Chapter 10 TEN

The rain tapped gently against the tall glass windows of Lazar's study. Heavy velvet drapes muted the outside light, casting the room in a warm amber glow. He leaned back in his brown leather swivel recliner chair, sleeves of his dark shirt rolled up to his elbows. His charcoal vest clung to his frame with effortless sharpness, a silver pen in hand though he hadn't written anything in the last ten minutes. Hair swept back with precision, jaw taut with focus; he looked every bit the billionaire who'd spent years hiding from the spotlight.

Across from him sat Mary, his executive assistant of almost a decade. She was elegant and unflappable, dressed in a sleek navy suit that complemented her rich brown skin. Her long, dark hair framed a sharp, intelligent face, and she held her iPad like a weapon she knew how to wield.

Between them, was his desk-a massive, dark mahogany slab with intricate brass detailing. It was almost hidden beneath the weight of real-world demands. Stacks of contracts, merger proposals, acquisition reports, and notes from his legal team created a landscape of responsibility across the polished surface. A thick folder lay half-open, its contents marked with his annotations in tight, purposeful handwriting. His laptop was open, a blinking cursor on the screen frozen mid-sentence.

Mary eyed the controlled chaos of his workspace before looking back at him. "You've got enough work here to bury yourself," she remarked.

Lazar didn't look up as he leaned forward and flipped a page, dropping the pen. "That's the point. I need the distraction."

"You've read that contract twice already." Mary said when she saw how his brows furrowed.

He nodded. "Making sure we're not missing anything."

She sighed lightly. "The acquisition meeting went well. It's not final, but we're close. They're just holding out on one clause. Your presence did help nudge them."

Lazar nodded again, then shut the folder. "It'll be signed soon. They want this."

"I'm sure they'll sign. No signatures yet, but it's moving forward. They were clearly impressed."

Lazar's lips curled slightly. "I'd rather get results than applause."

She nodded. "Of course. Who wouldn't want to work with Alvaron Group?"

Lazar speared her a dark look.

She tilted her head. "And Friday's launch? You're prepared to go public?"

A half-smile tugged at his lips. "It's time. You said so."

Mary gave him a look-not too direct, but pointed. "You know the media will eat it up. They're speculating."

He glanced down at the desk, unbothered. "Let them." He opened another folder.

"The launch," he started. "Who's going to be there? I need a list. I need to be ready," he muttered.

She tapped the screen of the iPad to bring it on, her index swiping and clicking.

"I haven't been to a launch in years," he murmured to himself and watched as Mary's eyes scanned the screen.

After a brief moment, her eyes softened and she reached out a hand to hand him the iPad. "Here...top clients and all sorts will be there," she paused briefly, "also the governor and his wife are to be in attendance."

Lazar's eyes flickered to hers, taking it from her. "This is not just any launch then."

Mary shook her head. "No, it's not," she agreed. "Word has gone out that you'll be there at the launch. Everyone wants to see you. It's been ten whole years of you working from the shadows."

Lazar's lower lip curled up as he scrolled through the iPad, his brows furrowing as he did. After a brief moment and silence, he pressed a button to shut if off and handed it back to Mary.

He leaned back into the chair and exhaled heavily. This was going to be harder and he couldn't wait for Friday to come and go.

"Northaven has been pushing for a meetup with you."

Lazar arched an eyebrow. "What's that?"

Mary tilted her head to the side, her eyes narrowing. "Northaven Consulting is in charge of securing the Nova Grid contract with us." she paused to see if Lazar was following.

"Let me get this straight," he started. "Northaven is in charge of securing the deal for the international tech firm that wants a joint venture for the Nova Grid?"

She gave a slow nod. "Exactly. They've been pushing to meet you and since you've not been available, I've asked the lead consultant to come to the launch."

"I haven't even made up my mind about that joint venture that they're pushing for. The money is good but, are we really ready to go into that?"

Mary simply shrugged, crossing her legs and dropping the iPad on the desk. "Alvaron Group is a multi-industry conglomerate, and like you said, it'll be good to expand into cutting-edge Tech," her voice stern and steady. "What better way to expand, than this AI-integrated infrastructure, blending smart real estate, logistics and fintech across emerging markets?"

Lazar regarded his secretary for a while. "You've done your research, I see."

A small smile flashed across her face. "Not really, but I'm sure one of those files contains all the information you need." she sighed and leaned forward. "There's no rush anyway. It's your call. But still agree to a meeting before you dump it."

"You said the lead consultant will be there?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

Mary was right. They've been wanting to expand and this seemed like a good ground to do that.

Alvaron is already an empire. A multi-billion diversified global conglomerate with core interests in real estate development, finance and investments, logistics and infrastructure.

Expanding into tech wouldn't be bad after all, still he had to tread carefully.

"Friday's in two days."

Lazar gave her a death stare. "I won't disappear , Mary. I'll attend the launch and let everyone know I'm not dead yet."

Mary's face lit up. "Welcome back sir."

"Don't be excited and I've never been really away." he pointed out.

She shrugged again. "Well, true but you always disappear. You're here today and gone the next day. So, welcome back sir."

He knew there was no arguing with her, so he have a sharp nod and mouthed "Thank you" to her.

They relapses into silence, going over folders and flipping through documents. There was so much to be done.

He was afraid he might never make it back to Bevin. Just thinking about it made his heart sink.

"Are you alright?" Mary asked, her voice low and gentle.

Lazar's eyes flickered to her face. "Yes. Why?"

"You're brooding."

Sighing, he swiveled round to the window. The rain had stopped.l, but the window was still foggy.

"The woman...who is she?"

He heard her, but he couldn't answer that question.

