Chapter 240

ELARA

"Oh, my goodness!" Nadia gasped beside me, clearly seeing him too. "How is he here?"

My mind scrambled for words that wouldn't form. I felt completely numb, the reality that I'd been away from him hitting me so hard.

It was the first time I was seeing him in six months.

It wasn't until his eyes ran into mine that I could breathe again. There was no instant reaction on his face;as if he couldn't understand or believe he was seeing me. When it finally dawned on him, his face crunched up in surprise.

"The card, ma'am," Mr. Chen held the card to me.

I blinked away and took the card from him. My mind was a mess I forgot to say thank you.

What was Ronan doing here?

I glanced at him. The surprise was gone from his face, replaced only by irritation.

Finn, Cassian and two other men were behind him, yet I hardly noticed them.

There was a lot of distance between us from where he stood, yet he seemed so close.

"Uh...we should probably go, ma'am," Nadia whispered. Like there was any other way.

Sucking a breath in, I forced my legs to move.

Inside the elevator, I managed another glance at him before the doors would close up. He was talking to some men in suits.

I couldn't believe it. Would Ronan and I be staying in the same hotel? I didn't step out of my suite until morning when I had to go for my meeting.

I was torn between wanting to meet with Ronan and praying I didn't run into him.

I didn't meet him on my way to the conference room. How was I even sure he spent the night here? He might've left after seeing me.

The meeting was long but successful. Myself and the board came to a pleasant conclusion that was beneficial to both parties. Mr. Chen assured me that the necessary documents would be ready by the following day. All I'd have to do is sign and I'd be on my way.

I felt sad knowing I'd have to leave this place and get back to my hell with Lucian.

"By the way, if you wouldn't mind, Ms. Elara, there's a little party taking place at the rooftop later tonight,"Mr. Chen offered just as I was about to leave. "You know, it's something classy and all. There would be a lot of dignitaries in attendance. It'd be a nice opportunity to meet more business-minded people."

It made sense. But that was majorly for someone who gave a shit about the company. I hated that I was doing this job for Lucian. I wished his companies weren't progressing like they were.

But... I could really use the party to clear my head.

"Sure. Thank you, Mr. Chen."

We shook hands before I left with Nadia.

Nadia made some reasonable comments about the meeting as we headed for the elevator.

We clicked the button and while we waited for the doors to open, I went through my phone, checking for new emails or texts.

I didn't bother lifting my head when the door opened and just simply walked in. Nadia entered hesitantly, and by the time I understood why, it was too late.

Behind me was Ronan, on a phone call. I thought of rushing out but even that was too late as the door went closed.

For the love of the Moon!

I took a deep breath, shut my eyes and tried to make my mind believe he wasn't behind me right now.

But that was too hard to do, especially when I heard his voice.

"Yeah, I'll have to call you back."

I mentally saw him ending the call.

"Y-Your Highness," Nadia turned slightly to him as she dipped her head. She couldn't hide her nervousness like me.

Ronan didn't acknowledge her, which only discouraged me from paying homage. I didn't even have the confidence to talk to him. I felt so trapped.

I didn't realize I hadn't pressed my floor button yet. How could anything make sense when someone like Ronan was behind me?

What was running through his mind-I wondered. Did he hate the fact that I was here? Would he get mad if I at least, greeted him?

The elevator's ascent seemed to take forever. Finally, it reached his floor.

Nadia and I parted ways for him to get through. There was a tiny part of me that wished he'd somehow brush my shoulder. But that didn't happen. He was careful enough to act like I wasn't there.

I didn't expect him to say anything, but I was wrong.

"Next time, you use the next elevator," he said the words as he walked out, his back to me.

I held my breath as the words struck the wrong nerve. The most painful part was, not once did he look at me. I only saw his back as he walked away while the elevator doors closed up again.

"Are you alright, ma'am?" Nadia asked, her voice soft with concern. "Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"

I pressed my floor button and breathed properly as it descended.

I thought my nightmare was over. Or at least, I thought I left it back in the country.

But for the second time today, I was wrong. Because when Nadia and I reached our suite, we found my nightmare waiting at the door.

Oh, gods. What in the name of Lunara was Lucian doing here?

He wore his perfect smile-the one he always wore when he was about to be manipulative.

"Looks like you're done," he shoved off the wall, his hands tucked in his jacket pockets. "Trust the meeting went well?"

I didn't even realize I'd stopped walking. Nadia too.

"Wh-What're you doing here?" I shook my head, like this was a memory I could disperse.

"What does it look like? I came here to surprise you." He glanced at my feet. "You should come over."

My heart raced painfully. Blinking rapidly, I pushed myself forward, Nadia doing the same.

"Greetings, sir," she bowed.

"Nadia. You've been doing a great job. How're you today?"

"Very fine. Thank you."

I watched with detest as he acted like a proper gentleman. Nadia had no idea he was a monster behind closed doors.

Lucian returned his gaze to me. "You don't seem too happy to see me."

"It's-It's not that. I just wasn't expecting you."

"Hm." He smiled. "Can I get my hug, then?" What the hell? Asking me for a hug in front of Nadia?

The people out there believed Lucian and I had a good relationship. If I were to reject his offer now in front of Nadia, it'd seem off.

His smile spread as I approached him. He definitely knew what he was doing.

I gave him the shortest hug I could before we all proceeded into the suite.

Why did I have a feeling Lucian's arrival had something to do with Ronan being here? He's never accompanied me on any of my trips before. Why would he show up all of a sudden?

The suite contained two rooms. Nadia proceeded to her room while Lucian followed me to mine.

Okay. Where was he going to spend the night? Because he definitely wasn't sleeping with me here.

I quietly walked to the table where I began taking off my jewelries.

Lucian was behind me, keeping me scared.

"Have you seen him?"

That was the one question that confirmed my suspicion. It had to do with Ronan.

"Mr. Chen? Yes. We just finished from the meeting" I pretended.

He laughed, though the laughter ended as quickly as it started.

"Don't play smart with me, Elara. You know who I'm talking about."

"Except I don't."

He rushed toward me, grabbed my shoulders and roughly turned me around.

"Don't fucking upset me. Have you seen him!?" His eyes flashed with burning rage.

"I didn't know he was here."

He held my gaze for a long time before letting me go. "Good. Now be sure to keep it that way." I glared at his back as he walked over to the closet. How the hell did he know Ronan was here? Was there a spy in Ronan's pack?