The Dark Secret of the CEO by Sofia de Orellana

Chapter 23

I can barely believe my eyes, yet the truth is there, in front of me, slapping me right in the face. It’s definitely Rick. I had doubts about seeing him at the police station, but this time, it’s not just a short vision in a blink, he’s really right there, in front of my eyes, and he’s not going anywhere. That tight knot appears in my throat again. …Why the fuck is he in London?

He’s standing right in front of the doors, arms crossed, jaw clenched, staring as if he can’t be bothered to blink. It’s been a few years since I saw him last, but he’s barely changed. If anything, he seems a bit bulkier, and his black hair is cut neatly, short, unlike that beach surfer mid-length style he had when we were young… He’s not wearing his uniform either, just some simple white shirt and denim pants, and a thick coat over it, perhaps a biker’s jacket. I can only see him from the back, just a bit of his profile towards us, but that’s more than enough for me to recognize him. I can guess his five-o-clock shadow too… My heart tightens a bit. Shit.

“What is it?” Asks Bart, trying to find what or who I’m staring at.Daily Latest update www.noveljar.com

“…My ex, Rick,” I mutter. “He’s here too.”

It takes him a couple of minutes to spot him amongst the crowd, but when he does, he clicks his tongue.

“So you didn’t dream it after all. What is he doing here?”

“He’s waiting for Charles…?”

That’s the only plausible theory. He’s waiting right outside the doors, and as I glance at the list of incoming flights, the one from New York City is just the most likely one. Or is there somebody else on the flight? From the way he’s glaring at those doors, I wouldn’t think so… But why? Why the hell did he come all the way to London? Did he find out Charles was coming here and followed him? Or did he hear about the fake apartment under my name? If Rick’s really part of the NYPD now, he could easily get access to that kind of information. …Is he really investigating my death? Shit, I wish he’d stay out of this.

“Hey, where are you going?” Bart asks, suddenly grabbing my arm.Daily Latest update www.noveljar.com

Before realizing, I had already taken the direction of the stairs.

“I just… I just want to check if that’s really him,” I mutter, unable to calm down. “I’ll be quick.”

“Swithin wants us to stay away, your ex will be coming out any minute!”

“If he is and Rick makes a scene, it will make things difficult too,” I retort. “Just let me check, Bart.”Daily Latest update www.noveljar.com

I free myself from his grip and walk away before he can say anything more. I just need to confirm… I just need to see him from up close. Maybe Bart’s right, maybe I’ve gone mad. I know I should listen to Swithin and stay away, but I can’t. A part of me is just begging to get closer, just a bit closer, to see him. Staring from afar isn’t enough… I just want to see his face.

I quickly step down the stairs, people stepping aside as my high heels announce my approach. I get a few stares, gazes attracted to my red hair and white coat contrast, or people curious about my unusual appearance, like wearing sunglasses inside an airport. I ignore them all, and just walk around the arrival hall, circling around Rick from far enough, just trying to find a safe angle to see and not be seen. Of course, Swithin notices me, and I see him frown behind his red shades. Sorry, Swithin, I just need a minute… or a few. My heart tightens every time I get a glimpse of Rick. There are hundreds of people in the airport, so even staring in his direction, my view is often blocked by the random flow of travelers. It’s chaotic, but everybody but him is a blur. I see this scene as if everything in the background was out of focus, like those slow scenes in a movie. Except that nobody can hear the loud ruckus going on in my head, in my chest.

It’s really him. He’s older, of course, than what I remember of him. I’m choked up by regrets, and, much worse, by hope. Will he spot me amongst the crowd? Would he recognize me? …Would he be willing to forgive me?

I stand there, still, for a few seconds, staring in his direction. He hasn’t changed that much in the few years I haven’t seen him. He has the same strong features, his large chin, his strong eyebrows, his deep, dark eyes. The sexy tan of his skin, and even that uneven nose I always loved to make fun of. I remember a much younger Rick, skinnier, too tall for his age and insecure in his skin. There’s nothing looking insecure about the man I’m staring at. His shoes firmly planted on the floor, his strong chin, his determined eyes. My stomach decides to make a knot too. I step back, feeling a bit anxious all of a sudden. …Is he still mad at me? Would he be mad if he saw me now? I don’t know if I could handle it.Daily Latest update www.noveljar.com

senses, perhaps, make him lose his focus on the arrival doors, and start glancing around. I quickly turn around, pretending to step in the long line for an overpriced airport coffee. Nervous, I try not to glance back, but this time, I’m the one feeling the stare. A shiver runs down my spine. Has he seen me, or am I just imagining

the line. Some people stare at me, wondering why I bothered to stand in line for such a short time,

you doing?” Hisses

is

says after a few seconds. “Is he going

problem. He looks like he’s getting ready to

our trail, and I need to get Williams’ trust,

the arrival doors, in the exact same position as before. How the hell am I supposed to get him to look away and forget Charles, he looks like a sniper waiting for his perfect window of opportunity… I glance

hurry,” he says. “The first travellers of the

a single woman. I find a young woman, sitting in the waiting area, a bit younger than me, with a cringe orange tan and platinum blonde hair, apparently alone and busy on her phone, she’s not looking up. I quickly go and sit right next to her. When she glances

I say with an attractive

curious about me. “Do we know

for a

Nan. I’m supposed to get her but her

nose, and focus on the bit

standing in front of

She mutters, under my

should try and get his number. You really, really

“That’s true…”

at her, visibly confused and losing his focus. I know I purposely picked a girl he’d never be attracted to, but it still annoys me quite a bit to see his attention suddenly absorbed by this English girl. I cross my arms, staring at the scene, a bit annoyed. At least, it worked. More people come off the NYC flight and he just can’t get rid of her. Damn, Rick, you idiot, are you seriously blushing? I roll my eyes, and go back to staring at the entrance. More people come out of the doors… I spot Charles. He’s not alone. That brunette from my funeral is here too, plus a man I’ve never seen before, and another woman, an older one, perhaps in

as we head

jealous face was epic,” he mocks

I did what

there was a way to stop the charming from afar… Bart

Baby Vamp. Seeing your two exes the same day,

I’m breaking all your game

“Tsk.”

out, there’s a bit of a crowd already, and we have to slow down to try and walk around groups and families reuniting. I can’t help but smile at a pair of children running into their

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