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2. 11. Conundrum
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Inhaling it in, I let it wander down and about before blowing it out.
The wind whips past me as I stand alone in the empty graveyard with just a cigarette in hand.
I smoke occasionally but today I needed it. Hopefully, I don't make a habit of it.
I look down at the headstone I'm standing next to and the flowers in front of it. I had read somewhere once that poppies were a sign of peace after the end of something.
Pretty ironic but I didn't know how else I would've done justice to the situation.
Clinton's grave was the last place I wanted to be right now.
I had avoided Justine for the better half of a month, it was pretty easy considering she wanted to avoid me too.
I had caught upto the work, I had made sure I was upto my neck deep into work this entire time. If only to avoid Justine or even let the thought of her enter my mind.
It was until Ben sto
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Than There Was Us 2. 12. Weary
As soon as I was over with my hangover or so I thought, I called in George to pull up the car and set off for work.Even though I scrubbed myself to almost skinning my skin, the pain from my head and the sleep from my eyes didn't waver one bit.Still I pushed forward.On the way over, I dialed mom to inform her on the bullshit lawsuit Justine told me about before."Hey, mom""Hey, I was just about to call you", her voice is too preppy for a morning like this.She seems eager but I have to let her know about the most important matter at hand first."Whatever it was, I hope it can wait because there's a lawsuit in my hand and guess who gave it to me? Justine", I tell her holding in my yawn."What? What happened?", she sounds shocked."I don't know but its something about patent. The document says stealing our technology and fraud whic
Than There Was Us 2. 13. Equation
We walk out of the conference room, hand in hand.And I can already feel the winds changing.We find Sarah in the hallway who was apparently waiting for us."Sarah, please cancel all of my meetings for the rest of the day. I think I've had enough for one day", she nods at her"Now, I'm heading out for lunch with Jason. Call the car upfront in five. I hope you booked my place for the lunch....?", Justine drags out as she asks Sarah.An immediate smile graces Sarah's lips."I'll get to it right away", she nods obediently.She leaves us but not before subtly winking at me behind Justine's back. Almost as if she was poaching for me.I give her a surprised look which changes to a blank expression within seconds when Justine turns around to face me."I'll just gather my things and we'll be on our way. Just give me a couple of minute
Than There Was Us 2. 14. Smiling Through It All
The next day was nothing short of unexpected.The whole day was going perfectly great until Liza dropped with a bomb in my office.I was working on overlooking some files when suddenly my door is pushed open with such force, I'm startled out of my seat.I watch as Liza barges in through my office door, stomping all the way.With the way her face is set, I'm assuming only the worst.My secretary stumbles in behind her, trying to stop her but Liza seems to be on a mission today.My secretary, Aria's pleas go to unheard ears. I motion for her that I'll take it from here and she leaves us alone in my cabin.Before I can say something, Liza is all ready to eat my head off. She slams her hand so hard on my table, laying her palm flat against it.I watch as she removes her hand to reveal her phone.What
Than There Was Us 2. 15. Weekend
It's the weekend. To say I'm tired would be an understatement. All I want to do is relax but apparently I can't.Ever since mom heard the news from that tabloid blowing up places with mine and Justine's affair, she has pulled everything to a halt. Just to nag me.Yup.I'm officially fucked.Although the PR is handling the situation now, mom's being her own investigative self. Trying to pry me to tell her stuff. What kind, I honestly don't know myself.Having lost her patience with me, she has now dragged me to Justine's on a Saturday evening for dinner.So here I'm, with my mother. Another gift in my hand for little Cole and a packet of Justine's favorite chocolates. Mom brought her best wine because apparently a gossip session was in the schedule.I roll my eyes at her wide smiling face. Her excitement is almost unbearable in the elevator upto Justine's. So much so, I'm a little concerned her
Than There Was Us 2. 16. A Night Alone
It's been a whole week since I've been in London and let me tell you, if I did miss anything here before, I don't anymore.All I miss right now is Justine.The last time we met was that night when things got all heated and heavy.God, I can still feel her taste on my tongue.It makes me want to leave everything here and just go back to her. But I can't. I can tell Justine is in her own dilemma considering, she didn't call or text me before I left for London nor did I because I didn't want to impose myself on her. I wanted to see if she really wanted me there like I did her.The first two or three days went by without a word from her when one day, I finally received a voice message from her.I don't know how many times I heard it and found her stuttering, fumbling cute but I did listen it to a point that I've memorized exactly how she said and what she said.'Hey, how are you? We're all good here. Eleanor
Than There Was Us 2. 17. Longing
It's almost Friday and to say I'm relieved to have shipped to New York early in the morning would be an understatement.Having had slept most of my flight back home and then having slept some more after I reached home. I woke up at somewhere around 5pm that too to someone stroking my hair.As my mind slowly started to gain consciousness, I realized I was laying on my front on the bed with my arms spread in both directions.And that's when I felt a hand running through my hair softly. My eyes opened slowly adjusting to the low light coming through the window and that's when saw her.Sitting on my bed, smiling at me. I groaned in happiness as I closed my eyes and made to sit. Her hand finally left my hair a little reluctantly. I rubbed my face to get me out of the sleep haze and snap back to reality just in case I was dreaming.Heck, I was totally expecting her to disappear the next second but there she was still smiling at me adoringly.
