Chapter 23: Special occasion

Weeks later

Knoxville sat alone in the lavish restaurant, rented by his father for this ill-timed date. Despite his reservations, he had no choice but to be there. The elegant decor and soft lighting did little to ease his apprehension.

He checked his wristwatch for what felt like the hundredth time, wondering why his mysterious date was running late. To pass the time, he pulled out his phone and began scrolling mindlessly.

Suddenly, the sound of heels clicking on the marble floor caught his attention. He didn't bother looking up, indifferent to the woman's arrival.

That was, until she sat directly across from him.

Knoxville's eyes lingered on his phone for a moment before he took a deep breath, pocketed his device, and raised his gaze.

His eyes locked onto the woman's, and his jaw dropped in stunned silence.

"Electra?" he whispered, incredulous.

Electra's smirk was radiant, her piercing green eyes sparkling with amusement.

"So, it's you, ex-husband," she purred, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Knoxville's face reflected his shock, his mind reeling from the unexpected twist. The last person he expected to see was the woman he'd loved and lost.

Electra's elegance was undeniable, her raven hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of night. Her porcelain skin glowed in the soft light, and her full lips curled into a sly smile.

Knoxville's thoughts swirled, memories of their past flooding his mind. What was she doing here?

As he struggled to compose himself, Electra leaned back in her chair, her eyes never leaving his.

"Looks like fate has a sense of humor," she said, her voice laced with irony.

Knoxville's silence was palpable, his thoughts racing with questions. Where did they go from here?

Knoxville's eyes widened further, his voice laced with confusion.

"Wait, are you the person my dad was talking about?" he asked, still reeling from the shock.

Electra's smirk twisted into a scowl.

"Your dad?" she repeated, her tone venomous. "You mean the man who thinks he can control everyone's life?"

Knoxville's expression turned sincere.

"I searched for you," he said, his voice filled with longing. "I looked everywhere for you, but you were nowhere to be found."

Electra's gaze hardened, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Save it, Knoxville," she spat. "You think a few sentimental words can erase the past?"

Her voice dripped with disgust.

"It's kind of annoying that after being forced to come to this date, I came to meet an animal like you."

Knoxville's face fell, his eyes stung by her words.

"Electra, please—"

"Don't 'Electra' me," she interrupted, her voice rising. "You lost the right to say my name when you destroyed our marriage."

The restaurant's patrons began to stare, drawn in by the tension.

Knoxville's cheeks flushed, his jaw clenched.

"What do you want, Electra?" he asked, his voice low and even.

Electra's smile was icy. "I want nothing from you," Electra spat, her eyes blazing with contempt. "If I knew you were my date, I would never have shown up. I can't believe I wasted my time."

She pushed her chair back, preparing to stand.

Knoxville's hands shot out, palms up, in a pleading gesture.

"I'm sorry, Electra. I'm really sorry. I know I betrayed your trust."

Electra's laughter was laced with venom.

"Why are you apologizing? Why don't you go and meet the person you cheated on me with?" she sneered.

Her words cut deep, and Knoxville's face twisted in pain.

"You ended our marriage and sent me away because of Helena," Electra continued, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Why don't you go to her? Or did you guys break up?"

Electra's eyes flashed with anger.

"Does she know you're still playing games? Or is she just another pawn in your twisted game?"

Knoxville's jaw clenched, his eyes welling up with regret.

"Electra, please listen—"

"No, Knoxville. You listen," Electra interrupted, her voice cold.

"You destroyed me, and now you're trying to apologize? It's too late. The damage is done. It's five years already I have moved on" She turned to leave but face back..

"You are the worst person I will even want my enemy to be with, I hate you" She said, her phone beep and she checked the message.

"You are the worst person I would ever want my enemy to be with. I hate you," Electra spat, her words dripping with venom.

Her phone beeped, and she glanced at the screen. Her expression changed, a hint of intrigue flickering across her face.

"Please meet me at the place I took you to two days ago. Don't ask questions, just come," the message read.

Electra's eyes narrowed, her mind clearly elsewhere.

Knoxville seized the moment, desperation etched on his face.

"Please, can you give me a second chance? I'll correct everything. I know there's no excuse for what I've done in the past, but I'm ready to make things right."

Electra scoffed, her gaze snapping back to Knoxville.

"Make things right?" she repeated, her voice laced with disdain.

Her eyes flashed with anger.

"If you want to make things right, make your future mine—not mine. Fuck you!"

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Knoxville's apology hanging in the air.

Knoxville's face crumpled, his eyes welling up with tears.

"Electra, please!" he called out, but she was already gone.

The restaurant's patrons watched the drama unfold, their whispers and gasps filling the silence.

Knoxville slumped back in his chair, defeated.

Knoxville rushed out of the restaurant, desperate to catch up to Electra. But as he emerged into the night air, he was met with the taillights of her car disappearing into the distance.

He stood frozen, unable to utter a word.

Meanwhile, Electra arrived at the restaurant where she had agreed to meet Maxwell. She checked her reflection in the rearview mirror.

"Did I dress right? This dress was supposed to be for a date," she said to herself, taking a deep breath.

She grabbed the coat from the backseat and slipped it on, transforming her appearance.

With renewed confidence, Electra stepped out of the car and into the restaurant.

As she entered, she scanned the familiar space, expecting to see Maxwell at their usual table.

But he was nowhere to be found.

Electra pulled out her phone to call Maxwell, but before she could dial, one of the restaurant staff approached her.

"Ma, can I take you to Mr. Maxwell? He asked me to escort you to the VIP section," the staff member said.

Electra's curiosity was piqued.

Why had Maxwell chosen the VIP section tonight, when they usually opted for a quieter table?

She followed the staff member, her senses on high alert.

As they walked through the crowded restaurant, Electra's mind whirled with possibilities.

What was Maxwell planning?

The staff member led her to a discreet elevator, which opened into an exclusive lounge.

Electra's eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, and she spotted Maxwell, standing by the window, sipping a glass of wine.

"Electra, you look stunning," Maxwell said, his eyes roving over her.

Electra's gaze locked onto his, searching for answers.

"What's going on, Maxwell? Why the VIP treatment?" she asked.

Maxwell's smile

hinted at secrets.

"Tonight's a special occasion," he said. "One that requires a certain... elegance."

Electra's curiosity deepened.

"What occasion?" she pressed.