FORREST
Goddamn it!
I WANTED to punch Davis for not doing his only job. And so did Bill, but I could handle Bill later.
“For an uncomplicated and simple order, you did a bang-up job!” I hired him because Alan recommended him, and he could be trusted, but then he failed me.
My chest was heaving with anger the moment I saw his guilty-ass face.
“I couldn’t force her, Mr. Wood. You warned me not to touch or lay a hand on her. And I would be arrested for kidnapping if I forced her to come with me.”
“I don’t give a bloody fuck about your reasons, Davis! I only gave you one job, and it’s to keep her in your sight all the time because I want you to protect her and not to let her wander around the city alone!” I walked past him toward the car and stopped him when he was about to open the door for me. “Don’t! I will drive alone. Go, search the penthouse, and find out why she ran away. And don’t show your fucking face unti
MEGAN “I’M SORRY, but you don’t have an appointment today,” I said without meeting his gaze. I didn’t have to look at him to know it washim.His presence alone shifted something in the air. It was filled with tension and unsaid emotions. And I couldn’t look at him because I knew myself, and I’d be tempted to forget what I found out and jump into his arms again. It was silly, but I didn’t trust myself around him anymore. These past two days were like living in a world that didn’t exist. He wasn’t the Forrest that I used to know—or if I even knew a little about him at all. I needed to forget what happened between us—scratch that. I didn’t exactly want to forget—that was the best thing that happened in my life before he became unreal. “I know. I just called Dr. Reed a few minutes ago. I’ll settle the payment later. And she’s free and agreed for an urgent appointment with me,” he said in a calm and low voice. It wasn’t even reco
MEGAN I COULDN’T hear this anymore without feeling the surge of jealousy inside my chest. I looked away and blinked when I got all weepy. “At fifteen, Meadow became my girlfriend, and I thought we would get married. When I turned sixteen, I found out someone was looking for us. And the man that was once my father came back from the dead. He faked his death. That was why I fled to this country to protect my mother and myself.” “I left my Mama. I knew she was safe because no one would recognize her anymore, but I was not. That’s how I ended up here. Alan is not my uncle by blood.” “Why did you have to leave?” My head tipped to mom. “Because of Oliver. My birth father. Now Francois Xavier. He figured that I didn’t die and perhaps, wanted to cut some loose ends.” “By killing his son?” I asked, confused, terrified. “Maybe. He’s a monster, after all.” “Why are you telling us about this? Why now?” Sudden
FORREST “SO YOU are a guy who inherited billions worth of assets, but you chose to work at the nightclub?” Xandry spelled out as we sat down in one of the VIP lounges in Night Stalker. I wasn’t really in a mood to talk about wealth. All I wanted was to get drunk and numb the pain inside my chest. My mind went back to Megan. She was furious. After pouring out all my strength and effort of telling her who I was and how I felt, it still ended up pretty fucking badly. “I know there’s something off about him when he came to apply for a job. For a first-time bartender, he knew different types of liquors, spirits, wines, even the age, smell, and flavor just by smelling them, but I like him, so I hired Forrest without a second thought,” Pyke seconded. “You, a good-looking guy, is good for business.” “Father thought me at a young age. He had a winery, and he was also a sommelier.” “Your real father?” “No. I called him Papa. Fathe
FORREST BILL WAS still in the hospital. I found out he drowned himself with work to prove that the project was viable. I felt like an arsehole for pushing him too hard. He wanted to show his self-worth to me, just like he promised when he agreed to see a therapist after I took him in. Thankfully, he woke up because I couldn’t forgive myself, and I had a lot of guilt that could last a lifetime. “Don’t do that again. You can always say no to me. You don’t have to prove anything to me. You’ve already proven your worth to the company.” “I know.” He looked down. “It wasn’t your fault. I have to admit. I forgot the world outside the lab for a few days after our conference call.” “That was weeks ago. You haven’t been to your flat, haven’t been showered, and changed clothes. Then you ate take-out food and injected yourself with insulin. That’s not healthy, Bill.” His face lit up. “Is that your way of telling me that I look like shit?”
FORREST WHEN I turned around, It was Alan, and I wanted to roll my eyes. “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it? Milady, young master.” “Young master my arse. How old am I?” “Good to know that you got your humor back. When I was at your age, I was still fighting bandits in the middle of the wilderness.” He walked back inside the ballroom hall. “I don’t know what to do if it wasn’t for Alan, Mama. I wasn’t affected when Papa left after what he did to us, but I thought I lost half of my soul when Father died. You are the only person left to keep me from living. Then Alan came into my life. He became so important to me. He’d been there for me for the past years. I lived a life as normal as possible, knowing that you were safe and sound, and Alan was there to guide me. I owe him my life, Mama.” I stood up from my seat and moved to kiss her on her forehead. “I love you so much.” Moments later, the grand piano from the ballroom hall
MEGAN “SO HOW’S the new manager?” I asked Camila since Kyland was going to manage the soon-to-open Night Stalker. “You’re going to love her. Her name is Winter.” “Why do I feel like she’s gonna find the love of her life in the nightclub?” Camila giggled, showing me the guilty-looked in her eyes. “She has a sense of style, has a side-shave fiery redhead, and not to mention, she’s funny. Pyke likes her immediately.” I knew exactly what would come next. So I readied myself. “You know, you don’t have to do this alone,” as expected, she started as she sat on the couch, rubbing her belly. “To do what alone?” I looked at three pairs of eyes, finding it hard to believe that they all had the same sympathy-looked on their faces. “Moping alone, wallowing in self-pity, any of those ring a bell?” Blaine answered reluctantly. “Peachy, ain’t I?” I rolled my eyes, wrapping my arms around my knees. “Keep t
MEGAN “I’M SORRY, Meg. I didn’t think of that. I thought there’s something left for both of you to catch up.” I wiped my face. “Well, newsflash, he left me because there’s nothing left to continue, and I have nothing left to fight for. I was expecting every day, for twenty-seven days since he left, that he might call or send me a message, but it never happened. We barely even started, and I was just stupid to hold onto something that doesn’t anymore. It hurts, and I still have self-worth left, you know. It’s over. We are over.” “Oh, Meg.” I could feel the sincerity in her voice seeping through me. She shouldn’t be doing this to me because it was my fault in the first place, and I slept with one of our friends. “But one day, you have to open your eyes and take another look for the possibility that there’s still something to catch up or something out there.” “Just enjoy the party, and I’ll be right here when you all come back.” Ca
FORREST IT WAS harder to accept when you were expecting too much. I was looking forward to this night. Then I just ended up disappointed. It speared my heart as I headed down the wide staircase to join the guests after the short introduction from my mother. I pasted a smile, a few handshakes, and pleasantries to the first group of gentlemen from the Oirdheirc Society. Something inside me twisted when I passed by with several couples chatted intimately in the corner. My lips curved into a knowing, sad smile to greet my friends. Unfortunately, Megan wasn’t with them. That was why there had no RSVP for my invitation. She moved on, I guessed. I meant nothing but a history to her at all. “Great party,” Pyke said as we did a brotherly hug. “I’m glad you all came.” Sorrow laced my voice, and I didn’t even bother to hide it from them. Never a day passed by. When Camila called me that Megan would come, I was so thrilled.