UNBREAKABLE

Thirty five

           Winniehope3. Here's to starting all over again and actually reading all the chapters this time.

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       JR sat in his office staring at the world outside. The tall buildings competing to graze New York's skyline, the sun glaring down at them, the horns blaring so loudly that he could hear them all the way up. The world outside kept moving on while he was stuck, uninspired to do anything. It was almost noon and he hadn't done anything meaningful since he arrived at the office that morning. In such a short amount of time, one woman had changed his life completely. He hadn't seen her coming or prepared for her presence in his life. When his father had announced their engagement to the world a few months ago, he was ready to pack his things and tour Europe for a year.

He did that a lot when Jim brought him a prospective wife. Running was the only solution that had worked with his old man. But Hayley had intrigued him. She didn't smile, or giggle or try to get in bed with him despite the instant attraction they felt towards each other. She'd resisted him, making him work for her attention. One time he'd told Nick that he wasn't afraid of the feelings he had for her but he wanted to know when they had grown into something so strong. Now he knew without a doubt that he wouldn't have stopped himself from falling in love with her. So then how was he going to forget her if she didn't come back to him?

The advice Lucinda had given him was good but he wondered if he'd screwed everything up already beyond repair. Curse Nick for misleading him. But he wasn't going to give up. Not yet. Deep in his heart he knew Hayley was meant to be with him. They were destined to be. She was the other half of him..... And she was standing behind him on the other side of his desk. He could see her reflection in the glass door that led to the balcony. JR sighed. He missed her so much that he kept seeing her everywhere now. What will it be like after five, ten years? Would he have gone insane from hallucinating about her? Christ. He had to win her back or he would really go mad.

"A penny for your thoughts?" her voice said from behind him. Startled, JR spun around almost tumbling to the floor in his chair. He grabbed the edge of his desk to keep his balance and blinked rapidly. When she didn't disappear, he stood up.

"You're here? You're really here right now?"

She nodded "Yeah. But I can leave if you're busy....."

"No, no, no" he rushed to say walking around his desk. He tripped on something and looking down, he realized it was a stapler and kicked it. "Don't leave. Please stay. Stay" he was rambling, not knowing what to really say. She was there. She'd actually come to him, alone. Her bodyguard was nowhere to be seen.

"How are you?" she asked sitting down. God she was so beautiful. Her hair was longer, having not seen it when he'd dropped Alexis off since it was wound in a bun. There was color in her cheeks and a sparkle in her eyes. He sat on the chair beside her, mostly because his knees were about to give out on him but also because he wanted to breathe in her sweet flowery perfume.

"I-I I'm fine. You?"

"Fine too. How's Giselle?" she asked so casually that he turned his chair towards her looking her straight in the eyes.

"Back in Italy I guess. Hayley nothing....." she raised her hand stopping him.

"If you're going to lie I'd rather you just kept your excuses to yourself"

He stared at her shocked. How could she think he had been with someone else especially Giselle when he hadn't stopped thinking about her for a second? "Have I ever lied to you?"

"I don't know. Have you?"

"Hayley...."

"Are you telling me you didn't know I was your brother's widow?"