Chapter 96. A showdown
Lilly Bradley
"Suffering? I'm not playing any role, Lilly," I snorted to show I didn't believe him at all, then leaned back in my chair. "I'm serious. Just listen to me..." He cleared his throat and his eyes stayed fixed on me. "When you ended our engagement, you opened my eyes. I saw in your gaze that I had lost you because of my own fault, that the woman I fell in love with... was gone." He paused. "I'll never forgive myself for what I did to you, what we did to each other. And I want to apologize." His words sounded sincere, and I let out a long sigh.
"Maybe with time, I can forgive you, Oliver. Even seeing you now brings back memories of that night when you let me down."
"That means you still feel something for me."
"No. I don't feel anything for you. That same night, you killed everything. There's nothing left. The memories are just the disappointment, how foolish you made me feel for believing you loved me, that you respected me, and my family who loved you like a son, also for making me believe we had something real, so don't get confused."
"Then you feel nothing? How is it that you so quickly have feelings for another man you didn't know? You haven't even been in the city for two months," he stopped his words, then frowned. "Or did you already know him in London while we were engaged?" I briefly rolled my eyes.
"Don't try to twist everything to your advantage. I never cheated on you, Oliver. It never crossed my mind." Silence fell. "I really cared about you," I was honest. "I did back then. I really did." His eyes welled up, which took me by surprise.
"I'm sorry," he quickly wiped the corners of his eyes and turned his face to the side so I wouldn't see.
"Are you crying?" I noticed his lower lip trembling, then he looked directly at me.
"How could I not? I lost a good woman, the best I could have had in my life. And I ruined it. It hurts." I was at a loss for words. It was the first time since I knew him that he acted this way. I felt a tightness in my chest. But it wasn't a romantic feeling, it was more... pity. Pity that he hadn't valued what we had. And today, it was too late. Far too late.
"Calm down," I offered him a glass of water, which he accepted. When he finished, he looked at me intently in silence. "You will find a good woman. Your other half must be out there somewhere."
"If it's not you, I don't want anyone else..."
"Then you'll just stay alone. Lilly is not available." We both turned our gaze to Jackson, who was standing next to our table. "What's your plan now?" he said in a threatening tone. I stood up quickly to prevent him from lunging at Oliver.
"Jackson," I said, signaling him to calm down. I could see the vein standing out. I looked at Oliver, who seemed calm.
"Good evening, Jackson. Now you're watching over Lilly? I'll give you some advice, she hates that. She doesn't like being monitored..."
"You know this is my restaurant." I opened my eyes wide and looked at Oliver.
"What?" Oliver said nothing. "Is that why you brought me here to talk, so Jackson would see us?"
"No. I told you the food was delicious, and you agreed. That he appears out of nowhere to interrupt a private conversation wasn't planned, and it's rude... He's just your boss, that shouldn't matter."
"Everything that has to do with my girlfriend matters to me." Oliver stood up quickly.
"Is it true?" he asked in my direction, stunned.
"Yes. And I think we've said all we needed to say. I'll pay for dinner." I took my purse and walked away from the table with Jackson following me. I reached the counter to hand over my credit card, but Jackson grabbed it. I looked at him.
"I'll pay," his tone was cold, and I understood, but this was my business.
"I'll do it." I took my card back and handed it to the cashier who was watching our scene. She processed the payment and returned my card. "I'll leave first. Good night." I didn't let him respond and headed for the exit. I took out my cell phone when I reached the sidewalk, intending to call a ride, but Jackson took my phone. His dark eyes stayed on me.
"So that's why you weren't answering. I look away for a moment, and your ex-fiancé invites you to dinner."
"Jackson, I know you're upset," he raised an eyebrow, "and so am I. So nothing good will come of this. Let's talk tomorrow." His face softened.
"I'm sorry, but seeing you with him makes my blood boil."
"I can see that clearly. Let's talk tomorrow, please."
"Fine," he signaled to someone, and I knew it was Richard. He nodded, and moments later, the armored SUV appeared in front of us. "But Richard will take you home again."
"Fine," I frowned. "Aren't you going home?"
"I've invited my client to dinner after closing the deal."
"And that's why you saw me."
"Yes. I had received confirmation that you were already at home, but seeing you here surprised me."
"Well," I sighed. "I'm leaving..."
"Alright. Rest well..." I leaned in to kiss his lips, but he turned, leaving the kiss on my forehead. I felt a pang in my chest, I didn't see it coming.
"Okay, you too." He opened the door, and I got in. He waited until we drove off before returning to the restaurant. But I thought Oliver was still there, sitting at the table. I just hoped Jackson wouldn't fight with him.