*chapter song included*
Elliot's POV
I sat behind my desk and stared blankly at the financial report.
Guilt was eating me up on the inside.
I just wanted to say something that would hurt her. I just wanted her to feel how I felt.
But it backfired terribly.
Even after burying her father, she still allowed me to interrupt her mourning and harass her body without any complaints.
I sighed out of frustration as yesterday's events replayed in my head.
Why didn't I just let it go? I should've just forgiven her then and there.
I wish I could go back, just for a moment, and make a different choice.
I'd say things differentlyâI'd be more careful, more thoughtful.
I would tell her that I do want to give us a second chance, but I'm afraid to trust her again.
But it's too late now. The damage is already done.
Flashbacks of the way her eyes filled with tears as she watched me, reappeared.
I thought it would satisfy me to see her hurt, but it didn't. It only ached my heart more.
My heart ached more because I knew that she deserved to be happy more than anyone in this world.
All the shit she's been through and I tried to hurt her even more.
I'm an asshole.
I knew that she already blamed herself for some things that had nothing to do with her.
Every time I thought about it, the frustration builds up again, and I get caught in this cycle of anger at myself and regret for what I'd done.
I know I can't change the past, but right now, that's the only thing I want to do.
I need to apologize and tell her how I really feel.
There was a knock on the door before my assistant popped in. "The new director is here to see you."
I nodded before motioning for her to send him in.
A short, bald man in an expensive tailored suit walked in.
Erick Johnson, 40 years old.
"Good day, Mr. Harrington. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise," I said as I pointed to the chair in front of me. "Sit."
His file is impressive, but not as impressive as Sereia's.
They both had the same accomplishments, but the problem is that he's sixteen years older than her.
He should've had more than her by now.
The fact that she achieved all of that just so she could work here to get revenge impressed me.
He put a folder in front of me. "I've planned out everything I want to carry out for the next year. You will be the first to hear about any updates."
I looked through the folder and they were honestly good ideas.
But he wasn't her. He didn't have her ideas.
No wonder everyone was fighting to get her.
She really is one of a kind.
"Do you like them, sir?" he asked and I kept my face straight as I flipped through the pages.
I want to see her. I want to hear her voice.
"They're fine," I told him, still wishing that it was her sitting in front of me and not him.
I had to fire her. That was a given.
I couldn't keep her at my side when she lied to me like that.
Usually, I don't care who I fire and forget about them afterwards.
Surprisingly, I didn't miss Blake as much as I expected.
Actually, I didn't miss him at all.
Sereia had consumed my mind and I forgot about my ex-best friend.
I have to see her.
I stood up. "We'll talk later Erick."
I hurried out of my office with a single intention consuming my thoughtsâto see her.
...
I knocked on her door three times before she finally opened it for me.
Her posture immediately straightened and her eyes widened before she quickly narrowed them.
"I'm sorry, my services aren't available today either," she stung me as she began to shut the door.
I quickly held it open. "Wait."
"What?' she asked. "What can I do for you, Mr. Harrington."
I handed her the bouquet of dahlias I had bought on the way. "I'm sorry to hear about your father passing."
I remembered her telling me she much preferred dahlias over violets.
She took them from me. "Thanks. I'm pretty busy so if you don't have anything else to say to me, please leave."
I deserved every sassy word she threw at me.
"I'm sorry," I told her. "I shouldn't have treated you like that. I just wanted to get back at you."
She stayed quiet as she watched me.
"Get back at me?" she asked. "Don't you think I've already been punished? I force myself to suffer in the dark to repent for all the evil things I've done. I've apologized to you over and over and you still wanted to get back at me?"
I looked down knowing what I did couldn't be justified.
"I'm sorry," I told her. "If you're still willing I would like to give us a try again. I want us to slowly build back each other's trusts."
She shook her head. "It's too late. I'm leaving."
"Well stay," I told her.
"That's easy for you to say," she replied. "And so what if I stayed? Am I just going to sit around waiting for you to use me whenever you want?"
I shook my head. "No, it's not like that. I want us to be together."
"Well, I know that this is your first time hearing this, but we don't always get what we want Elliot," she said. "You can't have me."
"Sereia, please," I pleaded as my heart began to shatter.
I could see the tears begin to gather in her eyes.
"Goodbye, Elliot," she struggled to say.
The moment hung is the air, heavy with everything left unsaid.
Before I could answer her, she quickly slammed the door in my face.
For a moment, I stood frozen, the sound of the door still ringing in my ears.
Then, the reality of what had just happened hit me like a punch to the gut.
I rushed forward and knocked on the door over and over for her to let me in, but she never did.
"Please," I begged her as I leaned my forehead on the door. "You're all I have left."
I sent away Blake, I sent away Olivia, I sent away my brother, and my parents are probably planning their next trip as we speak.
I started pounding on the door like a madman. I can't make her go away too.
"Please," I shouted. "Sereia!"
No matter how many times I knocked, no matter how hard I tried, she never opened the door again.
"Please," I told her as a tear escaped my eye. "Don't leave me."
"Sir," the neighbour beside her house called me. "If you don't leave, I'm calling the police."
His eyes widened before he quickly pulled out his phone and started recording me. "Wait, aren't you Elliot Harrington? Elliot Harrington is harassing my neighbour!"
Michael immediately ran to me and pulled me into the car.
When he began to drive off, I sat in the back stiff.
The weight of what I had lost settled heavily in my chest.
I began to realize that the finality of that closed door was a goodbye I wasn't ready to accept.
She was done with me for good this time.
No more second chances, no more lingering hope, no more passionate make ups.
This was it.
Was this a part of her plan too?
To make me fall for her and then hurt me?
If it was then she sure as hell succeeded.
No matter how easily I moved on from Blake and Olivia, I won't move on from her.
Even if she shuts me out completely, I won't shut her out.
I can't.
I'll give her all the space she needs.
If she decides that she wants to work things out, fantastic, I'll welcome her with open arms.
And if she doesn't, I'll never move on.
Sereia Sinclair is my spark, my only spark.
From this day forward, I will fully give my heart to her and stop holding back.
Why? Because I'm certain that I love her.
I hated her a day ago, but the cliche line everyone uses is really true.
There is a thin line between love and hate.
I can't imagine myself with anyone else, but her.
She's the only one who has managed to steal my heart and breakdown the tough walls I've built.
I love Sereia Sinclair and I'll wait for her until the day I die.