My ex-husband’s nightmare (Lydia and Mason) novel Chapter 171

9:40 Tue, Oct 21

Chapter 171

Chapter 171

Lydia

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My heels clicked loudly on the floor as I walked to the car, which was parked at a distance. Mia walked by my side. Once we got close, she stepped forward and opened the door for me to enter.

Gold breeze slapped my face as I entered the car. Once I settled into the warm car, I pulled my jacket, watching Mia walk around to sit beside me.

The driver ignited the engine and drove off. Mia scrolled down her screen, “How many hours do we have before the next agenda?” I asked as I looked out of the window. The sky was covered by dark clouds, which drifted lazily.

“The next agenda will start in twenty minutes, we have to be present before then.” She said just as the car stopped in front of a black Hyundai. I groaned as I lay my head on the headrest and closed my eyes.

“Can it be moved?” I asked, exhausted from the just-concluded meeting.

“No, the president of City C will stay in the hotel for a few days, and as a VVIP, it’s required that you accompany other politicians to welcome him,” She said.

“Is it today?” My eyes flung open. The arrival of the president of City C was no news to me, nor was the fact that he would be staying at my hotel.

“Yes,” came Mia’s swift reply.

I dipped my hand into my purse and grabbed my phone, staring at my reflection. I smoothened my hair and then turned my head to each side, studying my face to ensure I was looking my best. “If I had known, I’d have worn something else.” I returned my phone to my purse.

My eyes rested on a couple who had their hands interlocked as they walked by the side of the road. The car drove slowly past them once the red light turned green.

“You look good, nothing is wrong with your clothes,” Mia’s voice was soft but firm.

I turned to her, “You sure?”

“Of course.”

Once the car pulled up in front of the building, I stepped out and was presented with a bouquet. There were other men all suited present, soon, I learnt that they were the representatives of our president.

I exchanged greetings with the men who had arrived. Soon, a toll of black cars drove into the hotel and stopped in front of the building, lined up in perfection.

“He’s here,” Mia said, a hint of excitement hung in her voice. You couldn’t blame her, it wasn’t every day you got to see a president. Besides, he wasn’t just any president, but the youngest President in the world. And as he got out of the car and stood to his full height, it was clear that the picture on the internet didn’t do justice to his looks.

9:40 Tue, Oct 21

Chapter 171

I held the bouquet I was to present to him. My lips stretched into a smile. Mia nudged me by my side, “he’s so hot,” she whispered.

I stepped out, standing beside the representative who had been sent to welcome him, clutching the bouquet, “It’s an honor to have you at our hotel, your excellency,” I said once he shifted his gaze to me.

I handed him his bouquet, “The pleasure is mine, Miss Alissa.” He said in a deep voice, leaving me momentarily stunned at the fact that he just addressed me by my name.

Or, was it normal for a president to master the names of all hotel owners? If he saw the look of surprise on my face, he didn’t say; his eyes lingered briefly on me before he turned his attention to the man in a black suit in front of him.

After the pleasantries outside were done, we went to the VVIP session of the restaurant to have lunch.

There were five chairs around a tablet, but just four of us were present. “It seems Dee is running late,” the president said, “Well, he’s always late, we don’t need to wait for him.” I had to stop myself from asking who Dee was. I had forgotten about his arrival, so I had little knowledge of all that was supposed to be here.

Behind us, stood Mia and a man who had a tight expression spread across his face. I guess he was the President’s personal guard.

“Miss Alissa,” he called again as we started eating, “it’s an honor to finally meet you,” he said. I met his gaze briefly. The mischievous undertone his voice carried forced me to question if he had prior knowledge about

Definitely Julia’s and Victoria’s posts would not have gotten to City C, and even if they had, there was no way a president would have so much leisure to read all the gossip on the internet.

“I never realized I was popular,” I said out loud before I could stop myself. I raised my eyes to meet him. Amusement simmered in his gaze. He nodded, “I didn’t mean to, I’m-”

“You are popular.” He answered. My eyes widened briefly, especially as I saw the look on the other men’s faces. “You were on the news for a while.

“I didn’t think His Excellency had the time to go through anyone’s gossip, especially that of another country,” I said softly, mostly to myself.

“Not just anyone, you.” It was as though the other men were not present, and the commanding presence he gave remained; the air around him was lighter than before.

“Me?” I pointed to myself before taking a slow sip from my glass of juice. He nodded. Just then, the door pushed open and clicked shut. A familiar smell of cologne hit me. I didn’t need to turn, it was Mason.

I smiled as I watched him walk in, though I was surprised to see him here. His eyes met mine, and his hardened expression softened. I opened my mouth to speak, but a voice beat me to it, “You are late.” The president said, and I drew my brows together.

Mason drew the empty chair out. As he sat, he placed one hand on the back of my chair and slowly dropped it on my shoulders briefly. “I’m sorry, Your Excellency, I was caught up in traffic.” Mason apologized. Although he kept his voice respectful, the mock smile on his lips was proof that he wasn’t sorry at all.

Chapter 171

Did they know each other?

I wanted to ask them questions, but I could tell it wasn’t the right time. Not in the presence of the other men. After lunch, the men left, and the president was to retire to his suite, but he didn’t.

Instead, he sat back in his chair and crossed his hands, then he alternated his gaze between us. “You both even look better in person.” He commented, and I tilted my head to the side while raising a brow.

“I see you’ve already seen her. I wanted to do a proper introduction,” Mason said. He reached for my hand underneath the table and wrapped it around mine.

“You know him?” Mason nodded. It finally made sense, while he knew my name.

“Lydia, this is his excellency…”

“Skip the formality, I’m Tim,” he said in a more relaxed vibe, “she’s Lydia.”

“He’s my friend, I’ve known him long before he became president,” Mason explained. How come I’ve never seen him or heard him mention him? As if Mason saw my unasked question, he explained, “We were briefly separated.”

We spent the rest of the afternoon together. Mason and Tim had attended the same university and didn’t make contact; it turned out they had a fight, which they only had the chance to settle last year. He never told me why he called Mason Dee.

Mason entwined his hand with mine as we walked back to the car. “What are you doing later today?” He asked.

“My schedule is filled, still making up for the days I missed.” My shoulders slumped at the thought of more work.

He squeezed my hands lightly, and we stopped in front of my car. “Can I drive you back?” He asked.

“We have other places to be.”

“How about tomorrow?” He questioned.

“That will work.”

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