Chapter 74: Chapter 74

Kael

I couldn't catch up with her before she entered the restroom, and I waited impatiently for her to come out, which I considered quite lengthy. My heart raced wildly in my chest when I saw her emerge, but she didn't notice my presence until I approached her.

"Hi," I couldn't find anything else to say.

Sarah looked startled to see me waiting for her.

"What are you doing here, Kael?" Her expression was one of great irritation.

"Don't pretend you didn't know I was in the restaurant," I said cynically. "Your eyes lit up when you noticed that fact."

"You're so... idiotic!"

Before I could react to that unexpected outburst, Sarah was already leaving me behind in the corridor. I hurried to follow her, even though I was annoyed by her abrupt attitude.

"I need to talk to you, Sarah," I tried to stay calm.

"There's nothing you have to say that could interest me, Kael."

Sarah said those words with a look of disgust, which felt like a punch in my stomach. I had hoped that she was feeling at least some of the emotions that had been consuming me in recent weeks.

"Wait!" I tried once more to make her stop.

"Leave me alone!" She said without even looking in my direction.

Apparently, Sarah is quite determined not to let me get close to her. But I am even more determined than she may imagine. I returned to the table and tried to control myself until their meeting was over. She needs to hear me out.

As soon as their dinner ended, I quickly asked for the bill and kept my eyes on the couple. Upon reaching the front of the restaurant, I made sure to flag down the first taxi that passed by, even before the valet brought the man's car who had been with Sarah.

Once again, I followed them, feeling relief when I saw them stop in front of the building where he had picked her up earlier. I didn't try to hide from them. I want them to see me following them. I want to test how far that idiot Bianchi would tolerate another man pursuing his girlfriend and prove to Sarah that he wasn't good enough for her since he didn't care about her safety.

When they got out of the car, I wasted no time getting out of the taxi and approaching them. Bianchi needs to understand that he has a strong competitor, and Sarah is only with him because I'm a complete idiot, as she herself was quick to point out. Seeing her with another man drove me completely out of my mind, and I can't accept that he accompanies her to her room. Tonight, he won't have that pleasure.

"I need to talk to you, Sarah," I said as I got close enough to them. "And I won't accept a 'no' as an answer."

I stared at her without caring about the jerk by her side; my eyes were only on the woman I wanted and was determined to have again.

"Sarah has nothing to say to you," Bianchi had the audacity to interject into my conversation with my girl. "Leave here!"

"I'm not leaving here before I talk to you, Sarah," I wasn't bluffing. "Tell that to your... friend."

"I am her boyfriend, you idiot."

Bianchi took a step towards me, his expression indicating that he was ready for a fight. So was I, so the next step was mine.

"Ex-boyfriend now," I was fully convinced of that.

We stared each other down with restrained anger until Sarah intervened in our power struggle.

"I can speak for myself, and I say Enrico is my boyfriend," Sarah said while giving me an angry look too. "And I don't want to talk to you, Kael."

Intense and angry gazes continued to be exchanged between the three of us. The tension in the air was palpable, and it seemed like the situation could get out of control at any moment, but there was a determination within me that prevented me from backing down.

"You can try to convince yourself of that, Sarah, but I know you still want me. I saw it in your eyes when we met earlier. You can't stay with this weak loser who won't even stand up for the woman by his side."

Bianchi advanced toward me, his face red with anger, but Sarah stopped him, firmly holding his arm.

"No, Enrico. It's not worth it. Let's go inside."

She gave me one last look, a mix of sadness and determination, before walking away with Bianchi. I stood there alone, with the feeling that I had lost an important battle. However, a glimmer of hope still burned inside me.

I wasn't willing to give up so easily. Maybe that wasn't the right occasion to have Sarah back in my arms, but I knew I couldn't just let go. She might be with Bianchi now, but I'm certain I managed to ruin their evening.

Sarah

Turning my back on the man I love was incredibly difficult. Yes, I love him, and the realization of this old fact changes nothing. Kael may have come after me, but he never made any promises. He just wants to take advantage of being in town and have a few more nights of sex, nothing more. But I don't want the same.

Some people may be content with less as long as they're with the one they love. I can't accept something like that. I want it all. And even after hours rolling in bed, reliving every minute I spent face to face with Kael, remembering every word he said, I still have the same conviction.

Enrico left after a few minutes, realizing that Kael had entered the taxi and assuming he wouldn't be coming back, at least not that night.

"He'll come for you again, Sarah," Enrico had said. "He wants you, and he won't give up easily. The question is, how long can you resist?"

"I won't give in," I replied with renewed determination.

That same determination drove me to ignore Kael's calls the next day and all the messages he sent me throughout the day. Each time I pressed the red button, my heart squeezed a little tighter. However, I knew I was doing the right thing. There was still so much to discover about myself, and I didn't need someone who saw me only as a passing adventure. I deserved someone who loved me completely, someone willing to share life with me, not just fleeting moments.

Making this decision rationally was easy when I was busy with day-to-day tasks, especially during working hours. However, when the day came to an end and Hillary called to let me know she was meeting some people at a pub near Nessyscar's offices, I felt apprehensive about the idea of staying home alone.