Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

Chapter 38 ~ Vanilla scent

ATHENA

"I really don't want to be here." I protest.

Alex doesn't even glance at me as he adjusts his cufflinks, his green eyes scanning the racetrack. "It's just for two hours. We'll go home soon. I couldn't reschedule this."

I cross my arms, shifting uncomfortably in the wooden seat. The air is thick with the scent of freshly cut grass, leather, and expensive cologne. The cheers of the crowd rise and fall as another race begins, hooves pounding against the dirt track like a drumbeat.

I couldn't care less.

The only thing I want is to go home.

Alex, however, sits perfectly composed beside me, looking every bit the powerful billionaire he is. I must say I did wonder how an orphan girl like me landed auch a man, but I've been too scared to ask.

We have a dinner coming up where I'm supposed to meet his grandmother, and I'm a nerve wreck.

It's been a week since that incident, and even though I've been wanting to get some sun, this wasn't how I envisioned it.

"You could've left me at home," I mutter, my fingers tightening around the glass of water in my lap.

Alex finally looks at me, his expression unreadable. "No."

One word. No explanation.

Another thing I've come to learn about Alex is that he's extremely hot but also very annoying.

I exhale sharply, turning my gaze to the track. Another race is starting, the announcer's voice booming through the speakers.

A group of thoroughbreds burst out of the gates, their jockeys leaning forward, urging them faster.

The crowd roars.

I don't react.

Because the only thing I can focus on is Alex.

Or rather, how he's been acting these past few days.

He hasn't left the house.

He's been working from home, his laptop always within reach, but his eyes constantly flicking toward me like he's expecting me to collapse at any moment.

Every ten minutes, without fail, he finds a reason to check on me.

Do you need anything?

Are you hungry?

Are you tired?

Are you cold?

few times, I thought it was a coincidence. But then I realized

he

in the VIP section

fingers brushing

It's subtle. Barely noticeable.

But I know better.

throws all the senses out the window, and I hold my breath,

him from the corner of my eye. Trying to sound as normal

to babysit me, you know."

his voice

huff, turning back to the race. "Could've fooled

on my thigh. A casual touch. Light.

a suit, too. Otherwise, his hand on

slight shiver when

I swallow hard.

a crisp navy suit,

of the hour!" he greets with a

this beautiful woman?" He asks with that smile that looks painted on. "My personal doctor." He

heart splits into

you? I seem to have some medical issues lately." He

He is testing him.

his

by his brutal rejection, but something about the way this man looks at me unsettles me, and suddenly, I'm grateful he didn't sell me out.

sure you know better than that. Mr. Brown." Alex responds

are dancing with flames and daring him to

distant, we are close friends Alex. You can call me

eyes stay on

late forties with too much gel in his hair. It's

swirling the whiskey in his glass. "You never used

the only sign that Arnold has managed to push

confusing me with someone else,” Alex says

edges, but the amusement doesn't reach his eyes. "Is that so? That's quite possessive

running in my veins."

his lips into a thin line. Like that sentence is a

threat. It's a reminder,

couldn't imagine it being more than

this is Alex we're talking about. He never

long silence stretches between them. It's suffocating, thick with

quite understand.

Alex doesn't blink.

Arnold doesn't blink.