Than There Was Us 2. 18. Lingering
I was really looking forward to our night together. I had missed her so much over the past two weeks. It was like missing a limb and now that I was in her presence, I felt complete.I watch as she rummages through her bag that's on my bed, for some clothes to probably change in for sleeping.I can't help but lean against the doorframe of my room, my arms crossed against my chest as a smile graces my lips.As if noticing my presence, she looks up at me and a smile forms on her lips instantly."Hey, can I take a shower in your bathroom? I feel really greasy from today", she cringes at the last sentence.Making me chuckle in the process."Of course, make yourself comfortable. Although, I wanted to take a shower myself right now. How about we take one together?"I walk towards her slyly but she catches on immedia
Than There Was Us 2. 19. Dreams That I Wished
Justine's POV"Clinton, stop!", the moment those words left my mouth, I knew I had fucked up.That too, big time. Making me stop dead in my tracks. It's crazy how my half-conscious brain could easily comprehend how I said the wrong name but couldn't have stopped me from doing it.Fear and dread like any other settles deep in my stomach.Dear God, no. What have I done.I lift my head and look at Jason to gauge his reaction. I can see the confusion in his face. I can feel his pain. I can't stand the sight of it.I sit up immediately and turn away from him, closing my eyes for a second in disdain as an image of Clinton pops up in my head almost making me regret my actions. All of this that I've been doing with Jason.I open my eyes as if doing that might somehow make his image in my head go away. I can feel Jason's eyes on me, digging a hole in my back which is facing him right now.My bre
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Than There Was Us Acknowledgements
Dear readers,This section is dedicated to you. Without you this book wouldn't have been possible. It's the love of five years received by you and your love for this book that made me write it. I love you all from the bottom of my heart. Your comments, your votes, they motivated me in times of stress, sadness and brought me so much joy and motivation to keep going and not second-guessing stuff. Thank you so so so much, really.And at last, thanks to Anoushka and Manav for always staying by my side, supporting my writing, hyping the book like crazy and just being the best friends that you're. I love you guys the most! Also to my parents and my brother for yet again, not being aware of this book other than that it exists and I hope it stays the same in the future because God, I never wish to traumatize you with the smut scenes and be disowned in the process lol.All my love,Celine
Than There Was Us E P I L O G U E
Justine's POV:A loud cry jolts me awake from my slumber suddenly. My eyes immediately fall upon the cradle in the corner.It's the early hours of the morning. Sunlight falls softly on the cradle through the small gap between the curtains, creating a halo around it.I try to get up and out of my bed but a huge arm around my waist holds me down. "Jay", I nudge him from beside me.His arm only tightens around me."Jay", I clear the sleep out of my throat and nudge him a little more hard this time.He groans as he buries his head into my neck from behind."I got her.", he whispers into my ear in that husky morning voice of his which still sends shivers down my spine.Placing a chaste kiss on my collarbone, he immediately gets up from the bed in the next heartbeat. The sight of his bare back greets me and those low hanging sweatpants, making me turn over to his side of the bed and pull his pillow to me, squeezing it. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes and running his hand through his ha
Than There Was Us 2. 25. 3. Safer In Your Arms
Walking across the road, I make it to the coffee shop. I place an order to be delivered to our apartment and while it's being prepared, take a seat on one of the vacant booths. As soon as I'm in the seat, a message pops up with the address. I take a deep breath and look around once, checking to see if someone's keeping an eye on me or if it's just a fluke. Not wanting to risk it and thinking twice, I give into to what I'm about to do. I just hope David is as shortsighted as Ben said. I stand back up and approach the counter in the guise of paying up for the coffee. While I'm making the payment, as sly as I can be, I motion the employee behind the counter as subtly as possible to meet up with me in the washroom with just a tilt of my head. I make haste to the washroom as soon as I'm done with payment. Hoping the employee follows me. Once I'm inside the washroom, I check all the booths finding them empty. A few seconds later, the same employee enters through the door of the was
Than There Was Us 2. 25. 2. Baiting The Pawn
"I came as soon as I got your call"Ben comes through the double doors, rushing up the foyer and engulfs me into a assuring hug. "I got in touch with your lawyers and the security team. They're on it. We've also alerted the police. Even though they were reluctant to investigate at first and engage into searching, after that phone call confirmation and considering it's a high profile individual involved, they've started all kinds of search. Hopefully, we should have an update soon", he rambles on the specifics. Meanwhile, Liza rushes through inside with Camille on her tail. Not a few seconds after Olivia is also rushing through the doors, she gives me a look of pity maybe before rushing past us further into the house. "Thanks, I really appreciate that", I say earnestly, feeling my shoulders sinking down. Ben grasps my shoulder before squeezing it. "How is she?", he asks, a bit unsure. I know he's referring to Justine. I can't be thankful enough to him for bringing the girls with
