Chapter 35:

Nadia's POV:

       It had been few weeks since I made the wisest but yet the most painful decision I ever had to make in my entire life, when I packed my bags and left the apartment, feeling like I had left my heart back there behind the closed bedroom's door where so many memories would be buried forever.

        There were so many things that I wanted to tell Zack but I somehow buried everything deep down in my heart and went out without clarifying why I had to leave and telling him that he wasn't the one who made me sad, on the contrary, he was the only man who could make feel things I had never felt before.

        However, thinking of those memories wouldn't bring back time or fix the broken pieces in both of our hearts, it would only make them bleed and break even more. Moreover, Zack stood on his words and he stayed out of my way, disappointing a part of me but satisfying the other part since that was what I had asked for, hadn't I?

       Adam came back to New York as soon as he heard that Zack and I, were getting divorced, which was after a week since I came back home, and he stayed for three weeks. He was  babysitting me and he was making sure that I never stayed alone to cry and that I was eating my meals regularly.

         I was grateful that my brother was there by my side in my darkest days but sometimes he was just adding up to my annoyance since I just wanted to be left alone for a while, which was the opposite of what I got in return since my family did everything so that I was preoccupied, including making me start working, literally.

        Even though I was getting divorced, I didn't want the company to be effected since it was the elders' decision. Grandpa asked me more than once if I was against his decision, reasoning that I would meet Zack more than three time a week to make the necessary decisions, but I told him that I was totally fine. 

At least I had a reason to see Zack from time to time...

      After the Gala, all of the guests knew the reason behind our marriage when Anna unintentionally told grandpa that I slapped Zack and ran away after learning the entire truth, then she of course told him and everyone everything that she knew, that's why grandpa's blood pressure increased within seconds then he fainted.

       I knew that reporters would be everywhere in few hours that's why I passed by the apartment to pack my clothes after dropping grandpa home. Moreover, I didn't want the reporters to catch me in the act, holding suitcases and going back to grandpa's house just after the news were out because it wouldn't be good for our reputation.

        Shacking my head and pulling myself out of my train of thoughts, I told whoever was knocking on the door to come in, it was Sophia, my grandpa's secretary but since I obliged him to have some rest when I could pass by the office, she became my secretary and assistant at once.

"Everyone will be in the meetings' room in five minutes" She announced, still standing by the door "The Collins and your grandpa will be there as well"

"Thank you" I answered, brushing the nonexistent knots off my pencil skirt and followed her out of the door.

       As grandpa said, I had to see Zack twice a week, on Monday and on Thursday, when we both had to meet the heads of each service and try to solve their problems. Meeting him wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but I would be lying if I said that I could ever focus on what the others were saying whenever Zack started to talk or whenever he ever wore eyeglasses.

        It reminded me of the day we came back from Chicago, I remember Zack telling me "You look extremely beautiful in glasses and I have never noticed this fact before" just after I asked him why he was looking at me strangely and even dared to take a picture of me.

         With a sad smile on my face, I entered the meetings' room where The Collins and grandpa were already there with to services' heads from both companies. As usual, I sat in front of Zack beside grandpa, who faced Mr. Collins at the head of the table.

       Just like every other meeting, I couldn't really focus on what the others were saying although I answered the questions directed to me perfectly since I somehow could understand everything just by the last sentences the others said, which saved me a lot from being embarrassed.

        Zack was listening carefully on what grandpa was saying while I took the opportunity to look at him without being noticed; he hadn't shaved his beard in two weeks now, he was wearing a grey shirt with black jeans and a black jacket, and he was wearing glasses.

The perfect match...

"Nadia, speaking of Mr. Yilmaz" Mr. Collins gestured at me and they all look my way "I believe he contacted you lately to set up a meeting" 

"Sinan called yesterday and he showed his interest in working with us" I replied, pushing my glasses up "it's a good deal for us since his clothes Company, Sarte, took over a furniture Company, and he wants to take everything he needs from us"

"When's the meeting?" Grandpa questioned, writing some notes on his notepad.

"Tomorrow over lunch"

"Lunch?" Zack raised his eyebrows at me, quizzically.

"Yes in my grandpa's hotel, I already sent you an e-mail regarding that" I found myself answering his unasked question.

"Good"

       Our communications were basically based on him throwing a word my way and me knowing exactly what he meant and answering his unasked questions. People would really keep staring at us sometimes, especially in times when we had long conversations, using only few words every time we talk.

