“I don’t.”
Wayne put down his teacup and said, “Then let me make it clear. You wouldn’t care about my wounds if you didn’t care about me, and you wouldn’t come to my office every day at noon if you didn’t care about me. We’ve been through so much together that we can’t separate ourselves completely. Matthew is living with me and Tammy with you, and they are our children.”
“What exactly are you trying to say?”
“I’m trying to say that since we can’t split up, would you mind starting over with me? I haven’t been seeing anyone else these past few years, and neither have you. I’m still in love with you, and you still fell the same way about me. We also have two children together. So we’re destined to be together.”
Anna attempted to reject him, but Wayne cut her off and said, “Don’t reject me yet. You want to reject me because I have previously treated you poorly. I realize I’m too controlling and haven’t given you enough freedom. But I can assure you that I have changed. I know you were upset with me for not believing you. I admit that I disliked Jasper and always suspected that there was more between you two. Since he’s married, I’m sure you’re just friends. I will believe you and will never doubt you again. Could you please give me another chance?”
Wayne had never appeared more sincere to Anna. He wouldn’t even apologize to her a few years ago. Nonetheless, he could now discuss the matter calmly.
Seeing that Anna was speechless, Wayne continued, “I went after you at the airport the day you left, but I didn’t know you were going to France. So, I got on the wrong plane and missed you. We’ve been in and out of love for far too long. So, for the sake of our children and ourselves, could you please give me another chance? I have no idea what my life will be like in five years, and I don’t need you to tell me right away. But I really hope you’ll consider what I’m saying.”
***
After taking a shower, Anna lay in bed and she couldn’t fall asleep. She kept recalling what Wayne had said to her. She had wanted to call Wayne for years but had never done so. She hadn’t found the right opportunity, and no one would support her except for Tammy.
When she asked Peace for her advice, Peace always told her, as did Selina, that “Men are hard to change. You have to stop putting much faith in him.”
As a result, Anna began to think less and less about Wayne as time passed. However, she realized she couldn’t date anyone else after she stopped thinking about him.
“Mr. Wright, I called Gabe last night and he said he was coming back from Australia. He asked me to tell you the good news.” Noel said.
Wayne nodded, then said, “He won’t be busy after the project is over, I guess?”
“Yes, now that he’s got it all sorted out over there.”
“Get him back, I want him to do something for me.”
With wide eyes, Noel asked, “What makes you want him back? Is there anything I’m unable to do?”
They were both Wayne’s assistants in charge of fixing things. But, he couldn’t figure out why Wayne thought only Gabe could do that.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but there are some things you’re not very familiar with. So I believe it is best to let him do it.”
Noel asked sadly, “What exactly is the problem? Could you please tell me? You can let him come back if I can’t solve it for you. Besides, he’ll need to take care of business over there before he returns, and it will take some time. If you’re in a hurry, you can have me do it.”
Wayne nodded, thinking he had made his point.
“What do you want to do?”
“Have you ever been in a relationship?” Wayne asked.
“Yes,” Noel said, wide-eyed.
“And have you ever gotten back together with your ex?”
Noel looked at Wayne nervously, afraid he might say the wrong answer. He said, “Yes.”
“How did you do that?”
Noel was stunned and asked, “You’re getting back together with your ex? Is she Dr. Gabriel?”
“Can you figure this out?” Wayne asked, nodding.
Noel said firmly, “Yes, of course I can! I’ll come up with a plan for you within a day.”
Noel left Wayne’s office and sent a message to the company’s chat group, “Important announcement! Our boss wishes to get back with his ex. I hope all of you can devise plans and tell me before the end of the day. You will be rewarded if your solution is adopted.”
Before the end of the day, Noel came into Wayne’s office with a pile of files and said firmly, “These are the options that everyone has discussed and written down based on their own experiences. These three ones are great.”
