Nine months too late: After divorce

Her brows furrowed, and her anxiety surged.

She lifted her gaze, looking around as if the sender could be somewhere near.

Her hands shook with the phone in it, her breaths begining to rise and fall heavily. Sylvie feared she might go into another panic attack.

'Stay calm, Sylvie. You don't want to do this here,' she reminded herself, shutting her eyes and forcing her breath to take a more steady rhythm. After a couple of minutes, she was calm again.

But her fingers still rattled with apprehension as she typed back a response.

'Who are you? And what're you talking about?'

It was a strange number.

She held her phone dearly in her hands, her heart beating rapidly as she waited desperately for a response, God, she really hoped they'd text back. Memories from that night threatened to overwhelm her. The woman's words, footsteps and the sound of her babies crying filled her head.

"Stop it, Sylvie." She muttered to herself, grinding her teeth and shutting her eyes. She might really lose control if this kept

1. up.

"Mr. Hawkins is here," someone said from around her.

Her eyes snapped open, heading to the direction of the gates where two black SUVS drove in.

Sylvie's heart quickened even further. He was here.

She stood up, sniffling and blinking the tears back. She couldn't afford to cry. Not now.

She watched with bated breath as the two cars came to a stop. Three men in suits-obviously guards-came out from the second car and opened the door of the first car.

Sylvie held her breath. Three seconds passed, and finally, he was out of the car, his eyes on his phone which he operated in his hand.

Sylvie sensed her freeze in her chest. Her heart suffered from how charming he looked in his black suit, the aura of superiority clinging so strongly to him.

He used to be hers.

Her mind flashed to the necklace tucked safely in her shirt. Him or nobody else could see it, but she knew it was there, and she hated how weak it made her feel.

He had probably thrashed his four years ago, but there she was, holding onto hers when it wasn't important anymore.

Her throat tightened as she realized she was losing him. His guards were hovering all around him, and Sylvie knew that if he successfully stepped into the building, she wouldn't be able to get him again.

His eyes still hadn't left his phone.

KI

Nervously, she pushed her legs forward.

"Kage." Her voice came out croaky and almost like a whisper.

She coughed, clearing the lump in her throat as she continued moving forward, but somehow, she knew the reason her throat was clogged. It was her nerves.

He was closer to the door.

"Kage!" She called louder, and this time, she got his attention, as well as everyone around him.

Sylvie's legs wobbled, threatening to give out.

She finally had his attention. This was what she wanted. Yet, It stirred a cascade of tremors throughout her body.

Her throat ran dry as his gaze fell on her. She clenched her shaky hands around the strap of her bag.

"I'm-I'm sorry. I've been um-trying to reach you. If you wouldn't mind..." she took a step closer. "Can I have a word with you?"

If anyone could hear how fast her heart raced, she'd definitely be laughed at.

Kage's cold eyes remained on her, betraying no emotion.

Raphael, who had been behind him, stepped forward. "If you wish to see him, you'll have to book an appointment, Miss."

"I know, and I've been trying," Sylvie answered quickly. "But my request wouldn't be approved, and this is very urgent."

Kage cast a fleeting glance down to her legs before returning his gaze to her eyes. Sylvie felt a twinge of embarrassment. Was he accessing her?

"I don't want to see you." He finally said.

A weight settled on Sylvie's chest like stone, it was as if the world was imploding with her in it.

"Please!" She called out just as he neared the door again. "Please, it'll only take a moment. Don't do this, Kage. Please!"

Her voice was raw with desperation, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Kage paused 1, looking at her again. But this time, there was a bleak undertone in his eyes.

"You and I aren't on first name basis." It sounded more like a warning.

Two of the guards turned to Sylvie. "You'll need to leave."

Sylvie took a step back, afraid that they might get rough with her. She saw Kage whisper something into Raphael's ear before walking off.

"Let her through," Raphael said to the guards who were still in Sylvie's way.

It took her a moment to understand what he meant, and her eyes rounded. Kage had agreed to see her!?

************

I regret the day I met you

I wish you never came to Easton High, because then, we'd never have crossed paths and Marilyn would've still been alive!

'And then I wouldn't have to feel angry over the fact that I fell in love with you.'

Kiss

They were on repeat in Sylvie's head, despite her attempt to shove them aside as she stood before Kage's magnificent desk, surrounded by the luxurious trappings of his office.

The office was sophisticated, Sylvie's favorite sight being the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline.

There were two empty seats in front of her, but he hadn't asked her to sit yet, and she remembered how rude he was and how much he took such little things into consideration.

She remembered when she'd gone to his office four years ago-before their divorce-and tried to sit without his approval.

'I never said you could sit.' The sting of his cold words was still buried deep inside her.

He was rude, but there was a time he used be hers. No one else mattered in the world but her. Until he discovered how bad she was for him and tossed her away like she never meant something.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Kage had taken off his suit jacket and had it draped over the arm of his chair. He hadn't looked at Sylvie since she walked in, and Sylvie hadn't said a word to him as he appeared busy, looking for something. Her eyes unavoidably traveled to his neck. There was no necklace on it... What had she been thinking?

Her forehead crinkled as she watched him pull out a pack of cigar and a lighter. He crammed a cigar in his mouth, lit it and took a long drag.

Reclining in his seat, he held the cigar between his fingers and finally looked at her, the smoke whirling in his face.

"What is so urgent?" His voice was frosty.

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