His Wicked Temptation

Chapter Twenty

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aut viam inventem aut faciam
(m.) i'll find a way or make one

ROSABELLE

I tried hard to sleep away my time on my return journey to Chicago, but sleep never engulfed my senses when my heart was as heavy as a stone.

It hurts. It hurts so much.

The memories will haunt me forever. Where I thought they'd be memories filled with joy and stay in my heart with melody, all it took was a minute to turn my hopes into ashes.

Now, the memories will stay. But as a burden in my aching heart.

It's not like I never imagined something like this. I was never in a committed relationship with Emi in the first place.

But the optimist part of me wished. Wished for something that now remains as nothing but a reminder of my unrequited, foolish desire.

I stared absentmindedly into space for an unusually long time until the voice of the flight attendant brought my attention back to reality.

"We're sorry to let you know that due to sudden unfortunate circumstances, the plane will postpone its flight for the night. We'll be taking our place on the ground floor of Moscow airport in thirty minutes. Thank you."

Murmurs spread through the place as passengers started looking in each other's direction with confusion written on their faces.

I did the same by looking at Nino's direction, and he only shrugged in return, indicating that he didn't know anything about the information.

"We're going back to Moscow now?" I asked in shock, and he nodded in response. "I assume the same, miss."

Seemingly, I couldn't grasp the information, neither on the fact that how severe could be the sudden occurrence that forced the plane itself to return.

I couldn't help but feel a sudden rush of anxiety.

The plane landed on time, and I had to face the familiar environment of Moscow once again.

"I'll inform the boss of the situation and be right back, miss," Nino told me before leaving my sight.

One of my luggage pieces remained by my side, while Nino took the other one with him to ease my burden.

I stood quietly on the ground of Moscow. I had never felt more alone.

And what was more pathetic was that I couldn't even cry in this crowded area. I only managed to stifle a few sniffs as I stood there. My eyes must have been red by now, my nose puffy. I must have looked disheveled.

I was a mess.

I don't know how much time passed afterward, but then I saw something, or rather someone, unexpected. I saw the pair of emerald green eyes I'd recognize anywhere.

A wave of emotions flowed through me.

Confusion. Hurt. And relief.

Emi took fast steps towards me, his eyes never leaving mine for a moment. As he reached my proximity, I could feel every emotion that I felt reflecting in his eyes, probably for different reasons.

But I didn't care.

"Where do you think you were going without even letting me know?" Placing his hands on my shoulders, he asked, and my body shook a little at his touch, always ready to give in. "Where I go doesn't concern you," I replied in a cold voice, trying to shake his arms off me, but it was in vain.