Keira got very busy with her work. But she skillfully covered all the activities, and the charity event also went well on the second day. Guests sh.e.l.led out from 1,000 dollars to 10,000 dollars per plate for the privilege of hobn.o.bbing with icons of different lines and their wealthy peers. The food was excellent. In the casino hall, the alcohol was poured like a river, making the gamblers feel high and spend more on betting.
The event combined what researchers called key determinants of giving: awareness of needs, a direct request for a.s.sistance, the psychological "warm glow" of appearing generous and peer pressure. Plus the throw-caution-to-the-wind mentality that an open bar, stocked with fine whiskey could bring on. All of this carefully thought through preparations were made to goose generous gifts from wealthy donors.
In short, the more fun attendees had, the more they gave. What"s more, peer pressure can boost fundraising when donors gathered and tried to one-up each other.
Though Keira was busy while she was in action, doing her work, her gaze never left Zach and followed him everywhere. She saw Zach walk towards Thea"s direction. Some would think of Keira as an overconfident person, but her confidence came from the trust that she had in Zach. Yes! It was all because she trusted Zach.
Well, maybe, indeed, she was somehow very confident. Or maybe, she never felt insecure because Zach always gave her a deep sense of security? She only hoped that Thea could finally move on and stop hallucinating because she had no time to entertain jealous ex"s tantrums at all.
......…...
"Thea…" she was startled when she heard Zach"s familiar voice behind her. She immediately turned around. She held her breath when Zach gave her a half-smile and said, "How are you? It"s been a while…"
Zach noticed that Thea was sitting alone at the table, so he decided to approach her and make small talk with her. He sat on the chair beside Thea.
"Zach, I…" Thea tried to speak but paused, as nothing came out from her mouth. She did not know where to start. Zach noticed her hesitation, so he said, "You don"t have to explain anything. Keira has already told me about what had happened with you and why you left."
"Keira? How did she know? I never told her…" said Thea a bit confused. She couldn"t think of what Keira could have possibly told Zach.
"It"s not important how Keira knows it. But she has already told me about Leon and that the reason you left was that you wanted to save me. Now, I know everything. My wife has relayed the whole story to me. And I want to thank you sincerely," Zach said.
Thea was startled when Zach held her hands and smiled at her.
Then he looked intently at Thea as he spoke, "I must admit, Thea, I was totally devastated when you left. I forgot the meaning of love and was not able to move on. I ended up building a huge wall around me and turned my focus to other things, trying hard to make the pain that you"ve caused me to go away. I"ve made myself completely indifferent to women and love! And then, Keira came knocking in my life. She crashed the wall I had built around me and entered my heart."
Zach sighed and continued, "It was then that I realized that the only way to heal the wounds I had was to keep them open and exposed. Temporary, but excruciating pain is the cost of healing. The wall that I built covered my wounds for a while, but in the end, it only became a sick addiction."
Thea felt Zach squeeze her cold hands as he added, "They say time heals all wounds, but for me, it was not time but LOVE that healed my wounds. Keira"s love healed me… and Thea, I really hope that you will also find that kind of love, because you deserve to be healed. I can understand your situation right now, but gather yourself and be strong! I will always be available as a friend. Please, do not hesitate to contact me if you need any help. I know you are a good person, Thea. I want you to be happy too. You can also contact my wife directly if you are in any need, Thea..."
With these words, Zach finished what he had to say. Thea gave him a rea.s.suring nod and a small smile. After seeing that Thea was okay, Zach left.,
Thea felt her heart shrunk the moment he left, as tears ran down her eyes. "So this is it, Thea. You heard him loud and clear. What is your plan now?" Her inner self commented.
"It really hurts… a lot…" Thea mumbled as she stood up from her seat. She could not breathe. She wanted to shout out loud. Shout at herself and tell how stupid she was. She wanted to cry out loud.
She felt that she was running out of oxygen. She needed fresh air to breathe, so she recklessly walked out from the hotel towards the beachfront. The event was going to end soon anyway. No one would notice that she was gone since all eyes were focused on Brione Park.Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting.
Jeru saw everything from a distance, he did not know whether it was pure pity or sympathy, but his fury at Thea from a while ago seemed to have dissipated. Or maybe, he was seeing himself in her place, she was like his replica of unreciprocated love.
He saw, Thea almost stumbled on her feet when she stood up and walked out from the party room. And for some reason, he felt the urge to follow her...