LOGINI entered the restaurant full of confidence. I removed my shades and roamed my eyes around. This is the main branch of one of Xerces’ restaurants. A hostess approached me and asked, “Reservation under whose name, ma’am?” “Ruelle Altagracia.”She excused herself for a moment to verify the reservation, then came back and guided me to my table. I switched my phone on and messaged Xerces. Ruelle: I’m here. Where are you? I want to see you. I sent him a picture showing the place. It was delivered, but he didn’t reply. Later on, I found myself looking for him in the waiter who served my food.“Is the owner of this restaurant here today?”“May I ask why, ma’am?”“I want to talk to him. I’m Ruelle. Please tell him I’m here.”“Do you have any concerns? If you do, I can call the manager so you can speak with him instead.”I held myself back from snapping over all his questions. My patience was runnin
He shot me a cold look as I approached him. “What are you doing here?” I asked. He handed me my bag. “You left this in my car yesterday.” “Oh, thanks. You should’ve just returned it to me tomorrow so you didn’t have to wait for me. I’ll come to your place for breakfast anyway,” I said, grinning as I walked toward my door. “I won’t open the door for you.” “Then I’ll have to find a way to sneak in,” I said as I rummaged through my bag for the key. When the door opened, I stepped inside, feeling him right behind me. I switched on the lights and tossed my bag onto the couch. “Does your boyfriend know?” I glanced at him, one eyebrow lifted in confusion. His face, however, was completely blank. “Boyfriend?” Since when did I have a boyfriend after Gavin? Did he think Nevan was my boyfriend? I wanted to laugh at the thought. “Does he know his girlfriend is cheating on him by hitting on her neighbor?” He smirked, but I couldn’t find any amusement on his face. He looked angrier than
“How about your car?” he asked.“I’m gonna call someone to pick it up.”“Who?”“A friend.”I turned on my phone and messaged Elizabeth to pick up my car and have it repaired. She complained at first, but when I told her I’d pay her, she gave in.“I wanna sleep,” I groaned and rested my head against the car seat.“Where have you been?”I looked at him and grinned. “Why? You curious?” I teased.“In your dreams. I was just asking.”“I was at my family’s house.”“Now it makes sense why you’re dressed like that.” He gave my body a quick once-over.“Do I look sexy?”I was still in my shorts and a fitted shirt. I was so annoyed earlier that changing didn’t even cross my mind—much less expecting a flat tire on my way home.He didn’t answer.“Do you find me pretty?” I asked after a moment of silence.My sister claimed she was prettier and sexier than me, whic
“When are you planning on getting married?” Mom asked.This is why I never liked coming home. I know they'll keep pressuring me about marriage.“That’s not in my plans yet, Mom,” I said.“You’re not getting any younger, Ruelle. You might as well start a family now so we can at least see our grandchild grow up,” she insisted.They only care about marriage for the sake of having an heir.I’m only twenty-five, and even when Gavin and I were still together, the thought of marrying him never crossed my mind. I’m young, and I still want to enjoy my life—something I wouldn’t be able to do once I am officially tied to someone.“Don’t pressure your daughter too much, honey. As long as she marries Gavin, everything’s good,” Dad chimed in.My parents had been rooting for Gavin and me ever since they found out about our relationship. Why wouldn’t they? He’s set to take the helm of their family business after Xerces stepped aside and chose to pursue his passion.“Why do you keep pushing me into th
Gavin and I were a perfect match. I was all about flirting and having fun, with no interest in commitment, until he came into my life.He courted me for half a year. He did everything to win my heart and my trust. He always made sure I ate on time. He picked me up and dropped me off from my apartment to school just to make sure I was safe. He also always made time for me, even when we were both busy.He was such a green flag that I became secure he’d never fall out of love or, worse, cheat on me.I was out of sorts all day while working. I was on my way home when I stopped at a mini-mart to buy some alcohol. I wanted to get wasted but didn’t want the overstimulation of a bar.I opened a beer can and drank it while driving. My grip tightened on the can when I remembered the picture Gavin posted in his story earlier.I know I’m stupid for still not getting over him after what he did.I parked in front of my house. I finished the rest of the beer in the can before getting out of the car.
“Fuck. You’re here again?!”That was how he greeted me the moment I stepped into his house again.“My gas stove ran out. I can’t cook,” I lied.I made my way to the dining area. The table was already set, and it felt like I’d interrupted his meal.“Great. You’re having breakfast as well. Perfect timing, right?”“Are you going to eat here?” he asked.“I can’t cook breakfast at my place. Why? Is that not allowed?”“Totally isn’t,” he replied immediately.Wow. What an honest man.“You really are heartless. I can’t go to work starving.”“As if I care. Just order food online and stop bothering my supposedly peaceful breakfast.”“The delivery will take too long. I might be late for work.”“Then stop by some restaurants before you go to work.”I rolled my eyes and groaned. “As if the service will be that fast.”“You really won’t run out of excuses, will you?”“And you really won’t stop being so grumpy, will you?” I shot back. “God, good thing I have a lot of patience for you.”He had no choi







