AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh, I am not here to check in. Can you please call Isa and let her know that Zahara is here?”
The man nodded and picked up the phone before punching in some numbers and then listening.
“Yes, Isa. There is a...” He glanced at her.
“Zahara.”
He smiled. “Zahara is here to see you. Okay, thank you.”
“She will be right down. Would you like something to drink while you are waiting?”
“Actually, yes. Some water would be nice.”
He nodded, and before she knew it, someone was at her side with a bottle of water.
“If you don’t mind, please stand to the side and wait or have a seat in the lobby.” He gave her another smile before nodding to the person standing behind her to approach the counter.
Zahara took a step to the side and opened the bottle of water. Taking a sip, she glanced around, taking in more of the casino, when she spotted a plump woman in a business suit with a serious expression approaching her.
She tensed, sensing that she was about to be given some news that she didn’t want to hear, but she put on a friendly smile for the woman when she came to a stop in front of her.
Isa did not return the smile. “I am very sorry that you came all this way, but Carter had to change his plans. He had to leave for an important meeting with a new client, but he wants you to stay. He will put you up in one of the suites overnight until he can see you in his office.”
It hurt to hear that Carter found a meeting more important than seeing her. Zahara had been looking forward to this since she was told to come see him in person. She had missed him horribly and had hoped that he felt the same way too.
“I...” Zahara paused when she spotted Carter and a tall blond woman come out of the elevator together. With her fair complexion and his dark hair colour, the pair made a striking couple. They paused by the closed doors, having an animated discussion. Zahara watched Carter smile down at the beautiful woman with affection before he tucked her hand into his arm and then led her down a hallway, away from where Isa and Zahara were standing.
Isa had turned to see what Zahara was looking at. She now turned back to her with a guarded expression.
Zahara tried to swallow past the lump in her throat. She had heard rumours that Carter Brooks was now seeing an heiress whose family owned chains of jewelry stores, but she had brushed it aside as a rumour because of their time in the cabin. It had been special for her, and she thought it had been the same for him, but now...
“Who is that with Carter?”
“It’s the jewelry heiress Bianca Core. They are now—” Isa began.
“I don’t think I will be staying. I need to get back to New York. Tell Carter I will reach out again later,” Zahara interrupted. She could not look at Isa for fear that she would break out crying.
“But—”
“Thank you.” Zahara turned to hurry away from Isa and the hotel, her heart breaking.
Chapter 1
Two months later.
“Earth to Carter! You know you stopped hitting the punching bag a couple of minutes ago and almost took me out,” a sardonic male voice said.
Carter came out of his thoughts with a start. He had been thinking that he hadn’t heard from Zahara in two months, and it was bugging him. He should be glad that she was no longer calling, texting, or sending him emails and that she had finally moved on; given up on the idea of the two of them being together and that she was the one for him. Then why were his emotions in turmoil over the fact that she had gone silent?
At first, he had been irate over the fact that she hadn’t stayed that day she came to see him in the hotel. Something came up that needed his attention, and he had offered to put her up for the night so that they could finally have the important discussion she wanted to have. It had piqued his interest, and he had planned on hearing her out one last time before sending her on her way. He was curious to know what idea or notion had popped into her head to convince him that she was the right woman for him.
He snorted. She was a menace and needed a keeper, but he was not going to be the one to fill that role.
His eyes focused when he heard a snapping sound in front of his face. He swatted away the hand of his half-brother, Leaf, who was standing there with a knowing grin on his face, the punching bag still between them.
His younger brother Michael paused as he walked by with a towel, rubbing the sweat from his face. Michael grinned and turned to Leaf.
“Lost focus again. It’s been happening a lot lately. Thinking about her again, is he?” His silver eyes twinkled with mirth.
