Leap OF Fate

Chapter 35

Serene felt that the odds were against her. Of all the days that she’d miss an elevator, it had to be

today. The elevator doors slowly closed on her and descended. She could not help but cry inwardly.

There was nothing left to do but to wait for the elevator to come back up. Her eyes fixed on the closed

doors, not daring to look anywhere. She felt that there were invisible eyes looking at her and were

judging her.

A warm hand enclose her icy ones while internally lectured herself for once again falling for Justin’s

charm. She looked at the hand’s owner and she saw Justin looking at her, his lips stretched to a smile.

“You forgot your bag,” He motioned his other hand that held her bag. Serene’s face burned up. She

moved to retrieve her bag from his grasp, but he evaded her.

“It’s OK, I’ll hold it for you.” He chuckled and clasped her hand.

After a while, the elevator door opened. The people in the elevator all looked shocked at the scene that

welcomed them. Their usually aloof CEO stood beside a woman. Not only was he holding a woman’s

bag in one hand, his other hand even clasped hers.

After recovering from their surprise, they tried very hard to look away and murmured a greeting to them

as they alighted from the elevator.

Serene’s face felt so warm she can probably fry an egg on it. All she wanted was to disappear from

everyone’s sight. There were even some familiar faces from people who got off the elevator. She

groaned inwardly at the thought that she’d definitely be their subject over lunch.

Justin did not seem bothered at all. He flashed his elusive smile to everyone who alighted the elevator.

He stood erect as he proudly held her bag.

He entered the elevator with Serene. Once inside the elevator, Serene tried to take her hand from

Justin.

“Don’t fight it, Dear.” he said, smiling at her and tightening his hold.

They went down to the basement parking. She followed him wordlessly as he took confident strides

towards his parked Maybach. He deposited her in the front passenger seat of his car while he

approached the driver’s seat.

“Let’s have lunch. What do you like to have?”

Serene just glared at him, her hands crossed in front of her chest. If looks could kill, he would have

died already.

“Eat? You really have an appetite to eat after what just happened?” Serene was livid from his Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

indifference.

“Serene, let’s not fight it. We both know what we feel.” He looked at her with tenderness. “What

happened there was simply proof that we can’t get enough of each other.”

Serene took a deep breath to calm herself. “You’re not getting the point.”

“What’s the point?” He raised his brow, challenging her.

“Did you forget how convoluted our situation is? Do I have to remind you? Did you just see the look on

Chester’s face?”

She cannot help but recall how Chester’s mouth almost reached the ground. His eyes were enormous,

like lemons. When he recovered from his surprise, he saw a smile register on his face. Was this person

mocking her?

Let’s also not forget Bryan. She wanted to punch his face, to get rid of the sneer he had. He looked at

her with mockery; it made her blood boil.

Justin looked at Serene seething with anger. He let out a deep sigh, and with a helpless voice, he said,

“I can’t do anything about that situation, Serene. It is what it is.” He looked at her with a smile that did

not seem like a smile.

“But I will not stop myself from feeling what I’m feeling simply because of how you’re connected to them

in the past.”

He shifted his body to look at her directly. His eyes were full of seriousness. He pursed his lips before

he continued to speak.

“Don’t deny us the chance to be happy together, Serene. I am not one bit affected by the situation.

Chester and Bryan have their own lives…”

He looked at her straight in the eyes, not wanting to miss any of her reaction. “Unless you are still not

over Bryan.”

“What?” Serene’s voice hitched as she looked at him with irritation.

“The only reason I can think of why you seem reluctant is because you are still not over him. Serene,

please be honest, do you still love him?” His voice sounded labored. Serene saw how for a flicker pain

registered in his eyes.

She felt a tug on her heart when Justin looked at her. There was pain in his eyes. She wanted to

embrace him and soothe his pain away, but she did not. She simply looked at him straight in the eyes

and with conviction, assured him, “I’m over him a long time ago.”

“Good.”

“Justin, how can anything be good. Yes, I’m over Bryan, but he —”

“what about me, Serene… What do you feel for me?” His question was so direct it took Serene by

surprise. This man really does not mince his words.

Serene felt that her throat was dry. She swallowed twice, then moistened her lips with her tongue. Her

eyes met his. Her heart was beating wildly, and her hands were turning clammy.

“I like you, but —” He did not give her a chance to complete her sentence. He covered her lips with his

and kissed her tenderly.

“That’s all that matters.” he kissed her forehead and rested his chin atop her head.

“So, how about that lunch, I’m famished?”