Chapter 12

LORETTA

I didn't trust myself not to ruin tonight's dinner, so I left that part to Mrs Parks

Twice during the day, I contemplated texting Elion to remind him about coming home for dinner, but each time I picked up my phone to do so, I couldn't.

I didn't want him to notice I was getting desperate. Men like Elion were always observant of patters, if he suspected I was up to something, then I'm done

I've got only one shot to be free of him and regain freedom over my life. I wasn't messing this up

Dinner was ready by six fifty. Steaming hot chicken broth with vegetables and flaky tarts for dessert. I had showered, worn a nice dress, and was waiting for Elion to show up. My heart thumped with anticipation, waiting for the moment Elion would walk through the doors, shrug off his jacket, and throw a painful frown at the table while still joining me for dinner

I already planned this all out in my head. Smile softly, ask him about work and hopefully get him to feel used to me. That was my plan, with every meal we shared together, I would do whatever it takes to chip at the ice surrounding his heart so he'd let me closer to him and unknowingly slip

Then I strike

But the problem now was, Elion wasn't forthcoming

I glanced at the fancy wall clock perched on the wall by my side. It was past seven already. My tongue dried up and a sudden tightness wrapped around my throat.

It's just forty minutes, maybe he's on his way back. Elion wouldn't stand me up, right? We talked about it this morning, and I was sure he'd come back home early tonight.

By eight fifteen, I was a mess of nerves. I couldn't keep my gaze from ping ponging between the clock and my phone

He was late. An hour and two minutes late yet no message. The back of my eyes stung and I blinked rapidly, willing myself not to be affected by his absence

I had honestly hoped Elion would show up, I knew it was stupid; heck, I'm stupid for caring, but just for one moment this morning, when he held me like he didn't want to let go, I foolishly thought he would give tonight a chance

Get to know each other well my foot

A bitter laugh slipped out of me, one that would make people think I was losing my sanity. I straightened and grabbed my phone off the dining table

“Of course he didn’t come” I stated the obvious, my chest rising and falling with my pained breaths

It's been just a few days with him, and this man is already driving me to my wits' end. First it was the rules now....

“Wait"

An idea came to mind, and I could almost see a lightbulb flickering on over my head.

I paced up and down the length of the dining room, my mind deep in thought “His rules. His stupid rules” The idea began to materialize in my mind's eyes

Another laugh slipped out of me. This wasn't as bitter as the first, but I pinched myself as punishment anyway. “God Loretta. What were you thinking?” I spoke in low tones to myself

Did I really think Elion cared about me enough to sacrifice his time for me? Hell no

What I needed was a strategy. Elion won't be shaken or impressed by an imposing dinner at home with me, the easiest way to get his attention is to defy him

By breaking his rules

A smile curled on my lips.

Tonight, I was going to break those bloody rules.

≈≈≈

ELION'S P.O.V

My office at night was fairly different from during the day

The glass wall reflected the city's night light, bouncing off all corners of my office. The building was mostly empty now, most of my employees had closed for the day, and the few who left were most likely rounding up their work

I glanced at the watch on my wrist. It was nine o'clock, and I turned the page of an acquisition brief, trying to read what was written there but my mind kept zeroing back on Loretta

What was she still up waiting for me? Or did she realize she was pushing a lost cause and give up?

I gave in to that later though, my breath picking up its pace. For a long time, my life has been...quiet. Save for Joseph and Mrs Parks, my home was always empty. I've never had anyone wait up for me but for some reason, I didn't like the prospect of Loretta giving up

My gaze slid to the phone on my desk, no message, no call. Nothing. A hollow feeling rumbled in the pit of my stomach, but I pushed it aside and refocused on the task in front of me

Just then my phone lit up and I swiped it off quicker than I ever had, eager to see who had sent me a text

An unwelcome feeling of disappointment washed over me when I saw that it was just from my front desk

Not that I was expecting any messages from her anyway.

‘Sir, there's a visitor for you' The message read

My brow quirked. “A visitor at this time?” That was both unusual and comical. For anyone to visit me in my office, they needed to have an appointment first and secondly, I only received visitors during the noon hour

It was way past that time.

‘No' I replied. No sooner had my text landed when another one followed from the front desk

‘She won't leave sir. She says her name is Loretta Sterling’

I stilled, staring down at the message on my screen and reading it thrice so I wasn't mistaken

Loretta was here.

She was here

Two different feeling simmed underneath my skin. First, there was surprise followed by something underneath it, something that made my chest tight just by trying to make what it was

The second was annoyance. Pure, undiluted annoyance. My grip around my phone tightened “What part of ‘Prisoner’ does she not understand?”

I had rules. I set up these rules and now she's breaking them. Seems I've been too lenient with her, I pushed off my seat, my jaw ticking beyond my control

‘Tell her I'm unavailable’ Loretta was playing games with me. And I'll rather shot my self in the foot than dance to her tune

Like I said. I'm the boss here, I make the rules, not the other way round

I watched the three dots appear. Disappear. Then —

*Sir, she says to tell you and I'm quoting directly — that you can either see her now or she will sit in the lobby until morning and tell everyone that she's your fiancée waiting for her husband to come home’

I closed my eyes for exactly three seconds, my patience was wearing thin and I was on edge but fuck I couldn't risk what she intended to do

‘Send her up.’ I typed reluctantly