas with his parents. They gradually lost touch. She only heard about him from her mother once in a while. He had gotten into a top university abroad at seventeen, earned two master’s degrees by twenty-two, and started teaching at a university.

I looked away. The street was silent; no cars, no taxis: nothing but streetlights stretching into the distance like lonely stars. I began to walk slowly; heels clicking against the sidewalk, echoing like tiny warnings. I had no idea where I was going; I had no plans ahead, no apartment to go to, no friends to meet, and no family to turn to. Just a suitcase, a little cash, and this growing secret. I was pregnant with Antonio's child. The same man who said, "Take what's yours and go."