Chapter 33: Chapter 33

A few months after the break-up, Seid and I never cross paths. I fulfill my promise not to sue him for what he did, and he keeps his word to stop Barbara from visiting my office. There are times that Seid would send me messages, saying hello. In fact, he sends me messages now much more often than he used to back then. It is true, you only realize someone's value when they no longer exist in your world. Do I still love him? Maybe it isn't that easy to forget a decade of romance, and sometimes, I think of giving us a second chance. But when I think about my worth, I guess he doesn't deserve me at all. So I always block the idea before it seeds in my heart.

And another reason is Dmitri. When I think about our time together, I felt we are compatible with each other, but I don't believe in a long-distance relationship. And, I was just a woman who passed by his life. I sigh and lay my back on the backrest of my executive seat while blankly staring at my laptop screen.

"Dmitri Sullivan, should I go or not?", I mumble without knowing someone in front of me.

"Good, it seems you already know about him, huh?", my boss who's been in my office for quite some time brings me back to my reverie, "Because he's your next icon. Now quit dilly-dallying and go to work," she surprisingly pronounces.

"Him? But why?", I complain and stand from my seat as my heart races, from either excitement or nervousness. I gulp and seriously look at my boss wearing her resting bitch face. She raises her eyebrow and says, "Uh-huh, so chop-chop," clapping her hands twice, "You know where he is, New York is just an hour away." Before I could even rebuttal, she walks away from my office.

"Oh, damn," I thought.

The confusion overwhelms me at this moment. Yes, I wanted to see him, that's a fact, but how can I face him after what he said the last time we saw each other. And, how would he react once he see me again? I clear my head by shaking it. How would I know if I don't go there? So I get ready to doll up.

***

I alight my car and hand over my car key to the valet boy. I polish my clothes and look up at the building. The last time I was here, Dmitri was on my side. Now, I have to face him alone, not as a woman, but as a feature writer. I close my eyes and do my routine, I stamp my feet three times, right-left-right, to shake off my nervousness, and enter the building. I walk straight into the middle door, but as I approach it, eyes follow my every step. I stop for a while to find out what's wrong, it seems I have forgotten that only Dmitri can use it. When I see people coming in and out using the revolving door, I catch up. I bite my lips out of embarrassment and slowly walk to the side.

Thank goodness, or else, it could have been a disaster. What a worse way to meet Dmitri.

Being knowledgeable of the layout inside the building, I go straight to the elevator and immediately press Dmitri's office floor. I have a pretty good memory so I could remember even the smallest detail about him: even the taste of his lips. I bite my lips as I remember our kiss. Then, the elevator dings, I roam my eyes on the hallway and peek a little before stepping out. Nothing has changed. I walk slowly in front of his office, but a red-haired girl suddenly blocks my view.

"Hi, Miss, how may I help you?", she coldly greets me with a fake smile.

"Uh, yeah, I'm here to see Dmitri, I mean, Me. Sullivan," I nervously call his name as if we're friends. That's not professional at all, Avery. I could see her eyes twitch, but her stiff smile remains.

"Hmm, do you have an appointment with Mr. Sullivan?", she intricately asks me details about my appointment and the purpose of my visit. I could feel that she doesn't like me, and in all honestly, I feel the same way. I hate every woman around him, speaking of which, who's this woman, and where is Ms. Johnson?

So I firmly answer, "I wouldn't go here if I don't have an appointment, Miss. Please check Manhattan Heights from his schedule," and I cross my arms.

Her face brightens upon hearing my company's name and her mood changes, "Oh, yes, uh, sorry. So you're-" she awaits for my name.

"Ava," I answer shortly with annoyance in my voice.

"Yes, follow me, Miss Ava," she suggests and leads me to another place, and not at his office in front of me, so I curiously throw the question, "Hold on, isn't this his office, where are we going?"

She lets out soft chuckles, "Oh, I understand you, Miss Ava. Actually, all women who visited Mr. Sullivan exactly said your words, too. Apparently, he doesn't like any woman in his office. That's why I am leading you to the conference room, instead."

The blood rushes to my brain upon hearing exact same explanation from Ms. Johnson so I vent out my frustration at her, "Look I know that, but apparently, you're new. I've been inside that office a few months ago, and Ms. Johnson herself accompanied me inside. So, if you would excuse me, it is better if I wait there." I step going to the office but this woman completely blocks my way.

Her eyes are annoyed, and brows furrowed, "Look, Miss Ava, I am not even sure whether what you said is true or not, but I'm sure if I let you in, I will lose my job, and I don't want that to happen. So, what I can do is to call Mr. Sullivan for you, would you excuse me for a second?", she forces a smile.

"Suit yourself," I arrogantly say.

She then goes back to her desk and dials a number, "Good day, Mr. Sullivan, Miss Ava wants to see you in your office, may I let her in?", she speaks while looking at me, she nods as the man on the other line speaks, probably Dmitri, then she speaks to me, "Excuse me, Miss Ava, he wants to know your full name," she arrogantly asks while smirking at me.

My whole body trembles out of anger and embarrassment, I never expected him to forget me this quick. I just want to disappear like a bubble right now. So I softly respond to her question,

"Please tell him, it's Avery Anderson from Manhattan Heights."

She purposely puts it on speakerphone, and after a few months, I hear his stern voice again, "Please send her to the conference room."

She hangs up the phone with a satisfied mockery on her lips, "This way to the conference room, Miss Avery Anderson."