Chapter 16

Sapphire's POV
As he spins me for the final time I feel the glove slip off my right hand. I didn't think it was a big deal but when he pulled me back towards him instead of letting go, I was caught off guard and he grabs my hand. When our hands touch the intensity of the sparks that erupted caused me to jerk my hand back as the word mate left my lips. Looking at my hand and then towards him, I have a moment of panic as flashbacks of Andre pop into my head. I take a step back and say "NO". Right after that he lights go out as the lounge erupts in applause. I take this opportunity to shut Enya out and run before she could take over and claim him. "Go back" she begs as I run pass everyone backstage, "Sapphire? what's wrong?" asks Rebecca. "I gotta go" I say as I grab my bag and sweats. "Why? What happened?" Brushing past her, I yell over my shoulder "Just tell Anna that I'm going ghost for a while and I will explain later."
"Should we call Ryan?" Stacey asks worriedly, "I've never seen you this nervous Saph". "Ryan can't do S--T it this situation," I say as I throw on my sneakers and try to keep Enya from breaking out, "I promise I'll explain later, Bye."

I push through the back exit and jump on my bike. As I start my bike and pull off I mind link Bryant. "All I have to say is WOW Ms. Redd!" he starts, "Bryant listen to me carefully, I need you to leave and go ghost at least for this week. Don't go to the office. Don't do any in person meetings. Do you understand?". "Ms. Redd did something happened?, Are you okay?" he asks more seriously now. "I need you to leave now! Don't say anything to anyone just get your bag and walk out". "Okay, I'm heading out now, but what happened? Did Mr. Griffin do something inappropriate?"
"No, he didn't"
"So, then why..."
"He's my second chance mate," I explain before he could finish his question "You're...", "Yess Bryant, now I need you out of there. Once he realises I'm gone he's gonna be pissed and will want to know where I went. Get your ass to your safe house and stay there this week."
"Okay, okay...What about Ms. Xander and the girls?"
"Anna will handle it, he won't be able to touch them. He would be starting a war. Are you out yet?"
"Yes, I'm already driving away" he says, "but I don't understand why we have to run Ms. Redd"
"I'm sorry Bryant, I just don't want him coming to me before I'm ready to face this situation. Enya is going crazy. I just need a few days to get my head straight." I hear him sigh, "Okay, I'll handle all meetings virtually," he sighs "thankfully, the two meetings we have next week are with company heads that have already met you." Shaking my head I say, "you don't have to. I'll still be present. I just wont be leading the final discussions, I'll let you handle that."
"Ok Ms. Redd...please be safe"
"I will, please do the same Bryant"

As I ride, I try to talk to Enya, "I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting this". "Please go back," she pleads, "I can't Enya, not tonight"
"Don't you want our mate?" she asks with obvious pain in her voice, "I do but, what if he rejects us in the end? What if he hurts us like Andre..."
"He's NOT LIKE HIM!" she interrupts me
"WE DON'T KNOW THAT!"
"I DO!"
"HOW?!" I ask pulling up to my 2nd apartment "HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY KNOW?!"
"He's different! You can feel it too, you're just scared", closing my eyes, "I know I'm scared. I can't go through that again...I just can't" I say as a tear slides down my cheek.
"Sigh, you know you're not the only one that got hurt right?" says Enya as I punch in the code to unlock the door.
Walking in and closing the door behind me, "I know, I just..."
*RING, RING, RING*
I hear the front desk calling from the intercom. I answer the intercom, "Good night Ms. Redd, your guest is on his way up" the concierge says. "Wait, which guest are talking about?" I ask confused. "He's a tall gentleman, he walked in shortly after you parked your bike and went up." Feeling excited, Enya says, "It's our mate! He came to find us". "Is everything ok ma'am? Should we call security?" the concierge asks. "No...no I'm expecting him," I say quickly. "Thank you for letting me know." I say as I end the call. Feeling nervous, I start pacing the living room back and forth, "How'd he find me?" I say out loud. "He's our mate, of course he'd come after us," Enya answers. "But how? when I left he was still inside" I say to myself. "It doesn't matter, all that matters is that he found us, that's already enough proof that he's not like Andre. He won't hurt us like Andre did," she tries to convince me. But I'm still hesitant, "I can't...", interrupting me she says, "At some point we have to move forward, I was hurt too and it was hard but I'm over it and I'm ready to be with someone who will cherish me. It's the only way for us to reach our full strength, we need our mate." Just as I'm about to say something else, his scent of chocolate and pine fills my nose. "He's here!, Enya yips excitedly, "open the door". I hear the door bell ring, I stand there hoping he will just go away, but I know he smells me too. The door bell rings again and while I'm still hesitating he says, "this door can't stop me, so you might as well let me in, before I tear it down."