Alena's POV
Running.
I had done it all my life. It seemed to be the only thing that was on my mind.
As soon as Dorian's speech was over. I turned to the doors I had entered not too long ago. Making my way through all the elegantly dressed guests that were mingling, drinking and laughing, I walked through the heavy mahogany wooden doors and down the hall to the elevator.
Like a hummingbird trapped in a small cage, my heart thumped against my chest. Pressing the elevator button, I could feel my legs shaking, wanting it to come quicker. I couldn't face him. I didn't know if I could.
As soon as the doors opened, I walked into the space. I pressed the button for the ground floor and waited for the doors to close. Instead of hearing the doors close, I heard footsteps against the tiled floor. Someone was running.
There, dressed in a designer suit with his thick luscious locks styled perfectly, was Dorian standing in front of me. Looking at me. His eyes didn't want to leave me or lose me. As the doors started to close, Dorian pushed it with his hands stopping it from shutting. Slowly he walked towards me, joining me in the small space.
My back hit the mirrored wall as he continued staring at me.
"You came." He uttered.
I nodded in reply.
"You're here."
I nodded again trying to fight the tears.
"Come here," He coaxed in that hushed voice. As his arms wrapped around me, I took in his cologne and the hint of whiskey. I closed my eyes, holding onto him as if my life depended on it.
I could feel his lips kiss my forehead. It felt like forever, as if we were frozen in time. Then they pressed onto the side of my temple, and then my cheek and then my other cheek. One kiss after another. It was all real.
"Hi," Dorian whispered, his lips hovering over mine as his fingers curled around the back of my neck.
"Hi," I whispered, grabbing onto the cold, metal railing behind me.
Opening my eyes to him, I still couldn't believe he was standing there in front of me. Neither of us was saying anything. The silence tortured me as I could feel us go down every floor.
"Can I ask you something?" I finally broke the silence.
"You can ask me anything. You could ask me a million things."
My heart fluttered.
"You could ask me any question in the world. I..." He let out a ragged breath, unable to find the words he wanted to say. Moments ago, he was the Billionaire CEO who eloquently and graciously thanked and accepted his new position. Now, he was someone finding his words. "I don't ever want a day to go by where you don't ask me anything or say anything to me. I have missed you. I have missed you so goddamn much."
My heart fluttered again as my mouth opened to ask him the question that had been on my mind.
"Who did you love?" I looked up at him with a held breath.
Those blue eyes looked at me, momentarily confused. Did he love Elinor or Alena?
The warmth of his hands left me as they pressed the elevator button instead. Suddenly we came to a standstill. Dorian's blue eyes bore into mine. They were like the clear summer skies.
"Who am I talking to?" He asked in a hushed voice. "Because right now, I'm looking at the woman I met in the Art studio that she bought and built up. I'm looking at the woman that agreed to paint the portrait. I'm looking at the woman I fell in love with so fast and so quick." With every sentence, he came closer and closer towards me. My heart was still thumping against my chest. "But, I'm also looking at the woman whom I saw in London. The woman who was in love with someone else and lost them. The woman who deserved, and got a happier life."
I took in a sharp breath trying to calm my heart.
"I'm in love with you. Whether you want to be called Alena or Elinor. I will love you with all my heart."
I love you with all my heart. Those seven words made me fall in love with him again.
"I am so sorry. I'm so sorry that I hurt you." He breathed out. "If it makes it any better, I want to start again. We could act like strangers and get to know each other properly. We could go on dates, a midnight rendezvous, and indoor picnics... Whatever you want-"
"No," I said, looking up at those blue eyes.
Surprise and confusion filled his face.
"Let's keep going," I said in a whisper. "It didn't matter that you knew. It doesn't matter now. "Let's keep going."
His head lowered down to mine.
"I love you so much, Dorian." I whispered, feeling our lips leaning in closer to each other. "You're the billionaire who stole my heart."
After months apart, it was as if the desire had never left.
I couldn't help but move back against the wall. The feeling of his soft lips on mine was something I didn't want to stop. Every slow movement made it everlasting – made it meaningful. Neither of us wanted to let go. It felt so long since the last time. His fingers grazed down the side of my body firmly resting on my waist. I wrapped my arms around Dorian's neck as he pulled me closer, lifting me off the ground.
Suddenly, the elevator started to shoot up before coming to a stop. Hearing a ding, the doors shot open and Dorian and I broke from our kiss. Our hands intertwined as we looked at each other, not sure whether we wanted to go just yet.
"I get that everyone has had a little too much to drink at these events, but it doesn't give them the right to stop one of the elevators from working!"
Turning around to the open doors, Dorian looked to the hallway to see the man who was reprimanding us. My mouth was agape, shocked and embarrassed to see who was standing there.
Looking as if he had come alive from the painting, Dorian's Dad stood with a disapproving look on his face. Next to him, with her arms crossed and her face filled with red, was the lady I had met in the gallery yesterday.
Her gaze fell on me and all the anger dissipated.
"Oh Alena," She said, her face changing into a smile. "You made it!"
"Mom, there are two other elevators – wait," Dorian stopped, looking between me and the lady from the gallery. "How do you two know each other?"
"That's your mother?" I couldn't help but exclaim.
Marcus Bradley looked just as confused about the situation as I realised that the woman standing next to him was his wife.
"Let's just say my meddling helped a bit," Dorian's mother sang. Giving us a quick wink, she grabbed hold of her husband's hand – pulling him along with her back to the ballroom.
"Unbelievable," Dorian scoffed in disbelief. As he looked at me with a slight chuckle, I found myself smiling and remembering how his mother came into the gallery the other day.
"So, I guess, you've unofficially met my parents," Dorian stated, tucking a strand of hair behind my ears. I couldn't help but lean into the warmth of his hand. "How about we go somewhere, just the two of us?"
Looking up, I could see that playful smirk on his lips. I bit my lip, nodding in reply. His hand intertwines with mine pulling me into the hall and towards the door labelled stairs.
"Where are we going?" I laughed. I pulled back looking down at my soon-to-be poor aching feet. Wherever we were headed, they wouldn't go well with the many steps I had to face.
"My place." He said, lifting me into his arms. "Ever been in a helicopter?"
I shook my head, stroking his cheek with my thumb.
"Let's go," I said, kissing those lips I had missed.
Hope you all enjoyed the final chapter of 'The Billionaire Who Stole My Heart'!
This isn't the end of these characters... I'm working on stories for Jacob and Beth as well as Antonio and his lady! These will be exclusive on Radish! I have a feeling you guys will love it.
Thank you again for the love and support. It honestly means a lot. Thank you to the readers who have been here since the beginning and the new readers who have joined along the way!
Thank you to xsaxyturtlex , miyasmind , cowboylikeemmy , cloudyby , jamifrancewrites , and showx3 ❤️ Thank you for the support and keeping me sane when I was writing this story. You guys mean the world to me.
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