Chapter 29: CHAPTER TWENTY NINE : SEALING THE PAST

It had been a week since Gala, and it just came to my mind that Jamie should have been released from his sentence. There was no way he couldn't be judging the way their profit percentage dropped by 0.2% in just a week of his absence.

"Artemis!" Mother called. 

She has been keeping tabs on me ever since Bella had pulled that stunt on me. Though Bella had done more by sabotaging Mom's room and letting me take the blame for it. 

"I'm on my way." I yawned as I walked out of my room, heading straight for the living room.

Upon reaching the living room, Bella's figure came into view. Her legs were pretty much lying on the sofa next to her, and her hands were holding up her phone to let her fingers twiddle in it. 

"Come sit down, Sister." Bella said. Her voice was filled with sarcasm, but I had no choice but to listen if I didn't want some other counseling sessions from Mom. 

"Thought you'd take your sister's phone on your way back down." Dad's voice crept into my ears. 

I turned towards him, my gaze fixed on the newspaper he was reading. 

"Billionaire CEO Jamie Leonardo of Leon Industries has been spotted in his office a week after the gala." The headlines read. 

My heart fluttered for a while as my gaze darted to his picture. He was still as handsome as when we first met, striking that wonderful pose, hair that made me want to cuddle. Yeah, he was perfect. 

"So I and your father have called you down here for a very important matter." Mom let out a smile. 

It all seemed suspicious… They had debated on this before. They wanted maybe an opinion or something far better. 

"So we've been thinking..." She paused, taking a glimpse of Dad, who had that mysterious look on his face, keeping up a smile as he stared at me.

"Get to the point, shall we? I haven't taken a shower, and I have an hour before it's work time, and I have to leave." I said, hiding the fury building up in me as Bella kept sending crazy signals with her fingers. 

"We have decided on an arrangement between you and the Prince of Height." Mom spoke up.

My heart jumped as I thought of it. "Alexander!" 

"You want the Prince of Height to get engaged with Artemis over her?" Bella questioned, her eyebrows furrowing. 

"Yes, they seem like the perfect match, and trust me, I see the way they stare at each other whenever they are separating." Bella let out, her hand clutching her phone tight.

"So what do you say, Artemis? Will it be, or you shall decide otherwise?" Mom glared. 

I stared at their faces, happiness filling them as they stared at me. 

It didn't seem like a bad decision. Alexander had always found his way to my heart ever since the first time we met. He was always there for me, not caring what happened to himself in the process. 

I heaved a sigh. "I accept."

"Yeee!" Mom squealed, her hands wrapped around Dad as they hugged like the lovebirds they are. 

"I'll be back after closing." I let out, heading straight to my room. 

The streets of Height seemed more beautiful as everyone prepared their houses and shops for the month of love celebration. For generations love ruled, building up dangerous but lovely relationships that multiplied into the next generation. 

As I stared out the window, I kept seeing lovers kissing and acting all lovey-dovey around each other. I knew the outcome of all relationships… It never ends well no matter how hard you try to keep it going. 

"Madam, someone is blocking us." The driver called out as he stepped on the brakes. 

I yelled. "Go outside and deal with it." 

"I can't… It's the Havoc-wrecking billionaire that's outside. He said he wants to speak with you." 

Havoc-wrecking billionaire? Jamie.

I jumped out of the car, my heart racing as I walked to the black Jeep before me. The door opened up before I could place a hand, and I walked in, not caring about the consequences. 

"It's nice to see you're out of detention." I said in a playful tone. 

"Yeah. I get to see your beautiful face once more." His hands moved, cupping my hands in his. 

"Do you know I love you, Artemis?" His words stung. 

"Love?" I laughed. "What do you know about love?"

"Maybe just enough to know I want you and want to be with you throughout my remaining stay on earth."

I threw his hands away, watching him stare at his new monocle. "You make me laugh."

"I'm serious, Artemis. I really, really do love you. I haven't slept a day without thinking about you… It's weird, and I love it." He held up a plain face, attempting to cast his emotions to the cloud. 

"You should have thought about that when you left me for dead five years back, Jamie." 

"I'm very sorry about that. It was a grievous mistake on my part, and I wouldn't do it again." 

"There wouldn't be a next time, Jamie." I grabbed the handle, ready to unlock the door. 

His hand found my arms. "Listen to me, Arte." 

"You're not allowed to call me that." 

"Five years ago, when you showed up at the office claiming you were pregnant for me. The truth is... H paused, staring at the driver who seemed to be carried away by the earphones in his arms. 

"The truth is what? I looked unpresentable and would bring you shame if I was found with you. You felt I was a slut who slept with other men and had forced you to become a father because of your wealth? What other excuse do you have?" 

"Artemis, hear me out." He pleaded, his hands holding me back.

"Jamie, just forget it. You can never be mine; you made that clear five years ago, and I, Artemis, have decided to respect your decision. Don't make this any worse." I freed myself from his grip, walking out of his car.

"Artemis! Artemis!..."