Wayne browsed through the documents, nodded and said, “This one looks good. Help me prepare what I need. “
Noel said, “I’m on it, Mr. Wright.”
***
In the evening, Anna came home from work. When she arrived at the building, she looked around and didn’t see Wayne’s car. Strangely, she was relieved and disappointed at the same time.
Standing there, she thought, What’s wrong with me? Why do I want to see Wayne but also want him to stay as far away as possible from me at the same time? Gosh! Wayne may be right. I still have feelings for him! Damn… What should I do?
With strings of questions wandering in her mind, Anna felt exhausted. Still, she took a few deep breaths to calm herself down before entering her house, trying to bring out the best of her in front of the kids.
When she got home, she saw the two kids were still watching TV and playing video games.
Having taken off her shoes, Anna said while pulling a pair of slippers out, “I’m going to the supermarket tonight. Are you guys going with me? Also, is there anything you want to eat? “
Tammy, who was watching TV, replied, “Well, I’ll pass. You’re the boss. Mom, just the usual; I’m fine with it.”
Isabella was in her bedroom, playing a game. She didn’t mind what she ate as long as she survived. Actually, to her, the video games mattered more than food. She couldn’t live without her video games.
Anna opened the fridge and looked inside, realizing she was completely out of food at home. As a result, she planned to go to the supermarket by herself later that evening.
Looking at the girls who were both busy with their own businesses, Anna couldn’t help shaking her head helplessly. And then, she was lost in thought.
Alas! How time flies! Back then, Tammy was just an innocent little girl who couldn’t take her hands off her favorite chocolate. I still remember how it felt when holding her in my arms for the first time in my life. She was so little, and now, she has already turned into a teenager.
As for Isabella, I still remember how skinny she was the first time I met her. Well, in a way, she’s my life savior because if it weren’t for her back then, I might have already been six feet underground after I was kidnapped to that deserted island, and Tammy and Matthew might have been devastated. Well, Wayne must also be devastated if it were the case.
Wait… Why do I suddenly think of Wayne again? I knew it! I still can’t get over him. Maybe I should just reconcile with him so that Tammy and Matthew can grow up in a complete and happy family again. But what about Isabella? What if she feels that I betray her by reconciling with Wayne? She has already had a rough time when she was with Jasper and Lily. If I tell her about my decision, she might be deeply disappointed. I know she always tries to play cool. But deep down, she’s still a sensitive kid. Gosh… What should I do?
“Mom, are you alright?” Sensing something was off with Anna, Tammy stood up and asked her with concern.
“I’m alright, sweetie. I’m just a bit tired. You know, working overtime four days a week is nearly killing me. But don’t worry. I’m fine. I’m off to the supermarket now.”
Hearing that, Tammy sat back down and turned her gaze to the television in front of her. Then, absentmindedly, she said to Anna, “OK, bye mommy.”
Anna sighed. She had finally gotten off work early this day, only to be disappointed to discover that both girls were preoccupied with their own things and didn’t appear to want to be with her.
About 15 minutes later, Anna arrived at the supermarket. Just as she was looking for Tammy’s favorite chocolate, she suddenly spotted a stage nearby.
At the sight of the stage, Anna’s mind was flooded with memories from the past.
Wow! I didn’t expect that the stage was still here! And it looks exactly the same as it was five years ago when Wayne and I visited the supermarket together… Gee! Since when did I become so nostalgic? I guess deep in my heart, I still want to be with Wayne. It’s just that… Gosh… How I wish I have enough courage to be with him again! I’m so torn…
After collecting her thoughts, Anna quickly finished buying the groceries. After checking out, she looked at her two large and heavy shopping bags and let out a sigh. She made every effort to get the two bags out of the supermarket.
Meanwhile, there was music playing in front of the supermarket, and there appeared to be an event nearby, and many people were dancing in doll costumes. The music then changed to one of Anna’s favorite dance songs, and the people dressed in doo costumes began dancing exaggeratedly to the music.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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