I will love again

Scarlett Monroe had enjoyed love, but it was temporary. A beautiful, passionate, and work-oriented lady. She had spent years building herself and her net worth. Yet, love had proven to be nothing but a fleeting illusion. She sees love as a mirage that disappears the moment she reaches for it. The scars of past heartbreaks had hardened her heart, and now, her ill feelings toward love were about to make her discard God's gift without realizing it.

She stood up aggressively, soliloquizing as she paced around the luxurious restaurant, Galaxy Royale at Los Angeles.

The warm lights glowed softly. Grand chandeliers sparkled above. Classical music played gently. To her, it might calm her restless mind. But nothing could ease the storm raging within her.

A few moments later, a pang hit her chest. This brought back old memories concerning her Ex-lover. She had spent years drowning these feelings in work and ambition, convincing herself they no longer existed. Yet, it's becoming difficult.

She tightened her fists. She took a deep and steadied her breath.

"No more heartbreaks. No more disappointments." I will keep trying to focus on my career to avoid distractions.

She tried smiling, but the hurt she felt kept switching on her sadness button.

"Anyone who tries to express affection to me again will feel my wrath. I am not just saying it, I will do it" she muttered under her breath, settling back into her chair.

She picked up her champagne flute. She stared at the golden liquid swirling inside. She came here to relax after a hectic day at work. But now, emotions she had sworn to suppress were haunting her.

Then, immediately, the doors flew open.

A tall, rich, and imposing figure stepped inside.

Adrian Kingston.

Scarlett's breath hitched.

Her eyes locked onto him. Attracted, she never stopped tracing the strong lines of his jaw until he came nearer. The way he carried himself confidently, the way his tailored navy suit hugged his broad shoulders got Scarlett distracted.

His presence demanded attention, and he got it.

Scarlett swallowed so hard.

She uttered gently, "I think this is the last thing I need now. Why did I have to run into him?"

Adrian's intense blue eyes scanned the room. He paused. There she was. Her presence drew him in. A wave of emotions surged within him. He couldn't look away. She was captivating. Time seemed to stand still.

A slow, confident smile spanned his face.

It was the kind of smile that suggested he fathomed something others didn't. It hinted at naughtiness and intrigue.

Scarlett stealthily looked away. She was hoping he hadn't noticed her reaction. But deep down, she knew he had. Adrian Kingston missed nothing.

Her fingers shook slightly as she set down her glass. She had always seen herself as a composed lady. One who had sacrificed time, energy, and affection to get to her current level. She recalled how her single mother, Martha Monroe, had raised her to be strong, independent, and focused. Her mother had poured every nugget of wisdom into her before giving up the ghost. She left Scarlett with nothing but memories. Also, an insatiable hunger for success.

She had built her empire from the ground up. She had earned degrees and certificates. She had received numerous promotions and accolades for her competency.

Mastering negotiation skills, she climbed the corporate ladder. Now she has become a name to be reckoned with.

But one glance from Adrian had completely unsettled her.

Her breath hitched. She swallowed hard, lips parting-then closing again...

She clenched her fists beneath the table. Not again.

Helplessly, She watched Adrian walk toward her table. His steps were slow and conscious. He wasn't in a hurry. He is knowledgeable of what he is doing.

Her cup dropped from her fingers and broke into pieces.

Scarlett got tensed. The entire restaurant went silent for a moment. Heads turned, and whispers followed.

Immediately, a waiter rushed to clean the mess, but Adrian was already present.

He crouched next to her, picking up a large piece of glass before looking up at her with a satisfying smile. "Still as clumsy as ever, I see."

Scarlett's jaw tightened. She hated that smile. She hated how effortlessly charming he was. She hated that he still had this effect on her.

"I see you're marveled to see me," Adrian said smoothly as he stood up.

Restless, she forced a smile. Her cheeks perked up as if the encounter didn't bother her.

"I wasn't expecting you here tonight. How did you know you'd find me?"

He chuckled. The sound was deep and rich. "I like to be unpredictable."

Her heartbeat quickened. This lady is in trouble. The kind of trouble she was unaware she could resist.

"I hold onto the memory of our last encounter.," she said, struggling to maintain eye contact. " That was two years ago. The day you had a business deal with your prospective client. Anyway, to be honest, I saw you when you walked in. I was having fun with my business partners when you passed by, so I knew you were coming here." She leaned back, trying to sound indifferent. "Cheer up, I'm a peaceful person. No qualms."

Adrian's gloat deepened. He drew out the chair opposite her and sat down closely. "I never took you for a coward, Scarlett. Why do you always run away from things?"

Scarlett's chest tightened. I don't run. I walk away. The reasons are best known to me alone.

Adrian settled into the seat. His seductive smile is so captivating that it could wake a sleeping newborn. He's got an unreadable gaze. But there was something in his eyes that made Scarlett uneasy and uncomfortable...

"Do you think you can run away from me forever ?" he asked in a dangerously smooth voice.

She exhaled sharply. "Let go," she murmured. Her voice was quiet but resolute. Her eyes stayed down. She is afraid of being wrapped in fake love again.

Adrian, however, took his time to comply. He deliberately caressed the back of her hand with his fingers.

"Scarlett," He uttered her name softly like it was confidential. The name sounded like he had known her forever. "You look stunning tonight. I've told you this before, right?"

She stiffened. Compliments like that used to make her heart race. Now, they felt like traps.

"Flattery doesn't work for me as usual, Adrian."

He chuckled, low and knowing. "I'm not flattering you. I'm just stating the facts. "

Scarlett quickly pulled her hand away and stood up, taking her clutch.

"I should go."

"Running again?" His voice was hilarious, but Something hidden was waiting below. "Is that what you always do?"

With blazing eyes, she turned to face him. "I am not running. I walk away from things that bring discomfort. After all, no man is a saint. All are the same"

Leaning back slightly, she raised her voice. "Once bitten, twice shy. It's better not to give a man your heart than to watch him cut it into pieces with scissors."I don't need you to speak. From your actions, I can already tell what you want.

His smirk stayed the same. "And how do you know my intentions when you haven't heard from me? You haven't permitted me to say a word. Is there something you are hiding from me?"

Scarlett exhaled sharply. "Because I have met your type before. They start calm and caring, claiming to be the best-until the beast in them emerges."

Adrian leaned back, watching her with the kind of curiosity that made her skin prickle. "Is that so?"

Scarlett knew this game. The teasing, the slow unraveling of defenses. She had played it before-and lost.

"I don't have time for this discussion," she said as she stepped past him.

But Adrian wasn't done. "Scarlett," he called out, his voice softer now. "What happened to you?"

She stopped. For a second. Just a second, the question hit something raw inside her. She turned her expression carefully composed.

"Life happened."

And with that, she stepped away. Adrian watched after her. This time, his smile is fading into something more thoughtful.

But she knew this wasn't the last time she would see him.

And that terrified her.

Adrian had no choice. With a heavy heart, he stood and walked toward his parked car. His mind was clouded with thoughts of Scarlett. Sadness weighed him down. As he entered his car, he sat in silence for several minutes. He was completely lost in contemplation. Immediately, he managed to ignite the engine and drove home, hoping for another chance to see her again.