Chapter 73

NATHAN

"What's wrong with good old casual sex? Why complicate everything?" I question.

"I don't think all women can have sex without involving emotions, bro. But your case is more than complicated, Ryan. First, what was going through your mind when you decided to have sex with a virgin? Then you let her get too close, working with you. In a way, you let yourself get involved and deserve what she's doing to you."

"Damn! I don't even know if I'm in love with her."

"You miss her, almost hit a guy that night at the club, what is that besides jealousy? I had never seen you in that state before. If you're not in love, then what?"

"I just don't want anyone messing with what's mine."

"Yes, you and your control issues. I think that must be one more reason why you won't work out. Women don't like to be treated like objects."

"It's not objectification, it's just care, I want to protect her. I'm not that kind of guy. I'm not insecure, and certainly, not a jerk who wants to use her. I just can't stand the idea of her being with another guy."

"You say you don't want to use her, but you want to maintain a casual sex relationship that only you both know about. Do you think that's the image she has of it? That you're not just trying to use her for sex? You're completely screwed. She's never going to accept that kind of thing, Nat. If you want the girl, you're going to have to consider accepting her conditions, of course, if she still wants to be with you, since you said she's sleeping with someone else."

"It was only once, I'm not going to let that damn Kent get close to her ever again."

"Kent?"

"John Kent."

"Wow! I think you have a worthy opponent."

"Are you trying to irritate me even more?"

"Well, I just think you don't have many advantages."

"I know she's only using the guy to try to irritate me. The only problem is that he really wants what's mine."

"Are you so sure of that? I hope you're not mistaken. I met her, Nathan, she doesn't seem foolish."

"I know that very well. She's smart, a bitch when she wants to be, and gets everything she wants, especially making me lose control in every way."

"We don't even need to talk about her physical qualities." He laughs. "I'm just kidding." He raises his hands.

"Idiot."

"You said it was only once, that she slept with the guy. How do you know it was only once?"

"The bastard sent her flowers the next day. To my office!" I say through gritted teeth. He laughs again.

"Flowers? The guy is good. I think you better watch out. I only see your chances decreasing."

"Screw you!"

"I think you're wasting time, Nat. Do you know where she is now? Do you know if she's not with him? You shouldn't waste time if you really want her, because you're not the only guy who will be interested in a woman like her."

"I still don't know what to do."

"Well, then I think you better decide quickly."

Should I go to Ryan's? Even without hope of finding her there? Maybe I should go to her house. I really don't know what I'm doing or why. This has never happened to me. What am I going to say? That I'm in love? It's ridiculous, completely pathetic. I definitely don't want a relationship. I don't have a solution. I'm lost.




After stopping by home and taking a shower, I drive to Ryan. In the elevator, the reality of the situation hits me intensely. I have no idea what I'm feeling or what will happen if I see her.

I watch each floor pass by on the panel, and my nerves increase. Self-control has always been the best part of me. Where was it now? The elevator stops and the doors open. I adjust my tie before stepping out.

Her desk is empty, which doesn't surprise me much, but it provokes a horrible feeling in me. Maybe she went to get coffee, or she's chatting with Megan. You know she didn't come. Stop trying to delude yourself, Ryan. She's not coming back.

I walk to my office. As I approach my desk, I notice some folders on it. There's a note on one of them.

*You're such a jerk, made me work like crazy all day! Well... we can see this as another opportunity to highlight something that is already very clear: my GREAT qualities and your scumbaggery.*

The note makes me smile. She managed to do everything, prepare the presentations, and the skeleton of the work, and the room must have been ready too. Good girl. If she knew I wouldn't be back yesterday afternoon, she'd eat me alive. But now everything seems to make no sense at all. She's gone. I only had one option left.




Her annoying friend opens the door. It makes my heart slow down a little.

"Ryan? What are you doing here?" she asks, arching a perfectly drawn eyebrow. She must not know anything yet, judging by her lack of rudeness towards me.

"I need to talk to Katherine."

"What do you mean? Didn't she tell you she was traveling?"

"Traveling?"

"Yes, to Texas. She said it was urgent. Didn't she let you know at work?"

"Well. Yes. Maybe she did."

"You're her boss. She should have talked to you, shouldn't she?"

"I haven't seen Ryan today," I lie. If Kate didn't tell her, it wasn't my problem.

"That's very strange. Did you do something to her?" I roll my eyes and take a deep breath. What a hellish woman.

"I have to go."

"I'm warning you, Ryan..."

"I don't know what you're talking about. Excuse me."

Texas? What the hell, Collins! I get into the car. And now? That horrible feeling was with me again, making my stomach turn. The feeling that everything was lost. She left without even quitting this time. I take a deep breath.

Not Collins. The game won't end like this.

Throwing everything up in the air. Alright. I think I can do that. I call Jones.

"Mr. Ryan?"

"Jones, I need you to prepare the jet."

"For when sir?"

"In two hours."

"Where to, sir?" Texas, Dallas.

"Okay, sir. Do you need anything else?"

"No. Thank you." I hang up.



After taking the jet and sleeping for approximately an hour, I was counting the seconds for the damn flight to end.

"Mr. Ryan, do you want anything?" Grace asks again, only ten minutes apart.

"No, Grace. Thank you," I say curtly. Either this flight is taking too long or my patience is wearing thin. The intrusive way Grace looks at me is only worsening my mood. I should have fired her, but that would be too cruel, especially after fucking her right here months ago. I admit, I was bored.

Well, it might be necessary to bring Kate back with me. She wouldn't like to know that I had sex with Grace here and that she still works for me. That would be too much even for me.

After settling in the hotel closest to her house, I pick up the car James rented and drive to her house. The place is quiet, unlike the downtown area. I park at the address Shawn provided for me. Shawn is responsible for providing hard-to-find information. He does the job when needed. It probably violates some laws, but I don't care. Exiting the car, I make my way to the entrance of the house.

I ring the doorbell. Seconds later, a tall and slender man answers. He has brown hair with some white strands, a rough gaze with a hint of sadness in the background, and the same color as hers. He must be her father. I found out that he moved houses after the accident with Kate's mother. So, I was already expecting the possibility of running into him.

"Mr. Collins?"

"Yes?" He furrows his brow.

"I would like to speak with your daughter. Is she here?"

"Who are you?" I swallow hard. I can't say I'm her boss. That would be weird.

"I'm her boyfriend."

"She hasn't told me about any boyfriend, but she's not here right now."

"I'm sorry. I should have introduced myself. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm... John. John Kent." I extend my hand, which he takes his time to shake. When he does, his grip is strong, but he doesn't say anything. I couldn't say it was me. She wouldn't come to me. "If it's not too much to ask, could you let her know I'm at the hotel nearby, The Oldwen. Last room." He nods. "Thank you. Good afternoon! Sorry for the trouble." I turn to leave. How long has it been since I've been in this kind of situation? I don't think I ever have. The man is not very friendly. I take a deep breath as I walk back to the car.