Chapter 36 I’m Sorry.
I stood frozen, staring at Emily, my ex...
The years seemed to have passed by quickly, but the memories rushed back, uninvited. Her ginger-red hair framed her face just as I remembered, but now it felt like a ghost from my past.
“What are you doing here?” I managed to say.
“Mattias,” she said softly, her voice trembling slightly. “I know it’s been a long time. I came to ask for your forgiveness.”
“What forgiveness?” I questioned, my voice barely above a whisper. The anger and hurt from our past bubbled up. She had left me for someone else, someone with more money. And now, she stood here, back in my life, looking for a way in.
“I know I made a mistake,” she continued, her eyes searching mine. “I heard about you; I saw you in the media. You've changed so much,” she whispered, taking a few steps closer to me.
“Maybe we could start over, Mattias,” she mumbled. She hadn't changed a bit—such a snake.
I clenched my fists, fighting the whirlwind of emotions. “You left, Emily. You chose wealth over us,” I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. “What makes you think I would want to revisit that?”
“I was young and foolish,” she replied, her voice breaking. “I thought I needed security. But now… now I see what I lost.”
Before I could respond, the door gently opened, and Shimma walked in. Her expression shifted from confidence to shock as she saw Emily standing so close to me. I could see the confusion and hurt in her eyes.
“M—Mr. Mattias, the conference meeting is in ten minutes,” she said, her voice awkward and strained. “I’ll… I’ll be outside.” She turned and walked out, leaving a silence that felt heavy on my heart.
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### SHIMMA'S POV
As I stepped out of the office, my heart raced. I couldn't believe what I had just seen. That woman with the ginger-red hair had been so close to Mattias. It felt like a punch to the gut.
Who was she? I felt a mixture of anger and confusion swirling inside me. My mind raced back to the moments I’d seen another woman here on my first day.
What is going on? Was there something I didn't know? Who was she to him? She was so close to him; she couldn't just be a random person. And the way he looked at me—with so much guilt.
I leaned against the wall, trying to catch my breath, and in that moment, all my insecurities flooded in.
What if Mr. Mattias had other mistresses? What if he knew that our relationship couldn't work and he was just using me for his sexual satisfaction? The thought made my stomach churn.
No! Shimma, what the hell are you saying? I can't let any negative thoughts get the best of me. But seeing how close that lady was to him—it hurts.
I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I needed to focus on the meeting, to push this out of my mind. As I walked down the hallway, I saw Lucas approaching me.
“Shimma,” he called, a frown settling on his face as he hastened his steps. He must have read my mood…
“What's wrong? You don't look good,” he asked, placing his hand on my shoulder.
“Uhmm, nothing. Why do you ask?” I replied, forcing out a smile that seemed obviously forced.
He hissed softly, taking more steps until he got so close to me. I took a step backward because what the hell was he trying to do?
“Lucas, I'm fine. It's almost time for the conference meeting,” I said, making my way past him as I headed to the conference room. I didn't turn to glance at him, but I was certain he was staring at me.
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TWO HOURS LATER.
After the conference meeting, I headed back to my office, taking a seat as I slouched back, exhaling heavily.
Finally, I could catch my breath. It was tough in there; I tried my best to avoid Mr. Mattias's stare. I couldn't stand his eyes after what I had just seen.
Suddenly, my door swung open, and Mr. Mattias made his way inside my office. I quickly got up just before he could reach my seat.
I was about to speak, but unexpectedly, he rammed his lips into mine, kissing me, not even minding the fact that someone could walk in—Lucas, mostly.
Well, on the other hand, I found myself kissing him back. Despite the fact that the past two hours had been a war for me because of that lady, I couldn't keep kissing him any longer. I pulled away from our kiss, looking straight into his eyes, which were mixed with surprise and worry.
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MR. MATTIAS'S POV.
Ever since Shimma walked out of my office two hours ago, it's been hell.
Even at the conference, I couldn't concentrate. My eyes wouldn't leave her as I prayed she would look at me. But not once did she glance at me.
I know how she must feel. Seeing Emily and me at such close range might make her believe there was something going on between us, but I want to tell her that there is nothing like that. I would never let that snitch into my life.
Right now, I needed to kiss her; maybe that way I could assure her that she's the only one my heart beats for. But for the first time, she pulled away from our kiss… I swear I have never felt my heart ache the way it did.
“Shimma, I'm so sorry,” I said. Maybe that would ease the situation; maybe that would make her understand that it was never my intention for her to walk in on Emily.
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SHIMMA'S POV.
“Shimma, I'm sorry,” he said. I scoffed softly, turning away from him. So I was right; she was one of his mistresses.
“Sorry for what? That I caught you with one of your mistresses?” I asked, turning back to him. He let out a slight smile that escaped his lips.
“Mistress? She's not my mistress; she's my ex,” Mr. Mattias said.
“Your ex? Then what was your ex doing in your office? And why was she so close to you?” I asked, folding my arms.
“Shimma, you saw wrong.”
“Don't tell me that I saw wrong! I saw the both of you…”
“Shimma,” he cut me off, cupping my face with both hands.
“I know she was close to me, and it was wrong, but I swear, she's the last person I would ever think of being with,” he said, his eyes glued to mine. I sighed, confused. If what he was saying was true, what then was his ex doing in his office? What did she want from him?