The Last Time We Loved

Chapter 14

Elara

I decided not to indulge him in any other conversation, as we focused toward the issues in the project.

I hesitated before speaking. “These weren’t simple mistakes. Someone altered my original safety margins intentionally. I flagged them months ago.”

Harrison crossed his arms over his broad chest, the movement made his shirt pull across his shoulders. Straightening this way made him look outstanding, and I was gawking again.

“I’m aware. That’s why you’re here.” He said coldly again.

I clenched my jaw, he wasn’t making things easier for me, I know he’s the current CEO, but how he respond was icy, too detached and I can’t help thinking it’s because of the kiss.

“Mr. Hayes… about what happened in the lobby, I want to apologize. I was emotional and I shouldn’t have---”

“Don’t.” He cut me off and I was taken aback. His gaze remained fixed on the screen. “What happened that day is irrelevant to our work. I don’t need explanations or apologies. I need results.”

I clenched the file I held, my chest tightened as I looked at him, this was the same man who told me last night that we were going to talk about the kiss later, and now he was waving it off.

I nodded and returned to my calculations, now the whole office felt colder, and I regretted trying to talk about it. I should have held my tongue back.

A few minutes later, Harrison’s phone buzzed. I tried not to look at him, but I peeked from my eyelashes.

He checked it briefly, his expression darkened for a second before returning to it’s usual stoic mask. He set the phone face down.

“Rumors travel fast in this building.” He said suddenly, I could hear the irritation in his voice. “I assume you’ve heard some about me.”

I looked up, surprised he was looking at me. “A few,” I answered, my voice low. He looked intimidating and I just couldn’t hold his gaze, surprised I was bothered about it.

He leaned back in his chair, studying me with those piercing eyes. “Let me save you time. He said. “I left Los Angeles seven years ago after a traumatic accident.” I blinked, he was actually talking about himself right now.

“I saw things I wish I hadn’t. It changed me. People call me cold, ruthless, emotionally unavailable. They’re not entirely wrong.”

I swallowed hard. There was no self-pity in his tone, he was blunt, honest, and I searched his face for a reaction, but found none.

What traumatic experience could make him so emotionally unavailable? I couldn’t help but wonder.

“I didn’t come back here to build relationships.” He continued icily. “I came because my father is dying and this company is bleeding money due to incompetence and sabotage. Everything else is secondary.”

I swallowed hard. I would wish everyone would be as honest as Harrison, but he sounded scary as he spoke honestly.

“You’re here because you’re the best person to fix this mess.” He continued, his gaze locked into mine. “Not because of that kiss. Not because I feel sorry for you. Keep that clear in your mind.”

I should be relieved, but part of me wanted to push back. I wanted to scream and tell him I wasn’t just a variable, I wanted to tell him he was being cruel, but at least, I was here because he saw a potential in me and not because of hearing the breakup.

I had used him publicly, expecting any warmth in return would be foolish.

Harrison finally closed the main file. “That’s enough for today. We’ll resume at eight tomorrow. Make sure your mother’s medical arrangements are settled by then. HR will handle the paperwork.”

I gathered my things slowly. “Thank you for everything.” I said softly.

He nodded, already turning toward his desk. “Goodnight, Miss Brooks.”

I left his office and glanced back at the shut door. My heart raced in my chest as I rubbed my arm. Inside the office seemed like it was freezing and I had held my breath for a long time.

“What accident had broken him so thoroughly that he kept the world at arm’s length?” I wondered, despite his clear warning, I felt drawn and curious to know more.

I shook the thought of my head, he had been brutally honest, I shouldn’t pry, whereas, I have my own painful past.

It was past eight in the evening, I took the elevator down to the lobby to leave for the day, I thought I would see lesser people at this time, but there were still staffs and the glared at me.

“So it’s true Elara Brooks returned to the company after being dragged out by security.” I heard one whisper.

“I heard she caused the whole mess and now she’s back? Unbelievable.” Another one spat.

I ignored them, I knew Jacob had spread rumors already, that’s one thing he was good at, and these rumors could be what made Harrison speak brutally to me.

“Did you see how she kissed the new CEO right in the lobby?”

I halt when I caught someone say that, if I knew Harrison was the new CEO I wouldn’t have kissed him that day, I only thought he was a stranger.

“Jacob dumped her and she lost it, maybe she’s sleeping with Harrison Hayes already, how else does someone get rehired after being escorted out like a criminal?”

I clenched my fist so hard and immediately turned in the direction, a blaze of indignation burned furiously in my eyes as my gaze locked to the staff who had just breathed those words.

“Say that again!” I shouted and they all lowered their gaze unable to hold my gaze.

How dare they accuse me wrongly when I have poured five years of my life into this company only to be betrayed by the man I love?

“You can’t talk now?” I asked, glancing at all of them, anger coursed through my vein and I scoffed.

Wasting my breathe on them was hopeless, they all judge when they don’t know the full story, now I understand what my mother always say, people only want to point finger, they don’t care if they are right or wrong.

I turned around and stormed out through the exit, just before I turned, I heard the familiar and froze.

“Elara?”