Chapter 16

**Sarah**

Two distinct objectives drove my journey to Henderson. Firstly, to advance our thriving partnership with BM Technologies. Secondly, to partake in the jubilant festivities marking Amir's engagement.

Jessica's family lives in Henderson. Months ago, they had arranged their wedding, but the bitch encountered an issue with her cosmetic surgery. After meeting her in Dubai, she decided to undergo a Brazilian butt lift surgery and a breast augmentation to achieve the hourglass figure she desired for her wedding photos. However, her recovery didn't proceed as smoothly as expected.

Concerned about looking foolish in the wedding photos, Jessica decided to postpone the wedding for another year.

Lost in concentration in the room provided by BM Technologies for myself and Jakob, I hardly noticed the passing time as my fingers flew across the keyboard, applying the application codes to the platform. I must complete this task as soon as possible.

Suddenly, a knock on my desk interrupted my focus, and I looked up to see Bronn standing there.

"It's eight already," he said. "My secretary was spot on when she mentioned you were still here. If you end up getting sick, I don't want any trouble with Grandpa Mitchell or your family."

As the last lines of code seamlessly integrated into the platform, a sense of accomplishment washed over me. I closed my laptop, stretched my limbs, and then rose from my chair holding it.

"Interesting... I heard rumors about you being a demon in the office, but it seems I've been mistaken," I remarked.

"I am, but our history complicates things. You're... different," he admitted.

"I'd rather not give anyone the impression that I used connections to get here. So, if possible, let's steer clear of that topic," I requested, noticing Jakob's absence from the room. "I'll head back to the hotel," I added.

"Why not stay at the Martin mansion?" he suggested.

"You're funny!" I said nonchalantly, not eager to stay at my ex's place. "Anyway, the Airbnb apartment nearby is available now for convenience. I'll be moving tomorrow afternoon," I informed, not wanting to raise eyebrows among BM Technologies' staff for staying at a luxury hotel.

"Great! Just give me a heads-up if you need anything. Come on, let's grab a bite to eat! I've booked a table at the Hilton Lake Resort for dinner," he proposed.

"Hmm... So, you did your homework. You already know that's where I'm staying," I observed.

I accepted the invitation, preferring to keep things casual with Bronn, especially considering the possibility of a second shot at love. Additionally, it was nearly time for me to take my medication.

"Hey, there's something else I need to discuss with you," I interjected.

As we made our way down the hallway, I couldn't help but sense the weight of curious eyes following our every move. Passersby shot us questioning looks, their raised eyebrows silently probing as we traversed the corridor.

The two women in the lobby added to the scrutiny, their lingering gazes intensifying the feeling of being under observation.

Bronn guided me into his sleek Audi R8, and I couldn't shake the feeling that the onlookers we passed were covertly admiring us.

"What's on your mind?" he inquired as we cruised down the street.

"I have a couple of requests. First off, I'd prefer it if your office remained unaware of any past relationship between us. I'm using the name Sarah Mitchell, not Sarah Benner, to avoid any implications that I leveraged connections for the partnership with BM Technologies to assist Jakob and me with LoveLogic."

"No problem," Bronn responded succinctly.

"Secondly, Jakob and I intentionally applied under different identities as part of your development and graphic design team. This decision ties back to my initial request. If LoveLogic gets launched, I'd prefer not to be identified as one of the developers. Sarah Benner values her privacy. I prefer not to get public attention as the princess of the Benners."

Especially the thought of my disappearance from this world. The aftermath would undoubtedly wreak havoc on my family and Jakob. I couldn't help but imagine the scathing speculations that would flood the news blogs, tearing apart every aspect of my existence.

A tightness gripped my chest, suffocating me momentarily. Seeking the medicine, I reached for one pill from the pouch, popping it into my mouth to quell the rising turmoil within. I thought I had masked my distress well, but Bronn's keen observation caught me off guard.

"What's that?" he inquired, his gaze fixed on the pouch in my hand.

"Oh, just vitamins," I replied with a forced nonchalance, concealing the ache in my chest.

Bronn offered me a bottle of water, a gesture that surprised me.

"Thanks!" I muttered, accepting it gratefully.

