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publish date:
2026-03-13 02:53:10
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BAD REPUTATION 73
“Derek, wait—”Isabella moved quickly, leaving the counter and stepping in front of him before he could walk out. Not blocking him exactly—but close enough that he had to stop.Derek looked at her, impatience flickering in his expression, but he didn’t push past her or walk away.Isabella swallowed, her confidence from earlier gone now, replaced with something softer. More vulnerable. “I’m sorry,” she said softly. She took another small step closer, searching his face. “Of course I know you’re mad at me,” she continued. “I know because you barely talk to me anymore. You don’t call, you don’t come around… and just now—you almost yelled at me.” Her voice wavered slightly at that, and she pressed her lips together before continuing. “You never yell or get mad at me, Derek.”He shifted, his grip tightening slightly around the bottle in his hand, but he still said nothing.“I’m sorry that I hurt you,” Isabella finished, her voice soft but steady. Then, after a brief pause, she added, “But
BAD REPUTATION 72
“The things I said when we broke up…” Jack continued, his tone shifting, softer now, more deliberate. “You should know I didn’t mean most of them.”That got her attention, and Olivia looked back at him.“They were said out of anger,” he added. “And frustration.” His gaze held hers. “What man wouldn’t be angry at losing a woman like you?”Olivia let out a small, incredulous laugh, shaking her head. “Wow. Flattery?” she said. “That’s new. Very unlike you, Jack ”Jack’s grin widened slightly. “It’s not flattery if it’s true,” he said. Then, after a beat, “But I’ll use whatever works if it gets you to say yes. Please, Olivia,”Olivia hesitated. It was only a drink, and a few drinks wouldn't hurt right? She exhaled slowly, already knowing she was about to make a decision she’d probably have to defend later.“Fine,” she said at last, cutting the moment short before she could overthink it, and mostly because she was exhausted and wanted the conversation to end, “I’ll see you tomorrow evenin
BAD REPUTATION 71
Olivia blinked. Once. Twice. She said nothing. And that was all it took. Both Tessa and Isabella froze.“You said yes,” Isabella said slowly, her eyes widening. Then—“Olivia!” She shot to her feet, hands flying up in disbelief. “I cannot believe you. Are you seriously going to do this?”Olivia winced slightly at the volume. “Relax,” she said, holding up a hand. “It’s my job, okay? This is literally what I do, so—”“Oh please,” Isabella cut in, pacing now. “We all know this isn’t just business. This is a ploy. He’s trying to get back into your life.” She stopped and turned sharply to Olivia. “Think about it—he comes back out of nowhere, suddenly ready to buy his ‘dream house,’ and just happens to come to you? He knows exactly what he’s doing.”“Such an asshole,” Tessa muttered, shaking her head in agreement.Olivia sighed, pressing her fingers briefly to her temple. “You guys are overthinking this.”“Are we?” Tessa challenged immediately. “Because it sounds very on-brand for him.”Isab
BAD REPUTATION 70
“You heard me,” Isabella said, glancing at Tessa. “Olivia and my brother have been… shacking up.”Olivia groaned, dragging a hand over her face. “Please don’t say it like that.”Tessa stared at both of them. For a moment, she said nothing. Then she walked—slowly, very calmly—to one of the chairs and sat down. Olivia narrowed her eyes. That was suspicious. Too calm, especially for Tessa. And then—“Oh my God!” Tessa shrieked, springing up again and stomping both feet against the floor like a child who’d just been handed the best gossip of the year.Olivia couldn’t help it—a short laugh slipped out of her. Tessa was ridiculous and way too dramatic.“Oh my God,” Tessa repeated, breathless now. Then she whipped around to Isabella, frowning. “Wait—so you knew about this and didn’t tell me anything?”“Hey!” Isabella lifted her hands defensively. “Don’t look at me. I only found out recently.”Tessa’s gaze snapped back to Olivia, eyes wide with curiosity. “How long have you been—” she gesture
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“Splendid,” Jack said easily, slipping back into confidence. “I’ll send it over soon.”“Perfect.”There was another pause. Not uncomfortable—but not entirely casual either. Then—“It’d be nice to see you again, Olivia.”She kept her tone light. Neutral. “Sure, but let's focus on the house for now, Jack.”He chuckled. “Fair enough.”Olivia glanced at the time on her screen, using it as an excuse to end this before it stretched into something else. “I should get back to work,” she said. “I’ll keep an eye out for your email.”“Alright,” he replied. “I’ll talk to you soon.”“Bye, Jack.”“Bye, Olivia.”She ended the call and let the phone drop gently onto her desk. Then she exhaled, long and tired, and pressed her fingers to her forehead.What an exhausting day.—------------Olivia wasn’t surprised in the slightest when her front door burst open the next evening. She didn’t even bother sitting up. From her position on the couch—curled beneath a blanket, hair a mess, remote somewhere lost b
BAD REPUTATION 68
Olivia sank into her chair and let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. She was late. Very late.The office hummed around her—phones ringing in uneven intervals, keyboards clacking, the low murmur of conversations bleeding through cubicle walls—but it all felt distant, like she was listening to it from underwater.She didn’t care. Not after the morning she’d had. If anything, it was a miracle she’d shown up at all. She’d stood in her apartment for a long time after getting back from Derek’s place, keys still in her hand, heels abandoned somewhere near the door. For a moment—just one, dangerously tempting moment—she’d considered calling in sick. Or not calling at all. Just… disappearing for the day.But the alternative was sitting alone with her thoughts and reliving everything. She couldn’t bear the thought of Derek or their conversation that morning anymore, and that was the only reason why she'd shown up. Olivia squeezed her eyes shut briefly and forced the memory a
BAD REPUTATION 15
He was trying to get in her head again, Olivia thought, and she couldn’t let him. Her throat tightened, but she held his gaze. “Imagined what, Derek? We danced. We talked. That’s it.”He stepped even closer. “You looked at me like you wanted me to kiss you.” He said hotly, “Hell, I believe if I'd t
Last Updated : 2026-03-19BAD REPUTATION 14
He looked the same. Still handsome of course. Dressed in dark jeans and a fitted black T-shirt. Their eyes met briefly when he stepped inside.“Hey,” he said. Just that. No smile or grin. No teasing smirk.“Hi,” Olivia replied, adjusting the smaller box in her arms.Tessa’s gaze flicked between th
Last Updated : 2026-03-18BAD REPUTATION 9
They all watched her finish the drink.The tequila burned on the way down, sharp, and punishing, but she welcomed it. It gave her something solid to focus on. Something that wasn’t Derek sitting inches away. Something that wasn’t Jack not calling.Before anyone could comment, she reached for anothe
Last Updated : 2026-03-17BAD REPUTATION 10
Olivia watched as Derek tipped the shot back without hesitation. His throat moved as he swallowed, jaw flexing once before he lowered the empty glass and set it down with a soft clink against the table.He caught her staring. One brow lifted. “What?” he asked, amused.She hadn’t realized she was st
Last Updated : 2026-03-17
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