Second Chance Read Online Free PDF Page B

her.
    “Sorry Jack,
change of plans,” Khyba said, handing his long forgotten drink to Jackie
without averting his eyes. He was afraid she would disappear. “Instruct Ty to
prepare the limo.”
    Stunned, Jackie
watched as Khyba approached the beautiful woman in a blue dress.
     
    “ Ahn-nyung (Hi), Shorty.”
    Sue’s body
stiffened and her heart began to race. Was she hallucinating? She must be. He
was from another lifetime, from somewhere on the other side of the planet. No,
it can’t be, she thought as she continued walking toward the bathroom.
    “It’s been a long
time, Suzy.”
    Sue whirled
around so quickly she almost lost her balance. Her eyes widened in surprise,
recognizing that bump on his nose, those brown eyes, and those lips. “Jae?”
    “The one and
only,” he replied, still grinning. “How are you, Suzy?”
    Sue didn’t reply.
    “Looks like you
haven’t grown an inch since the last time we met,” he said.
    Silence.
    He had
anticipated her to be surprised, maybe even angry. He even hoped she would be
happy to see him. But he hadn’t expected what happened next.
    Jae watched the
play of emotions in Sue’s glistening brown eyes. Then, without saying another
word to him, she raised her hand. Thinking she was going to embrace him, he
took a step forward just as her hand made contact, slapping him across his
face. She silently turned and walked away.
    Sue walked to the
bathroom as calmly as she could, restraining the urge to break into a run. She
didn’t think she would ever see that man again. The world with him was far
away, in another lifetime she would rather forget. She hated him. He was
grinning wily, that grin that had haunted her for so long and all she wanted
was to run into his arms. She wanted to hurt him, too. In the spur of the
moment, she decided he deserved the latter.
    She was still
trembling when she reached the women’s bathroom. Once safely inside, she
collapsed against the door.
    Oh God, I
slapped him .
    She fought the
knot in her throat.
    Oh God, I
slapped him .
    She went to the
sink and looked into the mirror. An uncertain reflection stared back at her.
Her hands were shaking and she clenched them tightly together to stop the tremor.
She took a deep breath, counted to ten then stared back at her reflection. Not
satisfied with the expression staring back at her, she took several more deep
breaths then prayed he would disappear when she left the bathroom. She must
leave.
    “Sorry I took so
long,” Sue announced when she returned to the table. Her party was ready to
leave. “Something came up and I’m afraid I must call it a night.” She gave
Katie an apologetic look. “Enjoy yourselves and I’ll see you tomorrow evening.”
She turned to Michael and gave him a polite smile. “Thank you for the ride this
evening. Good night,” she said as quickly as she could before he could protest.
She muttered something about grabbing a taxi and for him to not worry.
    Before she could
turn to walk away, Michael caught hold of her elbow. “What’s wrong?”
    “I’m just not
feeling well. I’ll see you tomorrow,” she replied, trying to free her arm. He
wouldn’t let go. Instead he gently pulled her toward him. Something had
happened to scare her.
    “Tell me. What’s
wrong? You were just fine moments ago…”
    “Please unhand
her,” Jae said, his voice low but threatening.
    Michael felt Sue
stiffen at the sound of Jae’s voice. He turned to look at Jae then back at Sue.
“Did he hurt you?” he asked as he nodded toward Jae.
    “No,” she
answered. Don’t make a scene. Don’t make a scene .
    “Michael, this is
Jae,” Sue said as she turned to look at Jae. “Jae, this is Michael.” She smiled
as if nothing happened.
    Michael slowly
released her arm but still stood by her protectively. Sue backed away from
Michael, bumping into the table. Remembering Katie and Patrick, she turned to
them and smiled. “Katie, Patrick, this is Jae. Jae, I would like you to meet my
best