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?”

just have

face broke into a huge grin, and his eyes shone with tears. “That’s amazing news, Luke. 1 can’t believe it. She’s

That’s why I had to

need to celebrate this. Let’s go out for dinner tonight,” André suggested.

but I have to go now. I just wanted to let

216. A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE

this, Lake,” Andre sald, getting up as

André. I’m just glad I could bring you some good news. You know what we had to pass through

I won’t forget those

really terrifying, wasn’t

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

got a meeting to attend.”

you.” He shook hands with

told him with a nod before leaving. Well, at least now he knew that Ariel was alive. But as for me, I needed to make

was the day we would discuss whether we would

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 pressed the button for my floor and

stood in silence, not even making eye contact. I wanted to say anything, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I was afraid of rejection,

like an eternity, I finally broke

to look at me, her expression cold.

minutes. She did the same, but I kept staring at her beautiful face

the elevator began to shake violently, causing both of us to lose our balance. Ariel grabbed onto the railing, looking worried. “What’s

it’s just a minor earthquake,” I replied, trying to

shaking continued, Ariel’s panic began to rise. “Oh my god, we’re going to die

in her eyes, and I knew I had to do something to calm her down. I reminded her of the time when we were both trapped in an elevator back

an elevator, and you were in a panic?”

hyperventilate, and I could see her starting to lose

SIMLAR EXPERIENCE

I had to do something to snap her out