Chapter 144: An Illusion

“So you’re telling me it’s just a coincidence that the electricity on my lounge floor and cellular network went off, all in one night, and it is also a coincidence a sudden security lockdown happened on that same night?” Tristan questioned Kaleb who was standing before him in his office, his voice strict.

“That is very likely president.” Kaleb replied sensing the displeasure In his boss’s tone.

And there he had been thinking his boss would commend him and thank him, good thing he didn’t immediately admit to being the culprit, he kept a straight face and lied about knowing nothing.

Kaleb felt like being submerged into the grounds under Tristan’s sharp gaze. The president was looking at him like someone who had already been sentenced to death and the only thing he was waiting for was to be hanged in the gallows.

“Alright, you may leave.” Tristan suddenly dismissed him without another question.

Kaleb stilled. He was totally taken aback. Was the president really letting him off this easy?

Though he didn’t believe it, Kaleb didn’t waste another second as he scrambled out of the office.

Whew! I’m off the hook!

Once he was safely outside, only then did Kaleb feel relieved. It seems the president did believe his lies after all. He chuckled happily and went on his way to start working for the day.

Tristan watched Kaleb go, knowing that the idiot thought he was saved already, little did he know, his punishment would slowly come his way.

Just as he was about to start working, his hands unconsciously paused as memories flashed through his head. He slowly gazed down at his palm, an inexplicably empty feeling filling his heart.

Last night…not a moment had passed since then that he hadn’t thought of her.

He had approved her application for a leave this morning and quietly watched her as she left the company. He had seen her get into a man’s car, undoubtedly Julian Grant and the sight of that had caused a violent shuddering pain in his chest.

He didn’t want her with someone else, he wanted her…with him.

What was this endless feeling of longing, of wanting a person by your side so much that your heart feels like it could explode without them?

What was this feeling of finding peace only in the presence of that person and being completely restless in their absence?

This feeling of wanting to possess, to protect and be with them for every second of your life?

Endless questions ran through his head, it was like a whirlwind had erupted in his head until his senses picked up one single answer.

Could it be…

No, it couldn’t be. Such emotions were empty assumptions people created, there was no such thing as love, if there was, his father wouldn’t have turned his back on the woman he claimed he loved, if there was, his mother wouldn’t have died miserably due to that man’s betrayal.

He’d heard people talk and gush about the feeling of being in love, and his past experiences made him believe it was a false emotion that ruined lives, commitments destroyed other people and left them shattered, love was an illusion…and till this moment he wanted to continue believing that, but his heart beat in a certain way whenever he thought about her. These emotions, these feelings were overwhelming his senses, she was overwhelming him.

He would admit that for the first time in his life, he wanted to be with a woman, truly be with her, but he also wanted to protect her from any possible pain or suffering, and his life, dark and empty as it was wasn’t a place he could guarantee her endless safety and happiness. What would happen if he ended up hurting her, just like that man had hurt his mom? What would happen if he ended up losing her, just like he’d lost his Mom?

The severity and depth of these emotions he felt for her frightened him in a way he knew if he let her into his life, losing her would kill him on the inside. Such kind of pain was something he would want to avoid, for her and him both.

No matter how much he tried to forget it, last night remained fresh on his mind. At first, it had been lust on their first night five years ago, but ever since then he had felt something deeper take root inside of him, and he had left that suite because he knew he couldn’t afford to let whatever it was grow.

It was more than lust, now he was very certain about that, something much more than lust… something he was afraid to admit.

Tristan regained his focus, with a sigh, his heart heavy, he knew what he had to do.

*****

Celine was at home the next day when she received an urgent call from the company.

“Miss Roberts, the letter from Rowena islands arrived. They have agreed to sell the lands to us but they claim those lands are sacred to their community, they are not exactly sure of selling but can negotiate if our company higher-ups can make a trip over to the Rowena islands, the community chief has requested the company president himself to visit their islands for the negotiations. And we think it’s best if you inform Mr Grayson about it.”

Celine had almost started to celebrate about that news when she heard the last part.

She had to go inform Tristan about this herself?

It was a project allocated to her specifically, though she had taken a few days leave, such important matters couldn’t be pushed back or delayed, if the deal failed through, it would be her fault entirely.

“Alright, I’ll find time to come in later to tell him about it.” She replied to the person on the phone then hung up.

“Do you have work Mommy?” Leah asked sweetly.

“Yes darling, but I’ll only be gone for a short while.”

“It’s okay, godmother Natalia and I have so much fun even if you’re not here. You can go get your work done.”

“Thanks sweetie.” Celine kissed her daughter before getting up to leave.

When Celine came into the company, she headed straight for the president’s office but met Kaleb there instead.

“Miss Roberts.” He called her name with an excited look in his eyes. “You’re still on leave right, did you come here to see president because you missed him?”

“What?” As she looked at him dumbfounded, Kaleb realized he’d had a slip of tongue and almost gave himself away as their official matchmaker. He immediately changed his words,

“I mean…did you come to speak with president about something?”

Celine didn’t entirely hear what he’d said the first time so his change of words completely slipped past her head.

“Yes, it’s about the acquisition of the Rowena islands.”

“Oh, I almost forgot that was assigned to you. How is it going now, are we set for acquisition?”

“Not yet I’m afraid, the community chief wants to…”

“I think you should tell the president about it yourself, he’ll be here any minute, he just went to deal with some personal issues.” Kaleb quickly cut her off.

If she informed him about the issue now, he was sure she might just leave without seeing the president, after sharing such a heated night together, they couldn’t just start avoiding each other again right?

Kaleb wanted to see the moment they set eyes on each other again, would sparks fly, would they really be able to resist one another?

Just at that moment, the person himself returned to the office but there was someone else with him.

Erica trailed behind him like a buzzing fly who wouldn’t quit.

Kaleb face palmed.

Oh darn it boss! You’re ruining my effort here, why did you have to let that one come in with you right now?

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