The CEO’s Ex-Wife Can’t Escape

To Love You Again, My Husband

Chapter 24: The Chasing Begins

As the door swirled and they went out, Jackson was still registering her words since it was the first time he had experienced someone asking him such a question. In some way, he didn’t feel infuriated by it, it was just fascinating how she could blurt such a thing with a calm face. His mouth turned to a faint smile, responding.

“I could even be your bodyguard.”

Airina chuckled as she motioned her driver to open the door for her. She looked at him, “I don’t know, having you as my bodyguard wouldn’t change a thing.”

“Change a thing? Particularly to what you pertain?”

Airina stepped forward, stopping right in front of her car. “Hm, I don’t dare to say anything. Then, I shall-”

“Have you eaten dinner?”

Airina clicked her tongue, unknowingly looking down on her empty stomach. Except for some refreshments and drinks, she hadn’t had a good meal. She swallowed her saliva.

“I have.”

“It looked like you haven’t”, he laughed, “Why don’t you do me the honor of cooking for you?”

Airina shook her head and then climbed into her car. She closed the door with a loud thud, seriously putting her gaze into his eyes. “I don’t want to eat.” With a simple tap on the shoulder, the driver then drove away. He didn’t meddle and pretended he had never heard anything from the two.

They have been exchanging these mischievous conversations. He wasn’t familiar with their past relationship with each other, but it somehow appeared like Jackson had done something irreversible to his boss, who didn’t care and shoved him away. It was not like he wanted to know but it was just intriguing to find out. It could be exciting and worth the gossip.

Airina looked outside the window, folding her arms, and then closed her eyes. Due to Evan’s words, she had been solemnly looking back to how she was treated. If she wanted him to send him away, even to not see him – but to do that, she must be clear of her intentions.

*

Jena blinked her eyes at Nicole’s appearance, the rising model, who was rumored to be going around with some actors from who-knows-where. People admired and praised her for her feminine beauty and could be somehow labeled as sexy beauty, but other than that, she was highly eulogized for being kind to her fans. Some were saying that she could fit into the acting industry.

“Jena, could you please give us some privacy?”

Jena widened her eyes in surprise. Nicole and her boss, Airina?! How insane that was. Two gorgeous people at one table, sitting across each other! What else could she ask for but to take pictures of these two strikingly beautiful people? Jena was beaming happily, readily agreeing without hesitation. Outside, Airina’s driver was staring at Nicole. The last time he saw Nicole made his boss cry, so what will be the outcome for today?

He couldn’t help but be bewildered about Airina’s relationship with everyone she talked to. The only exemption was Matthew since he is the CEO of Halton, but to include Jackson and Nicole. It just doesn’t make sense. Well, anyway… Nicole and Airina looked similarly.

Airina sat on the chair with a sigh as she set her brown bag on her lap. She then signaled the server. She ordered Americano and a Bacon-Cheese Burger to munch on the way. Nicole was fuming in anger, it was written on her face.

Nicole clenched her fists after lightly slamming her hand on the glass desk. “What have you done to Jackson?”

Airina shrugged, “Nothing in particular.”

Nicole snickered, “No”, She gritted her teeth, “He wouldn’t act distant if you hadn’t seduced him. Do you know he suffered throughout your marriage with him?”

Airina smiled as the waiter served her order and then she turned her eyes on Nicole. She narrowed her eyes, “The reason you call me here was entirely because of Jackson”, she then tapped the table, resuming with contemplation, “I am completely confused why would you ask me about him when I am not fond of knowing everything of his actions or whatever.”

“You… Jackson had been dismissing me away. Even when I asked him out to have dinner with me to thank him for all the help he gave me…”

“So, you’re worried that your backer won’t remain by your side. It is normal to accept what life has to offer, Nicole.”

Nicole frowned, “You mean…?”

“Someone wouldn’t scorn at you if you hadn’t done something wounding. Besides, I think it’s time for you to stop having delusion thoughts. I learned from the hard way that people would leave you when they found someone who can give them something the other one couldn’t”, Airina smiled, “More precisely to say, something that he didn’t want to take from the other one.”

