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CHAPTER ELEVEN: ECHOES OF ATTRACTION
last update2026-10-20 05:58:32

There's always a time when everything should be put to a stop.... Every desire, temptation, history, and conflict. Perez couldn't let his guard down by falling for any of it, despite the dreams he had. He had to put a stop to its matters.

FLASHBACK CONT'D

It just took a notification to make him realize what would have thrown him off guard if it were months ago.... A message from his unfinished past, the heiress.... He stared at his phone screen which glowed with a message from Alex.... Natasha's driver

"She wants to speak with you? Mr Perez"

"Time to put an end to this for good" Perez whispered to himself

*********

An hour later, he was sitting across from her in a quiet lounge. Natasha hadn't changed... She still remained the smug, seductive and irresistible young lady who could pull the strings of any young man she wanted.

"You've done well for yourself...." she said

Perez almost smiled, he leaned back in his chair "what made you reach out? Is it because you've probably seen me on your phone screens? The headlines?"

Natasha shook her head "Ahhhh I see...."

Perez sat silently.....

"I still want you Perez"

He scoffed "The hell"

"Yes... Perez" Natasha sat up "I've always loved you Perez.... And now you've become rich... We, we"

"What the hell" Perez tried to compose himself... He wasn't a man of quick anger "I think I should put an end to this Natasha.... I should've done that permanently long ago"

Perez looked towards the city. It was quite funny.... Such desperation portrayed by two people. There had been a time when he thought about her constantly, when he wondered whether he should have said yes instead or no.

Natasha lowered her eyes "You make me sound terrible"

Perez exhaled "Leave my life Natasha.... For good.... I don't need any unresolved past around me, I have no time for such"

"Perez im leaving San Cordova... And I want us to leave together"

Perez shook his head "I have nothing to do with you Natasha I've never had.... Go...."

Natasha got on her feet.... With the expression displayed on her face, Perez couldn't identify whether she was hurt or just disappointed that her gold digging didn't play out as planned "You could still change your mind"

"I don't think that's necessary.... Please leave Natasha"

Natasha grabbed her hand bag.... She stared at Perez with a heavy breath... Such an absurd moment in his life. She walked out of the lounge without a word. Perez exhaled heavily...... "One down" he whispered.

*************

The strange thing about crossing a line was that sometimes you didn't realize it until you were already standing on the other side. For weeks, Amara had convinced herself that what she felt was harmless. But the truth had a way of stripping away comfortable lies. She sat alone in her office after work hours.... A time her and Lockwood had felt more distant that ever.... Her mind, on a man she should never have allowed herself to think about in the first place....

Suddenly, a knock interrupted her thoughts. Lockwood stepped inside.... "There you are" he said with a calm click on the door, Amara looked up not bothered by his presence

"Working late?" He asked loosening his tie, he settled across from her "Amara?"

"Im fine" she cut in

"We can't keep lying to ourselves" Lockwood added

"You're being distant" she cut in

"Come home" Lockwood said overlooking the situation

Just a husband inviting his wife to come home.

"I don't care whatever's going on in your head...  I just need you to come home with me"

And that seemed to hurt more....

**********

The unexpected afternoon had Perez walking into Lockwood for a scheduled meeting.... After the meeting ended, Lockwood had gathered the papers on his desk "You've done well... Perez...."

Perez nodded and paused "It's quite obvious.... You know the happenings"

Lockwood looked at him, being straightforward "My wife... Can be, obsessive at times"

"Is not something you've noticed now Lockwood"

Lockwood chuckled, still calm "I wouldn't want this to sabotage our relationship"

Perez nodded "Quite absurd.... The situation...."

"Pardon me.... I'll overlook that"

Perez looked at him, just like that, no fight?

"Hmmmm...." Perez nodded

When Perez stepped into the hallway, Amara was standing there.... Like she was waiting.... Perez walked faster to pass her but she stepped in his way "I think I've....."

"Hold it...." Perez cut in

"Perez... Just love me would you" she grabbed his arm

"Amara stop this" he brushed her off

"I hate you!"

They both paused. Looked at each other.... "Has it come to this Amara?"

"I will burn you to the ground Perez, for rejecting me"

Perez stared at her.... Confusion mixed with disappointment

"Lockwood is a good man" Perez said "I won't let this whole shit get in the way of our partnership"

"And that will totally not be easy with you I promise" Amara teared up "Goodluck with Aurex Systems.... I guess ideas aren't people after all"

Perez didn't even wait for her to complete her sentence.... he walked past her. Outside, he looked up at the building. The same building where opportunity had found him. The same building where he had learned that not every connection was meant to become love.

He learnt that some people offered temptations.

Some people offered lessons.

And some people offered doors.

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