Cris entered the office and saw Brix and his mother talking. She was about to turn around to go out but she heard her name being mentioned which made her stand still in her place like a statue.

  Hearing those words from Brix's mother made her heart skip a beat. Her hand clenched into a tight fist as she gritted her teeth. She knew she should leave or else the pain she was feeling would kill her instantly but suddenly Brix's gaze shifted and stopped in her direction.

  Brix was caught off guard seeing Cris standing not far from them and based on her expression and how she dropped the files she was holding, he could tell that she had heard everything.

  "Cris……" he whispered weakly. Cris turned around and immediately walked away. Brix was about to follow her but her mother grabbed his arm.

  "Let me go, mom. Cris might misunderstand us!" he barked.

  "Oh, alright! Go follow her. Convince her that she heard things wrong, rule out the possibility of any misunderstanding…" he heard his mother say, making his face darken.

  He turned and glared at his mother as he reiterated, "I like Cris and I'm serious about her, Mom. So you're the one who is misunderstanding things here. I'm telling you this once last time. I will no longer take part in your plans and I urge you to stop already for everybody's sake. Don't you dare manipulate me using your health because I'm not kidding about backfiring it to you using my own life, just so you stop and realize your mistake!"

  "I am no longer threatening you, Mom! Consider me dead if you still don't stop doing wrong things!!!" he added before he abruptly pulled his arm and followed Cris.

  Cris was trying her best to control the tears that were falling from her eyes. She pressed the elevator button to go directly to the basement parking. She did not want anyone to see her in her current state. Her legs were shaking as she walked and she felt so weak that she had to lean her back on the walls of the elevator.

  Brix saw her enter one of the elevators but? was too late to reach her so he pressed the button for another elevator. He knew that Cris would go straight to the basement parking to her car since she had skipped the washroom area.

  Good thing the elevator doors opened quickly so he rushed inside. He grabbed his mobile phone and sent a quick message to Cris.

  [Let's talk? please. Talk to me and don't go anywhere, Cris. Let's not have this kind of misunderstanding. I will tell you everything, Cris. Please give me a chance to explain the situation. I don't wanna lose you…]

  He had never typed this fast in his entire life on his mobile phone. He could call Cris once he was out of the elevator though he was sure she would not answer, but if he sent her a message he was sure she would read it.

  He never felt this disoriented in his whole life. He was feeling scared while waiting for the elevator to stop at the basement parking where Cris' car was. He was also nervous and was hoping Cris would not leave like that and would just talk to him.

  He rushed out as soon as the elevator doors opened. A gleam of light appeared on his face seeing Cris standing beside her car, leaning on the door, looking at her mobile phone.

  He strode with long steps towards her and once he was near his heart broke seeing her sob. He pulled her into an embrace. He felt her struggle to break free but he tightened his hug, not letting her go.

  "I am sorry Cris. Please talk to me first." he begged repeatedly while he felt Cris hitting his chest.

  "Let me go! I want to leave… But my car keys…" Cris sobbed loudly. She was so out of herself that she forgot that she did not have her car keys with her. She did not want to go to the washroom where others would notice her. And most of all, she did not want to go back to her office and let Kenzie see her in this state.

  "Cris, please talk to me first. I have my car keys with me. Let's go to a place where we can have a serious talk," Brix pleaded and grabbed Cris' hands as he pulled her to his car instead.

  Cris did not have energy left to fight with Brix. She felt so weak that she let him pull her towards his car and seat her inside it.

  He started the engine and drove the car out of the building. Both were quiet inside the car.

  Cris noticed that Brix was driving towards her apartment and she did not complain because she too preferred to go there. It was her safe haven.

  She let Brix enter her apartment. She walked directly to her kitchen to get some water. She drank it and sat on the chair by her kitchen counter. Brix stood in front of her and held her hand.

  A bitter smile curved her lips as she stated, "What lies now are you going to say to convince me? I bet your mother will soon call to ask you how things are going."

  "I will not tell you any lies Cris. I will tell you the truth. So please listen carefully. I will tell you everything from the beginning. You can judge me later if you want, but please listen to me first. Hear the truth… I've been meaning to tell you all about this since yesterday but could not find the opportunity to do so."

  Cris stayed quiet. Yes she wanted to listen to Brix and followed what Kenzie had advised her to do, in order to resolve any misunderstandings, just a little while ago. She must know the full story before reaching a decision. That way she would not have any regrets later.

  Brix started talking. He did not leave any details untold. He wanted Cris to know the whole truth and among those truths was his genuine feelings for her.

  "I am sorry that I started things with you the wrong way but… I have no regrets at all Cris. It is because of that situation that I got the courage to approach you to entertain my feelings for you."

  Brix stared at Cris, with tears in his eyes as he whispered, "Everything in my life feels so wrong Cris and you are the only thing that feels right. I don't want to lose you."