I Swear, Let Me Love You Again

He got down from the car and opened my door for me. He stretched out his hand to help me out of the car and I gladly took it. It wasn’t exactly easy walking in these six inch black strappy heels.

“Thank you.” I stood on my feet and took his arms as we gracefully strolled into the event. People continued to take pictures without hollering due to the fact that Dad was still planning the formal transition of Andrew as the official CEO. So not a lot of people were aware.

A glass of champagne was offered and Andrew and I took a glass. The hall was extremely beautiful and extravagant containing a bunch of new CEOs and figures in the Hospitality industry.

“Let me go say Hi to them. I will be right back..” Andrew spoke in a whisper and I nodded letting him go.

A large table was set up for the dinner and a variety of dishes were set up. Vegetables, Snacks, Wines, Delicacies of different sorts, and all.

“You must be?” A voice broke my attention from the dinner table. I turned around to meet a tall handsome man with tan skin and beautiful green eyes. He was dressed in a black tuxedo which was tailored to his body but what threw me off was the diamond studs on his ears and he looked like he was in his late 30’s or early 40’s trying to look young.

“Lydia.” I replied simply.

“Lydia?” He pressed on and I almost rolled my eyes at the smirk on his face.

“Lydia.” I answered.

“Well Lydia Lydia, I’m Jake Belligram, owner of the Lenox Mall.” He introduced stretching out his hand for a handshake.

“Nice to meet you..” He said again shaking my hand and I muttered the same , catching a ring on his finger.

“I just needed to tell you how beautiful you are and probably get your contact but on a business level. You don’t know where we could possibly come in contact again.” I analyzed him and almost shook my head in disappointment.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

“Your wife wouldn’t want to hear this, would she? But I duly appreciate the compliment Mr Belligram.” I excused myself in search of Andrew. I could feel Jake Belligram burning holes through my back as I gracefully walked away.

I went out the hall after checking around for Andrew and tried calling him but there was no response. I wore my Cartier shades walking outside and met him all alone in the dark vicinity. I made a stank face whiffing the thick smell of weed mixed with a familiar expensive cologne. I was taken back meeting Andrew stressed out smoking with his back turned away from me.

“What the hell are you doing?” He jumped startled at my voice and presence.

“Lydia, what are you doing here?” He asked putting off his blunt and I scoffed turning sideways.

“No, what were you doing? Smoking? At a business event? With thousands of people in the industry present? What is wrong with you?” I scolded coming closer to him.

“My fault…let’s head back in or go home whichever.” He said nonchalantly about to lead the way back in but I stopped him.

“Talk to me. Is work stressing you? Did anyone say something?” He scratched his eyebrow, a habit he did when he was aggravated.

“Nothing Lydia, let’s go.” When I realized he wasn’t budging in letting out, I decided to spark up a conversation that had been on my mind.

“You know I found out a pretty large amount of money had been going to an account every single month in the last three months. So do you have an idea what’s going on? And don’t tell me you’re using it to pay your dealer every month.” He bursted into a fit of laughter, laughing like I said the funniest thing ever.

“Go ask your father Lydia…Or maybe inform him one of his employees steals money from him and has the audacity to still record it. Whichever, it’s not my business. I’m simply the new CEO and my sole obligation is to ensure you’re alright and the company grows under my watch. That’s all.” He said the last part seriously. But something still didn’t seem right.

“Let’s go.” I stood still thinking for a while. After a moment, I let out a breath following behind him. I was completely disappointed by his response, I didn’t know what I was expecting but it was not that.

We went back into the hall and had dinner with Andrew discussing with a few business associates. I had ensured he had washed his face and drank a whole bottle of water before we headed back in.

After dinner, we walked out holding hands surprised that the paparazzi were still outside. They shot a clear picture of us.

And I didn’t think too hard about it till that exact photo was used in his article.

“Hello Lydia? Are you still there?” Lorena’s voice brought me back to the present time.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m still here.” I responded, shaking my head.

“Okay, good. Well, how do you feel about the news? What are you going to do? The King Family will probably come at you for this because another article published stated that their stocks had dropped.” I shrugged with no care in the world.

“That’s none of my business. As long as my family and business is not involved, that’s all left to Nathaniel to handle.” I told her honestly and her line went quiet for a moment.

I was honestly tired of stressing about that family. I had already suffered enough to continue and just maybe this was the little karma for all the harsh treatment I had gotten from them.

How Nathan feels now? I did not care. He was a big boy, he would handle it without having me involved.

“I’m so happy…you’re no longer stressing about him nor his family. My love is finally finding her peace.” I smiled at her words.

Maybe I am.