"You won't have any issues with me," he reassured, addressing the concerns I had voiced earlier. "Anyway, how's the project progressing with Jakob?"

"We've completed the design and tackled several crucial aspects for LoveLogic," I explained. "Jakob had already laid much of the groundwork before I joined your office, so I'm currently playing catch-up on the coding front. At the moment, we're focused on implementing and refining the codes for both iOS and Android platforms. That's what I was engrossed in before you interrupted," I explained.

His car glided to a halt at the hotel entrance, where we received a warm personal welcome from the hotel manager. The Martins, a prominent family in the city, were well-known, so the anticipation of our arrival was palpable, especially since the restaurant had reserved a table for us.

Soft jazz melodies wafted through the air, mingling with the alluring scent of gourmet cuisine. The ambiance, characterized by shimmering chandeliers and plush velvet furnishings, captivated my senses.

Bronn graciously assisted me to our reserved seats.

"Would you care for some wine, Miss Mitchell?" the hotel manager inquired.

"No, thank you," I replied, mindful of my heart condition.

Soon, our evening meal was being prepared, featuring an array of Southern dishes. However, I knew they weren't ideal for my health, such as buffalo wings.

"Could I possibly order a Mediterranean salad?" I asked Bronn tentatively.

"Of course," he replied, discerning my lack of enthusiasm towards the food.

"Thank you," I responded.

"I'll inform the kitchen, ma'am," the manager said, attentive to my request.

"I didn't know you were on a diet. Aren't these your favorites?" Bronn said, motioning towards the food spread on the table.

Right! I see what he means. These are indeed my favorites. "I still enjoy them. I just felt like incorporating more vegetables into my diet," I explained, attempting to rationalize my choice.

I suppose a little indulgence wouldn't hurt.

"By the way, I remembered our earlier conversation. Wouldn't you like to inform my associates that you're one of the developers and graphic designers of LoveLogic?" Bronn asked.

"Yeah, you're right," I conceded.

"And what would your role be in that cramped office?" Bronn inquired, nodding towards the small room Jakob and I shared.

"I'd be Jakob's secretary," I replied.

Bronn's amusement was evident. "You've been entertaining me all evening, Miss Mitchell. It's a shame our marriage didn't happen. You would have made the perfect wife, you know?"

I shrugged, enjoying the easy banter between us. There was something comforting about our casual relationship. Perhaps Bronn would be the second person to love me truly.

"Mr. Martin! What a pleasant surprise to see you here!" a voice exclaimed from behind me.

My neck went cold, and I nearly dropped the spoon at the sound of Philip's voice.

"Oh, Mr. Cornell!" Bronn's voice rang out as he stood up from his seat, extending his hand to greet Philip.

My attention drifted sideways, my eyes locked with my ex-husband, accompanied by Megan, her grip tight around his arm.

"Sarah? What a coincidence!" Megan's cheerfulness rang hollow, but her smile didn't seem genuine, and I noticed her smirk.

"Do you two know each other?" Bronn inquired.

"I was Jane Cornell's college classmate, Mr. Cornell's sister," I replied tersely, determined not to let Philip disrupt my world now.

Suddenly, the image of my deceased baby flashed before my eyes, and I struggled to catch my breath, instinctively clutching my chest.

Damn it! I can't let this overwhelm me now!

"Are you alright, Sarah?" Bronn's concern brought me back to the present.

I composed myself, taking a sip of water to steady my nerves. I couldn't afford to embarrass myself in front of the trio.

"Y-yes. I..." My gaze collided with Philip's, his eyes narrowing in a judgmental glare. "I think something I ate didn't sit well. I'll excuse myself to the restroom."

"Sure!"

'Ahhh! Sht!' Pain seared through my chest. I need to take my medication and regain composure.

Rushing into the restroom, I grabbed a pill from my bag, ingested it, and concentrated on soothing my frazzled nerves. I cannot afford to cut short the time allotted by my doctor and must maintain my composure.

Within minutes, the door abruptly opened, and much to my dismay, Philip appeared-an individual I had hoped to avoid encountering while I leaned against the wall.

The imbecile! He locked the door, leaving me confined in this expansive ladies' room with him.