Chapter 11 - THE MAN WHO LEARNED TO WAIT
Julian didn't call the next day.
Or the day after.
He didn't send flowers.
Didn't appear outside my apartment.
Didn't use his influence to force another meeting.
Instead, he continued changing his life.
He separated himself from illegal operations.
Worked with legal counsel.
Restructured Cross Holdings.
And began supporting programs for people harmed by organized crime.
Margaret kept me informed occasionally.
But Julian never asked her to pressure me.
Three months later, I saw him again.
At a charity fundraiser.
I was working as an event coordinator.
Julian stood near the entrance wearing a simple black suit.
He looked different.
Less guarded.
Less angry.
When he saw me, he smiled.
“Elena.”
I smiled back.
“Julian.”
He hesitated.
“You look beautiful.”
My cheeks warmed.
“Thank you.”
He looked around.
“Your event?”
I nodded.
“Mine.”
“It's impressive.”
I smiled.
“I know.”
He laughed.
And for the first time, the sound didn't frighten me.
It made me happy.
We talked for twenty minutes.
About work.
About Margaret.
About ordinary things.
Then Julian said, “Would you ever want to have coffee?”
My heart skipped.
I studied him.
“Coffee?”
He nodded.
“Just coffee.”
I smiled.
“Maybe.”
His expression softened.
May you like
“I can wait.”
And somehow, I believed him.
