CEO Of My Heart 287 287

What a strange world!  Hency looked at Nadia, almost in disbelief that the woman he wanted could be so different.  It was a cruel realization that tugged at him while he tried to reply calmly. "I'm not surprised your humor as always precedes you.  I heard you can make light of any bad situation. I thought the vogue interviewer was exaggerating. I'm sure if there was a terrorist attack to this building and someone had come out in front of you with a bomb, you'd defuse the whole threat and be playing scrabble with him over cigars.  What a gift."

"Oh my, you think much too highly of me.  I've plenty of experience with dangerous people.  I think I've learned that it's better just to let them get arrested than try to prevent it.  Crime leads to the chair. I have no interest in being an accomplice." Nadia took Henry's trembling hand and seemed to weigh it.  "In terms of being your accomplice, I haven't quite changed my mind yet. You're in a tricky situation that strangely enough I do understand and have some sympathy for.  I know what it's like to be confused. I want you to go and try to get her back because frankly I think she's a league higher than me and everyone deserves to be happy. I think she's your person and I'll be blunt with you that I'm probably not yours.  If you fail and you want something to fall back on while you search for something else, I'll be waiting in the wings."

Henry looked at her strangely.  "Why do you think so?"

Nadia patted his hand gently before pulling away.  "I know you want me as well as the many others who look at my face and see a good future.  Beauty is both a gift and a curse in that sense. I always find the least interesting thing about other people is outer appearance as the troubles it's caused me are severe.  If you want a true wife that's never something I've ever wanted as I've told you. I was married once to a very handsome man who told me all these fantastic things he would do for us.  But you know he used me and left me for more fertile pastures. I was just a quick cash cow to have beautiful pictures with so he could get better acting jobs. He's doing rather well you know, but I have a broken heart and I'm not really found the mood to put the pieces together.  I'm bitter and I like it." She walked towards the entrance to the room and paused as her hand traced the gold tr.i.m.m.i.n.g. Her neck arched back, reminded Henry of a wary swan, as her expression was still elegant even as her actions were not quite. Her tone was melancholy as she spoke softly.  "I always find pieces of him in other people. He's the only one who can fix what he broke. I wish I could trust other people, but I need to hide my pain. No one is good to me. I wish I could say yes, but my heart refuses. I'm sorry." Then as if her scene had ended, she exited the premises.

Her eyes were so haunted that Henry was taken aback.  He couldn't believe that she was much more complex than he had first thought.  She was so refined, yet how could she hide all of her brokenness behind such a beautiful smile?  Her mannerisms were so practiced that it was difficult to imagine Nadia ever raising her voice or being abused.  Henry in his pursuit of her did not stop to really pry because his hidden intentions would have instantly come to light.  She would have removed herself if she knew what he wanted now. His wants were the total opposite of hers meaning that he had completely wasted his time.

Henry sighed as he knew he would beat himself over this later.  It was a mistake which he was regretting, but the time to mourn over this lost time was going to have to be saved for a later date.  He collected himself and shot out of the side room and down the long corridors. He felt like a gazelle as the halls rose and fell with his steps like an African savannah had been created for him.  It was odd that such a speed was possible due to this intense fear that was beating his heart so quickly.

Without pausing for breath even though his whole being was shuddering with the strain of bolting up so many stairs quickly.  He didn't even knock before entering the old chamber where his wife had been recovering. Henry knew he should have knocked, but he was too fl.u.s.tered to care about being proper.  He could see that his intended target had the closet doors flung open and she was packing what couple dresses she had left behind into a duffel bag. Henry clutched his knees as he struggled to catch his words from his abrupt sprint.  His words came in between long gags for air. ""Ellie you can't do this to me. You need to give me some time to make you understand what was going on. I know it looked like something completely different than what I was. I need to speak with you.  Give me a chance. I need a chance to make things right with you. I'll die if I don't.

There was a soft sound as she scoffed at him.  "I have to give you something? Oh listen to yourself s...o...b..ring over your words when I know the last place your mouth was.  I feel so disgusting that I came all the way here just to see your tongue exploring her like . . . I can't believe I was so stupid.  I've heard every word you've said but the most important one to me which is please. I'm sorry would be another fantastic phrase for you to learn the meaning of now that you have moved on to someone else.  I wish I wasn't so nice. I could properly hurt you as you've done me."