Chapter 54 Chapter 54
Tessa
“That night in the club when you walked into that private room. The minute I said not to come closer, you didn’t try. You saw a man; you did not see me, the Rhyland heir. In the elevator, you…. You were an asshole to me, and I found myself intrigued; I wanted to be near you. You met Hannah and saw what she is like; you haven't met Avani, and I pray you never do. She is one year younger than me and will kill you without thinking. “I want you, but I can’t be with you,” he said, and I realized what that meant.
I wasn’t a part of his world, the world of the elite. He could never be seen with me other than as a friend. I removed his hands from around my waist and stood up.
“Just go. I’m grateful for what you did for me. I really am; it's the first time in my life that I can breathe and walk in public without looking over my shoulder. Just… let me be, Zaiel. Go back to your life; think of me as … I don't know, as … think of it like this: I was just a shooting star, bright enough to make a wish on, but built to burn out and disappear from your sky." I said,
“I can’t let you go,” he said.
"I know you're used to getting everything you want, but this is the one time you can’t. Marry Clarissa or whoever. Forget me.” I said as I headed towards the bathroom.
“So you don’t feel anything for me?” he asked, my hand paused on the door handle.
“No, I don’t, never did. It was all fear,” I replied, walking into the bathroom and locking the door. I sank to the floor and sat there. The truth was I did feel something for him, and it wasn't fear; I was scared of what could happen if I actually said the words out loud.I heard the light knock on the door, but I didn’t move or answer.
“If you need me, call me. The car, the phone, the money—it's all yours, in your name. The apartment in Athena Tower is in your name; it's all yours. I won’t have Jax watching you anymore. “I’m sorry.” His voice came through the door muffled. I didn’t answer; I couldn’t.
I sat there for a while; I don't know how long, but the silence was loud. I stood up slowly and got dressed. I took a deep breath and opened the door. The room was empty; he was really gone. I walked over to the bed; there was a bag on the bed and two envelopes.
I hesitated, and I picked up the small envelope; it was black. Inside was a letter. I pulled it out slowly, afraid of what it was.
“I’m sorry for hurting you. I care about you; you are the first woman I allowed myself to care about. It’s more than I've allowed myself to care for anyone else. I don’t trust myself to not come after you. I really don’t because I’ll see you, and if I see you with someone else, I’ll lose it and come after you. I need you to leave, please. That bag has enough money to take you anywhere in the world; your leaving is the only way I’ll be able to let you go. And just know, I will never stop wanting you, and the minute you let your guard down, I’ll be there—KAI.”
I put the letter back into the envelope and opened the manila envelope. In it were papers; I pulled the first one out, and it was the purchase document of the apartment of Athena Tower. The second was the car papers. I opened the bag with shaky hands. It was packed to the brim with hundred-dollar bills. I sat on the bed and let out a frustrated sigh.
Even if he hadn't asked me to leave, I would have left because I wouldn't have been able to see him. I cared more than I should; even though he hurt me, he protected me, and he got rid of my biggest threat and fear. I groaned.
I went out to the living room. The phone was on the table. I went to the kitchen and opened a bottle of wine. I didn't even bother grabbing a glass; I sat on the couch with the entire bottle and the laptop.
I began looking for places I could move to. I started my search; I needed somewhere small but fast-growing. I wasn't hiding; I just wanted peace. I landed upon Georgetown. Texas. That seemed like the perfect place. Historic and Victorian era. It was the perfect place.
I checked for a place, and I found a small two-bedroom house for sale. I checked for the real estate info and found it: a woman named Esther. I grabbed the phone and dialed the number.
The phone was answered on the second ring. We spoke for almost one hour. After the call we came to an agreement. The house was going for 450K. I told her I didn't need to see it; as long as it was livable with electricity and water, then I could handle it, and I wanted to move in right away. We had an appointment four days out. I made it clear I would pay the asking price in cash, which she was happy about.
I headed into my room and looked at the bag on the bed. I pulled up his number and was about to text him but stopped. I texted Jax instead.
TESSA: Jax, I need to know something from your boss. Ask him how much is in the bag.
I pressed send and waited. I walked over to my closet and pulled out my other bag and the box. I opened the bag and dumped the money out onto the bed, then opened the lid of the box and stared at the money. I heard my phone ping. I grabbed it, but it wasn't Jax.
KAI: 2 million; the box is 1 million.
I stared at the message: three million and something, so much money. I didn't reply. I counted one of the bundle. It was 10K. One bundle was ten thousand. I began separating the money. I made one bundle of 450K for the house and put that aside.
I felt like he would track the car. I grabbed eleven stacks of the money and pushed it into my bag; I made sure I had all my papers. I took all the money and pushed it under my bed. I grabbed the phone and left.
I took a cab straight to the dealership. I told the driver to take me to the first dealership. It was a Ford. I paid him a hundred and got out. When I walked in, a guy about my age walked over to me.
“Good morning, ma’am, Welcome to the Ford dealership. I am Chad. What can I assist you with?” he asked, smiling. I looked around; my eyes landed on the jeep. I guess he was following my eyes.