For a long time, Nikolai was silent, the phone still pinned to his ear. His lawyer understood his silence, hence, didn't utter a word and just let him be. He was right - Nikolai thought. It was time to start processing the divorce. He sighed and ran his hands through his hair, gazing blankly at the window. There was no going back now, was there? There was no reason for him to...stop. "Start the process." He murmured softly. There was a little silence. "Okay, sir. It'll take me about two - three weeks to draft the papers. I'll let you know as soon as I'm done." The lawyer replied and the call dropped immediately. For a long time after the call ended, Nikolai remained still in his car, his face resting in his palms. Why was he suddenly feeling scared about this? Why was his heart beginning to beat so hard like it was about to explode?This was the right thing to do. If she stays back, her life might be in danger. Moreover, he wasn't so sure she loved him. Yes, she might be sweet and all, but did she really love him? Was there a reason for him to hold back and risk his love for her? If he ends up marrying Na-ri, he'd be willing to risk her 'cause he wasn't so much love in with her. But for Adira, hell no. That lady captured his heart when he was a boy. He's always loved her, even if she never noticed him. So, she was one woman he couldn't risk; one woman he couldn't cause harm to. But, what was he supposed to do? ****† Adira's driver pulled to a stop in front of the majestic skyscraper that seemed to touch the sky. The imposing structure, adorned with the prominent signage of 'LaDarizza Tower' exuded an aura of grandeur. She stepped out of the car with Bonnie who parted her lips in awe of the place. "Wow. This is really beautiful, ma'am," Bonnie whispered.Getting into the first floor, a uniformed man walked upto them immediately. "Good evening. You're Adira Kensington, am I right?" He asked with a genial smile. "This way, please. Mr. Jared already made a reservation for you." Following the man, they got into the elevator and went upto the seventeenth floor. The tower was quite big. It was among the biggest resorts belonging to the Wyatt Group. The elevators door slid open and the man led them to a VVIP room. It was just like a restaurant, the only exception was, there was just one table in it and was meant for special and private bookings. The space was big with the table in the middle of it, while art works, decorations and flowers beautified the remaining space. It was perfect for couples who wanted to spend an alone time in a private diner. Jared was there already,seated and going through his phone. But when Adira made her way in, he lifted his gaze and locked his eyes on hers.The man that had led them in bowed and left, while Adira and Bonnie proceeded to meet Jared. She couldn't comprehend why Jared kept staring irresistibly at her. She was sure she wasn't looking any special or different. "Good evening, Mr Jared," Bonnie was the first to greet, clutching some files to her chest. "Good evening, beauty," he shifted his gaze to Adira. "I'm glad you could make it. Please, have a seat." As they took their seats, Jared studied the look on Adira's face. He's never send her that way before - tired and pained. Something was definitely wrong with her. Three was a telecom close to the window, and rising to his feet, Jared reached for it and placed a call. "Get it over," He spoke into the telecom before returning to his seat. "Refreshments will be here soon." "You shouldn't have done that. It's getting late, Mr. Jared, and I'll very much love to get home as soon as possible. So, if you wouldn't mind, can we get down to business? What are the confusing clauses you were talking about?" Damn, she looked so serious - Jared thought. Looking like 'hey, I just wanna get home and wet my pillows'. Well, he knew his way around ladies and first, not to get her upset, he decided to go down to business. He brought out his files and began pointing out the 'clauses' he talked about. The truth was, there was no serious problem with it. He was simply looking for an excuse to hang out with Adira. Man, he couldn't tell why he developed so much interest in her. He knew it was wrong, considering where she was coming from. But he didn't care anymore. When he first met her at the mall the other day, trying to get the Pastrami sandwich, he enjoyed watching her lose it. Like, it had been a bit fun for him watching her cute face get filled with displeasure. And when she walked out on him, preferring to lose the sandwich to tell him her name, he felt challenged. It was from that moment he couldn't stop thinking about her. Thankfully, her marriage with Nikolai was about to end. He was definitely going to make her his. When their orders arrived, Adira was surprised to discover it contained two Pastrami sandwich. She paused and looked at Jared who gave her a knowing smile. "Told you I was gonna get you one," he crossed his hands and shrugged. That was the first thing that got her excited that day, tho she didn't let it reflect on her face. She picked up the sandwich first and began eating, while Bonnie started with the rest of the food on the tray. And as they ate and drank, they discussed the contract. Jared was barely listening to a word Adira and her secretary said. His attention was solely on her, not on the things she said, but on her. She still looked serious, but each time she took a bite from the sandwich, he couldn't help admiring how pretty her lips looked. Those lips... what would they taste like in his? They spent a long time together, until finally, they seemed done with the files. "Uh... Miss Bonnie, could you excuse us for now? I'm talking about you going home." Jared requested. Adira's face crumpled up. "And why do you want that to happen?" "Please, I'd really love a moment with you. Let's just say I have something...personal to discuss with you." Adira went mute. She looked at Bonnie's blanched face and had no idea if she were to permit her or not. But truthfully, since she stepped in there and started eating and drinking, her pain seemed to less a little. Company. That was all she needed the whole time. "Uh...okay, then," Bonnie agreed when she saw that Adira didn't object.She stood up with her bags and files. "Just incase you need me, ma'am, I'm a call away." She smiled and left. "What is this about?" Adira sighed, finally alone with Jared. She had every reason to stop Bonnie from leaving; or every reason to snap at him and leave with Bonnie. Perhaps, on other days, she'd have done so. But that day, that day felt so different for her. It hurt her a lot to know she'd been living with her husband's fiancee the whole time. It wasn't like she blamed Nikolai, hell no. The young man made it clear to her that it was only going to be for two years. But it felt different, knowing there was already a replacement for her. Her divorce with Nikolai was definitely happening. "I just wanted to talk to you," Jared shrugged. "Actually, I think you might be the one who'd want to talk to me." "I don't understand?" He hunched over the table. "I've known you for three weeks now, and I know you can be pretty mean at times. But today, you weren't just mean. You were being...hurt. Did something happen? You can talk to me, Adira." 'Adira?' she thought. He's stopped being formal with her. She blamed herself for staring a bit longer at his eyes, 'cause right there, she found unfeigned concern. It looked almost strange to her. For over two years since she left Lancelot, no one has ever shown that 'type' of concern for her. She's never had a friend that could look into her eyes and notice she was going through pains. She's never had a friend she could talk to and tell all about her worries. For the past two years, all she's ever had to do was swallow her pain and get over it. She wasn't saying it was right coming from Jared, she was just saying she's missed it. She inhaled deeply and looked down at the floor, letting her emotions get the best of her. They made her so weak, she didn't have the strength to get angry. "Adira... I'm ready to listen," Jared's voice suddenly sounded different. It was more like he had a different tone for being concerned."It's nothing," she wagged her head, her eyes still magneted to the floor. "I appreciate the offer to listen, tho." "Hey, come on," he cooed. "I know you and I didn't start off great. I know you have a bad impression about me, but trust me, you don't know even the tiniest part of me. I'm not asking you to like me or see me differently, all I'm asking is you take me as a friend... just for tonight." Now, that was almost tempting. A friend. She's forgotten what that felt like. Tempting, but no. She stood up with her bag. "I really appreciate this strange kind gesture of yours, Mr. Jared," she chuckled. "but I really have to be home. It's pretty late." Jared stood up as well, trying to cloak the disappointment in his face. When Adira tried walking away, he got hold of her wrist.