HEIRESS REBORN: MARRYING HER EX-FIANCÉ-Chapter 75: The first date (3)

’’I’m so sorry, ma’am!"

Evelyn once again apologized, a bit louder this time when she noticed the attention that she was receiving and left the woman in haste.

Even if she was not fairly known to the public, she was still an actress and had to mindful of her actions. Though Evelyn had always felt pained when no one would recognize her on the street despite not wearing a hat and mask.

She had acted many roles, though most were passerby and minor supporting roles, nevertheless she had acted in some popular series and drama.

And yet, no one had bothered to learn of her name or notice her presence. Their attention would only be on the main characters and the main supporting characters.

This has always been a big blow to Eve, who had high expectations for the entertainment industry.

’If I was popular, she wouldn’t have spoken to me like that...’ Evelyn bit her lower lips in thoughts. If she had a name like Actress Bella or even the President Kingston, that woman wouldn’t have acted that rudely her to her.

’That must be her boyfriend.’ Her mind wandered back to the President Kingston and that handsome man. She saw them holding hands quite intimately. Judging from his demeanor and dress-up, he also seemed like one from a rich family.

No...only a man from a rich family could date someone like the President Kingston.

If she turned around and chase the couple to take a shot, she could sell the pictures for a high amount of money to some vengeful reporters.

It was a tempting thought, but Evelyn knew better than to offend the Powerful president Kingston. If not, she could end up worse than those reporters.

In the end, Evelyn pushed aside the unwanted thoughts and hastened her steps to the meeting. Though her mind still reeled back to the handsome countenance of President Kingston’s boyfriend.

Meanwhile, Ayana remained blissfully unaware that she had passed by her nemesis from her past life.

The hateful woman who had come in between Liam and her.

Evelyn Steele

*****

’’I won’t be in the country as often as before.’’ Ayana flicked her gaze over to her fiancé, who propped his elbow on the armrest and was staring at the nightly scenery outside the moving the vehicle.

At the moment, she was with Axel in his own car. As for hers, her fiancé had volunteered to return her home safely, so Ayana had ordered the driver to return home after dropping Lisa off at her apartment.

He tilted his head slightly in her way on his knuckles. ’’My other reason for the dinner date was to speak about this with you. I’ll be travelling in a few days’ time.’’

Ayana blinked, unsure of how to respond to the sudden announcement.

’’When....are you coming back?’’ She asked, slowly.

’’I don’t know.’’ He returned his stare back to the window. ’’I’ll probably be abroad for some months, then return and travel out again not too long after.’’

’’Are you unhappy about that?’’ Ayana suddenly became confused. If Axel was travelling out for business meetings, it was perfectly normal. Her late parents had travelled out so many times and wouldn’t return for months.

’’Normally, I wouldn’t.’’ He admitted and glanced at her with a faint smile. ’’But I won’t be seeing you as often as I had planned.’’

’’...’’

’’You’re quite playful.’’ She averted her gaze with a murmur. Her ears felt a bit warm.

Ayana has noticed that her fiancé had a way with words that women would surely love, and she wasn’t an exception.

’’Matt would be surprised to hear that.’’ She heard his chuckle as she watched passing cars and people outside the window.

’’Yeah...’’ She giggled lightly, imagining how Matt might dramatically faint on the spot in reaction to her words.

The atmosphere was light between them and comfortable with their laughter.

’’This trip wasn’t part of my plans.’’ Axe told her a while after. ’’It was grandfather’s suggestion and I can’t ignore his words’’

’’...is there a reason?’’ Ayana glanced at him carefully. She hoped that she wasn’t overstepping her boundaries since Axel was willing to share this much with her.

’’My great-uncle’s family is relocating to the city in a few days.’’ He explained. ’’His grandson is quite skilled in business, and one of our failing companies where his family lives flourished under his management. Reports have mentioned how profitable the company became over the years.’’

’’Great-uncle claims that it isn’t right how grandfather lives alone with no family by his side, and suggested his entire family to come to New York city.’’

’’Did grandfather agree?’’ Ayana furrowed her eyebrows slightly. It’s quite obvious what the relatives must be thinking by making such suggestions all of a sudden.

