Use me, Lorain

"Are you insane, Jake? You have a fiancé, but you act like you don't have one.” I caressed his chest where his heart was, I could feel it beating crazily. "You can't be loyal to the people who stay next to you, even if they love you so much.”

He held my hand and stopped me from what I was doing, "I can be loyal like a dog, Lorain if that's what you want." He whispered to me.

I laughed because of the words he uttered, it made some customers look in our direction to see what was going on, I stepped closer which shocked him. I put my mouth closer to his ear and whispered, "But Jake, there are still dogs that can bite their master."

"Then you can put a leash on me, tie and cage me if you want."

"If I do that, I'll just get tired and go crazy, I don't want to ruin my life just for one person." I pushed him away, "I will take my leave now."

I confidently walked out of the coffee shop and didn't care about the looks of people around me, years ago, I was like a dog waiting for its master too. But he abandoned me, and he happily threw me out of the house where I was always alone.

There is no way, I will let myself come back there.

~

Instead of going straight to the hotel, I went to Raziel's office, it's better to do something on the project than stay in my so silent room, and I have nothing to do but think.

When I arrived inside the building of his company, I was immediately greeted by the people at the front desk and guard, I was not surprised if they knew me. Everyone probably knows about me, even though this is my first visit here.

It’s been so long since we became a business partner, so, I’m sure they may be aware of my name or face.

"You can go straight to his office, ma'am." Said the woman at the front desk with a wide smile on her face.

"Thank you." I felt relieved because of their warm greeting.

~

I knocked a few times and opened the door even though he didn't answer, he looked up at me with a frown.

"Who dares to open the door without my consent—Huh? What are you doing here, Lorain?” The frown on his forehead disappeared and he put down the pen he was holding before standing up, "Do you miss me so much that you came here on your own?"

I could not help but groan because of his joke again, "Raziel, I came here to finish what we haven't finished in the project. I don't want us to waste time, as much as possible I want it to be over immediately."

"Aww, such a shame since I'm not the reason you came here. Well, if you say so. You sit there first and I'll look for the documents that need revision there aren't many because Jamie approved almost all the ideas."

I nodded, "I know, but I don't want to reassure myself. Also, she is not very kind, we can’t be late for the deadline."

He stopped looking for documents on his desk and looked at me as if he was wondering, "Why are you so angry today, did something happen and you're now venting your anger here?"

I stopped because of what he said, only then did I notice that he was the one I resented because of what happened. "Oh… Sorry, I woke up early so I'm a bit hot-headed." I said awkwardly.

"Then why did you come here instead of going back to your hotel and sleeping again?" There was concern on his face.

Carrying the papers, he approached me, "We can take our time, Lorain. We are not short of time, don't neglect yourself."

It is good if work is the reason why I am stressed like this but not. if I had first known that he was the fiance of our business partner, I would have refused immediately.

"I know that, I just can't help it because this is my first project here. If I want to have many projects in the future with the collaboration of a big company, I need to give my best here." I smiled at him.

"Hey, you worry me too much." He leaned forward patted his hand on my back gently and looked at me, "Next time, if you have a problem tell me."

I stared at him, not thinking that he was a caring person. "I will, but I think you have more problems than me." I pointed to the papers piled on his desk.

“Damn!” He said, "It looks like I'm going to spend the night again, why do I have to sign so many things every day." He complained.

He stood up from the sofa, "if you feel sleepy, I have a room," he pointed to a side door, "you can sleep there as long as you want."

"Hmm, I will." I gave a short answer and started reading the documents that he had reached earlier, if the first man I loved was someone like Raziel, maybe the past wouldn't be so bitter.

We both did our work quietly, sometimes his secretary brought us food. Only the sound of the clock and paper being opened can be heard around...

We both stopped what we were doing when his secretary re-entered, "Hmm, well Sir, I'm going home." he said while pointing to the watch he was wearing.

I immediately looked at the clock on the side and only then realized that it was night already, I didn't even notice because of what I was doing.

"Sure, take care," Raziel said, after closing the door he stood up and put on his jacket. "Maybe let's wrap it up for tonight." Now his attention is on me.

"But I thought you were going to stay overnight?"

"Not right now, I don't know, but your presence is like magic. I finish more than half." He caressed my eyes as he approached me, "After we get to the hotel, go to sleep, but before we go home, join me for dinner."

"No, you don’t have to." I have to refuse, it would be embarrassing if I bothered him too much. There is room service at Craig's Hotel, I can eat there without a problem.

“Uhm, you can't say no. So, let's go." He held my hand and didn't let go until we reached the parking lot, but we both stopped when we saw Jake standing on the side of his car as if waiting for someone.

No… He better stop, I don't want even Raziel to know about his madness!

"Isn't that Jake?" Raziel asked in surprise as I quickly pushed to open the car.

"Maybe he is just waiting for someone, let's go. Let’s hurry, I can feel my stomach hurting.” I said hastily.

"But I think he's looking at us, oh... He's getting closer to us, maybe he'll say something important." He looks so innocent.

I wanted to shout at Raziel and drag him inside the car but it was too late, he was already close to us while looking intently at our hands that were still holding each other.

I tried to pull my hand away but Raziel's grip on it got tighter, but his face was smiling at Jake. "What's brought you here, bro?" He asked as if they were very close.

Jake frowned even more when he heard, "Bro...?" He whispered but still enough for us to hear, it was obvious that he didn't like it. Fortunately, he let it go and focused on me.

He stepped closer and grabbed my arm which Raziel was also holding, "Come with me, let's talk again."

He tried to pull it but Raziel also pulled me, "Sorry, but I was the first who asked her out. We are going somewhere and she has agreed." The smile still didn't disappear from his lips but his eyes were looking at Jake seriously.

"Then you can cancel it, we need to talk so let her go." Jake tried hard and didn't give up.

I can feel the heat on my skin because of their tight grip, "Both of you, please let go of my hand because I've been hurting for real."

They let me go immediately after my words, "Sorry." Raziel whispered.

I didn't hear anything from Jake but he was still desperately looking at me, "Come on, just a moment." He said again but I shook my head.

"Sorry, Mr. Andres. But I already said yes to Raziel, maybe next time?" I said and I grabbed the arm of the person next to me.

"But..." He didn't finish what he had to say when his cell phone suddenly rang, from where I was standing, I could see who it was.

"Looks like your fiancé is looking for you, Mr. Andres. Be careful on the road, we're leaving." I said with a smile and pulled Raziel to the car, he didn't complain. Jake was left there looking at us while talking to his fiancé Jamie.

This is the right thing…

"Hmm, so can I ask you something?" Raziel suddenly asked while driving, "Is he your ex-boyfriend?"

I bit my lip, I don't know if I should answer him or not. But if we're always seeing each other, and Jake’s going to bother me every time Raziel and I are together, there's no reason for me to hide the truth.

I nodded, "But rather than ex-boyfriend, the correct term is... He's my ex-husband, Raziel."

I looked at him and he didn't say anything, he just looked straight at the road. I thought he would be surprised because that was the right reaction, but he did not.

"Then, is he chasing you now?" His eyebrows almost tangle from frowning, he does not like the idea.

“Maybe?” I answered with a shrug.

"You want to come back to him?" His voice gradually became serious.

I was silent for a moment before shaking my head, "There's no reason for me to come back, he ended what we had years ago."

"Then use me." He stopped the car on the side of the road and looked at me, "Use me so he won't mess with you."