Chapter 144 More Than An Event
Derek was in his office when his assistant knocked that morning.
“Come in,” he said without looking up.
His eyes stayed on the file in front of him, but he wasn’t really reading it. His mind had been somewhere else all morning, thinking about Rebecca and everything that happened the night before.
The door opened and the assistant stepped in. “Sir,” his assistant said politely. “You have the business event this evening.”
Derek’s hand paused on the paper, then continued moving like it didn’t matter.
“What event?” he asked nonchalantly, already making up his mind that he wasn't going to be attending.
His tone sounded normal but his mind already knew.
“The Metropolitan Business Council event,” the assistant replied. “You were invited last week.”
Derek leaned back slightly in his chair, his jaw tightened.
That one… He remembered now. A business event that only compromised of crowded rooms, fake conversations and people pretending to care.
He wasn’t in the mood for any of it. “Cancel it,” he said simply.
The assistant hesitated, a frown appearing on his face. “Sir… your name is already on the guest list.”
“I said cancel it,” Derek repeated, still not raising his head.
His voice was still calm but firmer. “I’m not going.”
The assistant shifted slightly like he wasn’t sure if he should say more.
Derek noticed and then looked up. “What?”
“There’s something else,” the assistant said carefully.
Derek frowned slightly. “What is it?”
The assistant took a small breath. “Mr. Adrian Cole, the one you asked me to find out everything about will also be in attendance.”
Derek didn’t move or a for a moment after he heard that but something in his eyes changed.
Adrian… The name settled in his mind. So he would be there too? He sat there for a second thinking.
Although he wanted to just let it be but thinking about the smile that had been on both Adrian’s and Rebecca’s face last night after Adrian dropped her off, he just couldn't let it off.
Derek’s fingers curled slightly on the armrest. So he’ll be there, he thought his chest tightening.
“What time?” he asked, surprising his assistant.
“It’s by seven, sir.”
Derek nodded once. “Alright. I’ll be there.”
The assistant paused, just for a second like he didn’t expect that answer.
“Alright, sir,” he said, then turned and left. The door closed and the room went quiet again.
Derek didn’t move immediately. He just sat there. Thinking.
His fingers tapped lightly against the desk. Slow and steady as he thought back to the happiness he'd seen on Rebecca's face the previous night. All because of Adrian.
Who exactly is he to you? He asked, as though he could see Rebecca right in front of him.
Derek stood up slowly and walked toward the window. The city stretched out in front of him and he stared at it. But didn’t really see it.
His mind was already at that event and that room. His mind was on that moment he'd be seeing Adrian again. Up close this time and not from a distance. He would be seeing him Face to face.
Derek’s expression hardened slightly. Let’s see what this really is… He adjusted his cuff slowly.
This wasn’t just about business anymore. Not even close.
Derek left the office earlier than usual, not because he was done with work but because he found it hard to focus after what his assistant had said to him.
Every time he tried, his mind went back to the same place. Rebecca and everything he'd seen the night before and the fact he would see Adrian face to face.
He stepped out of the building and into the evening air. It was cooler now but it didn’t calm him.
His driver opened the car door for him.
“Home, sir?” he asked.
Derek paused for a second, contemplating his decision.
Do I really want to go to this event?
He asked himself again for the uptempt time but this time, the answer didn’t take long to get.
“Yes,” he said as he got in. “Home.”
The door closed and the car started moving.
Derek leaned back in his seat, his eyes went to the window. The city lights passed by in long, blurry and fast lines. But his thoughts were slow.
’You didn’t mean that…’
Rebecca’s voice echoed again in his head.
“I’m done, Derek.”
His jaw tightened and he still repeated what he'd told her last night in his head. But even as he thought it, he remembered her face.
She wasn’t angry or looked upset one bit. She just seemed like she was tired.
He shifted slightly in his seat, his fingers tapping lightly against his leg. When did things get this bad? He tried to think back.
To a time when things were easier, but nothing came. Just small moments, short ones that didn't even last long until Celia came and disrupted everything with her presence.
He exhaled slowly.
Did I even try…?
The question came quietly, and it stayed longer than he wanted.
He didn’t answer it. He just looked away from the window. He closed his eyes briefly but even in the dark, the thoughts keep coming.
Derek’s eyes opened again as he told himself he wouldn't think about it anymore. He'd try and focus.
Soon, the car pulled into his driveway. The gates opened slowly and the house came into view.
Derek stepped out of the car, walked inside without a word. The door closed behind him.
He stood there for a moment. His eyes moving around the space. Nothing had changed.
Everything was exactly where it should be. But something felt missing or maybe someone.
His jaw tightened. This house was never meant to feel like this. He walked further in, loosening his tie slightly.
His steps slow and measured. He got to the living room and stopped. His eyes fell on the couch and without meaning to, his mind went back.
Rebecca sitting there, looking tired but would still sit there, waiting for him to come back home.
Everything had been his fault. If only he hadn't been caught up with Celia and his stupid need for closure.
Inside, everything was neat and clean. Just like always. Derek walked to his wardrobe and opened it.
Rows of suits, perfectly arranged. He stood there for a moment, looking. But not choosing anything.
Why does this feel like more than just an event?
Although he wouldn't admit it, Derek knew it was more than just an event.
This wasn’t about showing up to the event because he already accepted the invite. It wasn't even because it was business.
Going there was about seeing Adrian, measuring him and asking him to stay away from his wife.