ВойтиELOWEN"Jesus, Elowen!" I heard a familiar voice as the lights flickered on and I paused with the knife tightly gripped in my right hand."It's me, Celeste!" Celeste yelled, raising her hands in defeat and my muscles softened as I lowered the knife in my hand and carefully avoided the glass cup on the floor."What the hell?" She furrowed her eyebrows as she strode into the kitchen, her eyes fixed on the shattered glass on the floor."What has got you on tight on defense on a Friday evening?" She teased, leaning against the counter. I reached for another glass cup and emptied the rest of the liquid into it, lifting it to my mouth with my slightly trembling fingers as I tried to stabilise my heartbeart that was going crazy against my ribs."Is something wrong?" She added, searching my face."No, nothing is wrong, I'm just a bit tired that's all." I answered immediately, swallowing a huge gulp of water."You're back from work early today, which ic unlike you, from what I have sent so far
ELOWEN"Mrs Sylvarn," she called out, waving her hands before my eyes and I flinched, sighing heavily."I'm so sorry Sandra, did you say something." I apologized, rubbing the sleepiness away from my eyes with the back of my palm as I yawned."Yes ma'am, Mr Donald sent in a memo stating that he would not be con—" she paused, folding her hands slowly."I'm listening, I promise." I assured, trying to keep my eyelids up.I thought staying at the office at night would work did not positively affect how alert my senses were, hence my inability to actually rest. For the past week, I hadn't slept a proper wink and it was messing with work."You're not," she whined, lowering the file to the desk."Are you sure you're alright, ma'am?" She asked, sighing."I'm fine, proceed." She studied me intently for what seemed like forever before grabbing the document again."So the firm in question that is the Donald group is willing to offer a huge amount to us to be their legal representa..." "Ma'am!" S
ELOWEN"So these are the clienteles for the week." I nodded slight as she lowered the file to my desk."Is there anything else?" I asked, pulling off my office suit and draping it over my chair."No ma'am." She answered immediately, turning to leave."Oh and ma'am, a Happy Belated birthday to you," she extended a small box to me.I smiled, throwing her a short glance as I collected the gift from her. "You didn't have to, Sandra." I cooed, feeling overwhelmed."You're the best boss ever," she teased, grinning from cheek to cheeek. "You deserve it and more." A fresh wave of warmth washed over me and I smiling, lifting my gaze from the gift to her face."Thank you Sandra," I said, lowering the gift to the table. "That's from me and this is from the entire staff of this firm." She handed me a fancy envelope."Oh my God , you guys spoil me," I grinned, collecting it from her."Can I?" I held my hand over the openning latch, eager to rip it open and see what's in it."It's yours ma'am, ofco
RYAN "What notepad?" I raised my eyebrows, looking at her intently."A beautiful notepad with a fancy fountain pen, it was so pretty," I furrowed my eyebrows, ticking through all the gifts I got for her."I didn't get her a notepad, Celeste," I repeated, folding my hands."Did she say it was from me?" I asked, readjusting in my seat."Not exactly, but she didn't say it wasn't from you as well," I frowned, my eyes fixed in the glass of wine before me."Who could have gotten her a–" I paused, the answer to the question slapping me across the cheek."Owen..." My voice trailed.It could only be Owen, the audacity of that bastard, sending a personal gift right here, under my roof. It paimfully explained why she was checking her phone constantly."Owen? Who’s Owen?" Celeste asked, turning toward me immediately, her eyes searching mine with curiosity."Elowen’s ex-fiancé," I replied, the words feeling like acid on my tongue.She paused, tapping my arm repeatedly as the realization dawned on
RYAN"Damn it!" I cussed, running a hand through my hair.How could she still be taking calls from Owen after everything??I groaned, punching the air with my fist in anger.Was that her choice, going back to Owen? Was that why she picked a fight with me and always pushed me away, trying to keep distance between us so she could make up her mind without my interference?Maybe I was trying too hard, maybe I was doing too much than my feelings actually required, throwing all this effort into something that was clearly a lost cause. I needed to cool down, to think straight, or maybe just stop thinking about her for five minutes."I need a drink," I muttered to myself. "Jesus!" I yelled, stopping abruptly in my tracks the moment I entered the kitchen. I hadn't expected to find anyone here.There was a figure seated silently on one of the high stools at the counter."Celeste?" I questioned, confused. She turned around slowly, lifting a glass of red wine toward her lips as she flashed me
ELOWENI gasped, covering my mouth in surprise as I walked through the rose covered marble tiles. "Ryan..." I whispered, following the roses to the dining room. The lights were turned off but the scented candles set on the table illuminated the room, casting a dim glow on the entire room."You shouldn't have," I spun around, flashing him a genuine smile.One that he had deserved a long time ago but I was too self centered to see it."Allow me," he pulled open my chair and I lowered myself into it gently as he pushed it in for me."This is beautiful." I commented as he took his seat in front of me."I really outdid myself," he chuckled, looking around. Soft music began to play from the home system."Would you like some wine?" I nodded, beaming with joy.Here I was thinking he had forgotten my birthday when he was just planning something much better and private.I felt my phone vibrate and I pulled it out, instantly declining the call from Owen.That was the fifty sixth call that day.







