Chapter 61
In the VIP section, Nathan watched the woman on stage, but his mind drifted to scenes from years ago.
Harrison Group’s transformation had been brutal
Especially pivoting from traditional industry to high–tech.
Years back, the night he’d committed to that path, he knew the coming years would be hell.
At least he’d had Amelia beside him then.
Three hundred sixty–five days a year, they’d bounced between cities, even countries.
He remembered that winter when they went to negotiate in Country Z, only to discover it was a setup.
They’d barely escaped, forced to flee by boat.
That winter had been freezing, the escape route rough as hell–choppy seas, constant rocking.
Since they were running, the boat was a piece of shit.
No signal at sea, future totally uncertain.
During those 12 hours on that ferry, the only people they could trust completely were each other.
The ocean was ice–cold.
They’d huddled in the cabin, and even wrapped in every piece of clothing and blanket they could find, they still shook from the cold.
Seeing her lips turn purple from the chill, he knew he looked just as bad.
All he’d felt then was rage–rage at walking into that trap, rage at not being strong enough, at dragging her through this hell.
She must’ve sensed his dark spiral and grabbed his hand.
“Nathan, I’m freezing,” she’d said, snapping him out of it and forcing him to focus. “Are you cold?”
He’d looked at her and nodded.
She got him, knew pep talks wouldn’t work, so she redirected his attention instead.
He’d known that after 12 hours, if they made it to shore safely, everything would work out,
But if they didn’t, they’d be fish food.
The waiting, paranoia, worry, and anxiety in between were pure torture.
But right then, she’d smiled and scooted closer: “Hold me, okay?”
She’d said: “Maybe if we stick together, we won’t be so cold.”
No hesitation–he’d pulled her close.
Snow started falling over the ocean outside their cabin, winter seagulls flying past with their eerie calls.
Through the tiny porthole, the world was painted in cold gray–blue.
The two of them had huddled under blankets in that rocking cabin, with nobody but each other.
-L–nd how cho’d smelled then. her hair’s scent filling his nose.
Chapter 61
She’d curled up in his arms, so tiny, but somehow making him feel completely afe.
Two hearts pressed together, beating as one.
Suddenly, the cold didn’t matter anymore.
He’d kissed her forehead and whispered: “Everything’s gonna be fine.”
She’d mumbled “mm” into his chest.
It had made his heart incredibly steady.
In the audience, Charlotte’s eyes were getting misty and Lester was already whimpering like a puppy, wiping tears.
Charlotte couldn’t help smacking her brother.
“Can you not be so fucking loud?” Charlotte griped.
“But it’s really sad,” Lester turned to his sister with watery eyes. “Sis, don’t hit me.”
Charlotte rolled her eyes: “I barely tapped your shoulder.
“Oh… I just assumed you were hitting me,” Lester said through tears. “I heard all the performers write their own original stuff. There are guest judges. but they just help out–it’s mainly the contestants‘ own work.”
Vivi: Didn’t you say Elena couldn’t handle the old man? How the hell is she still here?
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