Unfinished Affairs: The Dark Secrets

Chapter 4: The Secret Encounter

Noah was ecstatic when he got the news. Christian had assigned him to lead a major business deal in Las Vegas—a significant project that could propel his career forward. Noah had worked hard for this, and he was eager to prove himself. The opportunity meant spending four days in Vegas, and though he knew it would mean more time away from Sophia, he couldn't pass it up.

The morning of his departure, Noah stood in their apartment, his suitcase packed and ready by the door. Sophia watched him as he moved about, his excitement evident. She smiled, but there was a heaviness in her chest that she couldn't quite shake. It wasn't that she didn't want him to succeed—of course she did—but the growing distance between them was becoming more difficult to ignore.

Noah walked over to her, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I know it's not ideal, me leaving again, but this deal is huge, Soph. I promise, once I get back, I'll make it up to you. We'll have a whole weekend together—just us."

Sophia smiled up at him, her heart aching at his sincerity. "I know, Noah. I'm proud of you," she said, her voice soft, steady. "I'll be right here when you get back."

He kissed her then, deeply, as if trying to make up for the time they'd be apart. "I love you, Sophia," he whispered, resting his forehead against hers.

"I love you too," she replied, her smile unwavering as she tried to ignore the sense of longing that had taken root inside her since seeing Christian again.

Sophia drove Noah to the airport, the city a blur of activity around them as they made their way through the morning traffic. When they finally arrived, Noah kissed her one last time before grabbing his suitcase and heading inside. Sophia watched him until he disappeared into the terminal, a mix of emotions swirling inside her—love for the man she was building a life with, and an undeniable sense of emptiness that she couldn't quite name.

Later that afternoon, Sophia decided to take a walk downtown. The day was warm, the sun shining brightly, and she hoped the fresh air would help clear her mind. She wandered through the bustling streets, taking in the sights and sounds of the city—vendors selling flowers, the aroma of street food, the chatter of people moving past her. She turned a corner, her thoughts miles away, and nearly collided with someone coming from the opposite direction.

"Sophia?"

She looked up, her breath catching in her throat. Christian stood before her, his expression a mix of surprise and something else—something that made her heart skip a beat. He looked exactly as he had at the dinner—impeccably dressed, confident, his eyes holding hers in a way that made her chest tighten.

"Christian," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

He smiled, his gaze softening. "I didn't expect to see you here," he said, taking a step closer. "Are you free this evening? I'd love to take you out to dinner—just the two of us. There are things I'd like to discuss, things I think we should talk about."

Sophia hesitated, her mind racing. She knew she shouldn't, that agreeing to see him again would only complicate things further. But as she looked into his eyes, she felt herself nodding, the words slipping from her lips before she could stop them.

"Okay. Dinner sounds nice."

Christian's smile widened, relief evident in his expression. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a card and handing it to her. "This is the address. It's a quiet place—private. No one will bother us there."

Sophia took the card, her fingers brushing against his. She looked down at it, her heart pounding. "I'll be there," she said, her voice barely audible.

Christian nodded, his eyes lingering on hers for a moment longer before he stepped away, disappearing into the crowd. Sophia stood there, her mind a whirlwind of emotions—anticipation, fear, longing. She knew this was dangerous, that seeing Christian again, alone, could change everything. But a part of her—one that she had tried to bury for years—needed to see him, needed to know if the connection between them was still real.