Chapter 5 I miss you

Inside the car, Geffrey drove with occasional glances at Carissa, who looked dreamy with her face to the window. In the back, Vienna, sitting in a special seat, fell asleep hugging her new doll, a gift from Geffrey.

The atmosphere between them was so awkward because as soon as they entered the car, Vienna immediately fell asleep.

Carissa never thought that she would meet Alex and Jillian on the day when she was with Vienna. She hadn't been back here for a week, but their meeting had already happened.

She had prepared herself for this kind of thing because she realized she couldn't continue hiding while the hatred and hurt she felt because of them was still very much felt. But not this soon and not with Vienna among them.

This was too shocking that she didn't know how to describe her feelings.

Alex had seen Vienna's face. Right now, she just hoped he wouldn't remember her because she would never tell him about her identity.

"Carissa." At that moment, Geffrey called Carissa with his heavy voice.

Carissa blinked slowly, waking up from her trance, but she had no intention of answering, let alone looking at Geffrey's face.

"Are you thinking about Alex?" Geffrey asked slowly.

"Don't ask something you shouldn't!" Carissa glanced at Geffrey disapprovingly.

"Why? I know what happened between you, and it's only natural that I ask this." But Geffrey did not give up and continued to speak. There were streaks of sadness on his flat face. "You're still thinking about him, right?"

"Geffrey!" snapped Carissa angrily.

Her eyes widened with bated breath. She looked very emotional. "Don't cross the line!"

Geffrey was silent. But his jaw looked hardened, and his grip on the steering wheel tightened until the veins in his hands stood out. "Carissa, all this time, have you ever thought of me even in passing? Thinking of me as a man who loves you, not someone who is your superior. Ever?"

Carissa was instantly stunned. She gave Geffrey an unreadable look, and the next second, she looked away again, reluctant to answer.

"Can't you answer that?"

Carissa turned her face away even more and quietly took a deep breath as if she were exorcizing the discomfort in her heart.

Geffrey was about to speak again, but by then, they had already entered the house courtyard, making him undo his intention.

Carissa hurriedly unfastened the seatbelt and switched to the backseat, picking up Vienna, who was still asleep in her dreams. Seeing that, Geffrey immediately followed.

"Let me help you." He was about to take over Vienna's body, but Carissa dodged.

"No need. I can carry my child. You can go home. Thank you." With that, Carissa stepped quickly into her house. Geffrey could only stand where he was, staring at the double doors that were already closed tightly.

Moments later, he took out his cell phone and typed something in, then put it back in. His gaze returned to Carissa's house before he finally turned to enter his car and left.

Inside the house, in between her steps, Carissa heard the sound of her cell phone ringing, making her hand Vienna over to the nanny who had just come over.

Mr. Geffrey.

I apologize for my question earlier.

If you're tired, there's no need to come to the office tomorrow. You can take the day off since you just got back from out of town.

Carissa sighed softly as she read it. But then she put her phone back in her bag without replying.

**

"Sorry, sir, you can't see him if you don't have an appointment," a receptionist said with a friendly smile.

In front of her, Alex stood with an unhappy look on his face. "But I'm his best friend. The two of us are like siblings. We don't need permission to see each other anymore."

"Sorry, sir, still can't." The receptionist continued to flash her friendly smile.

Alex clucked in annoyance and turned his face away to exhale a harsh breath.

Damn it!

He knew that this company was a big company, far above his own, but he didn't expect that he would be treated the same as everyone else.

He didn't even have the capital to threaten this damn receptionist. Not even Geffrey's number.

He suddenly thought of something and looked back at the receptionist seriously. "Call Geffrey and tell him his best friend is waiting for him."

The receptionist looked doubtful but nodded in agreement anyway. However, having just picked up the phone, her eyes accidentally caught Carissa's figure walking gracefully past her toward the door. She quickly put down the phone and shouted out a call.

Carissa's steps spontaneously stopped.

And Alex's body froze in surprise.

"Secretary Carissa, there is a gentleman here who claims to be Mr. Geffrey's friend," said the receptionist.

Slowly, Alex turned around and found Carissa, who turned her body to face him. At that moment, their gazes accidentally met.

"Secretary Carissa?" Alex muttered, and then he looked at the receptionist, who seemed to respect Carissa.

With that, he looked back at his ex-wife as he stepped closer. "Carissa, do you work here?"

"Stop right there!" Instead of answering, Carissa gave strict instructions. Her eyes looked sharp with a hardened expression. However, the next second, she turned around and hurried away.

Suddenly, the surprised Alex rushed after her and grabbed her hand to stop her. It made Carissa almost fall as she felt something hit her chest, making her roughly pull her hand away and move to give some distance.

"Carissa, wait! Why are you leaving just like that?" But Alex did not give up and continued approaching with an outstretched hand, about to touch Carissa, but the woman kept her distance. "We haven't seen each other in a while. How have you been?"

Carissa swallowed hard and said in a choked voice. "I don't have time to make small talk with you. So you might as well leave!"

Without waiting anymore, Carissa left immediately.

"Carissa, sorry," Alex said.

Suddenly, Carissa's steps stopped.

Seeing that, Alex continued, "I was wrong. I'm sorry for hurting you. I'm sorry, Carissa."

Hearing these words for the first time after several years of living in hurt and hate made Carissa's feelings even more uncertain. Her eyes glazed over, and her chest felt tight. Her hands were clenched tightly, trying to restrain herself from getting out of control.

"I know an apology won't be enough to heal the wounds I've inflicted on you. But can you give me a chance? I'm really very sorry, Carissa." Alex's tone grew softer as if he really felt sorry.

Slowly, he stepped in front of Carissa and looked at her tenderly. "Give me one chance. Not to fix everything but to make up for what I've done. All this time, I have always lived in the shadow of guilt. I'm really sorry, Carissa."

"You regret it?" Carissa finally opened her voice.

Alex nodded with sadness on his face. "I think about you all the time. I missed your cheerful and warm figure. Jillian couldn't please me at all. She's too stubborn and selfish. She's so different from you."