LOGINTHEODOREI went in search of Granny as soon as I had the chance to.I couldn't believe this. I couldn't believe she did this to me.It didn't take me all that long to find her because she was in the same spot as earlier surrounded by her usual group of friends. She had this mischievous glint in her eyes as I approached her, and I knew right away that she'd planned this down to the last detail.I'd already greeted her friends, so I didn't bother saying anything to them this time. But there was someone else in the group that I recognized, and anger surged through me. This was the guy who had his hand on Alice's shoulder the other night. I wouldn't forget his face.We made eye contact for several seconds. He didn't look away, and I wasn't sure that I liked what I saw on his face. Fuck, I didn't have time for him. Alice was somewhere around here and I had to get to the bottom of this quickly.I stopped in front of her and said, "Granny, could we have a word?""Of course! Excuse me, everyo
ALICEI wasn't sure how long I stood there, staring at him like a deer caught in headlights.It was pathetic really, come to think of it, but I was genuinely shocked and my brain froze. I didn't know what to do.I didn't know how to look away.Theo didn't take his eyes off me either, and it was clear that he was just as surprised to see me here. God, it never crossed my mind that he would be here.A hand on his chest distracted me enough to avert my gaze and I ended up looking at the person who was standing right next to him. It was his fiancée. I recognized her from all the articles that now haunted my phone. Her hair was long, perfectly curled, and the palest shade of blonde. She looked stunning standing next to him, and I couldn't help but notice that there was pure adoration in her eyes whenever she glanced at him.I felt sick to my stomach just then. It was like the single glass of champagne I had coagulated in my stomach and if I didn't look away or move, I would throw up right
ALICEI ran my fingers gently over the new gold earrings I got just for the special occasion, then stepped back.Renting a dress for the occasion was absolutely the right thing to do. It was stunning and expensive, and I'd look great for a much smaller price point.Freddie would be picking me up. I felt terrible for relying on him the way I was, but he insisted that it wasn't a problem. Anyway, since I'd be his plus-one, it would be more convenient for the two of us to go together.I walked around my apartment barefoot while waiting for him. I made sure to get ready on time because I couldn't risk being late. He was already doing me a huge favor by picking me up, so I refused to keep him waiting.Twenty minutes later, he and I were on the way to the venue. It would be at Francesca's residence or something like that. A relative's. I wasn't sure and I didn't ask because it didn't matter. Freddie and I made small talk. Honestly, I was just grateful that he hadn't brought up Todd after th
THEODOREFelix barged into my office with no warning at all, interrupting my train of thought. He strode in with a small smile on his lips, and I recognized the look on his face. It was the one he had every time he successfully annoyed me."You know, Felix," I began, sitting back in my chair and glaring at him through narrowed eyes, "sometimes, I'm convinced that you just want to catch me with my dick in my hand.""Whoa, whoa," he laughed, pulling out the chair across from mine. "Take it easy there, cousin. I don't see why you'd have your dick in your hand when you know that's not appropriate workplace behavior.""You know what else isn't? Invasion of privacy, asshole.""How the hell am I invading your privacy?" he questioned with a stupid head tilt. "This company belongs to all of us. This office could very well be mine one day."Anger coursed through me and I shook my head at him. Felix put his hands up, acting all innocent. "What? That's the truth, isn't it? That's why I'm here. Yo
ALICEFrancesca didn't come into the office all that often.Freddie told me she had other businesses to run, and so she divided her time between all her companies because she was rarely in the country. So, I hadn't seen her since the day we met.The restaurant was only twenty minutes away from Ember & Ink, and it was expensive, but cozy. We sat at a small round table close to the window. I had a perfect view of the sidewalk and the streets.It was a perfect sunny day."I've been looking forward to this little chat of ours," Francesca proclaimed. "I had to make sure I had enough time on my schedule to meet with you. You know, with my birthday coming up, I receive too many calls. So many old friends stop by to say hello to me.""It must be great to have so many people around you who care about you.""It is," she smiles. "How about you? Do you have friends in the city? Does your family live nearby?""No, I don't have as many friends. And my parents aren't from here, no."Francesca nods.
ALICEMy week was slow but eventful, and I was rarely derailed by thoughts of Theo.Because I made the mistake of Googling about his engagement when I got home that night, I received news about him and Carmella all the time, so I was forced to see him even when I didn't want to, and it hurt.I'd admit that. Why not? It wasn't like Theo could hear my thoughts or something. It hurt seeing him with someone else, and deep down, I didn't know why I felt this way. I didn't have time to think about it, either.What were the chances I'd see him again? It was a one-time thing that wouldn't happen again. Hell, I even suspected that he truly showed up that night wanting to tell me to keep my mouth shut about our brief, problematic affair, but the second I told him that I wouldn't, he changed his mind and walked out.Whatever. That didn't matter anymore. Things would get better, and I'd go back to not thinking about him all the time.I was staring at the screen of my laptop distractedly when some
ALICEI snapped out of my trance right away, and a wave of ice replaced the heat in my body.A groan left the back of his throat, and he snapped his head in the direction of my bedroom door with pure annoyance emanating from him.Without looking back at me, he stormed out of my room. I got up and h
THEODOREI glanced at Alice when I was sure she wasn't looking at me, and a smirk tugged at the corners of my lips.She was distracted again, staring out the window as we drove to the Airbnb. I knew what was on her mind. I could tell by the way she clenched her thighs under that woolen black dress
ALICEI was fuming as I stormed out of the meeting room.That...that man just couldn't stay civil for one minute!I hated how he thought that he could talk to me however he wanted just because I worked for him. God, it was so exhausting. And dehumanizing.It was like he took pleasure in being an ab
ALICEThis 'professional' outing didn't sit well with me.I was suspicious. I had a feeling that he mentioned it would be a professional setting just to get me to go with him, but what could I do? This asshole was my boss, and I couldn't say no to him.I had to go even though I was sure that he was