       The entire meeting lasted for an hour and a half; we talked about the financial plan and the whole deal that Zack and I, would offer the day after, then we tried to solve some side issues we faced because of the merge since the services were far, which made things quite tough for us.

       After we excused the other employees, I was left there in silence with The Collins and grandpa, standing awkwardly, not even saying a word until grandpa cleared his throat and announced "The lawyer said that you two don't have to go to court if you both sign the papers willingly"

"It's good then, we can avoid reporters' attention that day" Mr. Collins agreed with a big smile plastered on his face.

Why were they so happy that we are splitting up?

      I felt like a bucket of cold water was thrown on my head as I registered the words coming out of grandpa's mouth. It would only take two simple signatures and everything would be over, I wouldn't be Mrs. Collins anymore, I wouldn't be Zack's wife.

        A single tear fell on my cheek but I wiped it quickly, not wanting the others to notice but I was too late because Zack already noticed and handed me the handkerchief he had in his jacket's pocket. At first, I didn't want to accept it but as soon as he smiled at me, encouragingly, I took it and wiped the few drops of tears that were about to escape.

        Fortunately, our grandparents hadn't noticed the exchange between Zack and I since they were so engrossed in talking about business that they didn't even respond to me when I told them that I was heading to my office.

        The moment I entered my office, I put Zack's handkerchief on my nose and inhaled its scent. His smell hadn't changed a bit, it was the same on the jacket Zack gave me in the hospital, which I kept in my closet since that day and didn't dare to send it back to him or even wash it, since I could feel his presence just by holding it closer to my heart. 

I became pathetic but I couldn't help it... I really missed him...!!!

        The light knock on the door brought me back to reality so I shook my head and opened the door; Zack stood there looking at me, awkwardly until I stepped aside, gestured at him to enter the office, and pointed at the couch, masking any sign of emotions I had just a moment ago off my face.

"I came to check if you're okay" He suddenly turned in his heels, making me almost trip but I recovered quickly and I stepped back. 

"I'm fine, just needed a minute" I plastered a smile on my face and sat on one of the couches I had in my office. 

"You don't have to fake your smile with me" He sat beside me, but not too close "In fact, that's not the only reason I came here for" 

"I'm all ears"

"Grandpa has two big hotels and a small advertising agency in Canada" He started talking but I cut him off without even realizing.

"I know, I might've done some researches on you" I spoke, sheepishly, lowering my head to hide my embarrassment. 

"Anyway, I'm moving to Canada in two days to handle them" He added, looking me straight in the eyes.

"What about MC?"

'Then why did he include me in his deal with his grandpa? Didn't he want the Company?' I wondered, remembering thw events of the Gala but I didn't dare to ask since I had no right to.

I didn't even give him a chance to explain...!!!

"I could care less about MC" He put his hand on top of mine "Besides, I know it is in good hands"

"Are you thinking of coming back?" I questioned, enjoying the exchange of heat that I got just by his simple touch.

"I've got nothing to fight for here" He replied, diverting his attention to our hands "But I want you to know that despite everything, I will always care about you and we've shared many memories that I would never forget so keep that in your mind"

      I was speechless by what he said, I didn't even know what to respond to that because I felt void and somehow empty; he was going to another country without a date certain date of when he'd be back, and I couldn't ever see him again like I used to, heck, if I was dying to see him for an hour twice a week, how was I going to handle not seeing him at all? 

"I thought I should tell you this in person" He lifted his head and looked at me "Tomorrow, I can't come to the meeting with Mr. Yilmaz, I have to get everything done for my departure"

"It's okay, I understand" I nodded at him in agreement "You must have thousands of things to do"

"Indeed"

"So this is our goodbye?" I smiled at him weakly, sadness and disappointment laced in my voice.

"It is" He pulled his hand away and stood up "I have to go now"

"Okay" I walked him to the door.

"Take care of yourself" He patted my upper arm "And by the way, you can use the apartment if you needed it, I haven't changed the code and I still have your things there"

"Thanks for everything" I cleared my throat and I inhaled deeply since I was about to break down in front of him.

      We stood by the door, looking at one another as if we were memorizing each other's features and we were engraving them on our brains for ever. We stayed like that for couple of minutes before Zack opened the door and said "Goodbye Nadia"

Then he left...!!!

      I froze on my spot for what seemed to be thirty seconds, thinking of the way he left and that leaving him go that way, didn't feel right because he deserved better, and I could see in his eyes that he wasn't satisfied so without even realizing, I was running like a maniac in the hallway, looking for him.

