Chapter 118

Chapter 118
The storm inside me was brewing, and I could feel the tempest about to unleash its full fury. Jayden's sudden appearance in my office was the spark that ignited the powder keg of emotions I had been trying to keep under wraps.

"What are you doing?" Jayden asked, his voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and concern, as he strode into my office with a purposeful stride.

I stood up, my chair scraping against the floor with a loud screech, and let out a primal scream that seemed to shake the very foundations of the room. "Exactly what I'm supposed to do. Security!!!" I yelled on top of my voice, my emotions raw and exposed.

Melissa, my loyal assistant, ran into my office the moment she heard my voice, her face etched with worry and concern. "Are you okay, ma'am?" she asked, her voice soft and gentle, as she approached me with caution.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the tempest raging inside me, but my voice still shook with rage. "Hurry, get the security," I ordered, my words tumbling out in a rush.

"Yes, ma'am," Melissa replied, turning to leave, but then she paused, her eyes fixed on Jayden with a mixture of curiosity and recognition. She stared at him, trying to figure out where she had seen his face before. Suddenly, her eyes widened in epiphany. "Yes! I got it! You! You're that man... that man from... yes!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in excitement.

I turned to Jayden, my curiosity piqued, and my eyes locked onto his with a fierce intensity. "What man?" I asked, my voice firm but laced with a hint of trepidation.

Jayden's eyes never left mine as he replied, his voice dripping with amusement and a hint of mockery. "You know exactly what I'm talking about," he said, his words hanging in the air like a challenge.

Melissa's voice cut through the tension, her words like a splash of cold water. "You are him, from the launching. The same man that bullied Joshua," she accused, her voice filled with indignation and a mother's protective instinct.

Jayden's laughter was like a slap in the face, his eyes glinting with mirth and a hint of cruelty. "What? I didn't bully him," he said, his voice laced with denial. "He's one hell of an annoying boy."

My mind reeled as I processed the information, my thoughts racing with questions and emotions. "Jayden already met Joshua?" I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.

Jayden's eyes narrowed, his expression intense and unyielding. "Hold on, you bullied my son?" I asked, my voice rising in anger and a mother's protective instinct.

"Your son? He is your son?" Jayden's voice was laced with surprise, but there was something else there too, something that made my heart skip a beat.

"Yes, he's my son. Why?" I asked, my voice firm but laced with a hint of trepidation.

Jayden's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze piercing and unyielding. "Well... that's why I'm here," he said, his voice low and mysterious.

My voice shook as I asked, "You are here because of him?" I reached out to my handkerchief, my fingers trembling as I dabbed at my eyes.

"Please leave. I've got things to do," I said, trying to composed myself, but Jayden's next words made my heart race. "Let's talk. Who is his father?"

My heart skipped a beat, racing so fast, my sweat glands were producing more sweat than usual. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of emotions, and Jayden's question was the anchor that was pulling me under. "Leave!" I shouted, my emotions raw and exposed.

But Jayden was relentless, his grip on my hand like a vice. "No, not without a word with you. Come along," he said, grasping my hand and dragging me along while I hit his arm, trying to break free.

"Let me go!" I screamed, but Jayden's grip only tightened. He pushed me into his car and got in, zooming off while I screamed at him to let me go.

I sat in silence, my arms folded, tears slipping down the corners of my eyes. I didn't want him to see me cry. Not him. Not after everything.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, my voice broken. "Why now?"

He didn't answer.

The world outside was a blur as we sped through the streets, the wind whipping through my hair like a thousand knives. I was trapped, trapped in a web of emotions and uncertainty. Finally, we arrived at a restaurant.
He parked the car, got out, and walked around to open my door.

"Get out," he said.

I looked at him through wet lashes. "No."

"Please," he said, softer now. "We need to talk."

"About what?" I whispered."

I got out, my legs trembling beneath me, my heart still racing with fear and uncertainty. The bright lights of the restaurant sign seemed to mock me, a cruel reminder of the turmoil that was brewing inside me. What did Jayden want.

Jayden held my hand and led me into the restaurant.

