I Hate You But I Love You More

Chapter 41

Darson's POV

I wave off my personal assistant and she leaves the room. The pills that I am taking make me moody and drowsy. I try to spare the staff by spending less time in their company. At the meeting this morning, they won't stop suggesting rubbish ideas. It's obvious that they have been slacking off during my break. I asked them all to leave the meeting room. They were upsetting me.

I sign one of the documents and throw it on the desk beside me. With that, I rest my head on my desk. Seconds later, the door opens yet again. "Mr. Meldeev, Ms. Haynes is here to see you." I motion for her to send her in.

My shoulder hasn't fully recovered. It still hurts from time to time. I am waiting on Khara's phone call to check up on me. It's something I've become to look forward to.

The Ms. Haynes that walks through my door isn't the Ms. Haynes I expect. It isn't the short, fifty year old woman from the accounting department. No, it's a young blonde that I haven't seen in years. She looks a little different but there's no mistaking that devious smile.

"Lydia." I say, my voice stern. My personal assistant leaves and what's left is Lydia and I's staring.

"Darson." Her smile widens.

"Considering the way we parted, I can't imagine why you're here." I make myself busy with the papers on my desk.

"I'm here to see you." Lydia looks like she has been doing well over the years. Her dress looks about three hundred. Her shoes alone can feed her for about five weeks. That bag and that necklace I remember specifically buying for her. Look at her, all dolled up to meet little ol' me.

"It's been three years. I'd say it's unnecessary."

"I miss you. A lot." Lydia thinks me still a fool. She's wrong.

"I'm sorry if this is going to hurt your feelings but I don't miss you at all." Lydia swallows, a small smile gracing her lips. She clears her throat. "Wait, silly me for thinking I actually care about your feelings."

"Darson, I was scared. I knew it was partly my fault and I couldn't face anyone." I can sympathize on this. "So I stupidly ran away. I've regretted ever doing that every single day I open my eyes." I'll admit, she almost got me. I almost believe her.

"You were a good manipulator but never a good actor." Lydia looks up to the ceiling and I can briefly see her eyes rolling back in what I imagine is in annoyance. "I don't know why you're suddenly here but you can take your low budget, one act play somewhere else."

"I came here because I care about you." There is a slight headache forming. I'm exhausted. I don't need this.

"You should have been there two years ago!" My voice is harsh. It catches her off guard because she jolts "Instead you ran." Robert. Just thinking about it makes me sad. "You never stayed for Robert. You never stayed for me. You never cared about anyone but yourself." I give a humourless laugh. "And I'm supposed to think you came here for me?" She's funny.

"I never admitted it before but I've always favoured you more." My eyes meet with hers. "I always liked you more than I did Robert but I never had the chance to say." College Darson is smiling like a fool right now. I stand, my chair gliding a few feet back.

I move closer to her. "Really?" My voice is soft. I await the confirmation in anticipation.

She hugs me, her head falling against my chest. "Yes."

My jaws clench as the word escapes her lips. "Get out of my office before I drag you out using only my injured arm." I roughly detach her from me. The look on Lydia's face seems to be one of shock.