THE BILLIONAIRE'S SECOND CHANCE

NINE

Tara Coleman

The tap on my shoulder brought me back to the land of the living.

"Is this seat taken?" It rang in my head as I pointed out the space.

"The seats around here are reserved for specific people." I countered, and the tall guy smiled.

"Yeah, I know. I couldn't help but notice you were seated here alone, and I just wanted to keep you company. My name is Alex Patridge, by the way. It is nice to finally meet you, Miss Young." He went on, and I nodded, noticing his name on the seat.

"Oh, you know me?" I asked, surprised, and he chuckled.

"Yeah, I know you. I know we haven't been introduced yet, but I'm coming in as the new COO of your company." He went on to introduce himself, and I nodded.

He looked handsome in a navy-blue three-piece suit that fit him perfectly, exuding confidence and professionalism. He carried himself with poise and had a well-groomed appearance. He had a stylish haircut and a neatly trimmed beard.

Polished shoes and understated accessories completed his look. His eyes radiated determination and intelligence, and his smile was warm and sincere. I loved how nice he smelled, but I could not let him know.

I was even anxious to give my speech, and when he noticed how uneasy I was, he held my hand reassuringly and whispered in my ears, "You got this; you can do this; just take a deep breath and relax your mind." He whispered, and I nodded, then anxiously walked to the podium.

I had chaired a lot of meetings before, but that particular day, I was beyond anxious and nervous. I don't know if it's because I saw a glimpse of Mark, or maybe I was overthinking.

"Good evening, everyone! I want to start by saying how incredibly grateful I am to see all of your smiling faces here tonight. Your presence alone is a testament to the kindness and compassion that exist in our community. Tonight, we gather to support a cause that is near and dear to my heart. This charity has touched the lives of countless individuals, providing them with hope, support, and opportunities they may not have otherwise had. I've personally witnessed the transformative power of their work, and it's truly inspiring. Together, we can make a difference. Whether it's through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word, every action counts. Let's join hands and create a brighter future for those in need. Thank you!"

Everyone clapped, and when I looked back at Alex, he was smiling at me. I walked back to my seat, and he immediately started initiating a conversation between us.

"By the way, I know this is way too soon, but I'm drawn to your passion and dedication to making an impact in society after your short speech." He commented, and I smiled nervously.

"Well, aren't you just trying to get in my pants? I promise you it won't work; that's not how I operate." I debated, and he chuckled.

"No, you got me wrong. I wasn't planning on doing that either. As I said earlier, I will be starting work at your office as the new COO. I know it hasn't been made officially yet, but I will be starting work on Monday." He asserted, and I smiled.

"Well, congratulations on your new post. I hope we will relate well at work too. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Knight." I added.

"Thank you, Miss Young. You're doing a good job, by the way, and forgive my manners, but I did my research well. I just needed to be informed about the people I'll be working with for the next three years."

"Okay, not bad. Welcome aboard, but I'm sure on Monday we will welcome you officially. I'm just surprised that neither Mr. Knight nor HR have mentioned anything about you to me." I trailed off, and he smiled.

"So, you think I would show up at this charity event without an invitation? You will see me on Monday, but I'm just glad that I got to meet you beforehand. You're a good woman, Tara, and your man must be a lucky one." He chanted, and I laughed it off.

After the meeting and exchange of pleasantries with my fellow CEOs and members representing their companies and other organizations, I got to my reserved table and just wanted to chill for a few minutes before heading back home, as it was getting late, and I just wanted to be home with my son.

Alex, however, joined me at my table, and we engaged in a deep conversation about our shared values and goals. I found myself captivated by Alex’s charm and the way he challenged me to think outside the box.

Despite his annoying availability and not giving me space for myself, he was a good guy, quite composed, and seemed like he knew what he wanted in life. After Mark, I promised not to get myself involved with any man. I wanted to focus on raising my son, which I did until he turned four. I wasn't sure I was ready to immerse myself in another relationship, but Alex was trying my patience. I don't know if he was genuinely interested in getting to know more about me or if he was just playing with my mind, but I was willing to find out exactly what his intentions with me were.

After the fruitful night, Alex offered to drive me home, but I declined the offer, which he respected.

"I guess I will see you on Monday then?" He asked while leaning towards the car window.

"Yeah, if what you are telling me is true, then I will see you on Monday." I clapped back, and he broke into a smile.

"Your only problem is insecurity. The guy who broke your heart should be whipped; how could he break a beautiful heart like yours?"

"You're trying to be flirty with me, and it's not going to work. And not everyone who is not interested in a relationship was heartbroken before; some of us just want to lie low and make money. Is that so much to ask for?"

"Not really; I was just concerned that you seem to have gone through a tough breakup in the past; you have built a wall within you; you don't want anyone to get close to you. It doesn't even take much effort to know that something happened in the past." He added, and I nodded.

"Yeah, thank you, Mr. Knight, but I don't think I need a therapist at the moment...I have a son to get back to, and I would like to get some sleep. Why don't you get out of my car?" I asked, and he raised his hands dramatically in the air.

"Fine, so I'm not going to get your number?"

"Yeah, I thought you said you would be working with us on Monday."

"Oh yeah, I forgot. I was probably confused by your beauty; I will see you on Monday."

The drive to my place didn't take long. I was late, and I just wanted to get home to my son and kiss him goodnight, even though I had reasons to believe that he was already asleep considering that it was past his bedtime.

I called Brittney, and she told me she had an emergency and had to rush home, but she left Jason asleep in his bed not long after I left for the house. She couldn't wait until I came back; that's why she left him sleeping in his crib. My house was safe; the only thing I invested in was the safety of my son, but that evening, as I walked to the house, I heard sounds coming from the house.

As soon as I got home, I rushed to the house. I was eager to see my son, but as soon as I got to the door, I heard laughter coming from Jason's playroom. Curiosity piqued my interest as I quietly opened the door to Jason's playroom, and to my utter surprise, I found Mark and Jason playing together with pure joy on their faces.

I was shocked to see him there and filled with mixed emotions. I realized that the shadow at the charity event was Mark, and I was not hallucinating as I had earlier thought.

I stood frozen in the doorway, my eyes widening in disbelief. The playroom, once a distant memory, now held Mark and Jason, looking happy; their bond was strong. I just couldn't believe my eyes. My heart pounded in my chest as a whirlwind of emotions washed over me.

Shock, joy, confusion, and a hint of anger all mingled together. I wanted to walk up to him and drag him by his hair out of the room, but time seemed to stand still as I took in the sight before my eyes. Jason, who was more than surprised to see me standing by his doorway, looked up and locked eyes with mine. There was a flicker of surprise, a spark of connection, and he suddenly stood up and ran to where I was standing.

He knew I was angry at him, and his action was just to stop me from lashing at him. Mark, however, didn't dare to move his legs; my voice caught in my throat as I finally found my voice: "What... what are you doing here?" I managed to stammer out. The room fell silent as we stood there, facing each other after all those years apart.