Chapter 16

" I am just here for just business and nothing else," he said calmly, taking his gaze off her. The last time he saw her, she was a shy kid, but now she was a girl bold enough to smack him on the head and get away with it. Times did change.

" Are you sure you are here for just business because I know somebody who could change that objective," she said teasing him when she knew exactly what he wanted and that was Pandora.

" Where is she?" He inquired, his eyes narrowing in anxiety.

Braxton was speeding drastically despite Coraline's frequent screams and pleas. Ever since she had told him about his lover's predicament, he hadn't said a word. He just took to his heels and revved the car engine igniting it into high speed, leaving Coraline to struggle frantically in keeping up with his frenzy. It hurt him so bad that he wasn't there for her, and her life's dream was about to be dissolved because of a worthless fellow who didn't deserve to still be alive. With all the power he had, he felt worthless that he couldn't utilize his power to salvage his love. He felt his knees trembling beneath him and his grip on the steering wheel growing more firm and tight.

Swerving through the other drivers at high flash velocity, he struck through, overtaking the cars like a poisoned arrow as he pulled over sharply at the courthouse. Using his influence as an advantage, he dived through the little crowd and resurfaced at the court's reception who directed him to the judge's office.

He knocked twice before pushing the door open. Seated at the end of the large mahogany desk was a judge nibbling on a sliced-out pizza. Seeing him, the middle-aged man tucked away his lunch and drained the cup of expresso that sat on the desk. Wiping off the remaining soils of pizza on his fingers, he disposed of the packaging and turned to face the man who had already pulled out a chair and sat down.

Without such questions, the judge explained what was going on while Braxton just sat there assimilating what he just heard. His girlfriend? A sex scandal? He knew how well she was emotional when it got to this kind of thing and he could only imagine how she was feeling right now.

Without thinking twice, he cleared the damages and made arrangements with his assistant to work out the necessary processes to make the news die down.

He went back outside to get Coraline who was fuming that he had unintentionally locked her in the car, it was part of the rush. Beeping the remote, the car unlocked and he signaled on her to follow him in, with him leading the way.

With every step Braxton took that brought him nearer to the room where his lost love sat, his emotions were turbulent and in as much as he tried to possibly look controlled on the outside, his heartbeat increased to a frequency he hadn't ever felt before. He took off his shades and arranged his suit before pushing the door to give way to his entry.

There she sat, ever glowing, always stunning. Even if they had been apart for a thousand years, he would still be able to tell her apart. She looked downtrodden and hopeless and on impulse, he grabbed her shoulder in tender comfort at the same time announcing his presence to her.

Raising her head, he saw her eyes switch from pain to surprise. He felt stupid for ever believing that she would run straight into his arms. To make him feel even worse, she pushed his hands away after hearing what he did. He watched in shame as she swung her palm across his face tilting his face to the right. Hissing, she left that consultation room with Braxton chasing after her.