A Eternal Love

chapter 5

“Sometimes love is waiting for you—you’re just not ready for it.”

Right now, I’m in the school parking lot waiting for my sister to pick me up.
Yes, it’s 10:00 a.m. and technically, I have classes—but honestly, class can wait. My patience can’t. I need answers from her, and I need them now. We agreed to talk today, and I pushed until she gave in. So, here I am, restless, pacing.

Jacob: “Hey, Mia.”
Mia: “Hi, Jacob. What are you doing here?”
Jacob: “Can’t I be here?”
Mia: “Of course. Miss Gilbert didn’t sign this school over to me yet, so technically, it doesn’t belong to me. Still…” I smirk. “Jeeya said she was coming to your practice today.”
Jacob: “I came to pick you up instead. Practice isn’t that important today.”
Mia: “You came to pick me up?”
Jacob: “Yeah. Your sister called me earlier, asked me to drop you at her office.”
Mia: “And you agreed? You never miss practice.”
Jacob: “Actually, I had paperwork at the office, so I thought—why not? Besides, it’s been a while since we spent time together.”

Oh, now I get it. He wants time with me. God help me.

He opens his car door like a gentleman. And God, I hate how much I love his taste in cars. Once inside, I feel his eyes on me.
Mia: “What?”
Jacob: “Seatbelt.”
Mia: “Oh. Seatbelt is on. Happy?”
Jacob: “Ecstatic.”

We drive.

Jacob: “So, how’s everything?”
Mia: “Great. Same as always.”
Jacob: “Are you okay?”
Mia: “Yes. Why wouldn’t I be?”
Jacob: “Do you still get those nightmares?”

I turn to the window. “Nice weather, right?”
Jacob: “Mia… you can tell me. I really want to help.”
Mia: “I’m fine.”
Jacob: “I’m sorry about… everything. I know I can’t fix it, but—I miss you.”
Mia: “It’s been two years, Jacob. We’ve all moved on.”
Jacob: “Have you?”

That question stings. Had I?

Mia: “So, you and Stella—are you dating?” I change the subject fast.

The banter shifts. He flirts. I deflect. He pushes. I trap him with Stella’s name. He denies. I trap him again. He wiggles out. It’s exhausting and familiar, like dancing with fire when all I want is cold.

When he says “I’d die to protect you”, something inside me flinches. That same voice from my dream whispered nearly the same words. My blood chills. But I laugh it off, hide it, mask it.

By the time we reach my sister’s office building, Jacob’s still trying.
Jacob: “Coffee later?”
Mia: “I’m meeting my sister.”
Sis (Rebecca): “Of course she will.”

She just had to show up.

After Jacob leaves, I glare at her.
Mia: “I hate you.”
Sis: “You love me.”
Mia: “Stop trying to hook me up with him. I don’t like him.”
Sis: “You don’t like anyone. I’m just trying to make sure my sister doesn’t die single and—well, untouched.”

I choke. “Excuse me?”

She smirks, and I hate her even more for being right. She knows me too well.

Inside the building, goosebumps ripple down my arms. It’s sleek, black, powerful. Masculine.
Mia: “This building… it’s the sexiest one I’ve ever seen.”
Sis: “All Mikelson buildings are.”
Mia: “Wait—you work with Mikelson?”
Sis: “Yes.”

My stomach twists. Something about that name feels… familiar.

We take the elevator up. She presses S.
Mia: “What does S stand for?”
Sis: “Penthouse.”

Of course.

The penthouse screams black marble, glass, steel—luxury with a dangerous edge.
Mia: “The owner likes black, doesn’t he?”
Sis: “Every man does.”
Mia: “Because they have no taste. Black is the safe choice.”

We enter the meeting room. Seven men. One woman. All eyes on us. I recognize three—Jacob, Ben, Kevan. The rest? Strangers.

One man stands at the head of the table, back to me, facing the screen. His presence fills the room like thunderclouds before a storm.

Voice (deep, commanding): “You’re not allowed here.”

My skin prickles. I know this voice. From my dream. My heart pounds.

Ben: “She’s with me. She’s Rebecca’s sister. She’s trustworthy.”
Voice: “Out.”

Rage flares hot in my chest. Who the hell does he think he is?

Kevan (calmly): “She only came to see us. Rebecca had to join the meeting, so she brought her along.”

Even Kevan is explaining himself to this stranger. Everyone is. Why?

Voice: “Leave her in the lobby.”

That’s it. Enough.

I slam the door behind me so hard the glass rattles. Rebecca calls my name, but I don’t look back. Not once. I storm into the elevator, blood boiling. Who the hell talks to me like that?

The guard at the ground floor tries to stop me. I brush past him, shoving through the exit doors.

Outside, I turn back once.

At the very top of the building, a figure stands on the balcony, watching me.

My pulse freezes.

It’s him.