“I wasn’t a mistress!”

“You were and you will always be.”

Nicole rose while huffing. Angrily, she gritted her teeth as her eyes fumed in anger. She pointed her finger at Airina, “I will definitely make you pay for what you’ve done to me. I will take back what you’ve stolen from me…”

“Sure, it’s not like I stole anything.”

Airina munched on her burger, stood up, and left with a contented expression on her face. Burger is the best after having no proper dinner yesterday.

Jena cleared her throat, “Mam, Nicole… looks mad. Did something happen?”

Airina didn’t mind it, “Don’t worry, nothing special occurred. Miss Nicole had been quite the unique type of person”, she sipped on her Americano while Jena opened the door for her. “In fact, she’s so unique it was amusing.”

Her mischievous words made Jena frown but she didn’t ask for more while looking at her boss, who was strangely enjoying her food. It was the first time she had acted that way. It was refreshing.

Airina then looked at her driver and Jena, “Oh… let us have takeout at the nearby fast-food chain right there.”

“But you’re already eating, Mam?” Jena confusedly asked.

Airina laughed, “Don’t worry haha. You two will eat it.”

“Eh??”

Airina winked with a smile.

*

Looking at the shiny, costly pieces of jewelry right in front of her, Airina folded her arms with a squint of her eyes. The clerk beamed at her, saying.

“Mam, I think this half-moon design will suit you best as it refines your collarbones. Concerning its color, silver will definitely showcase your flawless skin.”

Airina giggled at the clerk’s words. “I love your words, but I have the same design in my collection. What’s the latest one in the store?”

The clerk pondered, “The latest one… Aha, yes. Please wait for a while.”All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Airina intuitively looked at the matching rings settled neatly. It felt just like yesterday when she was still wearing a wedding ring and now her hand felt empty. Maybe she got used to wearing one.

“Miss Beverly, I didn’t think I’d meet you here today”, Suddenly, a man with a beam on his face approached her while waving his hand gently. “It really is coincidental.”

Airina reflexively turned to the owner of the voice. It was Daniel, the look-alike of Jackson. For a split second, she thought she had seen Jackson. She smiled at him.

“Sir Daniel. It’s been a while. How have you been?”

Daniels grinned at her. “Perfectly fine! I’ve been searching for you for the past month, but I couldn’t exactly meet you. Our timing was different.”

“For the past month? Why?”

Daniel giggled, “I just…  well, wanted to see you, Miss. Ah, you’re here to buy what kind of accessory?”

She responded politely, “Something new, and a set of them perhaps.”

Matthew then went to another part with an urge of his hand, “Look at this. This is perfect for you”, he then placed the necklace right beside her face, “You look pretty with this.”

Airina was surprised to hear a sudden praise, “Thank you, you’re so sweet.”

“I’m only like this to you.”

Airina blinked her eyes. She would have felt differently if Daniel didn’t look like Jackson.

“… That feels nice.”

Daniel added, “This is the latest necklace I have seen so far. This is called ‘Wings of You’, based on the wing specially carved on it, it was absolutely stunning. Much better if you put it on.”

“Oh, but I already asked the clerk for their latest.”

Daniel sweetly smiled as his cheeks slightly blushed, “Would you please accept this if I purchase it for you?”

Airina waved her hands in haste, “It costs a lot, I have my own money.”

“Please do me the favor”, he looked right into her eyes, “Please?”

“… If you insist. Thank you.”

As they were done and Airina bought another one that the clerk had recommended to her, they headed out of the store and Daniel inquired.

“Can I get your number?”

“Sure, here.”

Daniel’s smile never faded from his face. It was evident that his feelings for Airina weren’t merely out of respect.

Danile spoke, “I’ll call you then.”

“F-for what?” She was baffled.

Daniel leaned forward as his hand clutched his phone tightly. Their heads were one arm away from each other to which she held her breath.

“For a dinner.”