The Love From Vengeance

216: A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE

LUKE’S POV

1 had been driving around on my way to Andre’s company. I needed to talk to him, and I knew he would be there. Finally, I saw the familiar building and parked, bursting out to make my way

The receptionist greeted me with a smile and asked how she could assist me. “I need to speak to Andre,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Do you have an appointment?” she asked, typing on her computer.

“No, but it’s urgent. Please, it won’t take long,” I pleaded.

inside.

She looked at me for a moment before picking up the phone and dialing a number. After a brief

inversation, she hung up and told me to wait in the lobby. I thanked her and took a seat on one of the plush couches, my nerves getting the best of me.

I tried to calm myself down by focusing on the soothing music playing in the background. Minutes felt like hours as I waited. And where the hell was that guy? Why was he taking so long? Didn’t he know I had other things to do?

Finally, the receptionist called my name and informed me that André was available to see me. I followed her to his office. She knocked on the door before opening it and gesturing for me to come in.

Files and piles of papers were all around Andre as he sat at his desk. He looked up at me with a raised eyebrow. “Luke, what brings you here?” he asked, his voice laced with surprise.

“I need to talk to you, Andre.”

He motioned for me to take a seat in front of him. “What is it?” he asked, leaning back in his chair.

I took a deep breath before blurting out, “Ariel is alive.”

Andre’s eyes widened. “Wow, you’re being real now?

“Yes, I’m for real. I saw her and even talked to her.”

her? Where?”

I think I’ll stop there. But you just have

with tears. “That’s amazing news, Luke. 1 can’t believe it. She’s finally

I had to tell

need to celebrate this. Let’s go out for

but laugh at his excitement. “That sounds great, but I have to go now. I just wanted to let you know.” I

216. A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE

you enough for this, Lake,” Andre

you some good news. You know what we had to pass through while searching for Ariel, right?

won’t forget those

really terrifying, wasn’t

said in hushed tones. “So you’re not going to

I’ve got a meeting to

feel you.” He shook hands with me.

Ariel was alive. But as for me, I needed to make

was standing outside the Enritoes company building, looking forward to my discussion with the CEO. Today was the day we would discuss whether we would carry out a project together. I took a deep breath and walked through the revolving doors, making my way to

a familiar figure standing in the corner. It was Ariel. She was standing there, crossing her arms, acting like she didn’t see me. I couldn’t stress about what she was doing here. I

but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I was afraid of rejection, clearly remembering what happened the

I finally broke the silence. “Ariel,

turned to look at me, her

I kept staring at her beautiful face

causing both of us to lose our balance.

it’s just a minor earthquake,” I

as the shaking continued, Ariel’s panic began to rise. “Oh my

fear in her eyes, and I knew I had to do something to calm her down. I reminded her of the

in an elevator, and you were in a panic?”

reason. She began to hyperventilate, and

SIMLAR

knew I had to do something to snap her out of