Page 13 of Nothing Without You
“…Christian Hayes.”
The world took mercy and revived me with air.
Hasan came back into focus.
The buzzing hum from the air conditioner was back.
Buthisname echoed a thousand times over in my ears like a permanent panic attack.
“What about him?” Dryness scratched every corner of my throat but all I could do at the moment was clear it and continue with this conversation like I didn’t have a panic attack in the middle of a serious discussion.
“Moonshine is our only option right now. They’re the only ones that haven’t redacted their offer of working together.”
Moonshine.
Osama.
Christian.
The stone-cold expression on his face the day we broke up coated my skin in heavy layers of hatred. Every time I was close to forgetting that day, a memory of him popped like an explosive pimple.
Hasan studied me with an unquestionable look, but Umaima continued talking.
“Whoever Moonshine works with, their reputation flourishes and you know this. Look at Ardele, they were bankrupt before Moonshine swooped in. Now they’re multi-millionaires.”
“And the real mastermind behind it is Christian Hayes.”
There had to be another option. Different doors opened at times like this, and it wasn’t like the world was gonna end if I went to jail. Starlight would find its spot again no matter what kind of unethical man was in charge.
“Adelaide,” Umaima walked over to me with a look of sympathy and understanding. They didn’t know that part of my past—the memories of riding away on a surfboard and still haven’t reached ashore. They were floating endlessly, surviving a turmoil of storms, each stubborn and immovable no matter how much I tried to push themoff.
Instead, here they were, pulling the board back to me by the string I attached to my heart from the last memory I have of him.
“Just this once,” she pleaded. “I know you’re scared because he’s known to be ruthless, but there’s a reason why they want to work with you and haven’t taken back their offer.”
Your feelings don’t matter, Adelaide. Think of what Ayeza went through, the possible girls in the future if you don’t give in. Think of all the sadistic ways those board members will use them. Do you want that to happen?
My heart pounded against my chest as nails dug into the palm of my skin. “Okay.”
Umaima let out a relieved breath of her own, and Hasan’s shoulders slumped down with ease.
Time for a little reunion.
I think my anxiety just got anxiety from thinking that.
FOUR
FOURTEEN YEARS AGO – CHRISTIAN
“I kind of likeit up here.” The wind blew through my hair with calm, steady balance. Dad sat next to me with his legs dangling off the roof. He was a kindred spirit. Someone who always knew what to do when times were rough. Right now, he looked every bit the thirty-six he was.
He turned his head back to me and the stubble on his cheek pronouncedly stuck out like sharp splinters. For a moment, I thought he’d get mad. But Dad never got mad. He was calm, gentle, and patient. Someone to rely on. Someone easily lovable. I trusted him even when he got mad at me.
“I like it up here when I’m with you. But if your Eomma finds out we’re here right now, she’ll get all red-faced.” Dad blew air into his cheeks, trying to redden his face. He looked like a dumb-faced monkey which made me laugh.
He had the expression down though.Eommawould be furious if she caught us up here again. My Mom was the sweetest woman alive, but she was also the scariest. If I could prevent being the target of her anger, I would.
WhileEommawas fully South Korean, Dad was from Switzerland. But I got most of the mom genes and barely any dad ones.
