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LAURA

Life was supposed to be simple. 

I was supposed to be married to the love of my life on a Valentine's Day such as today. That had been the plan. Because with Colin, nothing else really mattered but the fact that we had each other. 

But life has a funny way with twists and turns. The morning you wake up with the best news ever could be the one where you receive the worst news ever!

“I’m breaking up with you, Laura. I've had enough.”

“You're too much of a prude,” he had explained with a straight face. Seven years together, and it was suddenly a problem? 

My boyfriend's words had shattered something in me, even though I pretended like I was fine when I packed my stuff and left his house in Boston. 

The gloomy thoughts disappeared the moment Pierce Holdings loomed into view. The tall, magnificent glass building was a sight to behold.

More than Colin’s pathetic attention, I needed this job. Because the moment he broke things up with me was the moment I became homeless. 

“I was going to leave you anyway,” I had lied through the tears, while the panic raced about in my chest. 

How pathetic that I hoped for a future with him.

A little thrill of joy raced through my mind as I stepped into the building and walked through the lobby with my head held high, like every other staff here. What a privilege it was. 

“Look who it is, thirty minutes late on her first day.”

My head whipped to the side immediately, and I almost sighed in relief when I saw her.

Karen McCaw, the nice HR manager who delivered my email and struck up a little introduction conversation afterwards. I recognized those sharp green eyes and auburn hair because I'd stared at her profile for so long, amazed at her ethereal beauty. 

I smiled at her, averting my gaze. “Good morning, ma'am. It's nice to officially meet you.”

“Oh, please. Karen is just fine.”

I adjusted my bag and bit my lower lip. “I didn't mean to be so late on my—”

“I'm only teasing,” she chuckled gaily. “Relax, it's your first day.”

My brows furrowed as I joined her in a half sprint towards the elevator that was almost closing. 

Appreciating the fact that she was probably trying to be nice did not mean that relaxing was an option for me. 

I had to be on my best behaviour if I wanted this job kept. Pierce Holdings was famous for its strict corporate rules which had put the establishment at the top of a global list.

The remuneration bonus mentioned in the contract email had blown my mind, and because I needed all the money I could get in the world right now, I couldn't let this opportunity slip through my fingers. 

The agent for the new apartment I found had been blowing up my phone, dishing threats about throwing me out if I failed to top the balance on the down payment I made a week ago. 

The spacious elevator was packed with five people who refused to adjust when Karen and I tumbled inside.

The charming brown-eyed man who held the doors for us, flashed me a little smile and adjusted. 

“I'm sure you can fit in here,” he murmured, the smile stretching and revealing a striking dentition.

“Thank you.” I cleared my throat and adjusted into the tiny space. 

“I’ll see you at the onboarding meeting,” Karen said as soon as the elevator stopped on the third floor, and we went separate ways.

It was already time for the meeting, so I grabbed an intern tag and hurried off towards the venue.

I was almost at the door and about to head in when someone shoved me to the side, making me almost lose my balance.

Fury burned in my chest as I looked up and saw the culprit kept walking without a care in the world. 

“Hey!” All thoughts of being on my best behavior flew out the window as I went after her. 

Even from behind, I could tell that this woman was nowhere in my class. With an hourglass figure to die for, and rich blonde hair that tumbled all the way to her waist in a ponytail. 

When she turned, her face was the most breathtaking part of her. Large brown doe eyes, lips full and perfectly round, jawline sharp and elegant.

She was gorgeous and looked…expensive. Way out of my league. 

Yet my pride wouldn't let me ignore the fact that she just bullied me in broad daylight. 

“Can I help you?” She eyed my plain cream blouse and dark pants over her shoulder, her expression tight with disgust. 

“You shoved me just now.”

“Oh.” She turned fully and folded her arms in a matter-of-fact manner. 

“I expect you to apologize.”

She scoffed, her expression sour. “Apologize to you? I mean, I'm not wrong for shoving you. I simply thought you were a walking trash bag in those cheap clothes and shabby hair.”

The sting rubbed in so hard the retort got stuck in my throat. I blinked, unable to believe my ears. 

“Excuse me?”

Smirking, she looked from my face to the meeting room. Then she looked at me again. “Are you sure you're in the right place?”

“Of course she is, Ms. Steele.” Karen appeared at my side, her eyes trained on the bitch. “She's a new intern, just like you are. A little respect wouldn't hurt.”

“Respect? A new intern?” She scoffed and flicked her hair. “Don't make me laugh, little miss Manager. I'm not in the mood for jokes.”

My eyes smarted painfully as I watched her walk away without apologizing. Who did she think she was?

“Sorry about that,” Karen's voice did little to soothe the furnace in my chest. “Madison always thinks she can get away with anything because she's a Steele.”

I raised a brow. “Steele?”

“Yeah. She's the daughter of a top shareholder.”

“Oh.” It made a little sense then, why she was such a bitch.

“C’mon, the meeting’s about to begin. Don't let her ruin your day.”

°°°°°

My day was ruined alright. 

So much so that when I got back to my apartment later that evening, I decided I needed a bottle of wine to let off the steam. I was running on the fumes of a failed long-term relationship and a bad day at work, coupled with the pressure of an unsettled rent bill. 

Instead of ordering in, I went out to the closest supermarket and got it myself, throwing in a bag of salted popcorn. 

Back in my apartment, and a few glasses into the cheap wine, I thought about ranting in Mara’s DM. I feared I wouldn't feel better until I got my best friend’s support and validation. 

So I pulled out my phone and proceeded to text her, but the traffic of messages in the intern media group caught my attention. 

Too drunk to care about what was being discussed, I scrolled through profiles. 

Until I saw him with the most captivating pair of midnight blue eyes. Who was this striking blonde with a relaxed smile?

An idea popped into my mind, and giggling, I took a screenshot of the picture and proceeded to Mara’s DM. 

Without a moment's hesitation, I sent the picture with a text attached at the bottom. 

He's hot. I think I wanna fuck him. 

I didn't mind that he was a fellow intern. I didn't mind that he was a stranger. 

What mattered was that I was free from the shackles of an orgasm-free relationship. I could finally get a good cock, if I got lucky. 

The loss was Colin’s.

I watched the typing bubbles that appeared almost immediately, grinning. Of course, my best friend was always available to text.

Who knows? I might want to fuck you too.

I blinked at the response, confused for a moment. Was this another one of her stupid jokes?

I thought it was until I saw another text drop. 

You down?

Confused, I flicked my gaze to the profile picture at the top of the chat box. 

“Fuck me.” My hand flew to my mouth and I bolted from the couch. 

My drunk ass didn't text that picture to my best friend’s DM. 

This was a complete stranger’s chat box. The same one I took a screenshot of his picture. 

Could the day get any worse?