Chasing

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

TRAVIS‘ POV

Honoring the promise I made to Leslie meant setting aside everything else that needs my attention today just to talk some sense into the egoistic moron I have for a nephew.

My first two attempts at reaching him through a phone call and an office visit failed, leaving me with no choice but to drive over to the only other place he could possibly be–his home.

When I get caught in traffic halfway to his place, it gives me time to process my emotions and keep my anger at bay because frankly, I want to do more than just talk sense into Kian. I want to lock us both in a room just so I can give him the beating of his life for the blatant betrayal of Leslie’s love, trust and loyalty. Hell, I’ve been dying to throw punches since the day I witnessed Leslie crying all by herself at her grandmother’s grave. The perfect image of her that I have always treasured in my mind was marred by the sight of her, broken, helpless and lonely. I saw a kind of pain and hurt that I didn’t understand until! learnt of Klan’s infidelity.

It was also the moment that made me realize that three years of running hasn’t changed a thing about how I feel towards Leslie. If it isn’t already obvious by now, I have deep feelings for Leslie. So deep that I couldn’t bear the news of her marriage to Kian and the best solution I could come up with was to leave the country all those years ago.

I met Leslie when she was just freshly employed as Kian’s secretary. She made quite a mess on her first day and that included an entire cup of piping hot coffee getting spilled on me while I was visiting Kian at his office.

Her mesmerizing hazel eyes had turned glossy immediately and she apologized over and over again, bowing so low her head almost touched her feet. I was more amused than I was offended, taking in how much of a nervous wreck she was and finding myself strangely wanting to soothe her.

It started as a tiny spark of intrigue, then it grew like wildfire. I went from noticing the teensiest details

sa about her and smiling to myself about them, to looking forward to every visit to Kian and every small interaction with his pretty secretary who is always in dull colors yet has the brightest aura surrounding her.

I made small gestures that gave me the chance to witness her beautiful smile. Like getting her a canned coffee from the vending machine, helping out with a heavy stack of documents or holding the elevator door open for her.

I was way older but it wasn’t the only reason I hesitated. Leslie had her eyes set on someone else. While I watched her, she watched Kian. She was always catering to him, happily putting his comfort over hers.

Knowing that Kian had another woman he loved made me think I still stood a chance with her but then I got an invitation to their wedding and it didn’t matter anymore. I’d been putting off a business trip to one of

my company’s branches located outside the country and it was the perfect excuse to get on a flight and leave the country the day before their wedding.

All those years being away, I thought she was happy. She was with whom she wanted anyway so how could I have thought otherwise? I regret leaving. I regret hesitating but most of all, I regret doing nothing.

Now, I am determined to make up for it in any way. I will not stand by and do nothing like before. If she

wants to get away from that moronic cheating bastard, then she will. At all costs.

The traffic clears in total sync with my final thoughts of determination and then I continue to steer the course towards Kian’s house. The door opens even before I properly park my car in his massive garage. Kian’s mother, who is also my sister, steps out, all smiles as she hurries towards me.

“Travis, you wicked wicked man!” She pipes dramatically and I mentally prepare myself for the next few seconds of scolding. I know she won’t stop talking about how I returned to the country and didn’t think to

visit.

to your

“How can you be so cruel She continues with an even more dramatic gesture of fanning the non–existent tears in her eyes with her hands. I pull both hands back to her sides and give her a long stare that makes her give a loud oomph as she realizes I didn’t fall for her theatrics.

It breaks a small smile out of me.

“I’m sorry, Hannah. I had three years of work waiting for me at the head office, there was barely enough time to visit anyone.” I say and she just scoffs in response.

“What is it with you men and work? Ughhh, it feels like I’m talking to a second Kian.” She speaks with distaste but I care less about what she thinks of her son’s marriage to his job.

“Is he home?” Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“Yes.” She responds

“Great, I’m here to see him.”

She rolls her eyes.

“Of course, you’d have time to visit if it’s about work,” she starts to say but her expression changes in the next second as she suddenly grabs my arm saying, “You know what? It’s good that you are here. Maybe you can talk some sense into Kian since he won’t listen to anything I say.”