Chapter 22
“Have you talked yet?” Elena asked me as soon as we got out of the building. I just looked at her and shook my head.
After a short conversation earlier that ended in a misunderstanding, I never saw him again. I didn’t even realize he had left his office. I tried calling him, but he wasn’t answering.
Then I also remembered that maybe that’s why he didn’t answer my call–he thought I was using Elena’s cellphone. I still couldn’t gather the courage to go home. Especially given today’s situation.
“Didn’t he say goodbye to you? I saw him leave earlier, seeming in a hurry,” I heard Elena say again as we walked towards the parking lot.
I just shrugged and quietly continued walking. Even the truth was bothering my mind. Before, the uneasiness would last only a few seconds every time we fought. He always wanted to make up with me.
After all, he didn’t want a fight because he always experienced that with his brother, whom I still didn’t know. But now that a day had passed, he hadn’t made any effort for us to talk. Should I try to make the first move this time?
I sighed heavily and turned to Elena when we reached her car.
“Should I say sorry first?” I asked her. Her eyebrows rose, indicating that she didn’t agree with what I said.
“Are you to blame?” She asked me. I suddenly remembered Apollo and the fact that I was married, and Ares didn’t know that. My conscience struck me.
“Kind of…” I whispered and averted my eyes from her. Next, I heard her laugh, so I stared at her.
“Let’s just go first-”
Elena couldn’t continue what she was going to say when she suddenly stopped and seemed to see a ghost behind her. Her eyes widened, so I quickly turned around, only to see a man standing beside me. He automatically focused his gaze on me, and I had to look up because he was so tall–he was really a big
man.
“What are you doing here?” I asked him and quickly walked away. His gaze followed me, and that’s when I noticed his brown eyes, very focused on me.
“Didn’t I remind you that I’m coming to pick you up?” His voice was deep and soothing. Then I remembered his text earlier. He was serious about that?
“And did I agree to let you pick me up?” I asked him again. He looked at me more deeply, making me feel
Dive Chances at Love
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Chapter 22
somewhat uneasy. I could feel Elena pushing me, but I couldn’t let go of this man’s gaze.
“You don’t have a choice this time. Your best friend can also come if you’re that scared,” he said in a commanding tone, as if I had to follow what he said.
I stood there stunned until I realized that he was already holding my hand, pulling me toward his car. I tried to struggle against his hold, but I couldn’t. He held me so tightly, refusing to let go.
“I don’t need to see a doctor. Let me go! I didn’t even agree to this!” I shouted at him, but he seemed to be
unfazed.
He led me to his car, and I was amazed when I saw his black convertible. Was he really this rich to afford such an expensive car?
He turned to me suddenly, and I was a bit taken aback when he focused his gaze on me again. His forehead was furrowed, and his jaw was tight.
“I told you to take care of yourself, but you’re not doing it right. Now get in the car. Your face is still swollen, and you don’t seem to care about your condition. Do you want to die?” He said authoritatively, the edge of my lip lifting in defiance.
I touched my cheek. “Dead right away? Tss!” I whispered.
“Just follow, Ana. You might see Ares at the hospital we’re going to. Don’t you want to apologize?” Elena
chimed in, so I turned to her.
She smiled at me and then turned to Apollo. Is this really his name? Corny.
“She’s engaged and getting married next week. Aren’t you aware?” Elena asked the man directly, leaving me dumbfounded. I didn’t even understand what she was trying to convey.
When I looked at the man again, I caught him glancing at me. His jaw clenched, and he smirked.
“Well, I’m her husband now and also her first…” He didn’t finish the sentence, but the implication hit me, and I suddenly felt hot with embarrassment. This man was certainly getting on my nerves.
Before I could react, he placed me in the passenger seat of his car, with Elena in the backseat. I just followed his actions with my gaze until he sat in the driver’s seat. He glanced at me for a moment.
“Your seatbelt, lady,” he said authoritatively, causing me to roll my eyes.
Did he think I was a servant, obediently following his every order? Elena was no help either–annoyingly compliant with this strange man.
Moments later, I heard him let out a loud sigh. Before I could look at him, I blinked twice when he suddenly leaned in close. Our skins nearly touched, and my heart pounded the moment our faces were so
Chapter 22
near. I felt a jolt as our skin connected.
“Why are you so stubborn?” he whispered, and I almost closed my eyes as his warm, fragrant breath brushed against my face.
He fastened my seatbelt and swiftly moved away. I caught my breath as I watched him start the engine. I tapped my chest, feeling the intense throbbing. I simply glanced at the man, who was now focused on the road. His forehead was furrowed, and I could clearly see his sharp nose from the side. His appeal was
striking.
As we drove, I continued to steal glances at him. I noticed his scratched arm, clearly visible through his white polo. His large tattoo peeked out, adding to his allure. I couldn’t deny that he had a captivating presence–almost godlike.
I closed my eyes tightly and turned my gaze out the window, trying to sort through the chaos of my thoughts. How did I end up in this situation–married to a stranger while I’m engaged to my long–time boyfriend? How could I escape this tangled mess?
When we arrived at the hospital where Agatha was being treated, he immediately took me to a doctor he seemed to know. I underwent a check–up and was prescribed medication for the pain and inflammation. After that, I slipped out quietly without him noticing. Elena was waiting outside as her mom had called
her.
Walking down the hallway towards the elevator, I spotted Ares coming out of a room. I was about to approach him when I was frozen in my tracks by the next person who emerged. It was my sister, Agatha. He was supporting her as she had a dextrose attached. I bit my lower lip, struggling to control my emotions, and then walked quickly towards them, their attention still on each other.
“Ares…” I called his name, and they both turned to look at me.
I could see the shock in Ares’s expression, while Agatha remained poker–faced.
“Ana, what are you doing here?” he asked, but there was a distance in his tone, and he didn’t approach me. I managed a bitter smile.
“I should be asking you that, right? I didn’t know you’d left your office,” I said calmly, glancing at my sister. It bothered me, and my forehead furrowed.
“What’s going on?”
“I texted you before I left,” he explained. That’s when I remembered that I didn’t have my cell phone. I
nodded.
“Ah… I left my cellphone at home,” I said and fell silent, waiting for him to ask about my bruise or what I was doing there.
Chapter 22
But he said nothing, and I suddenly felt a wave of self–consciousness. He hadn’t even inquired about my well–being or why I was at the hospital.
I looked at Agatha, feeling a pang of pain in my heart.
I don’t even know what to feel anymore. Maybe I’m just making a mistake. Or maybe I don’t have the right anymore because if you think about it, I’m the one who made the first mistake.
But why does it seem so unfair?
I understand that I have a fault, but I didn’t mean for it to happen. But why is it that now, with all the clues in front of me, I still feel like I have no right to be angry? What is going on with them? Why does it suddenly seem like they’re in a relationship and they don’t even care if I find out or not?
Chapter 23
Chapter 23
