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Chapter 6

last update Veröffentlichungsdatum: 23.09.2022 15:31:02

Mateo's Office

Mirabella turned back. Mateo was still watching her, and something about his expression made her uneasy.

"The hardest decisions in life," he said quietly, "are usually the right ones."

She wasn't sure what he meant. His words sounded like advice, but his face looked like something else entirely — she just couldn't tell what.

She nodded, gave him a small smile, and left before he could say anything more.

The Hallway

Her mind was still spinning from the conversation — from the way he'd looked at her — when she walked straight into someone.

"Whoa," she said, before she even looked up.

"Sorry! Are you okay?" the stranger asked.

She lifted her head and lost her train of thought completely.

He's beautiful.

His hair was dark and curly. His eyelashes were long. His skin was perfect. For one confused second she thought she'd bumped into a woman — until she heard his voice again.

"Are you okay, ma'am?"

"I'm... fine. Just a little sick," she said, though she had no idea why she said that.

He smiled like he already knew what was happening. He was used to it — people staring, people confused about whether he was a man or a woman. It had happened his whole life.

"Do I look familiar to you?" he asked.

"Should you?" She thought for a second, then shook her head. "No, sorry."

"I'm Wayne. Mateo's best friend. His only friend, actually." He held out his hand, grinning.

She shook it. No wonder they're friends. Both of them are ridiculously good-looking.

"I'm Mirabella. I work for Mr. Mateo."

"Mira," he said, like he was trying the name out. "The best singer of the year."

Her legs went weak. She wasn't sure if it was his voice, his eyes, or just his hand still holding hers a little too long.

"Can I— can I have my hand back?" she stammered.

"Of course." He let go slowly, biting his lip.

"You were there. The opening night. When I sang," she said quickly, trying to change the subject in her own head.

"I was. I told myself, that's real talent right there. Your voice is one of a kind."

"Thank you." She blushed, and he noticed. She caught herself and stopped smiling almost immediately.

"I should go. It was nice meeting you, Wayne."

His face fell slightly. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No — I just need to get home."

"Right. Sorry." He seemed to realize, all at once, how long they'd been standing there. "It was nice meeting you too."

She walked away slowly, hating herself for not asking for his number. She slowed her steps just enough, hoping—

"Mira."

She spun around too fast to pretend she wasn't hoping for exactly that.

"Yes?"

"First — call me Wayne, not Mr. Wayne. Second — I know you probably won't give me your number. But can I have your F******k page? I promise I won't bother you."

"Mira-hyphen-bella," she said, and turned to leave before he could see her smile.

"Thanks, Mira," he called after her, already typing it into his phone.

She waved without looking back. Wayne stood there and watched until she disappeared around the corner. Then he pumped his fist in the air.

"Yes!"

He looked around quickly to make sure no one had seen that, straightened his shirt, and walked straight into Mateo's office.

Back in Mateo's Office

"How many times have I told you to knock—"

"Guess who I just met," Wayne said, cutting him off.

"Who?"

"Guess."

"I don't know, Wayne. Your mother?"

"Why would my mother be here? This is a restaurant, not her house."

"Exactly. Anyone could be here. That's my point."

Wayne grinned. "I met your future sister-in-law."

Mateo frowned. "My what?"

"Mirabella."

"My employee, Mirabella?"

"Your employee, soon-to-be my girlfriend, Mirabella." Wayne kept smiling, but Mateo's face had gone completely flat.

"Wayne, I've told you already. Stay away from my staff."

"I didn't say your staff. I said Mirabella."

"Same thing. I don't mix pleasure with work. You know that better than anyone."

"You're joking, right? I finally like someone, and this is your reaction? I thought you always wanted me to date."

"Not my staff, Wayne. I can introduce you to plenty of women. Just not her."

"Give me one good reason and I'll drop it."

"I'm looking out for you. You don't even know her. What if she's not who she seems? What if she's already seeing someone?"

"That's all garbage and you know it. You know I don't play games with women. If I say I like her, I mean it."

"You wouldn't understand, Wayne. Just trust me on this."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Wayne's voice rose. "You know what — forget it. I'm out of here."

He walked out and slammed the door behind him.

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