Love In Between
Chapter 37

**The fact that my father and Gael got along so well was a pleasant surprise. I know I should be happy, I should have wanted to spend time with both of them, but I needed that time alone with my father. What I didn’t need was someone from my past coming back. I wasn’t ready to see him again. Much less was I ready to find out who he really is. **

3 days later: 17 December

As much as my father has already found out what I have with Gael and he has told my mother, who by the way almost fainted from the emotion, it hasn’t made me want to go around Madrid with both of them. First of all, I think it would be almost impossible for Gael to go unnoticed given his fame thanks to the interviews he has given, and secondly I really wanted a moment alone with my father. I needed to enjoy him, and the little father-daughter time I had. I guess Gael understood that I didn’t want to take him away from me, at least I hope not.

Back to the routine, alone in Madrid again, and this Monday makes me want it to be Friday… -Serena, can I? – Ana asks from the door and brings me back to this reality.

-Of course, come in. – I answer and her face lets me know that something is up. She looks worried.

-We have a problem. – She says nervously.

-What’s wrong? Whenever she uses that phrase, it’s because something really isn’t right.

She stares at me and hesitates. “Max is at the reception, he insists that you talk to him. I know you don’t want to see him, that you’ve explained to him that you won’t work on any of his campaigns again, but he says he won’t budge until he talks to you,” she explains and I can’t believe this idiot has come back after what happened last time.

I take a deep breath, “Send him in. I know what he’s like, and I know he won’t leave here,” I ask. -Just tell Joel to keep an eye out for him. – I tell her before she leaves my office.

-I will. – She says as she walks out, and it’s the first time talking to a client has caused me to cringe. Flashes of what happened at our last meeting come to mind and my skin prickles again as it did that day. I was so afraid… He was out of his mind and I truly believed he would hurt me.

I see him enter my office and his black gaze fixes on me with a smile full of malice. I remember perfectly the way he looked at me. -Hello Serena, until we finally meet again. – He closes the door behind him and just like that night during the photo shoot, I feel afraid again.

-I don’t know what you are doing here, but you must leave. You know very well that you are not welcome in this place. – I say without moving from behind my desk.

He walks towards me and I know there’s nothing good in all this. -Last time we left a lot of things unfinished. You had your boyfriend as an excuse, but I found out what he did to you. – He says in that husky voice.

-It wasn’t like that, Max, you tried to take me by force…. You kissed me without me giving you any reason and if it wasn’t for Joel, you would have succeeded. Now please get out of here if you don’t want me to call the police,” I threaten and he smiles sarcastically.

-I don’t think it’s in your best interest Serena,” he warns as he continues walking towards me.

-Why do you say that? I ask in a whisper. I’m really feeling too scared right now.

-Don’t you know who recommended you for the campaign you are working on with Marti? I’m the one who makes all the major decisions on who can work with him, I just didn’t want you to know,” he reports and I don’t believe what he’s telling me, this isn’t possible. I feel my back hit the wall and he puts his arms around me. – You know that the termination clause or if you don’t comply with the contract is too high and you can’t back out, right? he asks me in a tone that sounds like a threat and I’m terrified that he practically has me in his hands.

-What do you want?” I dare to ask him and he smiles triumphantly.

-You. I want you. You know very well that since I saw you the first time, that’s what I want,” he speaks millimetres from my mouth, and I feel disgust.

The door fortunately opens, but when I see that it’s Gael who enters and not Joel, I feel my soul leave my body -Excuse me, am I interrupting? – He asks and I can hear the anger in his voice.

Max’s eyes are full of fury and when he turns around they stare as if they can’t believe the two of them are here. It’s obvious they know each other, and I don’t even want to imagine what Gael must be thinking about me right now.