Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Sparks of Conflict
The afternoon sun hung high over the city as I stepped out of my office building. I'd just wrapped up a lengthy meeting with a client, and all I wanted was a quiet evening to recharge. But as I approached the car waiting for me at the curb, I saw Julian leaning against it, his arms crossed, his face tight with tension.
"Julian?" I asked, my heels clicking against the pavement as I closed the distance between us. "What are you doing here?"
"We need to talk," he said, his tone clipped. His eyes were sharper than usual, lacking the warmth I'd grown used to. He straightened as I stopped in front of him, his gaze scanning my face. "It's about Nixus."
Of course, it was. I sighed, brushing a stray hair out of my face. "What about him?"
Julian hesitated, then opened the car door for me. "Let's discuss it somewhere private."
The ride to the restaurant Julian had chosen was filled with an uncomfortable silence. He sat beside me in the backseat, his jaw set and his hands resting on his knees. I could feel the tension radiating off him, but I didn't press. Whatever was on his mind, he clearly needed time to gather his thoughts.
When we arrived, the hostess led us to a table tucked away in a quiet corner. Julian waited until we'd both settled before leaning forward, his hands clasped on the table.
"I ran into Nixus today," he began, his voice low but firm.
My stomach dropped, but I kept my expression neutral. "What happened?"
"He was outside my office," Julian said, his lips pressing into a thin line. "He made it very clear he doesn't approve of me being with you."
I groaned softly, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Of course, he doesn't. That's classic Nixus—acting like he has a say in my life when he gave up that right years ago."
Julian's eyes searched mine, his expression softening slightly. "I need to know, Malia. Is there any part of you that still feels… anything for him?"
The question caught me off guard, and for a moment, I didn't know how to respond. Did I still feel something for Nixus? Yes, but it wasn't love. It was frustration, anger, and a complicated tangle of emotions I hadn't fully sorted through. But Julian didn't need to hear all of that.
"No," I said firmly, meeting his gaze. "Whatever I felt for Nixus is long gone."
He nodded, but his shoulders didn't relax. "I believe you. But he doesn't seem to think it's over. He's obsessed with keeping you in his orbit, and I can't stand by and let him intimidate you—or us."
Before I could respond, a familiar, unwelcome voice interrupted.
"Well, well. Isn't this cozy?"
I froze, my heart sinking as I turned to see Nixus standing a few feet away, his dark eyes fixed on me. He was impeccably dressed as always, his tailored suit emphasizing his broad shoulders and lean frame. But it was the smirk on his face that made my blood boil.
"Nixus," I said, forcing my voice to remain calm. "What are you doing here?"
"I was meeting a client," he replied smoothly, his gaze flicking to Julian. "But imagine my surprise when I saw my wife here with another man."
Julian stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "She's not your wife anymore."
Nixus arched a brow, his smirk widening. "That's where you're wrong. Legally, she is."
I shot to my feet, placing a hand on Julian's arm in an attempt to calm him. "Don't do this, Nixus. Not here."
"Why not?" he asked, his tone mockingly light. "I have every right to defend what's mine."
"I'm not yours," I snapped, my voice rising. "I haven't been yours for a long time."
Julian stepped in front of me, his posture tense. "You need to leave."
Nixus tilted his head, his smirk fading as his eyes hardened. "Or what?"
The tension between them crackled like a live wire, and before I could intervene, Julian's fist shot out, connecting with Nixus' jaw. The impact was sharp and sudden, and the sound echoed through the restaurant. Gasps erupted around us as Nixus staggered back, his hand flying to his face.
"Julian!" I exclaimed, grabbing his arm and pulling him back. "What the hell are you doing?"
"He deserved it," Julian muttered, his voice tight with anger. "He's been harassing you for weeks."
"That doesn't mean you can just punch him in the middle of a restaurant!" I hissed, glancing around at the stunned diners. My cheeks burned with embarrassment as I turned back to Nixus, who was now straightening, his expression unreadable.
"You're going to regret that," Nixus said quietly, his voice laced with an ominous edge.
Julian took a step forward, but I tightened my grip on his arm. "Stop it," I said sharply, turning to him. "This isn't helping."
He looked at me, his eyes blazing with a mix of frustration and protectiveness. "Malia, he's not going to stop unless someone stands up to him."
"And this isn't the way to do it," I said firmly. "Please, let's just go."
After a tense moment, Julian nodded, allowing me to lead him out of the restaurant. As we walked away, I could feel Nixus' gaze boring into my back, but I didn't dare look back.
Once we were outside, I turned to Julian, my hands on my hips. "What were you thinking?"
"I was thinking that he needed to be put in his place," he shot back, his voice still tinged with anger. "He's been treating you like some possession he can reclaim whenever he feels like it. Someone had to show him he can't."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I appreciate that you want to protect me, but this isn't the way to handle it. Nixus thrives on conflict. You're just giving him more ammunition."
Julian's expression softened, and he reached out to take my hand. "I'm sorry, Malia. I just can't stand the thought of him hurting you again."
His sincerity tugged at my heart, and I gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "I know. But I need you to trust me to handle this."
He nodded, though I could see the reluctance in his eyes. "Alright. But if he tries anything else, I won't just stand by."
I didn't respond, unsure of what to say. As much as I valued Julian's support, a part of me felt uneasy. The confrontation had stirred something deep within me—something I wasn't ready to face.
Because as much as I hated to admit it, seeing Nixus tonight had reminded me of how much power he still held over my emotions. And that terrified me.