A New Beginning
968 Words
Chapter Two: A New Beginning (Anna's POV)
The wind was cold against my body, but I barely registered it. My feet moved on their own, step by step, down the city streets as I walked, lost in thought.
I had nowhere to go. No home to return to. No waiting husband.
All that I had built, all that I had believed in my mind as true, was gone in an instant.
I put my coat tighter around me as I walked off, my thoughts replaying the meeting. Charles hadn't tried to justify or to apologize in any way. He'd just handed over the divorce papers, handled me like nothing more than an old piece of paper that he no longer needed.
I should have been broken. Maybe I was. But under the pain, another feeling was brewing—relief. I had spent years sacrificing for Charles, going out of my way to make his dreams happen. And for what? He had thrown me over the first time he saw a better option.
At least I was free now.
I just didn't know where I was headed from there.
The streets were almost empty, just a few individuals moving through them. The city lights flashed above me, and I could hear the distant sound of cars speeding on the street. I simply kept walking, my mind too confused to think about where I was headed.
Then, a black vehicle sped past me, its headlights cutting through the darkness. It wasn't just any vehicle—it was a luxury vehicle, one only a handful of individuals in the city owned.
I didn't catch on initially. But several seconds later, the vehicle slowed down.
I frowned, inclining my head slightly as I kept walking.
The vehicle stopped.
And then, to my amazement, it turned around and pulled up next to me.
The tinted window rolled down, and I gasped when I saw the driver.
Levi Kingston.
CEO of Kingston Enterprises. One of the most powerful men in the city. And the man who had been trying to pursue me for months, even though he knew I was a married woman.
I had been cold but courteous with him at all times. He was charming, and oh so dangerous, and I knew the type of man he was—a man who received whatever he wanted. But I was married, so I had never given a thought to him.
However, I had played hard to get just sufficiently to intrigue him. His notice, after all, had earned me that deal for Charles. I had told him that I would "consider" his advances, making him think there could be hope, even though I knew there was not.
Or at least, had not been.
Until now.
Levi's piercing blue eyes looked at me over the steering wheel, his face impassive at first. Then, a slow, wise smile crept onto his mouth.
"Well, well," he drawled. "Didn't expect to run into you out here by yourself, Anna."
I swallowed. I must have looked awful—my hair mussed, my coat barely providing any insulation against the cold, my eyes still red from unshed tears. But I stood my ground and glared back at him.
"I wasn't expecting to be out here either," I admitted.
Levi's sneer relaxed slightly as he examined me more seriously. "What happened?"
I hesitated, then exhaled. "Charles and I… we're over."
There was silence.
Then, to my surprise, Levi grinned.
"Really?" He almost. seemed to be getting excited. "You're divorced?"
I nodded. "I signed the papers tonight."
Levi reclined back in his chair, his head shaking with a gentle laugh. "I don't believe this. My wish is being fulfilled already."
I frowned. "What wish?"
He slanted his head to one side, his eyes locked onto mine. "You. I've desired you since the moment I met you. And now, nothing stands between us."
I stared at him, unsure what to say. Levi was brazen, arrogant, and completely unashamed of what he wanted. It was both scary and. strangely reassuring.
I wasn't alone.
Levi sighed, then leaned forward and swung open the passenger door. "Get in, Anna."
I hesitated. "I don't—"
"You don't have anywhere to go, do you?" he said, his voice softer now. "Come on. Stay with me."
I waited for a second longer before sliding into the car.
The warmth inside enveloped me immediately, and I took a deep breath as Levi pulled away from the curb.
We didn't exchange a word for a few minutes. I sat in the window, my mind still spinning from what had just happened. But somehow, I felt more at ease now.
Finally, Levi piped up. "You know," he said nonchalantly, "my birthday is approaching in a few days."
I stared at him. "Yeah?"
He nodded. "And I was thinking… since you're single now, perhaps you'd like to come."
I arched an eyebrow slightly. "Come where?"
"To my birthday party. As my date."
I blinked. "Your. date?"
Levi smirked once more. "I've waited long enough, Anna. I don't want to waste any more time.".
I looked at him, my heart pulsating ever so slightly faster. The manner in which he stared at me—like he knew I was his—sent a shiver down my spine.
I wasn't sure what I desired yet. My heart remained bruised, my mind struggling to keep up with all that had happened. But one thing was definite—Levi Kingston wasn't going to make me invisible.
And maybe, maybe I didn't.
For the first time that night, I smiled.
"Okay, Levi," I whispered. "I'll think about it."
His eyes twinkled. "That's all I needed to hear."
As the city lights whizzed by, I realized something.
Maybe my story wasn't over.
Maybe, it was just beginning.
- Writer
