Chapter 33

Juliette's eyes clouded. "I believe I do." She smiled.

"And yet you are willing to let him go, any other woman would try to make him stay. I hope that one day he can deserve you Juliette. He should know that you are the best thing to happen to him." Mary countered.

Juliette laughed in a feeble attempt to cease her tears. "I think it's I who should hope to deserve him. I hope this remains in the strictest of confidence." She half begged.

Mary instantly put her mind at ease. "I won't breathe a word. But I hope I see again Juliette. You have become a part of our family and please don't stray from us."

"I promise I never shall." Juliette's heart busted in pain and in joy. She lost the only man she ever loved and gained a family that cared about her. It was as all weddings should be; bitter-sweet.

Blaze entered their room, he was sure Juliette was resting. He needed to inform her that her family was going back. Seth had a business deal to finalise and needed to return the very night. Of course he also had his own jet.

"Hey..." Blaze paused when he saw her Juliette's suitcase lying on the bed. She paused her packing and started at him.

"You're leaving? We weren't going to leave until few days." He spoke, his voice soft.

Juliette felt like fish out of water. She didn't tell him she was leaving but she arranged it last night. "I know we were going to stay a bit longer but I have received countless emails and there is only so much I can do from here. I am needed back at work."

"Why didn't you tell me? I could have arranged for us to go tonight. I still can." He mused.

Because I need to get away from you. Juliette thought. "That's not necessary. I will go with my brother besides Mary is not leaving until a couple days for her honeymoon. You could use this time to spend it with your family. That's why I couldn't tell you." She lied.

"I can't let you leave alone." He countered.

"I won't be. You haven't been home in a while, stay with your family. It's only a matter of days." She convinced.

Blaze didn't like the idea of Juliette going but he had to concede. It was just a few days. He walked closer to her and pulled her flush against him, his lips claiming hers and a farewell kiss holding a promise when they were to be reunited.

Juliette sat next to Laura, her mind far off. She was happy she was away it gave her time to think of her next move. She couldn't be Blaze's mistress, she wanted love and would settle for nothing less. Maybe it just wasn't meant to be. She gained comfort in the thought that time will heal her and soon the memory of Blaze will fade.

Movement didn't feel natural anymore, no, for Juliette she didn't feel as if she was living. She just existed. A result of her heartbreak. She never thought she would be this reduced by the mere thought of a man but she was. Not a second went by where his thoughts evaded her, she was haunted-by him and then by her; Diane.

Part of her died every time she thought of them being together even while he was still there. He must be indulging and enjoying his free time. No more Juliette to hinder him from his typical male appetite. Juliette ran her fingers through her hair in frustration, she hated thinking about these things, she wished she could just stop! Just have it all erased! What was the sense yearning over someone who didn't want her? What was the sense in allowing him the pleasure of her heart? The pleasure of another conquest? No matter how much he had of her, she would never admit it.

The week was over and Juliette knew that Blaze would be back today. He tried calling her several times but she let go to voicemail, after which she would text him in a feeble lie that she was busy. He bought it, or he just didn't really care.

Blaze was a tangled mess of excitement. He missed Juliette dearly for the past week and was anxious to see her. He felt strangely energised at the thought of her and couldn't quite wipe the silly smile he unconsciously placed on his features. He never felt so care free. He got to work before all everyone else hoping to see Juliette there, but there was no sign of her. She was always the first one in.

Blaze scanned the still building in drenched hoped and went to his office where he was greeted by stacks of files. He was expecting it. He was away for a while so he now needed to catch up and he would do so in no time. Probably, if Juliette would leave his mind for a bit, but he sensed that was impossible.

Juliette was anxious to see Blaze today, she wondered how he would react when he saw... she sighed he might be glad to rid of her! But maybe that was why she was having reservations, not because he might be enraged but because he might welcome it! How would she live knowing that?

She arrived a bit later than usual and by that time the office was buzzing with activity. She settled in her desk and began her assignments. She felt odd. Not in the respect that Blaze was back but instead she felt a bit heated despite the air conditioning. Her head throbbed and she felt nauseous. She finished up the first document and emailed it to Blaze. She wasn't surprised when he emailed and told her to come to his office after five minutes of her first email.

Juliette rose unsteadily and made her way in. Blaze sat at his desk, his eyes rising instantly to meet hers. She didn't know what she expected but him smiling at her was not it.

"How long have you been in?" He asked politely and Juliette almost melted at the sight of him. How did he always manage to look and sound so desirable?

"About an hour. Don't worry I was on time." She was curt and he knew it. She saw the question in his eye but it faded away quickly.

"I would never doubt it." He got up from his chair and walked around his desk. Juliette would usually feel all sorts of emotions but now she just felt as if she needed to sit down.

"Are you alright Juliette?" He eyed her closely.

"Just a minor headache, it's nothing." She forced to speak.

Blaze's eyes darkened and his jaw clenched. "Headache? You should have called in sick."

"Nonsense! I can manage." She prided herself.

"Apparently you can't, the document you sent to me is full of errors. Now I know why." He confided and Juliette mentally cursed herself.

"I am so sorry! I will review it and send it back, just give me a few more minutes." She turned and left. She hurried along but everything was spinning and finally she was in her chair. She felt her hand go to her mouth as her body prepared itself for what was about to happen next.

Juliette hunched over and felt the acid forcefully rising out of her and into the waste paper basket at her desk. She continued to retch, her entire body convulsing. She didn't realise when comforting warmth moved back and forth on her back until she rose up and leaned back against her chair. Her eyes closed as she tried to supply her body with oxygen.

"Juliette? Talk to me. How are you feeling?" The male voice that could never be mistaken called out from what seemed a huge distance. She opened her eyes to see Blaze kneeling beside her his hand holding hers.

"I'm fine." She spoke and felt Blaze pulling her off the chair as he rose.

"No you're not! I am taking you to a doctor."

Juliette began to protest despite her sudden weakness but Blaze wouldn't concede. She remembered everything in blurs. Blaze putting her into his car, him ordering someone on the phone and then when his arms coiled around her and carried her inside the building. Here she started to gain control of herself, the nausea falling away.

"Blaze this is unnecessary. I really am fine. Must have been something I ate." She tried to justify why she had such symptoms not only to Blaze but to herself.

"Not a word Juliette." His voice was demanding and she wanted to smack him! Why did he speak to her as if she were but five! She was grown woman for God sakes!

"Good morning, your husband here has told me of your symptoms, how are you feeling now?"