Chasing Fate (Dark Love 5)

It’s silly for me to miss someone who has only been in my life for such a short time. Sure, our friendship has deepened since the fateful incident on the beach. We speak almost every day, and with him, life is bearable. Yet of late, there’s been a shift, and I know it has to do with Morgan. I’m reluctant to probe him, knowing all too well Noah will deny his feelings by trying to stroke his ego and maintain his single-guy persona.

Lex clears his throat, resting his hand on the desk and tapping it with his fingertips.

“Is there someone specific you don’t want to leave behind?” he asks, watching me furtively.

“N-No,” I stumble. “There’s Charlie, for starters, and of course Amelia and Ava. Eric is getting on my nerves, anyway.”

He nods his head. “And Noah?”

“Noah is a friend,” I reiterate. “Wait! Is this you asking or Charlie?”

“I’m not answering that for fear of retribution.” Lex lowers his gaze, unable to hide the smirk on his face. “So, back to Paris. Will you consider my proposal? You’ll be compensated very well and staying in a penthouse apartment owned by Anton’s son.”

At times, I wish money drove me. Lex already pays me an executive salary, and I’ve invested my savings into a small flat in London, which is currently being rented out. Aside from that, I have nice clothes and a few fancy purses. But of late, none of that brings me joy.

“It’s an amazing opportunity,” I tell him.

“But?”

“No buts. Just processing.”

With a crisp nod, Lex understands my needs and ends the conversation of Paris for now.

“So, about my second thing. The Charter Group has a black-tie event tomorrow. It’s not something I had planned to attend, but Winston Charter, chairman of the Charter Group, will be attending.” He shuts down his laptop, distracting me momentarily. “I’ve managed to grab two last-minute tickets hoping you don’t have plans. I’d really like for you to meet him.”

“I’m single, and it’s a Friday night,” I remind him with a small laugh. “What other plans would I have?”

“There’s just one thing…” Lex trails off, looking somewhat uncomfortable. “Before I mention it, I want to clarify that Charlotte insisted I tell you, so you could make an informed decision about attending.”

“What is it?”

“Your so-called friend, Dominic, will be at the event.”

The name has been absent from my mind with work taking priority. But just like a giant wrecking ball, everything attached to it comes crashing back with force. Lex is waiting for me to respond, and not to come across too feminine with a fragile emotional state, I straighten my posture with a poised smile.

“It’ll be fine,” I say with a forced expression. “Let me know where and when.”

Lex gives me all the details, and the second he leaves, I begin to pace the room in a mild panic. First, I have nothing to wear. Specifically, I have nothing worthy of being seen in by a man who destroyed my confidence and left me to hang out to dry.

Second, I’m panicking—unable to breathe, heart racing, sweat-forming type of panic.

Shit.

I grab my cell, scrolling through my contacts to call Noah. Just as I’m about to tap his name, I abruptly stop. Something holds me back. Whenever the topic of Dominic has come up of late, Noah berates me for even contemplating trying to communicate with him. And when it comes to lectures, Noah does not hold back.

This would be the exact same lecture, and so, I decide to call Charlie.

“I was waiting for this call.”

“You could have given me a warning, so I could’ve saved face in front of Lex,” I complain.

“Save face,” she ridicules, followed by a small huff. “Lex doesn’t care. Well, actually, he does care. He wants you to meet Winston. That’s all.”

“I understand that, but—”

“I, on the other hand, think it’s a bad idea.”

“Of course, you do,” I say, panicked by the whole dilemma. “All those years ago, when you ran into Lex at that charity ball, do you think you would’ve gone if you knew he’d be there?”