Craved by the Wrong Volkov-Chapter 192: Falling apart

Raphael’s POV

Braelyn acted oblivious to what was happening around her. Her phone was much more interesting. This attitude pushed Amelia to the edge. She made a strangled sound, ready to explode at Braelyn

I grabbed her wrist without thinking. "Not now," I warned her, and her face turned instantly like she swallowed something bitter.

She stared at me as I’d slapped her, then yanked free and stormed off, heels echoing all the way to the door. Slam. It felt as if even the walls shook.

I didn’t move; my gaze fell back to Braelyn, who was still enjoying her breakfast. Braelyn just shrugged, took a bite of toast like the whole thing was background noise, and went back to her phone.

Something twisted hard in my gut. I quietly took a seat at the table to grab a few bites of breakfast. Braelyn gave me a casual glance, "Aren’t you going after her?" She asked like it was someone else’s drama, which had nothing to do with her. That was technically the case, but her nonchalant attitude still struck where it shouldn’t.

"She will be fine," I mumbled. She nodded and went back to her meal. I couldn’t help but glance at her. Her attention was half on her plate the other on the phone. She was giggling as she typed. I didn’t remember the last time she laughed so carefree like a teenager in love

That thought struck me when it shouldn’t have. I couldn’t help but wonder if she was in love with Lucien. If he was the reason she was smiling and grinning like a gremlin.

Her gaze flickered with something. She probably realised she was running late for work and quickly stood up, still trying to grab more bites of her food. Like she was on an eating marathon before bolting for the door. Out of old habits, I stood up barely even taking a bite of my breakfast.

I took a sip of coffee before I cleared my throat. "Let me drive you to work." I offered.

She looked up again, mid-chew, then shook her head with that same easy smile. "No need. I’ve got a ride," she replied.

As if on cue, her phone buzzed with a notification, and instantly her whole face lit up, her eyes literally sparkled, cheeks flushing like a damn teenager. She answered quickly. "Hey... yeah, I’m coming down now. Just give me a minute." She chimed, grabbing her bag and coat, practically bouncing as she headed for the door.

Before leaving the room she added. "There is no need to bother yourself Raphael. Even if I didn’t have someone picking me up, I would rather ask a driver to drive me or drive myself," she spoke as she ran down the corridor.

I followed before I could stop myself. I stared at her back as she made her way down the foyer to the main entrance. I stopped at the door of the main entrance, and from there I saw them. Lucien was standing by his car, grinning at Braelyn, who was running towards him.

My lips twitched. Didn’t he have anything better to do than act like her chauffeur?

She ran straight into his arms.

Lucien caught her like he’d been waiting forever, hands sliding around her waist, pulling her close. She wrapped hers around his shoulders and kissed him on the cheeks. Before breaking the hug and giggling. He looked up over her shoulder, met my eyes. His gaze was calm, with a victorious smug look.

My eyes didn’t stop twitching as I continued watching the scene. "Thanks for dropping by to pick me up." She chimed

"It is nothing, I am glad I could be of service to you," he shrugged, pulling the passenger’s seat door open for her. Braelyn smiled then stepped inside. He shut the door and glanced over still sensing my gaze on him. He smiled before stepping into the driver’s seat..

The engine roared, and the car pulled away. I stood there with my fists clenched so tightly my nails bit into my palms, long after they were gone.

********

My entire body was sore, and I was trying to push away my thoughts that kept straying back to the scene from earlier today. The way she had run into his arms and that smug look on his face.

I groaned, closing my laptop. Irritation was etched on my face. I couldn’t think for 2 minutes straight without them popping in

At this rate, I would be barely able to get any work done. My phone started to vibrate again. I glanced over and recognised Amelia’s caller ID flashing across the screen. My hand reached for the phone, I hesitated for a while and in the end decided not to pick up.

I knew why she was calling either way. Her father was probably panicking at the thought of handling the damages tied to the deal that fell through. She had been blowing up my phone all day, if I could help, I would have, but this was truly beyond me.

After the phone stopped ringing a notification flashed across the screen. It was a text message from Amelia.

Amelia: I am sorry about this morning, but we need to figure out something, Raphael.

My gaze locked on the message for a while, unsure about what I could send as a reply, until there was a soft knock on my door, snapping me out of my thoughts.

My secretary, Nolan, came in after getting permission. "Good afternoon, sir," he mumbled, his gaze remaining sharp.

I nodded at him dropping my phone. "Afternoon," I muttered.

"Sir, there is an emergency board meeting happening in the next 10 minutes. The instructions came from the chairman’s office directly," he informed me, and my already unpleasant mood plummeted. I had a bad feeling about this meeting but I saw it coming 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

With the recent crisis the company was facing due to the new horizon, it was only a matter of time. "I will be out shortly," I replied.

Nolan nodded then excused himself from my office. Today was going to be a long day.