57

Kara's body stilled at his words. In the past his parents had tried so many ways to have him come with them so that the issues between them could be resolved somehow and James' anger could get controlled somehow. Each time he had thrown a big fit about it and refused to budge. It had been so many years, but he had refused each time. Him suddenly bringing up the therapy sessions had made Kara look up at him in pure shock.
"Therapy?"
James was just as stunned at his own words. He had said them without even realizing, but the desperation of having her back to himself was killing him slowly from inside. He knew he would never be able to live without Kara, so he was ready to take any step necessary to get her back anyhow. Even if it meant he had to go through the things he despised the most.
"Yes. I am serious about this." James came closer to Kara and put his hand on her cheek gently. His eyes were stuck to his own hand on her face because he was not ready to meet the look in her eyes just yet. Maybe they were hateful or maybe they were filled with loathing towards him. But in any case, all he wanted to see was the same love that she had in her heart for him before he had fucked it all up, "I don't want to hurt you again. And I don't want to leave you again. And if it means that I need to take a step back from my decision of not wanting to go to a therapist, I will do it."
Kara was moved by his words for a few seconds. He was ready to give up the one thing he had adamantly refused for so many years. And it was because he wanted to bring a change within himself for her. That touched her heart. But then the thought of going back to him was not something she was ready to do. It must be all the agony of being lied, accused and shamed she had gone through, but she just could not find it within herself to take a step in his direction once again. Moreover, the thought of it hurting Damon weighted heavily on her chest, making her think that she was in no position to rethink her decision now.
She moved back from him until her back touched the glass door of her office, "I can not do it." she said with determination, making James immediately look at her with sadness that tore her heart apart.
"You don't want to give me another chance?"
"I can not." she murmured and looked down at the ring on her hand, "I have already made my choice. There is no turning back now."
James' eyes slid to the ring she had on her hand. So many thoughts and feelings were crushing him from inside. The mere thought of Kara being tied to Damon for life brought his blood to a boil. But he did not want to force her into it. He wanted her to choose him willingly.
"I will change your mind." he whispered, turned around, and left the room before Kara had a chance to react.
Kara was shaken once again with this confrontation. She had somehow managed to get control of her feelings when James had stopped talking to her. But now that he was in front of her eyes again, the emotions rushed back like someone had forcefully pushed them under the ground and covered them with a lid on a coffin. 
For a long while she was stuck in the same trance when suddenly the rush of voices brought her back to present. The office was suddenly swarmed with employees again as they came inside murmuring, talking and laughing with each other.
"Yes, the breakfast was so good. Thank God my stomach was empty so I could take my fill today."
"I do not even know why we were suddenly given a free breakfast today at that grand five star hotel. Who arranged it? Damon boss? Because of his engagement?"
"Oh, really? He is generous!"
"No. I heard it was arranged by James boss. I heard the hotel staff speaking to someone about it when filing down the names in the computer."
"Why would he..."
"They are brothers, duh! Does it even matter who gives us the treat? I only know that today was the highlight of my twenty year long life."
Some giggles followed as the talk died down while the staff settled in their seats. Kara, on the other hand, now understood why it had been the perfect timing for James to find Kara alone in such a big office. Although she knew the treat had not been for congratulating Kara and Damon's engagement, rather it was for making sure James found a way to be alone with her somehow.