Contract Marriage; Fated Love

“Butterfly Designs,” he muttered.

The smile on his face slowly vanished. He thought about his relationship with Benny. He had longed to see her again those four years. But now she was by his side, he didn’t feel the same anymore. Was it because he was too busy or because he was worried about his sister?

He shrugged and stood up to meet his appointment with her. As he drove out of the company, his eyes fell on the woman who was standing there. Were his eyes deceiving him?

No! He was indeed seeing Grace Shields. Mixed emotions of hatred and painful love flowed through his heart that instant. Their eyes met and she flashed him a charming and disarming smile. He quickly averted his gaze and drove off.

“Why was she back in town? And what does she want in my company?”

Lunch with Benny went smoothly and he drove her back to the villa. He kissed her and made to leave.

“Won’t you spend more time with me?”

“Next time Benny. I will.”

She pouted and he smiled.

“I said I will next time, okay?”

“Okay. I want to go shopping.”

“You are free. You can go if you wish. I will send someone with you. Pick anything you want and I will pay for it. Just let me know when you are ready. I need to go back to the office. I have a meeting.”

The automatic gates opened and Noah made to drive in. Grace stood in the way and this time, there was no way he could pretend not to see her. The security men around opened their mouths in shock. They all thought in the same direction.

“Was this woman crazy? Did she want them to lose their jobs?”

They all looked on to see the President’s reaction. They also braced themselves up for what would follow. A sack or a query for incompetence depending on the president’s mood. However, they prayed for the lesser evil.

Noah wound down his glass and beckoned to her and she walked gracefully and elegantly to his window. He wanted to say something but he noticed the security men all had their focus and attention on him. Before he could even figure out what to do next, she was already tugging at the passengers door, indicating to him to open it. He pressed a button and the door opened. She hopped in and made herself comfortable. He didn’t spare her a glance, he just drove in.

No words were exchanged from the parking lot to Noah’s office. Even inside the elevator, he kept a good distance from her. When they got to the office, Grace took it upon herself to break the uncomfortable silence.

“I missed you, Noah.”

Noah stopped abruptly in his tracks and she accidentally collided with him. She used the opportunity to hug him from behind and he quickly withdrew like he had touched something hot.

“Are you crazy?”

“Common Noah. I know you still want me.”

“No, I don’t. And to think you followed me here to do this is disgusting. Get out of my office if this is what you came for.”

“Fine. Let’s talk it out.”

“I said no! What don’t you understand? Is it ‘no’ that you no longer understand? I hope you are not misinterpreting the fact that I let you into my office for love bec…

“It’s definitely what it is.”

“I could have dismissed you out there but for the prying eyes of the security personnel. I don’t want any more scandal or dirty news about me from the press. Now, get out.”

Was he really turning her out? Does it mean that he needed more persuasion? She had done her findings well before trying. Noah was not married and has no reason to be extremely cold towards her.

Had he found another woman?

She quickly countered the thought. She knew how much he loved and adored her and believed he would never love any woman like that.

All these thoughts fueled her determination to get closer to Noah and take what rightly belongs to her.

“Look Noah, I am sorry for what happened some years ago. I still love you and I know you feel the same for me. We can make amends and let bygones be bygones.

“Noah! Please, you can’t be this cold towards me.”

Noah said nothing. He sat on his seat, his face buried over a file he was pretending to read.

Grace looked around the exquisite office and her eyes widened when she saw his picture with Liam that hung on the wall.

Was he his son? Does Noah now have a son? When and how?

“Who’s he?” she asked.

Noah looked up to see the “he.” He glanced at the portrait and returned once more to his book.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

“Jewel…” Grace called him the pet name she used for him back in the years. The name usually had a positive effect on him then. He always smiled and did what she asked whenever she called him that. But today…

“Bang!” he hit his fists on the table and stood up, his eyes brewing fire.

“Get out right now,” he said, laying emphasis on every single word.

“Noah… I….”

“Get out or I will ask the security to throw you out.”

Grace knew he always carried out his threat so she walked quietly out of the office.

Noah slumped on his chair and took his train of thought back to the years they were together. He remembered how much he loved her and everything he did for her. He said “I love you” and meant it but she didn’t. She just left him without looking back. He lost the girl he devoted three whole years to religiously and she didn’t feel bad for leaving him.

And now, how dare she think she could walk her way back into his life like a space was permanently left for her? Was she insane? He looked out of the window and spotted her walking towards the gate. He didn’t ever want to see her again. Never!

“Good riddance,” he thought as she stepped out of the gates. Sadly and unknown to him, there was no good riddance for someone like Grace Shields.