Who is she? He had guessed her name as Marissa, but what was her real name?

Would she wait for him? Or was it all a moment of passion and mutual desire?

So many questions he couldn't decide on an answer.

Turning back to face Mary, he tapped the pen against the table. "Is there a way to find someone?"

Mary raised a brow. "It depends on who and the information you provide."

Lazar's pen tapped against the table again. "There's no information. No name. No picture."

She frowned at him. "Is she a ghost?"

He shook his head. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure it was just a moment."

Mary regarded him for a while, then nodded instead.

Lazar knew he could easily get her details from the resort--since he owned it--but he didn't want to go that route.

Let Friday be over, then he'll decide on what to do.

Marissa had stayed in her room since her arrival. The walls, the furniture, even the air seemed to echo with questions she wasn't ready to face.

Her mind had become numb and a jumbled mess. All she did was sleep and sleep, trying to forget and will herself into believing it was just another nightmare or her mind playing games. But every morning she woke up and stared out through the window, she knew Lazar was not an imagination and the kisses and the love making was not a nightmare.

They were real. It had happened.

Everything seemed and felt different, and it made her heart heavier with each breath she took.

She had not seen Raymond. She didn't think she was able to face him. Not yet.

The guilt wouldn't let her.

Raymond had always cheated, it was obvious he had another woman. So, why did she feel like the worse sinner, even when she doesn't feel any regrets?

The days passed by quickly, yet her thoughts always drifted to Bevin Island. To Lazar. She wondered if he was thinking of her, if he regretted her or if he had moved on. Would he return to Bevin Island like he said? What would he do when he finds out she was gone?

She couldn't avoid the questions and the reality that stared her in the face. Infact, she had been unable to unpack her suitcase because of the memories that were zipped in there.

Marissa woke up to a familiar aroma, and then a sudden light that poured into her bedroom. She turned away from it, bringing up am arm to shield her eyes as she turned on her side.

"You can't hide in here forever," Regina's voice filled the room. "Get up and come have your breakfast. This hiding away has to end now."

She opened her eyes and turned to find Regina pulling the curtains apart and away from the windows, letting sun and air into the room.

Satisfied with her work, she turned to find Marissa gazing at her from the bed. She still laid down.

"Good morning, Marissa. I brought you coffee."

That familiar aroma was of course, from the coffee. She slowly sat up, still not saying s word to Regina.

"I thought the get away would do you a whole lot of good, but..." Regina paused as she let her eyes roam all over her face, then landed on her hair.

Marissa was sure she looked a mess. Reaching for the coffee which sat on the beside table, she breathed it in and exhaled loudly.

She had missed this aroma.

"Was it that bad?" Regina asked.

Marissa took a small sip before looking up at Regina, who looked down at her with worry.

She shook her head. Where does she begin to talk about it? Would she ever be able to talk about it? Would they be able to see her sin?

Taking a big sip this time, she pursed her lips thinking of what to say. "I'm fine, Regina." she was grateful her voice didn't quiver.

Regina gave her a smile, but her expression remained the same. "It's hard not to worry about you, Marissa. Since you returned on Monday, you've not left this room. All you've done is sleep."she sighed and stepped closer to the bed. "You say you're fine, but I have eyes to see that you're not."

Marissa dropped the cup on the table and ran her fingers through her thick mass of hair. She blinked and swallowed-not the coffee this time. "Thank you for worrying about me, but I'm fine. I..." she couldn't think straight. "The island was marvelous."

"But you returned so soon, like you had an affair."

Her eyes quickly met Regina's. She looked away sharply, her checks burning up.

"I shouldn't have said that."

"Yea, you shouldn't have," she mumbled.

"Anyway, I made breakfast. You need to come downstairs and eat it before it gets cold."

Marissa simply nodded, still jolted by Regina's statement.

As Regina started retreating, she stopped by the door and turned to Marissa, her fingers tensed around the door handle. "Do you need help unpacking your-"

"No!" Marissa realized she had shouted it. Realizing her reaction, she tried again, this time her tone was calm but firm. "No. I'll unpack the suitcase myself."

Regina's expression didn't change much but her eyes flashed with concern. She just nodded.

"Tracy's been calling the house, asking if you have returned. I think you should turn on your phone and give her a call."

"When last did she call?"

"Last night."

"Today's what? Wednesday?"

Regina nodded.

"I'll give her a call later. Or probably pay her a visit."

As Regina shut the door behind her, Marissa knew she wouldn't. She couldn't face Tracy, knowing what she had done. Maybe they weren't so different after all.

After a wonderful breakfast and a little chit chat with Regina in the kitchen, Marissa retired to her room. She knew it was time.

Time to unpack and face the reality of her life.

There was no turning away from it.

She dragged her feet to the closet and hesitated briefly at the entry, eyeing the suitcase that sat at a corner. She swallowed sharply, feeling her heart starting to beat.

It took a moment before she approached the suitcase, knelt beside it and finally opened it.

The gifts Lazar had bought her sat carefully at a side. She let her gaze linger over them, feeling her blood rushing and her stomach tingling.

The memories of the island, of Lazar's lingering touch and presence, flooded in, leaving her breathless.

Taking her time, she unpacked her clothes, her shoes and other stuff she had traveled with, arranging them carefully in their places.

When she was done, she sat down on the cold floor by the suitcase and ran her fingers over each item. Each item a reminder of the whirlwind romance that was now like a dream. Her gaze lingered on the note buried deep in the suitcase. She couldn't touch it as she also couldn't bring herself to get out the box he had left with the note.

Taking a deep breath, she zipped the suitcase shut.

Whatever happened between her and Lazar, it had to stay there.