A week had passed since Sierra's return to Paris. Instead of letting herself get caught up in the whirlwind of life, Sierra planned out what she had to do. On top of her list at the number one slot, she had: See Vincent ASAP, but the woman stalled. There was no doubt about the fact she was scared of the man's reaction, and the thought tormented her as she walked to her office.

"Good morning Sierra."

"Good morning, Mr. Dubois."

"Can I see a minute?"

Sierra smiled, "Of course, sir."

For the past week, conversations began and ended when she appeared. Sierra wondered when the head would drop his bomb, whatever it was. She knew she was becoming a problem. Sierra cumulated a period too many moments of weakness. Her working drive slowed down between Leone's arrival and her missed wedding. Like many in her field of work, letting her feelings sculpt themselves on her performance had a cost.

"How are you feeling, Sierra? Have a seat."

Of course, the man began by showing concern.

Sierra sat down, "good; these vacations were a good idea."

"I'm glad to hear that, Sierra. Ali did a super job while you were away. You should be proud of your protége."

"I saw the results. I mean that +0.001 is just amazing."

Mr. Dubois could not tell whether the woman was sarcastic or not; still, he pursued, "we've thought perhaps he could second you."

"That's already his job. Ali assists me. He's my assistant," Sierra reminded.

"Yes, but maybe he could take a few of your leases full-time."

Mr. Dubois was careful he did not want Sierra to blow up, thinking they underestimated her, and he hurried to underline it, "don't get me wrong, Sierra, you're doing well, it's just perhapsㅡ."

"Great, no worries. I understand; Ali has the shoulders for it."

Mr. Dubois frowned, "It's not what I said, Sierra."

"And it's not what I meant, Mr. Dubois. I'm happy to share my park with Ali."

"Really?"

Mr.Dubois could not suspect what motivated Sierra. The woman was already mentally sliding in her appointments with various administrations. If Ali supervised a few leases, she would be free to do the necessary for her move to Sweden.

"Well, I'm surprised and happy you're taking it this way, Sierra."

"Why, should I take it another way? It's not like you think the workload is too much for me and that perhaps since I'm a mom, I can only be happy about having more time to spend with my child. You're thinking about profits, right?"

Sierra nailed the man. Neither suggestions were wrong, but none were correct.

Mr. Dubois cleared his throat, "then it's settled; you are free to hand over the leases you wish to Ali."

"Thank you, Mr.Dubois, for this kind intention."

"No, thank you, Sierra."

Mr. Dubois was delighted if Sierra protested; he had already planned to transfer her to Lille. The move would force Sierra to take the train every morning for a three-hour journey daily. She would only be back late at night-the woman to be worn out psychically in no time. By accepting his offer, Sierra saved herself from the worst.

Ali was surprised to see himself granted two-thirds of the woman's leases. They tried to play her, and so Sierra played. She would keep her departure and marriage to herself till the last minute just for the fun of it.

The week carried on, and it was on her day off, Sierra decided to scratch the first task of her Get Married bucket list.

Sierra pushed the door of the Taj Mahal. She refused for Vincent to learn the news from someone else. The woman broke his heart, it wasn't courtesy but a form of respect Sierra wished to show the man. She hoped Vincent would interpret things that way.

"Goodㅡ," Saad stopped," ㅡVincent isn't here."

"I'm here."

Saad turned and glared at Vincent, who shrugged.

"Hi, Sierra."

"Hi, Vincent."

The man looked better, but his stare still held that glint of sadness.

"How have you been?" Sierra said casually.

"I've been, okay, Sierra. Do you want to eat something?"

"Don't bother yourself, Vincent."

"Saad, can you do a vindaloo, cheese naan for Sierra?" Vincent said as if he didn't hear her.

"Vincent, there's no need."

"But I want to, at least you loved my vindaloo."

Sierra felt guilty. Her small lie during the counseling session now backfired in her face. She had no choice but to accept, "thank you, Vincent."

"Come, have a seat?" Vincent said and advanced to one of the tables where he pulled a chair for her, "so what brings you?"

Sierra sat down, "I just wanted to see how you were, and I wished to tell you before anyone else."

Vincent feigned a smile to hide the panic while praying Sierra's announcement did not include the words:

"I'm engaged."

"Oh, eh, to Jonas, I imagine."

"Yes, to Jonas. I know it might sound abrupt, but I wanted you to hear it from me first."

"I guess I have to say thank you for the delicate intention."

A sorrowful expression adorned on Sierra's face, "I'm sorrㅡ."

"No, Sierra. You're not sorry, you're happy, and you should. I'm not rejoicing, I can't lie, but you should be happy."

Silence followed.

"Vincent."

Never had Sierra been so relieved to hear someone call the man's name until she saw who the someone was.

"Solina."

"Sierra," Solina was unable to conceal her surprise. All she wished to do was flee and hide in the nearest closet like a mistress in a cliché telenovela, "Vincent, I can come back later if you're busy."

"No, Solina, stay. Sierra needs to know anyway," the man returned his focus to Sierra, "Solina is my Ex; we dated in London and were currently friends."

Solina glared at Vincent. The woman would not have worded their relationship as a friendship.

She remembered how she found Vincent drunk in his restaurant after closing hours a few days after the ceremony. It was the same week the forty-eight-hour married couple signed the divorce papers.

"Vincent, I know you're hurting."

"See, Solina, I doubt you know anything about my feelings," Vincent said as he slid his glass from one hand to the other, "you women do the ditching and weㅡ. We just have to adjust."

The man was shattered. Vincent had the impression of being held down by a wrestling tag team. He never thought he'd get up after Solina. Sierra made him believe bliss was possible only to deceive him.

No, the decision was his. Vincent pushed Sierra by fiddling with her character that he knew was kind and forgiving. Acknowledging he instigated his predicament frustrated Vincent even more.

"I can be that listening ear, the friend you need, but I refuse to be a rebound," Solina wanted him back, but not anyhow.

"Solina, I can't invest in a relationship right now."

"I know you're in that place where you hate all women. I hurt you too; I'm willing to pay for it, that's why I accept to be the plaster. I can wait; I'm a patient person."

"I'm not," Vincent replied before kissing her.

Solina knew the sex held no feelings, but she hung on the hope the man might open his heart.

"I see," Sierra said, switching her gaze from Vincent to Solina, who warped out of her souvenirs.

"Sierra, I'm so sorry. I didn't wish to find this out like thisㅡ."

Sierra's getting hitched to someone else. "You don't need to be sorry, Solina. Things seem to be turning out for the better." A flat sardonic smile appeared on Vincent's face before saying, "I was glad to see you, Sierra. Believe it or not, I wish you the best. Don't forget to pick up your takeaway at the counter; it's on the house."

Sierra got up, understanding it was the man's way to wrap things up," bye Vincent, Solina, good day."

The woman left flustered.

Why didn't Vincent tell her about Solina?

Sierra felt double-crossed.

Did Solina have this intention all along?

Was this the actual reason behind the canceled wedding?

No, Vincent's reaction was genuine. Even then, Sierra heard spite and resentment in his voice.

Solina stared at the man with stupefaction, "Vincent, why did you do that? Sierra will think you ran; we ran around behind her back."

"I know, it's for the better. I'll be the villain she won't regret. She will get on with her life without thinking she did anything wrong."

There was no doubt Vincent loved Sierra. He loved her so much his intentions came off clumsy or plain wrong. Here he hoped this last action would relieve her consciousness of being the one who got away.