Hey there!
Yet again I'm sorry for the wait. As I've always said being a reader myself I understand the frustrations between the wait. I just want to say this is not the end of the story. I do like to tie up loose ends, and I hope this chapter has done the job (if it hasn't, please don't abuse me, threaten to kill me etc etc :/ ) Thanks for all the comments for the previous chapter and the votes. They mean so much to me and it really does put a smile on my face (thank you John B!)
Lost my editors, so I'm afraid I did the edit myself. It's about 3am, so I don't think I have the capacity to dwell on it any longer.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
He watched her walk away. He had to let her go. What else could he do? What else could he do or say to redeem himself? Apart from when his parents died, Jared had never cried, nothing had made him close to feeling any emotions, unless anger, but now he felt trickle of tears sliding down. He slumped down onto the floor, occupying the same spot, his back against the door. She was the best thing he'd ever had. And he lost it- again.
Alin cried herself to sleep that night. She was adamant about leaving. But now that she left, she badly wanted to feel him in her arms. Is that what happens when you love someone? Is that how her mom felt? Is that why her mom chose...but Alin knew she was stronger than that. She had gone through so much; she knew she could deal with this and move on. She had so much to live for. When Jared came back to her life, she never expected it to be good. In fact he had used $5million as a weapon for her to yield to him. But it was the hope he had given her, these past few weeks that made it so hard and confusing for her. Why did he have to tell her that he loved her? It was so simple when nothing was said, and they just had sex. The tiredness of the emotional burden hit her so hard. By the time Alin fell asleep, it was almost four am. Eight hours since she left him.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Four days later, Alin found herself having to work from home to avoid the negative media attention. Again, she was painted as the bad guy. Her reputation was in ruins and her professional work didn't fare any better. She was tired of explaining herself, to prove to everyone she wasn't what everyone thought she was, but the thing that hurt the most had to be proving it to the one you love.
She tried hard to concentrate on the projects at hand. Ryan had decided to give her little work since he wasn't sure which direction the Daniels group wanted to go with their project and also he wasn't sure if she could mentally handle so much work after what had happened. Alin however, had insisted she was okay, so she assisted colleagues on their projects.
The negative media was just the tip of the iceberg, she knew much worse was to come when she received a call from Steven. She knew it was not good news. Since Daniel's Group are an influential company, it was expected they wouldn't want negative media associated with them. Alin was prepared for the blow, but it was hard to face another harsh reality so soon.
Arranging to meet her at a nearby coffee shop from her apartment, Alin found herself sat in front of a stern looking Steven as she nervously stirred the sugar and milk in her coffee, waiting for him to speak. Taking a sip of her coffee, to ward of the dryness from her lips and throat, Alin decided to take the lead, "Steven, I really understand if you want to cancel the contract. With my... I know with such a big investment, publicity is everything."
Steven poured milk into his coffee and stirred it. Looking up at Alin he said, "Do you know what I value the most in business? A lot of people think cockiness and confidence will get you far, but I don't think so. It may be a dog eat dog world, but people like you, so humble but talented is hard to find."
He smiled warmly at her, "I'm not going to cancel the contract. I don't care what other people say, but I'm going to continue giving you the main responsibility for the projects with Ryan over seeing it for me. I've been getting shit for employing you, since I was told you are supposedly inexperienced. Your age doesn't affect your ability and talent and neither does this so-called scandal."
For the first time in months, she smiled, "Thank you for this opportunity, Steven. Thank you for believing in me." Alin said through tears. "But I just have one more thing to ask of you."
"No problem, go ahead."
"Is it okay if we keep this between us for now? I know this is not correct protocol, but I don't want my personal life interfere with my professional life, so it would be best if Ryan is unaware we've signed."
Steven nodded in understanding. "I will let you tell him when you feel the time is right. Then I'd personally discuss the main points in the contract with him once you tell me you're ready."
Steven sincerely hoped he was doing the right thing in agreeing with her...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
That day, after meeting with Steven, Alin sat in front of her desk looking at the paper work in front of her. This was an opportunity of a lifetime. Though, she was relieved to know that under no condition would he not employ her, something felt amiss. She wasn't sure if she was ready to be so far away from everything.
She read through the contract trying to find any fault she could. But she couldn't. The Daniels Group were too generous with their offer. She couldn't refuse it. Alin couldn't tell anyone about this yet. Not even Hallie. She had made Steven promise not to tell Ryan. She didn't want Jared to know because then she'd be persuaded to stay by her own heart. Though it was hard, it had been almost a week since she had avoided him, ignored his calls and gave the flowers and presents he gave her to others.
Alin knew she was slowly recovering. No longer an addict, she wouldn't suffer from relapse and forgive him- because he didn't deserve forgiveness. She told herself over and over again.
As her phone rang, knowing it was Jared, she pressed 'end call.'
It was better to leave everything unsaid.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jared drove to the same spot he had occupied for the past month and switched off the engine, waiting. The spot was perfect and he knew he couldn't be seen. He smiled as he saw Alin walk out of her apartment. She was dressed in a black vest top with black gym shorts and stretching her long slender legs. It was the same every Sunday. After going for an hour run, she would go brunch with Hallie. Again, Jared smiled bitterly at the thought of him not being in her life anymore and being reduced to
stalking
her. Hell if anyone found out...as a matter of fact, what if someone found out? He'd do anything to have her back.
For the past month he had tried hard. Knowing she didn't really want to see him, in fact Alin had flat out refused to see him. He tried her office or Hallie and Ryan slyly arranging for him to be there on many occasions outside of work. But Alin caught on quickly and gave both her friend an ultimatum- either see them separately or don't see her at all. Helplessly, Hallie and Ryan had suggested maybe Jared should not push too hard
yet
, and maybe let them persuade her. In the meantime they gave him updates in her life, whilst trying to always say good things about him to get her to soften towards him.
It hadn't gone to plan.
Though Ryan always assured him that Alin still had strong feelings for him, he was sceptical. Besides, even if the words were true, she was still indifferent to him.
So he had sent flowers and presents to her apartment and office and also called her often, leaving messages. He wasn't sure if she listened to any of them, but he was damn sure he wasn't going to give up. At least she hadn't changed her number, so he viewed that as some sort of progress. The media however did fortunately die down after a few weeks, though there still speculations and made up stories. Jared promised he'd make whoever was behind this to pay dearly, starting with Haltor.
"...remember our second home in LA? Well I was thinking of renovating it, but not really sure if I should make it the same as our home here. But then I know you're not into the whole lavish theme, so I think simplicity is the way forward." He paused and sighed, it was hard to keep a conversational tone especially since it was a one way conversation. "Alin, I really miss you. I miss being beside you, I miss the way you smile at me. I miss...I just want you to know I love you, and there's a not day I don't regret ever mistrusting you..."
