Made For Each Other

CHAPTER 3

Alex turned mid-sentence, pausing just long enough to flash her a slow, unreadable smile before continuing his call.

She didn't bother to spare him a glance. She saw her desk set up in a corner. From where she would be sitting she would be in full view.

At this point complaining about seating arrangement was the least of her concerns. She moved over there and began arranging the things that she had kept inside the box.

"Welcome to your new office," Alex said smoothly as he ended the call, his voice rich with amusement. "Make yourself comfortable… as much as you can."

She didn’t respond. Not with words. Only with a tight smile that didn’t reach her eyes as she began to unpack.

She sat down quietly, watching him leave the office without a word.

Somehow, she would have to find the strength to talk to him, to end this madness before it consumed her. She couldn't keep letting him rob her of the fragile quiet life she had learned to live with.

Was it even peace she’d known? She wasn’t sure. For five long years, her life had been a storm. No comfort. No connection. Just solitude, that cold, quiet ache she’d convinced herself was safety.

She was too broken to be near him.

And the worst part?

She had broken him first.

Before she realized that time had gone so fast, It was already closing time. She just sat there idle. After he left, more like he disappeared. She didn't see him. She gripped her bag packing her cold lunch, which she did not end up eating. With a heavy sigh, she walked out of the office and then outside the massive building.

Her thoughts were not aligning as she didn't want to go home.

“A drink will do the trick” waving age tried to hail for a cab.

She dropped at a bar and stepped down from the cab after paying off the driver.

She remembered the last time she came here to have a drink. She was in complete disarray when she saw her ex husband getting married to her step sister. She left him and within a span of three weeks he was already marrying his mistress publicly, whereas she was kept a secret for three years.

The noise from the bar was so loud that she couldn't hear the waiter correctly. She ordered red wine, but he was saying stuff she couldn't hear about the wine.

She didn't even want to bother herself by trying to stare at her ears; she just nodded and he left to get it.

She tilted neck side by side, sweeping her eyes on every corner. She glanced at the group of people dancing at the dance floor and then to some others sitting with their friends. While on it, she noticed she was also getting glances at people. She was now used to the disgusting attention from men, either they undressed her with their eyes or tried to approach her to say something stupid.

“Here is your drink Madam” the waiter spoke as he handed her a bottle of wine and a glass to drink from.

Taking it from him, she replied “Thanks” .

Without giving much thought she opened the bottle and filled her cup.

Raising the glass cup elegantly, she took a big sip.

She smiled slightly in satisfaction after gulping it down her throat. There was something about the taste, it was a bit.. no it was different. But it tasted so good.

While being entertained by the people on the dance floor, she kept on drinking, glass after glass loving the way it made her feel. She felt free, undisturbed and peaceful. She knew this feeling was temporary but she would rather delight in her brief solace than ponder on her problems.

After drinking a few glasses, she looked at the bottle of wine and only then did she notice that the wine had finished. Signaling the waiter to come, she ordered for another glass. Continuing, she kept on pouring and pouring from it.

Alexander stepped out of the private lounge. He walked out with two men in suits looking very elegant and handsome.

His brow creased as he caught sight of a familiar figure. He thought he was mistaken at first but in getting closer he realized he was in fact very correct.

“You guys can go, I have something to do before going” he said as his eyes lingered in a particular direction.

Acknowledging that, the two men left the premises.

He knew something happened the past year that made her leave her marriage with that scumbag. That marriage that made her break him, that marriage that made her choose between her happiness and duty.

He could not find out much as their marriage was swept under the rug, how it has always been - in secret.

Without much thought he walked to where she was sitting down.

Elara was about taking a sip when the glass was snatched out of her hands.

She raised her face to behold Alex's handsome face staring at her. She couldn't pinpoint if it was concern or anger that was visible on his face.

“What are you doing here?” She asked him shouting due to the loud music.

“I should be asking you that question, are you a drunkard?” He asked.

Her eyes are shooting daggers at him.

“How dare you call me a drunkard”.

“Come let me take you home, you are wasted” he said in a soothing voice to persuade her, but she wasn't bulging.

“Take me home” She mentioned and let off a soft chuckle. “ Why would you want to do that , huh?, I am no one to you, so do not pretend to care, I mean nothing, absolutely nothing to everyone ” She added

As my personal assistant. What do you think will happen to my image and that of my company, if you are spotted here?”. He tried to reason with her…

“I don't need your help” She said coldly. Picking up her bag, she tried to stand up but fell back with Alex shielding her.

“Let go of me” She said as her irritation rises when she could not walk steadily.