Chapter 45: Chapter 45

“Anox and Raiden are now officially partners,” Adze happily said after Lancelot and Enver signed the contract of the official partnership. “And since your project was successful, the Anox executives are now changing their minds about Raiden and they are giving their full support on any project that the two companies will launch in the future.”

“Then, I guess it is time for celebration,” Dashiel said. He came here with us to personally witness the signing of his two friends. Well, aside from the lawyer of two parties that serves as the witness.

“Actually, I am organizing a celebration party where we are going to announce this permanent partnership,” I said. “And I guess, a farewell party for me as well since next week, Mikea will be taking back her position as Enver’s secretary.”

“Oh.” Adze hugged me from the side. “Anox really wants to have you here but I am sure, we can’t force you if you don’t really like working with us.”

“Well, working with Anox is such a pleasure but I have other things to do with my life so I really have to pass on that.” I tapped his shoulder and took it off me because Enver is now giving him a deadly glare.

“Your husband is such a jerk,” he whispered before going to Lancelot and hugging him from the side. “When will be your celebration party?”

“It will be three days from now,” I answered. “I already sent the invitation to Lancelot’s secretary so he could put that in his schedule.”

I already checked everyone’s schedule before putting the date of our celebration to make sure that they can attend the party. It is a great success for Raiden and we want to celebrate with everyone that helped us here.

Lancelot turned to us. “You know that it is just the beginning of everything, right? Raiden will just face the real challenge in this industry.”

I nodded. “Competitors will not look away from us, instead they will keep their eyes on Raiden,” I said. “And even if the partnership we had with Anox is now permanent, they will still do something to ruin it.”

“Yeah,” Adze said. “Those people will not stop unless they drag Raiden back from where it started without Anox.”

“I already gave them a plan for every possible move that their competitors might do,” I added. “So, even though I leave Raiden, they will still manage to stand on their own without fearing for those people.”

“Then, I guess no one can really stop you from leaving the industry.”

I smiled. “Well, I might have the skills but I do not belong to this industry anymore,” I said. “But you can still call me if you need anything. As I said before, I won’t be hiding anymore.”

Besides, I know my friends will not let me do that either even if I want to. They will not let me run away from my problem again because they know that it is not the solution.

“Then, we will be seeing you at the party,” Enver said. “And we have to go. We still have a lot of clients who want to avail Anox cars so we need to take care of the new orders that we are going to place.”

“You will be more busy, huh,” Dashiel said. “And I guess, Mikea will also become busy as soon as she gets back.”

“That is why we need to take care of everything immediately so we can only focus on organizing the party.” I held him at the back of his collar and pulled him while we were exiting Lancelot’s office.

Adze was just waving his hand at us and Lancelot just shook his head because of what I did to Dashiel.

“Do you really need to drag me?” Dashiel asked when we reached the elevator. “I am just an investor at—”

“You need to help me organize Arthur’s table,” I said. “Mikea will use that for a while since I will still be at Raiden for at least three days when she gets back.”

“Eh?”

“I still need to pass every new project that Lucien’s department did to her,” I explained. “And the plans that I will leave for Raiden.”

Enver needs two secretaries. And now that Art is gone at Raiden, we still need to find a replacement even though Mikea gets back.

And I want to personally take charge of that so they won’t face the same problem that Art caused us.

Since I will leave the Raiden for good, I think it is best to do everything I can to help them with the remaining days that I still have here. Besides, I don’t want the effort that I gave to Raiden to waste so I need to find someone who is trustworthy.

Dashiel brought his car so Enver’s lawyer rode with him. So, I was all alone here together with Enver.

“Do I still have to wait for the right time to get the chance to talk to you?” Enver suddenly said as his eyes focused on the driveway. “I mean, I have been waiting for you.”

“Let’s just be clear on one thing, Enver.” I faced him. “Why do you want to talk about what happened five years ago? Is it for you to have closure and finally—”

“Because I want to claim you back, Milan!”

My eyes widened. “W-what?”

He sighed and stopped the car at the side of the road then he faced me. “I want you to know everything that happened in the past, Milan. I want you to know that I never stop loving you and it is not your fault why those things happened in our marriage.”

“Enver…”

I don’t know what to say. I mean, I love him and I am sure of that. But I don’t really have any plans on coming back with him.

I was too hurt by what happened before to take this risk again.

“I know that I hurt you so much and that pain made you want to never see me again,” he said. “And I am sorry for not protecting you against those pain.”

“You…” I breathed deeply to calm myself. “You didn’t do anything that time. You…”

He nodded. “I know, Milan. I am sorry. I am really sorry.” He held and kissed the back of my hand. “But I love you. I still love you, Milan. And I never intentionally do something to hurt you, you know that.”

Suddenly, images of what happened the night before I left our house flashed through my mind. And I remember every pain that I felt right after I saw what was on his phone that night. The thoughts that have been circulating in my head as I kept thinking about what I did wrong to make him do that to me.

Those sleepless nights that I got after leaving his house. Those times that I blamed myself for being an imperfect wife.

That is when I noticed that my face was already wet because of the tears flowing through my eyes.

“Oh shit!” He wiped my tears using his fingers. “Please, Milan…”

I shook my head. “I am sorry, Enver.” I thought I was ready for this. “I will be honest with you right now…” I said. “I still love you. But I have learned my lesson and I will not risk my heart again.” I took my hands away from him. “I can only let you stay in my life. That is all you can get from me. There will be no more than that.”

“At least hear me out…”

I shook my head again and face in front of the car. “We have to get back to the office. Please drive the car again.”

I thought I could finally have the courage to hear him out but I guess the pain is still here and it is making me stop him from saying anything.

“Just give me more time,” I said as he started driving the car again. “Just a little more time.”

I heard him sigh. “If that is what you want.”