Chapter 22

Xander Redent
I looked up to the building in front of me and sighed. Last night, I threw my pride away and decided to write Athena a letter. A deep.. and honest letter. I wrote it a thousand times and I even can't decide which one that I should choose. I don't even know if the letter can reach you either.
I walked into the Lemiere building and everyone that passed by were looking at me like I'm some kind of monster. I walked to the reception desk and asked the staff to call Matthew Lemiere. I was nervous as hell and I prayed every second so Matthew could let me in and talk to him.
"What are you here for, Mr. Redent?" She asked and I sighed.
"Wanna talk about the land in Colorado and about Athena." I said truthfully and then repeated it. She said yes a few times and then she ended the call. She gave ne a card and a visitor card to enter. I thanked God for it and I walked towards the lift.
I got into one of the lifts and put the card on the card scanner. It immediately sent me to the 18th floor. When I arrived at the floor, Matthew's secretary was already waiting for me. I followed her and she led me to the meeting room.
I walked inside and found Matthew Lemiere standing facing the window looking at the outside view. I gulped nervously as I walked closer to him.
"Colorado and Athena.. spill Redent." He said in a really serious tone.
"Actually the Colorado was just an excuse, I want to talk about Athena." I said bravely even though I was a little bit scared. My voice came out a little shaky.
"And why do you want to talk about my daughter? Didn't you ruin her 7 years ago?" He asked as he turned his head to me but I can't help but avoid his eyes.
"I.. I like you daughter a lot, Mr. Lemiere." I said seriously but Matthew laughed at my statement.
"Like? Last time.. I remembered, you cheated on her."
"I know, I admitted that. I was wrong at that time." I said and he turned fully to me.
"You hurted my daughter and you know I won't forgive you. I can't even see her cry or even hurt her and you broke her heart like it was a cup of glass!" He bursted angrily and I went down on my knees.
"I was wrong.. I know but I can't let her go marrying someone else." I said letting my heart out.
"Once a playboy, will always be a playboy. You won't change, Redent. That's why I aprrove Athena with Jacob, he's the right man for her." Matthew said and I shook my head.
"I beg you, Mr. Lemiere. Please give me a chance to fix this, I can't give her up like this and you're my only hope to stop her marriage." I begged completely with my heart crushed into pieces.
"No." He said and I know.. I can't beg him again.
"I really like your daughter, Mr. Lemiere, and I have the confidence to make her happy. I can give her the whole world if she wants too. I can give her what she wants and I can-"
"Not everything is a material thing, Redent!" He bursted angrily, making me flinch a little bit.
"I remembered when we went on our first date.. I remembered when she told me.. how she loves cars.. how she wants to be a mechanic.. how she loves her family.. how she loves eating but afraid that she will get fat.. how she still uncomfortable when everyone treat her like a princess and how she hates to have wasabi in her sushi.. and-"
"Still.. she will get married in a week, Redent." Matthew said in a softer tone. He turned back to the window and I heard him sighing.
"You can't change it, she was the one who agreed to this marriage." He added and I still can't accept the fact that she will.
"Please.. I beg you, Mr. Lemiere. You're my only hope." I begged again for one last time but he shook his head.
"Give up, Redent. You have 7 years to fix it but you didn't. If you like someone or maybe love someone, you should hold them. If you let go once for a moment, they will disappear right away." He's right and I regretted that. I fought for her when she's going to get married. What a fool!
"Get up.. Your dad won't like it when he finds out that you're begging for Athena on your knees like this." He gestured and I got up slowly. I took out my letter for Athena.
"I know it's too late.. but can I ask you a favor?" I asked and he turned to me.
"Can you give this to Athena?" I asked as I stretched my arms out giving to Matthew. He looked at it shaking his head.
"Trust me that.. it won't get to her." I gulped when he looked at me coldly. I nodded slightly and slowly put my hand down.
"This is a life lesson for you, Redent. Never repeat the same mistake again in the future." He warned but I shook my head.
"I will never even repeat it because I don't want anyone else besides her. I can't find someone else like her and I regret not going after her sooner." I said in a small tone.
"People might say.. it's not the end of the world but for me it is. Even hearing them announcing their engagement.. it was like stabbing my heart with a sword. Now.. seeing them get married.. it will kill me slowly inside." I said truthfully as I felt my heart aching.
"If I can turn back time, I will never let her go, Mr. Lemiere. I was a fool to do that.. and I really regret it." I said and he gestured me to go.
"Thankyou for giving me the opportunity to talk, Mr. Lemiere." I said and I looked at my letter crunching it into a ball. I walked towards the door and looked at Matthew once again before going out.
"I just want you to.. be happy, Athena." I said and I threw the letter to the trash can.