Briana POV“I thought I made it clear that I don’t want to see you again.” He hissed.“If so, why did you come to the interview this afternoon, knowing I would be there?” I could not help the retort that escaped my lips.I wanted to let Noah know that I’ve changed. I was not the old pushover Briana he could string along.“I was informed that I would be guesting with Briana Ford. How would I know it was you? I was not informed you remarried.” Now, he sounded defensive, and it brought me a little bit of satisfaction at the knowledge.“I didn’t know you wanted to keep tabs on my life.” I retorted sarcastically.The edges of Noah’s mouth tightened, telling me he was not taking my barb well.“What are
Briana POVI was stumped.I did not know how Noah and I ended up kissing each other fiercely. Hanna was staring at me, but I could not meet her gaze. I also kept silent because, frankly, right now, I was still shaken by what happened. It was so sudden. So unexpected. I wanted to blame it all on Noah.I hated him. I knew that. But why did I respond to his kiss?More importantly, why did it feel right? Gosh! The man has a fiancée. He loves someone else and has been in love with her for years. I wanted to bang my head on the mirror to knock some sense into me. I am not a relationship wrecker. Britney White does not deserve it.If Noah did not stop, would it end with just a kiss? I stared at my reddening face in the mirror when Hanna's gasp interrupted my musings. "Oh, my gee! You are still in love with him!"My heart started to pound double in my chest. Five years! "No. I don't." I denied hotly and fumbled to do something to avoid meeting Hanna's gaze from our reflection in the
Noah POVI was looking at Briana while Hanna dragged her away and felt a sense of unexplainable loss.I shook my head, not understanding myself anymore.I hated her. I knew that.But as I watch her leave, why does it feel like something is squeezing my gut?"I thought you hated her."Britney’s voice intruded into the mess in my head.Detecting a hint of pain in her voice, I could not help but wince.“What are you doing here?” I asked harshly.Britney flinched. She looked taken aback, and I realized I had been aggressive with her.I felt sorry for her.In all the years we had been together, I had always been patient with her, just as she was patient with me.She understood what I had gone through.I sighed.“I am sorry,” I said wearily, brushing my hair back for want of doing something.My hands missed holding Briana, and I itch to r
Noah POV“So, what happened was just an unfortunate accident.” I mused to myself while at the same time, I felt regret filled me with shame.I let hate consume me for something that was not even there.And what’s worse?I shook my head for the years lost.“Not really,” Brent murmured on the other end.There was something in his voice that I picked up.“What do you mean?” I said dully.I couldn’t undo the years passed, but I could not stop myself from feeling an immense sense of loss.I did not only lose my parents. I also lost my wife.Brent cleared his throat. I could feel the hesitation in the prolonged silence.“Out with it, Brent. You know I can take it.” I hissed in impatience.“Someone tampered with your car. The police could not find any suspect except your wife because she purportedly has the motive.”“You said she was having an affair, and the police picked that up.”I sighed. “Before the accident, Uncle Matt showed me pictures of Briana in suggestive shots with the same m
Noah POVAs I waited for my car, I was filled with remorse, the what ifs and the could have been.When the car stopped in front of me, Chris, my assistant, got out to open the door for me.“Are we going to the apartment, sir?” He asked when I got in.“No. Just drive around.” I told him.The car engine started, and we drove off the hotel.We just circled around. I wound the window down and let the night breeze slap my cheeks. “I needed a cigarette,” I told Chris.The driver stopped the car outside the parking area near the convenience store that operated twenty-four-seven.I got out and ordered Chris and the driver to stay behind.“I’ll just be a moment,” I told them.I got inside and went straight to the counter to request my brand. I stand in line and wait for my turn.While waiting, I sensed a presence on my legs. When I looked down, I saw a boy about four or five years old. He was about to untie the laces of my Oxfords.He looked surprised when our eyes met. I noticed he was t
Noah POVI felt like a stalker watching the black SUV cruise down the highway. At the next stoplight, it turned left and stopped outside a huge house. The house looked brand new. It is a two-story modern mansion that looks majestic from afar. The lamps outside cast a muted color of gold that looked breathtaking in the moonlight.The green backdrop of trees and mossy green grass emphasized simplicity, neatness, and understated opulence.Looking at this house was like looking at Briana herself. She used to be simple, but her beauty radiates from within.“Bye, Daddy M.” They cried in unison as they clambered out of the car, ducking their father’s tall figure.I looked at the sight with envy and a dull ache in my chest.“It’s Mr. Ford. I did not know he had children.” The driver’s voice pulled me out of my trance.“He’s in the limelight because of his work. He must have done it to protect his family.” It was Chris explaining.I sighed.“Let’s go,” I told the driver, and we left the are
Noah POV"How did I get home last night?"That was the first question that came to my head when I opened my eyes and saw the familiar sight of my bedroom's ceiling.My phone rings, and despite feeling hung over, I squinted to locate my phone. I grabbed it from the nightstand and pressed the answer button.“Hunter,” I mumbled huskily.The caller spoke, and I sat up straight.“Chris, who brought me home?” I asked, brushing back the hair that fell loosely on my forehead.I really could not remember what happened the night before. I was so hammered.
Briana POV“Are you alright?” Anthony Goldstone asked after the conference.We walked out ahead of the others because I felt like my whole body was burning.Sitting with your ex sucks.“I’m fine, Anthony. Can you and Martina wait for me in the car? I’ll just need to freshen up.” I told him.Anthony seemed reluctant to go. He looked at my face for a while before nodding his assent.When he and Martina left, I went to the powder room, following the directions of one of the staff.I looked at my flushed face in the mirror and groaned.It was so hard keeping myself together, appearing nonchalant while your ex-husband sat right next to you.It was discomfiting, at the least.Throughout the conference, I was so anxious. I wanted to make the hands of time move faster so I could go.Noah was the only man in my life, and though I hated him for the last five years, seeing him and sitting next to him shook my insides to the core.I realized, much to my dismay, that Noah still has that same effe