SORRY

Chapter 82. Missing

I had to blink twice for his words to register.

“You are giving me a choice? I asked dubiously

I thought this whole thing was previously arranged. I can do nothing to contest

it

He smiled. “Of course. Life is always a choice.*

That made me pause and think

Indeed people are free to choose, but sadly, our choices are often foked up.

“But I thought this was already a done deal? I asked in surprise and told him about what Marcus told me the night before.

“So, that explains why you looked like you were going to the guillotine” He smacked his forehead and laughed so hard.

That had me sitting straight in my chair. I folded my arms and placed it on the table, mimicking his earlier actions.

“Do you think that would be wise? I had my doubts and told him so.

He looked clueless, and I clarified for him. I was not very keen on explaining myself, but I find Luke Bennett’s sincerity quite refreshing. He had no airs and laid all his cards out on the table.

I decided not to hold back, as well

“Dating a divorcee like me with three children.”

His expression became serious. “Are you looking down on yourself? You are beautiful and skilled, and quite frankly, I liked you. If you are not aware, we were schoolmates at the university.”

My mouth hangs open.

“Really?”

That was an interesting bit of information that slipped my research on him.

He nodded.

“But you are the accomplished one. I was more of an average student.” Luke claimed.

“I wanted to ask you out, but you were so aloof.”

That had me thinking.

“Am I? I am sorry. I was always busy with my studies. Dan and Marsha Hunter paid for my studies. The only way I could repay them for their goodness is to excel academically. They weren’t demanding anything, mind you. But a part of me wanted to. They don’t know me, yet they took me in. Not squandering their money was a good start for me to show them my gratitude.”

“Yeah, the Hunters. It was a shame that they died young.”

That made me sad. Remembering my former in–laws and the way they left this world leaves a gaping hole in my chest.

“Forgive me for asking, but is that why you married their son? Gratitude?”

I shook my head. The world was taking it all wrong. I was grateful, but it was never the reason I married Noah Hunter.

“No.” I shook my head to dispel such thoughts in Luke Bennett’s mind but refrained from explaining further.

Luke Bennett respected my silence about my ex–husband. When he saw my noncommittal in providing him with additional information, he refrained from delving deeper into my current relationship with the father of my children.

I am sure he must have heard about Britney’s allegations. Defending my innocence will incriminate me further in his eyes.

“If you noticed, I don’t have many friends in college,” I said, trying to turn our conversation around.

Luke Bennett nodded, seemingly glad that I changed our topic.

“Yeah. Just that one girl who works at Hunter Enterprises.”

My eyes grew wide at that.

ALFANG

*75 WARS

“Oh, you mean Hanna?”

Luke shrugged. “If that is her name.” He acknowledged,

Then, we came back to our discussion – the marriage–merger,

“I don’t think this marriage merger would benefit you. It was more like it would benefit me.” I told him honestly,

I like Luke’s attitude. For that, I think I owe him my honesty,

Luke Bennett smiled. “Just the idea of us dating would be beneficial for our two companies. So, why not let things happen? Let us not force it, but let us not avoid it either.”

I nodded, feeling as if a ton had been lifted off my shoulders.

“Okay. Let’s just let things flow their own course.” I managed to say before my phone started ringing,

It was Marcus. I was reluctant to answer him, but my brother was persistent.

I shook my head, darted an apologetic smile Luke’s way, and picked up the call. “What’s up?” I asked warily,

My brows furrowed instantly, and I started to panic when I heard what Marcus had to say.

“Riley, Brixx, and Mason are missing, I thought they were back in their room, but they weren’t there.”