Anderson
I stood in front of the full-length mirror, adjusting my tie, again. It was almost ridiculous how many times I'd done it this morning. Every crease in my suit had to be perfect, every button in place. For a moment, I wasn't sure whether it was the meeting or my obsession with Kelly—no, Kendra that was getting to me. I ran a hand over my jaw, forcing myself to breathe evenly.
It had been a week since I saw Kendra Lewis on the news, the politician whose every move seemed to be under a microscope, just like Kelly's once was. But there was something more this time. Kendra's demeanor, the power she radiated, it was undeniable. It was her. She had become someone else, someone untouchable.
That night, after scrolling through her social media profiles, obsessively reviewing every image, I felt a gnawing ache in my chest. How had she done it? How had she transformed into this person who could walk into a room and command it? How had Kelly gone from the woman I once knew to someone completely beyond my reach?
I tried convincing myself I could handle it. I told myself it would be easy to track her down, to confront her about the years of silence, to force her to give me the answers I deserved. But what I didn't anticipate was the wall she had built around herself.
In my world, power and influence were tools I could use. People listened to me. They followed my commands. Yet, when it came to Kelly or rather, Kendra, I had no such power. She had shielded herself too well, her world too far removed from my grasp.
It infuriated me.
If she's really Kelly, why is she pretending to be someone else? Why won't she acknowledge the past?
My phone buzzed, snapping me from my thoughts. It was David, my assistant. I picked it up.
"Sir, we've confirmed the meeting with the board members at 11:00. It's all set."
I forced a smile, though it didn't reach my eyes.
"Fine. I'll be there. Cancel the other appointments."
I ended the call, tossed the phone back on the bed, and walked toward the window. I looked out at the busy city beneath me, so much power, so many people. But none of it mattered. The only thing that mattered right now was Kendra.
...
I thought I would have the leverage to see her. I tried every angle, through my network, through mutual connections, trying to get a foot in the door with her team. It wasn't long before I realized just how carefully she had constructed her life to keep people like me out. Even my most influential friends couldn't get me a meeting with her.
Frustration boiled inside me as I stalked her public appearances. It was becoming an obsession. Every campaign event, every charity gala, I knew exactly where she would be, but every time there was a crowd around her, an inaccessible force field that I couldn't break through.
Each attempt felt like a slap to my face.
I had assumed that, with the right connections, I could find a way to get close to her. After all, Kendra wasn't some small-time politician, she was someone powerful, someone whose name commanded attention. But as I watched her from a distance at one high-profile event after another, it became clear that she had built herself into someone untouchable. Someone beyond my reach. And that realization festered inside me like a poison. I hated the power she had on me once again.
...….
That night, as I sat alone in my office, I couldn't fight the urge to search for her again. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, typing in "Kendra Lewis" one more time, as if doing so would somehow bring her closer to me. The same results, articles, speeches, photos. She was untouchable. There was no glimpse of the woman I once knew. Only this new version, the politician, the woman with power. But was she really so different?
I felt my anger flare. Why is she doing this to me?
With one swift motion, I slammed my fist on the desk, my mind racing. If I couldn't reach her through my connections, I'd do it my way. I'd have to take matters into my own hands. It was the only way I could get close to her, get the answers I needed.
.....
The following morning, I had one of my private investigators track down Kendra's most recent activities. By noon, I received a message.
"Kendra Lewis will be attending a press conference at 2 PM today. Location: 12th Street Conference Hall."
My pulse quickened. This could be it. This could be my moment.
I didn't hesitate. I arrived at the conference hall early, waiting in the lobby, pacing, my hands trembling with anticipation. My thoughts swirled. I'll finally get to see her. Finally get to talk to her. The conference hall slowly filled with reporters and high-profile individuals, all buzzing with anticipation for Kendra's appearance. But the more time passed, the more restless I became.
Finally, the doors to the press area opened, and there she was, Kendra. She entered with her cohort, and I saw her immediately. My heart raced as I made my way toward her. This time, I'd finally get to speak to her. This time, there would be no turning back.
But as I approached, something unexpected happened. Her eyes scanned the room, meeting mine for only a brief second before she looked away, as though she hadn't even seen me. She was already engaged in a conversation with another reporter, completely oblivious to my presence.
I froze, my breath catching in my throat. She's ignoring me again. My chest tightened, a cold fury rising within me. How dare she?
The anger that had been simmering for days finally exploded. I wanted to scream at her, demand answers, and force her to acknowledge me. But the crowd around them was too thick, the cameras too close. I couldn't risk drawing attention.
With a clenched jaw, I turned and walked out, my mind burning with frustration. I had been so sure. So confident that I could get close to her. But this time, it wasn't the business world that had denied me access, it was Kelly, now Kendra who had built her walls too high for me to tear down.
I knew one thing now, I won't stop. I need her. And the more she pushed me away, the more determined I became to bring her back.