Than There Was Us 2. 25. 1. Anxiety And Angst
Morning had come at last. I had woken upto someone caressing my arm softly, placing kisses on the back of my hand so delicately. It almost made me groan in pleasure.My eyes opened to Justine in my arms as I cocooned her from behind. My face buried in her neck.I couldn't help but take a deep whiff of her scent within me. It was the sweetest scent ever. Of our lovemaking and her entirely wrapped in it.I had made sure to do a pretty good job of it.Just for good measure, I kissed her bare shoulder softly, a little lazily as if it was not a Monday morning and still, Sunday.Sensing my wakeful state, Justine arched her back into my chest just slightly before turning her head just a bit as if asking for one.Knowing the answer to her silent request, I pressed my lips to hers. The feeling of fullness, a certain completely washed over me in that moment. I wanted to pull her in deep with the sweep of my tongue and a lot more.But we knew better, that one thing would lead to another and befo
Than There Was Us 2. 24. Rely On Me
It was a weekend yet again and the pictures of the picnic, of Justine and me literally kissing under the tree went viral. Thankfully, they mostly got my back but I'm glad they didn't get Justine's crying face.It was a private moment and as much as I want to go back in time and smash that paps camera, I can't. They had no right to intrude on us. And I'm really furious.Justine on the other hand, not so much. Even after a week I find her looking at the pictures after her morning tea.She's sitting at the breakfast bar while I stand over her shoulder with the support of my hand on the bar.She's been frowning at it for such a long time, it's almost driven me crazy with the possibilities.Like right now, she's wearing her black rimmed square shaped glasses which I didn't know she had or even needed, frowning at the picture and twisting her mouth right and left probably unconsciously."What? you don't like the picture?", I ask the one thing that has been bugging me all past week.She sigh
Than There Was Us 2. 23. Bring Me Back
Picking you up at 10. Don't be late xoThat is what I woke upto this morning and that is why I'm waiting for Justine's call at 10 in the morning, all freshened up. I don't have an idea of where she is taking me but I think it's part of the surprise. Thankfully I had no plans today however that did not prepare me for the long awaited moment.It took her extra thirty minutes to reach my building. I thought it was going to be just us two but when I got in the car, I was surprised by a grinning Cole with her."Good Morning!", he shrieked almost making my ears bleed.Although his happiness was so infectious, it made me smile."Good morning, Cole. Could you help me with where we're going today?", I raised a brow at him teasingly, hoping he tells me.He mimics the action of zipping up his lips, locking the key and throwing it away. "No can do", Justine says in a sing-a-long tone. I sigh. "It's a surprise!", Cole shrieks again, almost deafening me. I flinch but narrow my eyes at him too.
Than There Was Us 2. 22. Aftermath
And so it ensues...From that night onwards, it seemed like that bandage had been ripped off.We were together all the time. Earlier it felt like there was a dark cloud roaming over our heads but ever since that night it was gone. As if forgotten that it ever existed. The night had brought on sucha a bright morning that we just wanted to stay in that little bubble of ours.Always texting each other, talking to each other and sometimes even sneaking around places to engage in some hot and heavy sex.It was like we had have enough of foreplay and we would just run to that chase.To makeup for all those days we were not together, reaching for that release. Be it against a wall, in her office and practically any surface visible to the eye. Obviously while being discrete of not being discovered.But in our haste, not even that subtle to not kiss each other goodbye in public. People would stare at us, some even more evidently then they would like to show.But it seemed neither of us cared
Than There Was Us 2. 21. Dilemma
I didn't sleep the whole night.She was in my arms and that was all that I needed. It was like a dream come true. A dream so dear, I didn't want to loose it. So I stayed awake.Not knowing how long it will last. But until then, I can take my fill of her to long me my whole lifetime.My eyes ached but I wouldn't leave even for a single wink of nap.She was in my arms, her head on my chest, her soft breaths brushing against my chest. One of her arms thrown carelessly around me and my hand in her hair. I breathed in her head every few seconds, committing the scent of her to memory. All night I couldn't stop, even if every last time drop of me had been drained, I couldn't. I didn't want to. And it seemed neither did she. We were spent in the early hours of the morning and now it's almost afternoon. I can feel the sun on my skin from where it's streaking through the curtains from the window. So many years of pent up anticipation and here we're now. Even when she's asleep, I see her ha
