Second Chance

Chapter 16

After I rushed out from Aaron's car into my office building, I headed straight towards my private elevator.

As it dinged, indicating that it has reached my floor, I got out and started walking towards my office.

Just as I was about to enter, Lisa, my secretary calls out," Ma'am, the investors are in the conference room waiting for you."

"Give me five minutes.", I said trying my best to keep my voice calm.

"But ma'am you're already 20 minutes lat-", she started.

"I SAID GIVE ME FIVE MINUTES LISA!"

She was shocked at my sudden outburst and it's understood because I am not a tough boss. I seldom raise my voice but when I get angry, it's not a sight anyone would want to see.

"I-I'm s-sorry ma'am.", she spoke with a voice barely audible.

I sighed loudly, slightly feeling bad for shouting at her," Ask Zack to entertain the investors and I'll join them shortly."

She nodded and left hurriedly.

I entered my office and dropped my purse on the table with a thud.

This is not good.

My feelings for Aaron is getting out of control.

I shouldn't have agreed to his request of driving me back but he makes me lose my thinking capability.

And today, if my brain hadn't come back to life on the right time, he would have kissed me.

God this is just getting worse.
I'm not supposed to fall in love.

After a few minutes of calming myself, I run my fingers through my hair to straighten it and walk out of my office.

Inside the conference room was Zack talking to the investors. As soon as they see me enter, they stop talking and Zack nods at me to start to meeting.

After all the greetings, the meeting begins but I'm not able to keep track of it.

My heart and mind are at war, mind warning me to stay away from love and heart insisting me to give it a try.

At the end of the meeting, the investors ask for my opinion to which I say," I'll let you know my view on it after I go through all the important points again."

This was just an excuse because to be honest, I haven't paid attention to a single word spoken in the past hour.

Making a mental note of asking Lisa for the notes of today's meeting, I exit the conference room with Zack when he speaks," What's with you today?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that you were zoned out completely throughout the meeting. Is something wrong?"

"I'm fine Zack. Just some business issues."

"Or maybe Aaron issues?", he smirked.

I stopped walking and turned to look at him.

"What did you say?"

"I'm not saying, I'm just guessing that maybe something is going on between you both."

"You're just blabbering nonsense Zack.", with that I start walking again.
After we reached my office, Zack took a seat on my couch and I sat on my chair.

"If I'm blabbering nonsense then tell me why has your behavior changed since the day you've met Aaron? Why do you zone out so easily? And even today, I saw you rushing out of Aaron's car.", he started again.

I sigh and look down at my hands.

Nothing can be kept hidden by Zack. He is a great observer.

Zack gets up and holds my hand," Is anything wrong, honey? Are you having some issues with Aaron?"

"I like him Zack. I don't know, maybe I even love him.", I said in a low voice.

"And he doesn't love you?"

"No. I mean, I don't know. According to Julia he does."

"So what is the issue?", he asks with a calm voice.

I look at him shocked.

"What do mean what is the issue? Me, loving him is the issue. Him, loving me back is the issue. This whole love thing is the issue Zack."

"Rachel, I know your previous experience with love have been a disaster but you can't run away from it all your life. Not all men are like Nathan. And one day, when you find a man who loves and respects you and your independence, I want you to give him a chance. Maybe even get married and have kids together. I want a happy life for you Rachel."

I shake my head, bewildered.

" I can't believe you're saying all this to me Zack. Out of all people, you. How can you expect me to give love another chance after all that have happened to me."

"But Rachel-"

" No Zack! Love only makes people weak. And I'm not weak. It has taken me years to build this empire and to mould myself into a new, more confident and independent person. I'm not gonna throw this all away for a man. A man I can't even guarantee a lifetime with."
I didn't know that I had started crying until a felt a tear slide down my cheek.

Zack sighed and wiped the tear with his thumb," You are just like my daughter Rachel and all I want is for you to be happy."

"I'm was happy Zack and I will be happy, all I need to do is forget my feelings for Aaron. I don't want a man in my life. I never did and I never will."

Zack just pulled me in a hug.

We stayed like that for a few minutes after which I spoke," I'm fine now Zack. I've work and I'm sure you'd have too."

"Yeah. Call me if you need something."

After he left, I fixed my face and wiped the smudged mascara.

Looking at the bundle of files on my table, I decided to forget about my personal issues and engulf myself in work.