Crossing Paths

Diane was completely unaware of the kind of thoughts and plans the man she thought hated her entire being, had for her.

She couldn't even stay till the end of her date before excusing herself. She discovered that there was no reason for her to inconvenience herself just to be polite to anyone.

After learning hard lessons from her marriage with Phillip. It's been seven months since their divorce was finalized yet, she was still not over the trauma she developed from their union.

Having decided to make her mental health a priority and put all 'Phillips' behind her, she was going to stick to the plan.

Arriving at her new apartment she recently got after selling the condo in her and Phillip's name and splitting the bill with him, she kicked off her shoes at the door and sank on her sofa, looking exhausted from the day's busy schedule.

"You are back?" A male voice came from behind her.

Diane jumped in fright and quickly looked behind her. Lo and behold, she saw that tall young handsome man smirking at her.

"Oh my goodness!" Diane squeezed her eyes shut as she patted her chest. And seeing her condition, Brian quickly walked over to her side. "I didn't mean to frighten."

It took a moment for Diane to calm down. She looked at that brother of hers she was three years older than and couldn't even bring herself to glare at him.

"How can you go ahead entering people's homes without calling?" she asked as she watched him sit next to her.

"I did, but your phone was off," Brian replied. Diane sighed, leaving out an explanation since it wasn't necessary. "How was your date?" he asked.

She rolled her eyes and slouched on the sofa. "Don't even get me started. His name was Phillip, and that was a complete turn-off for me."

"So, you don't like him?" Brian inquired, holding back a smile since he knew the very reason for her

Diane glared at him. "I said he was name was Phillip, why should I like him?"

"Fine." Brian put up his hands in surrender. "But, would you like to go on another date this Saturday?" he asked while staring at her, but seeing that tinge of annoyance in her eyes, he unhurriedly added, "With me?"

Diane sighed and finally looked away. "Where are we going to?" She had already agreed to venture out with him, and she would prefer his company over and over again to any Phillips out there.

"There is a charity dinner I was invited to…" Brian gave her the details of everything she needed to know about their date including the dress code. "Do you have anything in your wardrobe?"

Immediately, Diane's thoughts went to that black dress Christian bought for her for his inauguration ceremony and shook her head. "But I will find something."

"Good, I will go ahead to confirm our attendance. I need a new suit for myself, you can join me to shop with my card."

---

"Sir, would you be attending the charity banquet you were invited to at Hilltop Hotel on Saturday?" George inquired as he followed Christian to step out of the car.

Christian eyed him. "No, why do you ask?" he inquired as he buttoned his suit jacket.

"Diane would be attending with her brother," George spilled. Almost immediately, Christian stepped towards him with a line appearing on his forehead. "I saw the guest list, their names are there."

Christian gritted his teeth. "You should have said that sooner. Confirm my invitation," he scowled and walked inside the tall building he resided in with his hands inside his pants pocket.

***

On Saturday by 5 PM, Diane hooked her hand to Brian's arm as they confirmed their invitation with the security outside the hall in Hilltop Hotel where the charity dinner was holding.

The hall was already booming with people in lovely clothes and their chatters when they stepped inside.

"This is going to be an interesting evening," Brian said as his gaze darted around the room. Diane didn't know why, but she didn't agree with him. "Let's go find our seats," he said to her while leading her forehead.

Diane shrugged off the unease that crept over her and followed him, and just when as she discarded her feelings, she saw Christian and stopped in her steps, tugging on Brian's arm in the process.

He noticed something off with her and asked, "What's wrong?" He didn't get any response and had to follow her gaze to Christian whose gaze had just jammed with his.

"Oh…" he drawled and hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. "Mr. Knowles!" he greeted with a smile.

"Have you lost your mind?" she threatened through gritted teeth as her brother dragged her towards Christian who had his hawk eyes on them. 'Could this dumb brother of hers not read the room?'

Diane's only prayer at the moment was for the ground to open and swallow her just before they got to Christian unfortunately, even the devil didn't hear her.

"Good evening, Mr. Knowles," Brian greeted respectfully as he stretched forth his right hand for a handshake with confidence radiating in his eyes.

"Good evening, Mr. Brown." Christian returned the gesture as he retreated his hand, he shifted his gaze to Diane who had her gaze lowered.

Brian followed his gaze and understood something. He sneakily nudged Diane with his elbow, but she didn't even make a move. In the end, he had no choice but to take her away after openly showing his admiration to Christian for his incredible work in business.

Taking their seats at their table, Diane warned in a voice that only he could hear, "Don't you dare to pull this stunt again!"

"I didn't know he would be here besides, do you expect me to ignore him like you did?" Brian asked. "Christian is not my enemy."

Diane stared at him for a moment before looking away. She didn't find anything to refute him except that he should not take her with him the next time he wanted to meet Christian Knowles.

An hour into the charity dinner after the host finished speaking, Diane had to take a short bathroom break. But who knew that man would be waiting for her right outside in the hallway?

Diane almost had a fright seeing Christian leaning against the wall with his eyes on her. She felt her heart take a wreck because of his sudden presence and now, she didn't even want to think that he had come out for her.

Encouraging herself, she withdrew her gaze from him and walked straight. Just as she crossed him with a step, he grabbed her by the arm and forced her to turn around.

"Why are you ignoring me?" his deep sexy voice inquired as he leaned away from the wall with his gaze narrowing down at her.

'Oh! I'm not air now?' Diane snorted inwardly. "You ignored me first at Cavatina. I thought you didn't want to speak to me again, so, I'm only respecting your wishes."

"So, this is a game?" Christian raised a brow.

Diane rolled her eyes with a stubborn frown etched deep in her brows. She refused to say a word to him.

Christian slowly released her arm and stuffed his hands inside his pockets. "I heard that you have been busy going out on dates these days. Are you so eager to marry another Phillip?"

The moment those questions reached her ears, Diane glared daggers at him. "Have you been following me?"

Christian scoffed. "Take a good look at me. I have a million-dollar company to run, do you think I have the time to follow you around?"

Diane only thought that was true, but that didn't mean he couldn't have other people follow her. She glared hard at him one more time before walking away, leaving him on the spot.

This time around, he did not try to stop her. He only stood there and watched her back completely disappear from his view before he went back into the hall.

Throughout the rest of the evening, Diane avoided Christian like a plague. In the end, she didn't even wait for the charity dinner to come to an end before dragging Brian outside with her.

Before Christian could tilt his head towards her direction again, she was already gone.

'Keep running,' he muttered to himself.