Chapter 38 "Yes but not tonight, maybe tomorrow," Dave said, shifting in his heels. The thought of him leaving without any intimate contact is driving Chelsea crazy. And I may just find myself running after him. I wait with bated breath for him to continue. "Actually. I booked a room for a few days at a nearby hotel. I'd really like to see you tomorrow, Chelsea. Is that's okay? I want to talk more about us." I stare at him like a young child opening presents on Christmas morning. "Sure, I would like that," I say, releasing the smile I can no longer contain. "There's a great place just down the street where we can go for lunch." He grins. "Sounds great. I'll pick you up around 11?" "Sounds good." "Okay, well, have a good night's sleep, Chelsea." "Goodnight, Dave." I closed the door behind him and leaned back against it. My heart is giddy and my hands are shaky. He wants to talk about us? As in our relationship? Now that I am face to-face with the reality of how much I want and miss him, it scares me. Last night, when thoughts of him kept me awake, that was just a glimpse into the feelings I have kept buried for so long. But who could blame me? Everything about our lives screams that we should stay as far away from each other as possible. But… my heart has other ideas. It was so easy to be mad at him when I found out about the contract. But now that he's in front of me, with his tall, regal-like frame, tanned skin, and ruggedly handsome appearance, I want nothing more than for him to devour me. I yearn for the passionate romance we once shared. Now that Dave is on my side, it is now okay to tear down the walls I have built around my heart. He is no longer the bad guy; he was just a loyal partner doing what his partner wanted him to do. Finally, he sees his partner's mining company in Kenya for what it truly is. And together, we are going to bring it down. ***** On the streets of London, it's a gorgeous Saturday morning. Christie and I are dressed for fitness and jogging around the park across the street from our flat. While fellow joggers and yoga groups join in the early morning workout activities, birds sing sweetly in the woods. As Christie and I make our way back to the apartment, fatigued and drenched in perspiration, the sun is just starting to break through the cloudless blue sky. Fortunately, Peter was still deeply asleep when we returned. Our bodies are aching because we haven't gone for a morning exercise in a long time. When we finally reach our apartment building, we collapse on the front steps and take in the gorgeous view of the city. "Ugh. I can hardly feel my legs," Christie whines loudly between breaths. "Me too. I feel so out of shape!" I say, realising that it has been over a month since I have exercised "So Chelsea… don't keep me waiting. Tell me what happened!" Christie adds, bursting with anticipation. The minute we rose at six a.m. to begin our jog, she unleashed a barrage of questions about Dave and what took place last night. But I told her to wait until we finished our run and then I would answer her. I inhale deeply as my mind recalls the events of last night. "Nothing happened, Christie… We spoke briefly and then he left." I fiddle with the laces of my shoes to avoid her gaze. When I look back over at her, sure enough, she is still looking at me, unconvinced that is all there is to the story. I chuckle with amusement. "Come on, Christie, what do you think happened? We made out like horny teenagers." I quip, but she does not look amused. "I don't know, Lil. Dave is a lot different… Can't you see that? He loves you, he saves us one year ago… he is the brother of your best friend, he is perfect " "You are exaggerating a bit," I say, as she adopts a more serious tone. He's a lot shyer than other guys, and he seems troubled by something. "He cares about you, Chelsea," Sebastian told me that he had never seen Dave look at anyone the way he looks at you." The sincerity in her voice moves me. "So, are you going to see him today?" "Yes, we're having lunch this afternoon." "Ha! I knew it!" She squeals. "I knew he wouldn't leave without asking you out." I look at my sister, stunned by her reaction. I had no idea she was so enthralled by Dave and I's relationship. But then again, we have never really spoken about it before. And now that we are back on good terms, I want to tell her how he makes me feel, how much of a good kisser he is, and how much I missed him. I want to tell her all the things a girl wants to tell her sister about the guy she likes. "Are you two going to discuss how you're going to take down Sebastian? We can't let him get away with this." "I know, Christie. Dave and I will discuss it. But we need to get a few other things out of the way first." I stood in the centre of my bedroom, clothing and cosmetics scattered everywhere, a few hours later. I haven't been this anxious since my first date in high school. I still feel the same way I felt when I was a shy adolescent girl dating one of the most popular boys in school. I'm afraid, as I was with that jock, that I'm not good enough for Dave. I sighed and sat back in my bed Among the chaos, Christie is nowhere to be found. Instead of helping me with my plight to find the perfect outfit, she left the apartment after receiving a phone call from an old friend who still lives in the neighbourhood. For some reason, being alone makes me more agitated. But why? I am going out with the same Dave that I worked for at Brown Inc., and who made love to me on the desk of his office. But then again, whom am I fooling? Dave has always had this effect on me. close, I am sucked into his piercing blue eyes and chiselled features. The chemistry between us inflamed as the gap between us closed. Bothm ands are resting on the table, just an inch or two apart. My fingers are entwined with his. "You're right. We're nothing alike. Now that I have seen what kind of destruction the company will cause in Kenya, I am furious at him. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like he has any desire to change. He still wants to go ahead and mine there, and it's right near your orphanage." It was like Dave had dropped a bomb in the middle of the table. "Are you serious?" I ask, fear ripping through me. "Look, Chelsea, we're going to do something about it. Don't worry." He stares deeply into my eyes. "We're going to stop him. I won't allow him to do it. I nod. "But did you tell him about the pictures I showed you and about the orphanage and the families?" "Yes, but he doesn't care. We just need a plan, and we need to do it fast. In a few days, the company will start mining." "Do you have a plan?" I asked impatiently. "Yes, I'm going to get him down here. I'll tell him that we have an important business meeting with some new partners who want to invest in the company. I'll be in the meeting, but I'll be wearing a wire. The p wire. The police will be undercover outside the hotel, listening to every word. The new partners will be actors. They will ask questions about Brown Inc and mining in Kenya and the documents. Without even knowing, he'll be giving the police all the information they need to arrest him." "Dave, are you sure this will work?" "Yes, I'm sure. Sebastian is always hungry for new money and partners. In "America's Favorite Ex-Husband" by CrushReel, follow the journey of an aspiring writer whose life takes a dramatic turn after rescuing a rising Hollywood starlet. A decade later, Daniel finds himself as America’s beloved ex-husband to a prominent figure. This modern drama delves into themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the complexities of relationships against the backdrop of a writer's mansion. Through compelling character dynamics and unexpected twists, the narrative unfolds with a blend of intrigue and emotional depth. As Daniel navigates his newfound role in the limelight, the story explores the price of fame and the intricacies of personal identity in a world driven by public perception. With a seamless fusion of writerly insight and mansion-set drama, this ongoing series captivates audiences with its unique exploration of modern-day complexities. What sets "America's Favorite Ex-Husband" apart is its ability to seamlessly weave together elements of personal growth, societal expectations, and the pursuit of authenticity. Readers are drawn into a world where fame and reality collide, leaving them questioning the true nature of success and fulfillment. Dive into this captivating narrative available to read online at CrushReel for a riveting exploration of love, ambition, and the allure of stardom.