’’Yes, grandfather agreed.’’ Axel answered. ’’Why should he deny his younger brother, who wanted to come back to his homeland?’’

’’But...’’ Ayana hesitated, wanting to argue. Someone as experienced as the Old master kratos shouldn’t be that blind to his younger brother’s ambitions.

Axel leaned back against the leather seat, his elbow no longer resting on the armrest. ’’You think grandfather doesn’t have an idea of his true intentions?’’ He turned his head to her, his eyes flashing with amusement. ’’It’s obvious to grandfather the petty thoughts of great uncle. With a grandson like that, great uncle must have set his eyes on the Kratos corporation.’’

’’Grandfather wants me to travel out frequently.’’ He continued. ’’There are some companies under the Kratos corporation that have been bankrupted and failing in different states and country. He said it would be a good experience and an opportunity to solidify my position as the president.’’

’’...That’s a good plan.’’ Ayana agreed after thinking of the whole arrangement. If her fiancé makes those companies profitable, the board members in the Kratos corporation wouldn’t have any thoughts of replacing him with his supposed skilled cousin.

’’It is, but we won’t be able to communicate that much with the time difference and long distance.’’ He pointed out. ’’It wouldn’t be strange if you find another person and move on. ’’

’’...’’ Ayana did not know how to respond.

’’Although, we’ve spent a very short time together, I seem to like you....quite a lot actually.’’ His confession came out of nowhere and almost startled her.

’’This is my first time of experiencing something like this, but I don’t seem to see myself without you in our future.’’ He admitted. ’’I guess it’s because I’ve started seeing you as my future that I feel this way.’’ His gaze dug deep into hers as they held each other’s.

Ayana stared into his eyes and saw the gravity they held within. He was serious.....very serious that one could tell he wasn’t saying simply on a whim.

’’You.....’’

’’Don’t deny me.’’ Axel interrupted her immediately.

’’.....!’’ His quick words shocked her.

’’No...that came out wrong.’’ Axel quickly disapproved of his own words and relaxed his head against the headrest. ’’I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be that forceful.’’ He closed his eyes with a defeated sigh.

’’.....You have nothing to apologize for.’’

’’I do actually.’’ He opened his eyes to her.

’’The confession was actually on purpose.’’ His lips curved into a faint smile. ’’Even if you have the intention to move on, you would remember that I had confessed my feelings to you right after our first dinner date.’’

’’...’’

’’Quite petty of me, right?’’ He chuckled softly. ’’I didn’t expect myself to react like this.’’

He also did not understand.

Ever since that birthday banquet of the Easmond family, Axel had noticed that he developed a sense of longing for his fiancée.

It was strange, yet familiar to him.

He didn’t feel repulsive, rather eager to be with her.

Was it because of their engagement? Perhaps his mindset had been structured to see Ayana as his future wife?

Axel was in thoughts and did not notice Ayana inching closer to him. It wasn’t until he sensed a warmth on his hand that he realized her close presence.

’’I will wait for you.’’ She told him with her clear hazel eyes. ’’This engagement will never be broken unless you find another woman.’’

’’...’’

She slowly turned her gaze away from his. ’’I’m not one to lose my heart easily to another man.’’

However, Axel immediately sensed a familiar sentiment as she uttered those words.

Guilt.

Why should she feel guilty? Unless she was telling him a lie or....had she fallen for someone before him?

In her younger days?

Did she feel bad? But he had mentioned that he was fine with it before she turned eighteen. Why did she feel guilty then?

Perhaps this person was the reason why she had always denied him consciously.

’’You don’t have to worry about me, anyway.’’ Ayana met his gaze once more. ’’Just concentrate on your work, and I’ll be fine. I’m quite a busy person, you know.’’ She gave a small smile.

’’....hmm.’’ Axel could only hum in response as he held back his curiosity. There was no point in reopening old wounds. Whoever that man was, he was grateful that they had broken off the relationship anyway.

Axel turned his hand over and slipped his fingers through hers on his lap.

’’I won’t lose my heart easily to another woman as well, Ayana.’’ He reassured her with a light squeeze.