My senior colleague told me a woman like me shouldn't look for someone outside the industry. It was better to find someone within the circle. Otherwise, problems were bound to arise.
Maybe he was right.
I sighed and turned to leave.
"Demi Jackson?"
A warm voice called out from behind me.
I turned around and saw someone stepping out of the shadows.
He was wearing a white shirt and black trousers, with his left hand in his pocket and a cigarette between the fingers of his right. His hair was a bit long and messy, falling haphazardly.
"Zack?"
My heart seemed to skip a beat, then started racing.
We last saw each other just a few days ago when he helped me tackle a challenging problem.
But it felt like ages since I'd last seen him and seeing him again made me feel a little flustered and nervous.
Zack Gordon nodded with a smile. He had that dangerously handsome look, slightly sickly but tall and strong. Not even the white shirt could hide his defined muscles.
"Isn't today your celebration party?"
Zack walked up to me, his voice gentle.
I sighed, gave a wry smile and waved my hand. "Zack, let's talk some other time. I need to go home and deal with something."
I didn't want to burden anyone else with my bad mood.
Zack didn't press me. He just smiled and said, "Call me anytime if you need help."
Back home.
I saw the crooked high heels at the entrance.
They weren't mine.
Inside the living room, I could hear a woman's voice.
"Luke, don't do this. What if she comes back?"
"Does she even have the nerve to come back?"
I saw the two of them tangled together on the couch.
Caroline saw me first and let out a shriek. She scrambled off Luke and curled up, hugging her knees as she started to cry.
Despite the tears, the smirk tugging at her lips was pure provocation.
Luke was also a little flustered, but his eyes had more hatred. "You still have the face to come back, huh? You came back without making any sound. Look how scared you are of Caroline!"
I said nothing. I walked over to the liquor cabinet and took out a bottle of red wine. Later, I poured myself a glass and calmly said, "Get ready, Luke. We're getting a divorce."
"Divorce?"
Luke snapped, "Do you know what you're saying? Isn't this all because of you? It's been five years and you've barely come home. I have needs too, you know? What did you expect me to do?"
"So, have I found other men in these five years?
I took a sip of wine, smiling as I asked. I wasn't angry anymore.
It wasn't worth wasting emotions on these two.
"I don't agree to a divorce!"
"Let me tell you, Demi Jackson, marriage is marriage and love is love!" Luke roared.
"Caroline has agreed that she doesn't need to marry me," he continued.
"You will always be Mrs. Stephens, but you can't interfere with me and Caroline!"
"That's how things are going to be from now on. Do you understand?"
Luke spoke as if he were issuing a royal decree.
He'd never been this bold before.
Had playing chairman for too long made him forget who he really was?
I shook my head. "No long speeches. Just two words, 'getting a divorce.'"
With that, I turned to leave.
Luke's furious voice came from behind me. "Demi, if you want a divorce, I'll make sure you leave with nothing. You'll lose everything!"
"Then I'll see you at the board meeting tomorrow."
I said, leaving those words behind as I walked out the door.
