Page 60 of My Billionaire Neighbor's Secret

Climbing out of my car, I had to walk over next door just to affirm that the sign was there.

And yes, it was there. Big and bright. FOR RENT.

I headed to the windows and peered inside. It looked the same. But then again, it had always been fully furnished.

I couldn’t rest until I found out for sure if Leigh had vacated it for good. Where had she gone? I heard she was on leave at work, but that was only temporary, right?

I really hoped she was alright and had not been too traumatized by what she had experienced with Drake.

I went into my house and called the number on the sign. That was when I confirmed it. Leigh Andrews wasn’t living there anymore and the house was being promoted for rent again.

Next, I dialed her number--- for the first time since I went to the beach. I could not control it anymore. And besides, why should I?

Her number was ringing, but she was not answering. Of course, the caller ID would indicate my name and it seemed like she didn’t want to talk to me or see me ever again.

I tried to distract myself from work. It was no use. I could not concentrate.

I cooked dinner and binged in front of the TV. I still kept seeing her face. I remembered the last time we had seen each other after my jog around the neighborhood before she’d gone to the beach with Drake.

I went for a dip in the pool and drowned my spirits in hard alcoholic drinks. That was the only time I began to feel numb. But nevertheless, my head was still swimming with our memories together.

What the fuck’s happening to me?

Eventually, I fell asleep, but it wasn’t peaceful. I woke up with a terrible headache, accompanied by an awful sense of emptiness, loneliness, and misery all rolled into one.

The funny thing was… along with these negative feelings, I felt another emotion washing over me. Something I didn’t recognize. But it was so strong that I could not ignore it, that it led me to go to her office and almost beg Rasha to let me know where she was.

Rasha looked torn. She wanted to turn me away, but there was something else in her eyes. She seemed to understand what I was feeling and my situation.

“I haven’t been the best with her,” I told Leigh’s assistant and friend. “I know that I’ve hurt her in many ways. But I’m hoping to talk to her before she completely forgets about me and moves on with her life.” I leaned forward and stared at her with pleading eyes. “Please… Just… Please help me, Rasha.”

I guess she took pity on me because she eventually gave her home address where Leigh was staying in the meantime.

“You have to go there now,” Rasha said, giving me a serious, intent look. It appeared to me like she wanted to say something more, but she hesitated.

“Why?” I asked.

“She’s leaving tomorrow for Thailand,” she answered. “She accepted the offer for Continent Manager for Asia.”

My eyes widened in disbelief. She was leaving for good. I could feel my chest constricting. My hands were turning clammy.

“Thanks,” I whispered before hurrying out.

When I got to Rasha’s apartment, I still didn’t have a plan. I didn’t know what to say. All I knew was that I needed to see Leigh.

I knocked on the door. She did not answer at once, which made me feel even more anxious.

If Jillian was here, she would simply tell me to speak from my heart.There’s no need to have a plan,she would probably say.Just tell her the truth.

Maybe I should have followed her advice before to discuss my feelings and fear of commitment with Leigh. But I hadn’t been sure then of what I wanted. This time, I knew what I wanted--- to be with her, to show her how much I cared, to make her happy.

But perhaps it was too late now.

I began to step back, thinking that maybe I would just be messing up her plans or bothering her. She’d already decided to go, after all. Without even saying goodbye to me.

A sharp pain squeezed my heart. It felt as if a huge boulder was being brought down on my head and shoulders.

Then I heard footsteps coming toward the door. I froze.

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