The Last Time We Loved

Chapter 2

Harrison

I thought leaving this country seven years ago would keep me away from the drama when I finally returned, but turns out I got mixed up in it on the first day.

It should have been a quiet arrival, everything I had planned was going smoothly until this lady in front of me kissed me, and she did it in front of everyone at the lobby, Not only did she kiss me, but it turns out, I was being used as well.

What a joke! I, Harrison Kent, getting used by a… not even someone my class!

“Oh… I am sorry, I shouldn’t…”

“You should have thought that twice.” I cut her off.

She parted her lips, but pressed them again, she looked at me, squinted, as if looking for the right words, expect there were no words to explain why she would sexually harass me out of every male here in this lobby.

She took a deep breath. “Well, I know I was wrong, but I actually apologized before kissing you, just pretend it never happens.” She said and turned to walk away.

“Hey!” I called out and she halted, she slowly turned to me, raising the corner of her brows, I could tell she doesn’t look sorry at all, perhaps, because of the awful heartbreak she just got, still, I didn’t want to let this slide.

“What is your name?” I asked.

That’s the only way to find out who she was and revisit this after I’m done with my business here.

“Um… I don’t think I should tell you that.” She exhaled softly, and I frowned. “Look, I am sorry, alright, I should never have done that, I was just…” She purses her lips. “Well, I am really sorry.”

“Do you work here?” I asked her, ignoring her apology, but before she could respond, we were interrupted.

“Harrison!”

I turned to see a man dressed in grey suit walking up to me with a broad smile on his lips.

“Nate?” I blinked when I recognized him.

Nate is my brother, and I have not set my eyes on him for seven years, we only talked over the phone sometimes, and I am surprise to see him covered in trimmed beard, looking different from the last time I saw him.

“Oh, s**t!”

I heard the lady gasped, I turned my gaze to her, and it looked like seeing Nate frightened her, she turned her back quickly and before I could say another word, she hurried off, I wanted to call out to her again, but Nate’s voice cuts in.

“Should have told me you were coming in today, I would have been out here waiting to welcome you.” He opened his arms for an embrace but I raised my hand to stop him.

I have had enough drama for today, whereas, I don’t like being touched.

“Oh, I forgot.” He lowered his hand with a smile on his lips. “Thought you might have changed your habits over the years,” he glanced around and blinked. “Why is the lobby a little bit clustered today?” He muttered.

Well, a whole lot of drama went down here, it would be weird if it wasn’t.

Nate returned his eyes to me. “Come, father is waiting.” Nate said, gesturing me to follow him.

I glanced once in the direction the young lady had disappeared, there was no sight of her. She looked like she was in haste, probably because of Nate,

I just don’t get ladies.

I took the elevator with Nate, heading to the president office. “Do you know why father sent for me?” I asked Nate, breaking the silence.

Nate glanced at me, he shrugged. “I didn’t even know you were back in the country until I was told you were at the front lobby.” He tucked his hand into his pocket.

“What? Father didn’t tell you?”

“When does he ever tell me what he is thinking? He is just like you, tightlipped. I am as curious as you are right now.” He let out a soft sigh. “Don’t look so grim, I am sure he only wants to talk and it’s been a while since he saw you too.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You would be surprised.”

When we arrived at the top floor, I realized how much Jamal have changed over the years, my father had done some work with the interior decoration, now it was glamorous.

“Son!” My father called out in his deep voice as we stepped into the office, and I halted for a moment.

He looked older, thinner, and his hair was gray, he had aged so much.

“Father, you sent for me.” I said.

“Seven years, and that’s the first thing you say to your father?” My father’s lips twitched.

My gaze flickered across the office, it was nothing like I recalled, I turned my eyes back to him. “We both know you didn’t call me here for pleasantries, whereas, I didn’t realize this was a family gathering.” I glanced at Nate, and back to my father.

“Have a seat. It’s been seven years since I last saw my son. Isn’t it obvious I called you over because I missed you?” He sat down on a chair in the middle of the office and gestured me to sit too.

“That’s strange. You wouldn’t just call me here because you missed me.” I glanced at Nate for answers, but there was none. Nate sat down, and said nothing. “I know something is wrong, so just spill.”

My father let out a sharp sigh. “I thought we might catch up, but I will get right to it.” He paused briefly, his gaze turned serious and I felt uneasy.

“You should move back to Los Angeles for good, I need you here, the company need you.” He said.

I glanced at Nate, and back to my father. “No, I can’t,” I shook my head. “I already settled in Australia.”

“Are you married?”

“What? No.” I shook my head. “By settled I don’t mean married, I just prefer staying in Australia than Los Angeles, whereas, why would the company need me when they have you and Nate to handle it?”

I glanced at Nate for backup, but he said nothing, he was as surprised as I was. I turned to my father again, and he was silent.

“I can’t stay in Los Angeles, I left years ago for a reason, I can’t live here and you know that.”

“It’s been seven years, Harrison, you should forget the past, you should have moved on from that a long time, so---”

“Move on?” I cut him off. I can’t believe he would say something like that. “How would anyone ever move on from that?”

I rose to my feet. “I can’t listen to this anymore, I am taking the next available flight back to Australia first time tomorrow, and you’ve got Nate already, you don’t need me here.” I turned to leave.

“I don’t have much time to live!” My father said and I froze.

“What?” I turned.

I looked at his face, his brows creased slightly and he stared at me with the most painful look I had ever seen in years.

“I am dying, Harrison.”