"Have you seen Zack?" I asked grandpa who was walking with Mr. Collins to his office.

"Yeah, the elevator" Grandpa replied shortly as if sensing that I was in a rush.

      I saw him standing beside the elevator then he stepped in before I could shout out his name; however, thank god Sophia was beside the elevator so I gestured at her from afar to stop it. She reacted immediately and put her leg in, stopping the doors from closing.

"Thanks" I mouthed seconds later when I entered the lifts and hit the lobby button.

"What are you doing?" Zack wanted to know as soon as the doors were closed, obviously trying to figure me out.

"That was not a proper goodbye" I beamed at him genuinely, pressing on the stop button of the elevator then I moved closer and hugged him.

      He was surprised at first but then he relaxed in my arms and embraced me back, pulling me closer to his body. I put my head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat, thinking that it would probably be the last time I would be able to do that. 

"I didn't want you to go like that" I admitted, lifting my head slightly, still wrapped in his arms. 

"How did you want it to be?" He asked, humour evident in his eyes "By smelling me one more time"

"So funny" I glared at him, barely hiding the smile that threatened to appear on my face.

"Tell me" He started playing with a lock of my hair.

Just like before...!!!

"I wanted it to be what we both derseve" I thought of convenient words to say.

"A closure?"

"Yes" I answered, pressing on a button that made the elevator move again.

"Thank you" He intertwined our fingers together and planted a kiss on my knuckles.

      People entered and left throughout the entire way down from the 29th floor to the lobby, but Zack didn't leave my hand, he kept it locked in his as he pulled me closer to him when the first man entered, gaining amazed looks from him and the others who followed him since most of employees knew that Zack and I, weren't together anymore.

      When we were two floors away, Zack turned his head to look at me and the handsomest and the most appealing smile ever broke on his lips, obliging me to have the strongest desire of never letting him go, but I knew that that couldn't happen so I just returned the smile and prayed in my heart that he would be fine and secure in a foreign country.

"Goodbye Nadia" He let go of my hand and stepped out when we were in the lobby. 

"Take care Zack" I waved at him, smiling at him reassuringly. 

        The situation was like a déjà vu, We were staring at each other as the lifts' doors were closing slightly, however, things were reversed, I was the one inside and he was outside, on the contrary of what happened a while ago. 

Flashback (from chapter 12): 

      As I opened the door to leave, I heard footsteps behind me, I turned my head unconsciously and my eyes met Zack's intense ones. However, we only locked eyes for a brief moment before he looked past me and walked toward the door but left a feet between us. He started tapping his foot on the floor, impatiently, obviously waiting for me to move.

'Enough is enough' I thought as I glared at him, annoyingly 'I was done of what he was doing'

"What are you doing?" I snapped at him, angrily.

"What do you think I am doing?" He gazed at me, his face void of emotions.

"Being mad like this" I answered, looking directly at his eyes because I knew that in that moment, he hated it as much as I did.

"I don't know why you think our situation is odd" He smirked at me, devilishly.

Oh no, not that smirk again.

"We hate each other so why would I even care about you?" He spoke coldly pushing me aside and heading to the elevator. 

        When I used to watch movies, I thought that the most dramatic scene is when the hero stares at the heroine as the lifts' door closes slowly as she begs him with her eyes, to stay a little bit longer; while a sad song plays in the background, leaving people in their houses or Cinemas on the edge of their seats or couches due to the intensity of the situation.

I didn't think that such scene happened in real life but I was wrong because as soon as Zack stepped into the elevator, I closed the apartment's door and walked to the lifts to live through the same scene. Zack was looking at me with cold and emotionless eyes while I gazed at him since my feet and brain betrayed me, as the door closed so slowly that I wanted to run inside in order to understand what was happening in his head? And what had changed that quickly?   

End of flashback 

       Looking at him as he grinned at me one time then he left, I realized that all our fights and nagging were not as big as we thought they were back in the time they happened, they actually didn't matter, they were only small fights that had written our story, its base. 

I wouldn't change a thing... 

'Goodbye Zack' I put my hand on my heart, I closed my eyes, leaning on the wall, and I imagined how he looked like, as if he was standing in front of me...!!!

The end...???

***** 

/*How was it?*/ 

/*What do you think? Is it the end of Zack and Nadia's journey?*/ 

/*Things can end here or not! Who knows? MAYBE ME :P*/ 

/*Stay tuned, I will add few chapters that you might like or really hate to the core*/ 

/*The next chapter will be published before September 1st,2017 */

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/*Thanks already; Kisses-N */