Chapter 68. A restraining order
Jackson Johnson
"My heart."
Those words had echoed for a long time, my gaze fixed on the ceiling, the silence inside my room, and the beating of my heart were my companions at night.
Having said that to Arya's face had ended the unexpected encounter. So I turned around and, without saying anything else, disappeared into my building. I immediately spoke with my lawyer to request a restraining order, told him everything, and that by tomorrow it would be resolved. I knew from Arya's look and posture that she believed I wouldn't go that far and would insist on approaching me and the people around me. And that included Lilly.
I closed my eyes, and my mind replayed the entire date with Lilly. The way she spoke, how her lips moved when she said my name, her hands touching and caressing me—those images and reliving them, I wouldn't trade for anything in the world.
Unable to sleep, I decided to go to the building's gym. After a while, I was running on the treadmill while listening to the five o'clock news on one of the large TVs mounted in front of me. I stopped the machine and gradually walked until I finally stood still, trying to calm my racing heart. I took a sip from my water bottle, quite sweaty and exhausted, but a shower would revitalize me.
"Mr. Johnson," Richard entered the gym, and I noticed the dark circles under his eyes.
"Good morning, Richard. What are you doing up so early?" He extended an iPad for me to see. It was Arya and me outside the building, with a large headline in capital letters: "Johnson and Rajak, the Possible Couple of the Year." I let out an irritated huff and shook my head. I looked at the magazine—it was one my mother read. I pressed my lips, imagining Arya had something to do with this. How did the reporters know who she was? I continued reading the article: "...Apparently, Miss Rajak, the only daughter of one of the great magnates of the Asian continent, has found her old high school crush after years of absence and distance. She has decided to reconnect with none other than the important owner of the Johnson conglomerate, a significant player in real estate and culinary arts. Could there be a high-profile wedding soon?"
"This has to be a joke," I looked up from the article. "Is this a joke?" Richard tensed.
"It seems someone provided the information to the author of the article. Your publicist has left several messages insisting on contacting you for the past few minutes. Your mother and father have also called, asking you to return their calls when you can."
"God, this can't be happening," I looked back at the article and found the name of the column's author: Mery Tarik Rajak. "How could they not find the information if it's her own family involved in this?" I handed the iPad back. I had to think clearly. Now I knew a restraining order wouldn't be enough with Arya. She was determined, but if she wanted to play dirty... I could play too.
Throughout the morning, I couldn't stop thinking about everything that was happening. I had tasked Richard with investigating who else was involved in this embarrassing drama so I could use my cards and not involve people who had nothing to do with it. There was a knock on the door, and I confirmed they could come in. It was Maxine. I could see the worry on her face.
"Can we talk?" I gestured with my chin to signal "Yes." She entered, closed the door behind her, and sat in the usual chair in front of my desk.
"What's going on? Your mother hasn't stopped insisting that I tell you to call her."
"Someone from the past is determined to mess with me." She raised an eyebrow.
"So, is that photo real? Is it that Arya Rajak?" I looked at her in silence for a moment, then sighed.
"It's her." I noticed her expression change.
"What are you going to do?" My distrust had grown since last night.
"I'm going to ignore her. I don't feel like stooping to her level."
"But your image..." she began to say, so I interrupted her.
"...is getting publicity, that's all." I abruptly ended the topic, stood up, and walked around the office until I stood by the large window, looking at the view. It was beautiful. There were a few dark clouds, a sign it would rain later. I turned back to Maxine.
"Are you ready for the meeting?" She understood, nodded, and stood up from her chair. I could see her face soften, realizing I wouldn't say anything more and that she had to leave.
"Don't let it affect you. You're strong, and you can handle this. If she's giving you publicity, it could benefit us, unless you want to hold a press conference and clarify..."
"I'm not interested in clarifying rumors. Time will prove me right."