Chapter 153 022
AMELIA stepped out of her car and into the polished entrance of Satin and Sage, the familiar hum of activity greeting her like an old companion. The glass doors slid open smoothly, ushering her into the cool, elegant lobby that smelled faintly of coffee and expensive perfume. Almost immediately, a few of her sales reps noticed her and gathered around with warm smiles.
“Good morning, ma’am,” one of them said brightly.
“Morning, Mrs. Harlow,” another chimed in. “Welcome back.”
Amelia smiled, adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder.
“Good morning, everyone.”
One of the younger reps tilted her head slightly, concern flickering across her face.
“We heard Gabriel got hurt. Is his hand okay?”
Amelia’s smile softened.
“He is fine now. Just a minor cut. Kids heal fast you know.”
“That is good to hear,” someone said with relief. “We were worried.”
“Thank you,” Amelia replied. “I appreciate the concern.”
Another rep added, “He is back in school already?”
“Yes,” Amelia nodded. “He resumed yesterday. He is doing well.”
They exchanged a few more pleasantries before Amelia excused herself and began walking deeper into the building. Her heels clicked rhythmically against the marble floor as she moved with practiced elegance, acknowledging greetings with small nods and smiles.
“Sarian,” she called out when she passed the front desk.
Sarian looked up immediately.
“Good morning, ma’am.”
“Please make my morning coffee,” Amelia said. “The usual.”
“Right away.”
Amelia continued toward her office, already mentally sorting through her day’s schedule, when a familiar voice stopped her just outside her door.
“Morning, Ms. Amelia.”
She turned to see Ryan standing there, tablet tucked under his arm, a polite smile on his face.
“Good morning, Ryan,” she greeted. “You are early.”
“So are you,” he replied lightly. “I hope the traffic wasn’t too bad.”
“Manageable,” she said, unlocking her door. “Come in.”
They stepped into her office together. Amelia set her bag on the desk while Ryan remained standing, casual yet respectful.
“How are the kids?” he asked. “And how is Gabriel?”
She sighed softly.
“They are fine now. Gabriel’s hand is healing well. Gaddiel wouldn’t leave his side for a second.”
Ryan smiled.
“That sounds like him.”
“And Bernice?” Amelia asked, turning to him.
“She is good,” Ryan replied. “Busy with school and insisting that handling school and a family of two, looks difficult.”
Amelia chuckled.
“You can't be serious.”
Ryan nodded in agreement, then hesitated briefly before speaking again.
“So… has Charles called since that day?”
The question landed heavier than she expected. Amelia paused, then shook her head slowly.
“No. He hasn’t.”
Ryan’s brows drew together.
“That is… disappointing.”
She offered a small, dismissive shrug.
“He is probably busy.”
Ryan studied her face carefully, choosing his words with caution.
“Still, it wouldn’t hurt to check in. Especially after everything.”
“Yes,” Amelia agreed quietly. “It wouldn’t.”
Sarian knocked lightly and entered with Amelia’s coffee, setting it gently on the desk before leaving. Amelia wrapped her fingers around the mug, drawing comfort from the warmth.
Ryan cleared his throat.
“I’m sure he will call,” he said, keeping his tone professional. “Things get hectic sometimes.”
“Exactly,” Amelia said quickly. “That is what I think too.”
Ryan smiled, though there was a knowing look in his eyes. No matter how busy a man was, he knew, there was always time for a phone call, especially in this situation— but he kept that thought to himself.
“Well,” he said, straightening, “I will let you settle in. We have the sales briefing at ten.”
“I will be there,” Amelia replied.
As Ryan left the office, Amelia sank into her chair, staring at the steam rising from her coffee. For a brief moment, the confident CEO facade slipped, replaced by a woman silently hoping, still, that a phone call would come.
Evening slowly arrived.
The engine went silent, but Adrian didn’t move.
He sat in the driver’s seat of his car, hands resting loosely on the steering wheel, staring through the windshield at the glowing façade of the hotel. The business trip was officially over. The deal was signed, sealed, and already on its way to becoming another success story attached to his name. Normally, this was the moment he would feel restless— eager to celebrate, eager to distract himself, eager to indulge.
But tonight, there was only a quiet stillness.
He exhaled slowly and leaned his head back against the seat. Images of his daughter and sons crept in uninvited— Hazel's laughter filtering through the laptop screen, Gabriel’s bandaged hand, Gaddiel’s endless chatter, the sound of their laughter filling a house that hadn’t felt like home in years. He reached for his phone, glanced at the lock screen where their photo sat, then slipped it back into his pocket.
Enough sitting.
Adrian stepped out of the car and locked it, adjusting the cuff of his shirt as he turned toward the hotel entrance. He had barely taken three steps when a voice floated toward him, sweet and deliberate.
“Hey, handsome.”
He didn’t turn.
High heels clicked closer.
“Want your bed warm tonight?”
Adrian kept walking.
The woman— tall, confident, dressed in something that left little to the imagination, laughed softly behind him, clearly unused to being ignored.
“Wow,” she called after him. “Didn’t know you were the disciplined type.”
He didn’t slow down. Didn’t look back. Didn’t even acknowledge that anyone had spoken.
The old Adrian would have. The old Adrian would have smiled, appraised, entertained the invitation if only for the ego boost. The old Adrian would have followed her, or invited her to follow him.
But that man felt distant now. Almost unrecognizable.
Inside the hotel lobby, the cool air washed over him. He walked straight to the elevator, pressed the button, and stepped inside as the doors slid shut behind him. Just as the elevator began to rise, his phone rang.
He pulled it out.
Peter.
A faint smile tugged at his lips as he answered.
“Peter.”
“Sir! Finally,” Peter’s voice boomed through the speaker. “Honestly sir, do you have any idea how long I have been waiting to hear from you?”
Adrian chuckled softly.
“I just got back to the hotel. It has been a long day.”
“But a successful one,” Peter added quickly. “Congratulations, sir. We bagged yet another deal. The board is going to lose their minds when they hear the terms you negotiated.”
“Let’s hope in a good way,” Adrian replied.
“In the best way,” Peter assured him. “I guessed you closed right after dinner?”
“Yes,” Adrian said. “We wrapped up the last meeting, then I went out for dinner with the regional partners. Nothing fancy. I just needed to eat and clear my head.”
Peter laughed.
“That doesn’t sound like the boss I know.”
“People change,” Adrian said lightly.
There was a brief pause on the line, then Peter spoke again, more thoughtful this time.
“You heading home tomorrow?”
“First flight out,” Adrian said without hesitation. “I have been away too long.”
“Your kids?”
“Yes,” Adrian replied, his voice softening. “They need me.”
Another pause. Then Peter said,
“I’m glad to hear that, sir. Truly.”
“Me too.”
The elevator slowed, then came to a stop with a soft ding. Adrian slipped his phone back to his ear as the doors opened.
“I will see you at the office next week,” Peter said. “Rest up.”
“I will,” Adrian replied. “Good night.”
“Good night.”
He ended the call and stepped out into the quiet hallway, the plush carpet muffling his footsteps as he walked toward his room. He stopped briefly at the door, card in hand, taking a final breath.
No detours. No distractions.
Just forward.
The door clicked open, and Adrian stepped inside, closing it firmly behind him.