Jayden glanced down at the note he received from a pretty receptionist only a few minutes ago.
What is Sarah doing here in the hotel? Why does she want to see me?
He came to stand in front of room 879 and then hesitantly knocked on the door. A few seconds later, it flung open, and Sarah stood there, extraordinarily beautiful and sexy in a short, flimsy nightdress.
“Jayden, you came,” she said, smiling, her eyes shining. “I was beginning to think you had backed out. That you wouldn’t come after—” She broke off dramatically. Her face appeared to have gone terribly sad. “But please do come in.”
The living area was elegant and comfortable, and Jayden noted Sarah had her back to him as she poured two glasses of wine. Of course, he didn’t see that Sarah had dropped a small tablet into one of the glasses. She swirled it about until the tablet dissolved entirely.
“A drink?” she asked softly as she turned around, holding up the glasses.
“No, thanks. Why did you want to see me?”
“Jayden,” Sarah said, striding to him, her voice seductive and sad at the same time. “Why are you talking to me like this? We used to be so close. We used to be in love.”
“Things changed, Sarah. You’ve chosen your path, and I want to know why.”
Sarah gritted her teeth at the reminder. Sure, she chose Kyle over Jayden simply because she thought Kyle was better-looking and had better prospects in terms of money and status, but she wasn’t going to tell him that.
“Jayden,” she moaned, forcing tears to brew in her eyes. “I’ve made mistakes. I now know that. I don’t love Kyle after all. I thought I did.”
She sat on the sofa and put the glass down on the table. She shook her head as she continued, “He’s having an affair with Britney. I just found out. What can I do, Jay?” She looked up at him, her eyes large and glistening with fake tears.
Jayden couldn’t believe Kyle was having an affair with Britney. And all while he was dating Sarah? This was beyond his comprehension.
Suddenly, Sarah started crying so hard her shoulders were shaking. She reached her hand out for him, begging him to come to her. Jayden reluctantly complied and sat beside her. She wrapped her arms around him, her head resting against his chest as she sobbed gently.
“I can’t believe it, Jay. I can’t believe it. But you know, in a way I am glad because I now know what he’s like. I now know I don’t love him.” She gazed at him then, moving her face to him. “I realize I still love you, Jay. Sweetheart, won’t you forgive me?”
Jayden snorted. “Sarah, I don’t—”
“Oh, Jay, please,” she begged. “I love you. Don’t leave me. Please.” She pulled him to her and started kissing him. Jayden tried to push himself back up, but she only held on to him tighter.
The door flung open. There was a loud gasp.
Jayden glanced up in shock to see Alex standing there staring at them in confusion.
“Alex!”
Alex, trembling, shook her head and murmured, “No. No. No.”
“Jay,” Sarah said seductively, tightening her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek. “Come on, babe, tell me you want me. Tell me you love me.”
Alex felt the world spinning around her mercilessly. Her ears were deafened by the noise of her thumping heartbeat. She was having difficulty breathing. Oh God! She stepped back, her knees barely holding her. She turned on her heel and started to run down the corridor.
“Alex!” Jayden shouted.
“Jay,” Sarah purred.
“Alex!” Jayden yelled. He shoved Sarah from him and headed to the door. “Alex!” he shouted, racing after her. “It’s not like what you see.”
“You liar! You’ve always lied to me, Jayden!” Alex shouted, tears in her eyes. She ran into the elevator and pushed the ground floor button. She watched as Jayden got closer. The door shut just moments before he reached it.
Jayden pushed the down button a couple of times in frustration. The elevator door, however, didn’t open. He swore under his breath and headed to the stairs. He ran down two steps at a time and headed to the elevator on the lower floor. He pushed the down button and the door opened. But not the one Alex was in. He quickly got in.
Down on the ground floor, he raced through the main lobby to the entrance. Outside, he saw Alex getting into a taxi.
“Alex!” he shouted. “Alex, wait!”
Alex closed the door and told the taxi driver to go.
Jayden ran after the taxi. Once he knew he couldn’t catch up, he stopped, standing in the middle of traffic. He swore under his breath and then growled loudly.
* * * * *
CHAPTER 26