I didn't look at him. I didn't smile. I didn't feel a single ounce of warmth in my chest. Just rage. Pure, boiling rage.

We were taken to a private lounge tucked away from the crowd, and the moment we got there, Jayden sank into a seat like he owned the world.

But I didn't move.

I stood, a few steps away from him, arms crossed, eyes burning into him like fire. I wasn't here for peace. I wasn't here for closure. I was here because he dragged me here. And the truth? I hated every second of it.

"Sit, please," Jayden said, calmly. "Or do I have to force you to sit?"

I shot him a deadly glare and stomped my heel on the floor with a loud, sharp snap. "Annoying son of a bitch," I muttered under my breath as I pulled out a chair, dropped into it with full force, and flung my bag on the other chair beside me.

"You've got five minutes," I said coldly, looking away. "Say whatever the hell you brought me here for. I'm a busy woman. I don't have time for crap that no longer matters."

Jayden chuckled softly, like I'd just made a silly joke. My stomach turned.

"Alright," he said. "I'll go straight to the point. It's about us."

"There is no us," I snapped. "Get that fact straight, Jayden. We ended the night you threw me out of your house like trash."

He went quiet for a second. His face dropped a little. Then he spoke again.

"Really?" His voice was softer this time. "And I regret it deeply. I regret it every damn day. I should never have done that to you. I should've listened to you. I should've believed you."

He paused, then leaned in.

"I don't know where the hell I got that stupid idea that you betrayed me. I chased you, Monalisa. I fought for you. I know the woman you are. You're... you're real. You're strong. You're pure."

I looked him dead in the eyes. "Cut to the chase."

He sighed and slowly reached across the table to touch my hand, but I immediately moved my hand to my lap.

He chuckled again, but it was dry. Hollow.

"I see," he said, leaning back into his seat.

"You've said nothing that makes sense," I said, grabbing my phone. "One minute. I'll be back."

Without waiting for a reply, I stood up and marched toward the restroom, my heels echoing across the quiet hallway.

I locked myself in a stall, dialed Tricia, and thank God, she picked up immediately.

"Hey babe," I whispered. "Jayden kidnapped me. Listen, call me in five minutes and say the investors are waiting for me. Got it?"

"What?" Tricia gasped. "Hold on, are you okay? Do I call the cops?"

"No. I'm fine. Just do what I said, okay?"

"Alright. Yes."

"Thank you."

I hung up and took a deep breath. My heart was racing, my body hot with anger. I stared at myself in the mirror, trying to pull it together when suddenly, my phone buzzed.

A message.

Unknown number.

And a video.

I opened it without thinking. The screen lit up.

And what I saw...

My world shattered.

My heart bled.

I slammed my hand on the tiled wall and let out a sharp scream. My breath came out in short bursts. My heart was hammering in my chest.

"Fuck you, Jayden!!!" I screamed, grabbing my phone with trembling hands and rushing out of the restroom.

He was waiting for me at the table like nothing had happened.

Without a second thought, I grabbed the glass of wine on the table and flung it right in his face.

Jayden shot up from his seat, stunned, the wine dripping down his shirt and face.

"Fuck you!" I screamed. "Don't you ever show your fucking face to me again, you bastard!"

I grabbed my bag and turned to leave, but he caught my wrist.

"Why did you do that?" he barked. "How dare you?! Apologize to me!"

"Apologize?" I scoffed, yanking my hand from his grip. "You disgust me! I hate you! You lying, cheating, two-faced son of a bitch!"

"Monalisa..."

"Playboy Jayden," I said, my voice shaking. "Once a playboy, always a playboy. You never changed. You just got better at hiding it. You goddamn bastard!"

He stood there, speechless, eyes wide, still soaked in red wine, breathing hard.

"Don't you ever contact me again," I hissed.

Then I turned.

And walked away.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I stormed out of the restaurant, my heart in pieces, my soul screaming. I didn't look back.

I didn't want to see the man who had shattered me all over again.

Jayden remained there, stunned and frozen, with his hands on his waist and his mouth parted. The glass clinked softly on the table as it settled. His mind raced, confusion all over his face.

He had no idea what had just happened.

And I wasn't going to stay long enough to explain.