Chapter 96.1

Geoffrey saw it.

Within the short time after he picked up Adira’s ringing phone underneath the table, he saw the picture on the screen and the red heart reaction below the image.

If he can, he will turn back the time, so he won’t see a glimpse of the truth. Yet he has no power to do so. What made it worse is that he wasn’t the only one who saw the picture.

He is certain that Chadwick saw the picture as well. That is why Geoffrey can understand why Adira’s attention was all fixed to her ex-husband. She’s wondering if Chadwick saw the picture or not.

Geoffrey has no plan of revealing his past encounters with Adira. When he helped her fix the car’s tire, and when he gave her the rose while he was wearing a Super Mario mascot in the amusement Park, he intended to keep those secret, taking it to his grave. Because he does not want her to see him as coward. Yet, as if playing his wild card which he holds dearly in his heart, he laid them on the table.

The result did not leave him empty handed.

Adira’s eyes looked for him and they stayed there for a long time. She was no longer staring at Chadwick, as her all focus looked at the mysterious man.

‘She must be dying with curiosity,’ Geoffrey thought while feeling her gaze through his peripheral vision.

Geoffrey ain’t masochist. He hates making life harder for Adira but if making her curious will steal her attention from Chadwick, then let it be. He did not climb up and chose this path just to lose.

In the past, he loses against his cowardice, time, and situation. Now, he cannot bear to see Chadwick get her once again.

“This is the last store to visit, Sir and Ma’am,” the director said to the two CEO who visited the stores in the CUR8 mall.

At last, the tiring work for today will come to an end. Still, Adira has energy to spend staring at Geoffrey and wondering if he guesses are right.

“Ma’am?” the director called her, as he was spacing out.

Ever since they took pictures together and saw the red car before, it was noticeable how Adira zoned out, as if distracted.

For a moment, she was drowned at the surprising realization that Geoffrey could be the man behind the helmet and the mascot she met in the amusement park.

‘So, what’s wrong if they are Geoffrey? What would I feel?’ Adira asked herself.

Just being in gratitude won’t suffice to explain her emotions. It is the magic of fate which made her believe that perhaps, she and Geoffrey are destined to meet each other after a long time.

They once met in high school, in college, and even when she got married, their paths crossed. If this isn’t fate, then what will she call this?

Certainly, he holds a special place in her mind, and that is why it was hard to take her eyes off him right here, right now.

“Mrs. Adira?”

When the director called her name for the second time, she turned her head forward.

How long had it been when she started gawking at Geoffrey?

Did everyone notice where her gaze fixed at?

She breathed and parted her lips. “This place is…”

A sciatic ache had settled in her Achilles and the instep arch of her feet. Seconds passed, the pain started to travel like a strong tide towards her calves and back.

Adira took a couple of deep breaths then talked again.

“...it’s good,” she continued and successfully laid a forged smile.

She needed to rest.

Adira was wearing high heels for too long. She would adjust her position of her legs and hips as she walks so that she can match up with the three men. But she reached her limits. If only Hansel was here, she might have helped her. But now she’s alone and she must deal with it; either tell them honestly that she cannot walk anymore or if they can rest for a bit.

“That’s great. Then, we can go to the office to review the…”

“Wait,” Chadwick spoke.

They tended to him, who was quiet for a long time.

“Can I excuse myself for a moment? I left my phone in my car,” Chadwick said.

Chadwick McElroy forgot his phone?

Both Geoffrey and Adira had their brows raised.

It is so bizarre for someone like Chadwick to forget his phone in his car. Yet, they did not complain.

“Oh really?! That’s okay, Sir. We can wait for you here,” the director said.

Before exiting the store, Chadwick glanced at Adira and Geoffrey. He, then, lowered his gaze and left.

“That’s weird,” the director murmured to himself. “Why do I feel like I saw him holding his phone before?”

Adira breathed. At least, she will have a rest too due to Chadwick’s mysterious mistake.

“Director,” Geoffrey called.

“Yes, sir?”

“There is something that I need to discuss with Mrs. Adira. Is it okay to take her with me while we are waiting for Mr. McElroy?”

What will he discuss?

Wondering about that, Adira stared at him. Suddenly, he held her gaze with eyes that somehow reassured her. She felt the connection in the pit of her stomach, a warm, coming-to-life tingle.

“Yes, sir. Please do,” director replied, pointing to the exit of the store with both hands.

Then Geoffrey smiled at Adira, as if he’s telling her to follow him. And even without him pulling her wrist, Adira felt she was pulled.

She gritted her teeth while walking in pain until they reached a part outside the mall building through an exit which isn’t available for everyone.

At the wide space, she felt the wind brushed on cheek. Cold. They are in an open area with a high roof above that looks like a bridge.

“This is a new building,” Geoffrey said.

She stared at his wide back.

“There will be no people here beside us. So, you can rest assure.”

Rest assured for what?

Geoffrey held his tread and gander at her.

“Rumor is not good for your health,” he said.

She breathed and watched the shift in his eyes as he ceased staring at her and looked at the bench in the center. Though he left her words unspoken, his action is doing plenty of explaining.

Adira realized what Geoffrey wanted to discuss. This is not about how he suddenly appeared as the representative of the CUR8 or if he is really the man, she met multiple times before. Simply, he wanted her to rest.

Geoffrey tapped the bench in the middle, asking her to slump down. It is a request that she won’t decline.

Almost limping, Adira walked towards the bench and perched down. All pain released from her back, her calves, and hips. There is still tingling pain in her Achilles and that’s normal.