Love Me One More Time (Nick and Alaia) novel Chapter 34

Nick

“Did you know that Alaia and Cedric have two children?” Barbara asked as soon as we entered the house. I could feel her following me as I headed straight to the bar to pour myself a drink, then walked out to the garden for a view of the city, breathing deeply to control the anger consuming me. Cedric only increased my desire to beat him to a pulp, while each day the hatred in Alaia’s eyes weighed more heavily on me.

“I found out recently,” I replied when I felt her arrive by my side.

“How old are they?” Barbie asked seriously, something very uncommon for her, so I felt compelled to raise an eyebrow in her direction.

“Why the sudden interest in children’s ages?” I asked, moving my head to release the tension in my neck. She cleared her throat before responding.

“Well, it’s been two years since their separation; they must have gotten together shortly after you asked for the divorce. It’s obvious, Nick,” she stated, and I understood what she was implying. But what could we expect? You married me a week after you asked her for a divorce.

Normally, she gives her “friend” a chance.” I glared at her before she continued speaking. I didn’t need this now; I’ve had enough with Cedric tonight.

“You can’t close your eyes to reality, Nico,” I heard her say as I climbed the stairs to go to my room.

*****

I entered my office after greeting Kathe, took a seat in the executive chair, and noticed an envelope with the T–Word letterhead on my desk. I quickly picked it up and read the contents, seeing that it was a check for the repair of my car. I tossed it aside, recalled their words, and prepared to go to the meeting with the representatives from T–World and the minister’s officials in the boardroom.

I know Alaia has asked me to stay away from her, but we will have to meet several times since we are working together. It’s something we can’t avoid, no matter how much she wishes we could.

I entered the boardroom and joined those who were present. Alaia was already on the seat, and just to provoke her, I approached to greet her properly.

“Miss Russell.” I extended my hand, and she looked at it. I wanted to laugh at the annoyance in her eyes.

“Garnet,” she said, taking my hand. I decided that the handshake would last a few seconds longer. As expected, she pulled her hand away forcefully, and a crooked smile formed on my lips. I could see her urge to punch me in the stomach, just like when she was my wife and I decided to annoy her.

“Now that we’re all here, can we begin?” She looked at those present, who nodded as well

I took a seat at the head of the table, and the minister’s officials started asking questions that Alaia or a member of her staff would answer, as did Will or one of my engineers.

The meeting progressed, and I noticed that Allaila got distracted by her phone a couple of times. My attention has been on her, as usual, since she reappeared, but this time I can sense that something is wrong. I can see it in her expressions.

“Excuse me, it’s urgent she said at one point, showing her phone, and stood up to leave the room. My eyes followed her, and I saw her talking for a couple of seconds before returning to her seat.

“I have to leave; something unexpected came up. Carolina and Antonio are in charge,” she explained to the men, who seem to understand the situation.

“I can go with you,” Carolina suggested.

“No, it’s fine. I’ll call you.” Alaia grabbed her purse and left the room confidently. I saw through the boardroom window that she was hurrying to the elevator.

“Excuse me, I have to go. Will and the engineers are in charge,” I said, standing up. Will looked at me and frowned. I left the room to go to the private elevator in my office, pressing the button that took me to the parking lot of my building. Once I was there, I walked in search of Alaia and found her hurriedly opening her car. She looked tense.

I got into my SUV and decided to follow her. She drove quickly, and we soon arrived at what seemed to be her destination, a private clinic.

Will texted me to ask where I was. I replied quickly and saw Alaia walking briskly towards the entrance, dropping her car keys after closing the door. I approached it picked them up, and took quick steps to catch up with her. She didn’t wait for the elevator; she headed for the stairs, climbing two or three floors with her eyes fixed on her phone. We reached the fourth floor where she started looking at the room doors. I walked more slowly. One of the doors opened and Paula was the one who received her. Alaia entered and her mother stayed outside.

I noticed Paula’s worried expression, and she didn’t notice my presence until she heard my footsteps.

She looked up, and her eyes widened in surprise. I found it strange that she acted this way.

“Nick Garnett,” she said in a low tone.

“Paula.” I looked at the door she just exited.

“What are you doing here?” she asked tensely.

“I noticed something was wrong with Alaia.” I looked at her again. She looked conflicted.

“And you followed my daughter here?” She raised her eyebrows.

“Yes, I followed her,” I confessed, and she looked even more surprised.

“Nick?” Alaia came out of the room. “What are you doing here?” She walked quickly to where l was.

I didn’t even know the real answer to that question; I just felt an overwhelming need to go after her.

“It’s obvious something is wrong,” I said, looking at the room.

My phone announced a call as I walked out of the clinic.

“Where are you?” Will asked.

“I’m leaving the clinic.”

“Good, because I just arrived,” he said, and I frowned. “I’ll wait for you outside,” he said before hanging up.

I crossed the double doors of the entrance and saw Will’s car further ahead in the parking lot. I walked over and opened the passenger door to get in.

“What are you doing here, brother?” he asked, and I scoffed at hearing that question for the third time this morning.

“I followed Alaia. Her daughter is here,” I said, looking at the building’s door.

“What are you doing, Nick?” my cousin asked, shaking his head.

“I don’t know,” I replied.

“Are we leaving?” he asked, turning the key to start the car.

“No, we’re not leaving yet,” I continued, my gaze fixed on the door.

Two hours passed. I didn’t stop watching at the clinic’s door, and Will was just focused on his phone. A black SUV arrived and two bodyguards, Patrick, and an older woman who resembled Alaia’s cousin, got out. She moved to get something from the car, and I saw that it was a child who was hugging her. He had a light blue hoodie over his head.

“Is that Alaia’s other child?” my cousin asked. I told him about the children as soon as I found out.

“Yes,” I said confidently, as they disappeared after entering the clinic.

Something was telling me I shouldn’t move from here. We saw several children walking down the street; they were small, around the age of Alaia’s children.

“It seems you don’t dislike them anymore,” my cousin stated. Alaia’s entire family then came out to get into the cars. She was holding the girl, who had her small head on her mother’s shoulder. Alaia stroked the child’s hair. Cedric held the boy, lifting him in the air, and it seemed the boy enjoyed it.

They all got into the SUVs and left, leaving a thousand questions in my head.