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Willem de Konigh was standing right in front of him, dressed in an obviously bespoke pinstriped suit, with the way it molded perfectly to his broad shoulders and long, lean frame. He was so damn tall Anton had to crane his neck to meet the Dutch billionaire’s gaze.

The older man’s icy blue eyes raked him from head to toe.

Anton’s earliest boost of self-confidence disappeared, and he heard himself croak out, “Good afternoon, Mr. de Konigh.”

“I’m afraid I do not have the pleasure of knowing your name.” Anton felt like he was in some kind of Twilight Zone as he listened to the Dutch billionaire speak. He had a strong accent, but his perfectly modulated voice also bore an immensely strong resemblance to Serenity’s. It was like hearing twins speak, even when they weren’t really that.

“Anton Floros, sir.” And because he couldn’t very well ignore the hand the billionaire offered, he reluctantly released his hold on Serenity’s hand to shake hands with the older man. When it was over, he considered taking Serenity’s hand again. But her hands were already fisted against her sides, and despite everything, he didn’t quite have the nerve to risk rejection by taking her hand.

“I believe you were just leaving?” The billionaire’s voice was pleasant.

Anton blinked. “I’m not—-” He saw the billionaire’s eyes bore through his, and he suddenly realized that even if Serenity had not noticed his erection, the older man had. And right now, Willem de Konigh was courteously and generously offering him a way out before he proceeded to embarrass himself.

“On second thought, I think I have to go.” Anton couldn’t quite meet Serenity’s gaze as he spoke. “See you, Serenity.” He turned and walked away quickly, thanking God that the Dutch billionaire was indeed the nice gentleman that he was reputed to be.

Alone, Serenity and Willem were left facing each other.

It was agony to look at him, but she forced herself to, telling herself that she would only make herself weaker if she did not. He was still heartbreakingly beautiful, maybe even more so than she remembered. But he had grown thinner, too, his new leanness causing his features to be more prominent and aristocratic.

Willem had a hard time keeping his reaction in check as he devoured every inch of Serenity’s face. He had missed her. He had missed her the second he had left her, but now that he was standing in front of her, the ache and longing he felt for her presence couldn’t be any more acute.

He had this insane urge to haul her to him, to rain kisses all over her face the same time he begged her for forgiveness. Only his rigid self-discipline kept him from doing so, the stoic look on Serenity’s face telling him that to act like a Neanderthal would only drive her further away from him.

Instead, he finally chose to be the first to break the silence, saying simply, “I would like a private moment with you.”



















Chapter Four

SHE LED HIM TO THEcafé next door, which was staffed by students as well. Heads turned as they entered the establishment, with most of the girls openly staring and excitedly gushing as Serenity and the billionaire proceeded to walk past them.

“Is this okay?” she asked stiltedly, gesturing to the booth at the far end of the café.

“Anywhere will suffice.” As soon as they were seated, she realized the reason why he had said so. His bodyguards had followed them inside, and once again they formed a human wall to keep everyone away from their employer.

“You are okay?”

Why did he care? It was what she wanted to ask, but she managed to keep her bitterness at bay. It wasnothis fault that he did not love her, was not his fault that she could not be what he wanted in a wife.