The CEO’s Ex-Wife Can’t Escape

To Love You Again, My Husband

Chapter 8: Gentle, and Cunning

Airina used most of her time checking documents. She was helping Matthew arrange the statistics of the Halton Company which could defeat Georgiñia’s in a year and a half. Airina was always a clever child. She was only a fool for believing and caring for Jackson and Nicole who didn’t appreciate what she had to offer.

She didn’t directly return to her house. She idled in a grocery store, eating ice cream and reliving the good moments she had with her family. Both her father and mother loved each other; had it been not for cheating, her family wouldn’t have been broken.

She mumbled. “Why do sweet things end so soon?” She licked the ice cream with gusto while happily stomping her feet on the tiles.

“Because too much sweetness will aftermath rather ugly.” A voice answered beside her and she gasped as she discovered who it was.

“… Daniel.”

It had been three days since the Founding Anniversary. She didn’t want to admit but Daniel’s face was similar to Jackson, they could pass as twins to be precise. Of course, as she had loved Jackson for five years, she was aware of his facial features. Jackson had higher pointers of brows than Daniel which dropped on its end.

Airina looked back to her melting ice cream and hurriedly ate half of it. She didn’t want to waste any food.

“I can call you Airina?”

Airina nodded her head, “Whatever you please.”

“I’m afraid if you give me that permission, I might get a little bit too much of myself.”

Airina grabbed the bottle of water, drank from it then asked him with curiosity.

“Why so? It’s just a mere calling my name.”

Daniel sweetly smiled at her at the same time his eyes never leaving her. “Because I can call you either mine or Airina.”

Airina frowned then burst into laughter the next second. In terms of flirting, she must admit Daniel knows how to sweettalk than Jackson who is more on touching and provoking. She likes Daniel, he is an interesting lad.

She pointed at him enthusiastically. “You’re good with your words. That caught me off-guard.”

Daniel released a soft giggle, unwrapping the biscuit he had purchased, “I thought you’d hate it.”

“I do admit it was cringe-worthy.”

Daniel got shy. “S-sorry, ahem.”

Airina is like this innocent, giggly man compared to Jackson.

“How have you been?” Airina asked which removed the awkward atmosphere between them.

Daniel looked back to his biscuit, “Two months ago, I was still in a hospital. For the time being, I’d like to get used to walking on my feet.”

Airina suddenly regretted that she asked such a question. She supposed the reason why he attended her wedding day with Jackson for a moment was because he was in a hospital.

“… I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

Daniel simply gave a warm smile. “Why would you apologize? The first step to knowing a person is to ask about his situation. Personally, I’m not ashamed to reveal what I was since I had gone through it very well.”

“Thank you for not taking it as offensive.”

He dismissively waved his hands in disagreement. “No way, why would I hold you accountable?”

Airina smiled in relief. “Some people tend to be like that.”

The two talked as though they were long-lost friends and Daniel had to bid his farewell as his driver had notified him that someone was looking for him. Airina stayed in the grocery store for a little longer before going home with a happy expression.

She was resting and scrolling her social media until an unknown caller called her. She didn’t want to answer it but the doubt that it may be one of the businessmen she had encountered, she didn’t want to miss the opportunity.

She exhaled, “Hello?”

[“… Airina?”]

The voice seemed familiar. It was a gentle, yet cunning voice she hadn’t heard for a while. No, maybe it was someone she knew from way back. Airina skeptically added.

“If you are a customer of Halton Group, please leave your feedback or concern on our official website. The PR team will get back to you once it’s their shift and available-”

[“This is me.”] The caller cut her off with a sentence she slowly fathomed.

She slightly smirked, “Pardon? Please state your name and I’ll check your name in the list-”

[“This is Nicole. Airina, are you playing with me?!”] Nicole huffed in disbelief and clicked her tongue.

Truthfully, Airina had recognized her voice the moment Nicole wanted to confirm it was her but she wanted to play a little dumb just like what they had defined her.

Airina closed her eyes gleefully. “Hm? I don’t know anyone from that name.”

Nicole scoffed. “You don’t know or you’re pretending?”

“Both.” Airina then laughed while leaning her head on the headboard of her bed. “You see, I’m in no energy to play games with you. Then-”

[“Let’s meet up tomorrow. I need to ask you something.”]

Airina had changed her number so that Nicole would stop pestering her. Since she had cheated with Jackson, they have no further relationship to keep. She didn’t want to be involved with Nicole except for taking her revenge. The moment she discovered their affair, she was already out of her life.

Airina sighed, her face turning serious. “I am busy.”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

[“Are you going or not? I am also busy; I just have an urgent matter to talk with you.”

“State it here.”

Nicole clenched her fists, [“Don’t play hectic all of a sudden. You had time to attend to that Founding Anniversary and you don’t have time for me?”]

Airina ridiculed coldly, “Why would I make time for you? You’re undeserving of that.”

Nicole yelled in the call causing Airina to lift the phone in the air as she didn’t want to become deaf. Her beloved stepsister had the nerve to call her again and threaten her like she had done nothing wrong. She hates to be compromised in the same situation which would cause her heartache.

Being the victim of cheating had scarred her heart.

Maybe this meetup with Nicole is the sign of the last one.

[“If you don’t come, I’ll make sure the media knows your history.”

Airina played with her Ipad, “What a load of crap.”

Airina hung up with a scoff and turned off her phone before Nicole had the chance to call her for the second time. Dealing with Jackson wasn’t that hard but Nicole, who was spoiled and entitled since young would be a feat to handle. Nonetheless, Nicole is still a naïve girl.

Airina smirked.

“Let’s see if you’ve gotten better, beloved Nicole of mine.”