Chapter 7

It was 7:30 am, and William was in his office, already working on his laptop – or rather trying to work. He recalled the party and, most importantly, the kiss, and he felt like he could curse himself to the moon and back.

He had been sober but different shades of jealous that evening, so much so that he could barely control himself… but it was too soon. He knew it and could feel it in his bones. Simone didn’t know the depth of his feelings for her, and would probably try to dismiss it all some way.

He had seen the looks she gave Laura, and it was like his own version of salvation. But busy as she was glaring at his date, she had been oblivious to the anger simmering just behind the surface.

It was his first time seeing her with someone after her prom date. And lo and behold, the man didn’t look fazed by his cold demeanor, whether it be out of carelessness or confidence, he didn’t know… But then again, he was the ruthless boss many whispered about, at least behind his back. He wasn’t exactly surprised.

William was anxious to see Simone, to try to explain his side of the story, especially the way he walked out on her without another word… He just hadn’t wanted to freak her out. Besides, a restroom was hardly the best place for a confession, now was it?

The clock was ticking, almost showing 8 am, and he was no closer to focusing now than he had been earlier. Hell, if anything, he was even more anxious.

He had messed up, royally… and he didn’t know if Simone would forgive him, if she would even care to listen to him.

Would she even come to work?

Before long, the elevator stopped at his floor, and he breathed out a discreet sigh of relief. William couldn’t care less about the whole world, as long as he remained someone precious to his sweet, lovely Simone.

Soon, his stepsister walked into his office, and was only mildly surprised to see him already sitting at his desk.

Simone was his own ray of sunshine, no matter if she was smiling or being her usual awkward self, and William was happy to see that a smile was stretching her lips at that moment.

“Morning,” she drawled out the word, her smile broadening, “How are you today, William?”

“Splendid,” he said, nodding curtly at her, as he waited for the most important part of their conversation.

Only Simone just sidestepped the big elephant in the room, and talked to him about his schedule.

“About that evening,” he soon began, unable to keep himself from opening the subject, only for her to cut in before he had the chance to say a word further.

“It was a mistake, William,” her words had the knack to make him feel dizzy. How could she claim it was a mistake in such a flat tone of voice? “I was drunk and wasn’t thinking properly… We should totally forget about it.”

And with that, she turned on her heels, ready to walk out of the office – though hopefully not his life.

“Simone?” He called her after she took a few steps forwards.

She let out a noncommittal sound in the back of her throat in acknowledgment, but didn’t turn to face him again… And he wondered if he had gone too far.

“I refuse to forget it,” he deadpanned.

He heard her sharp breath intake, but she then walked out of the office, not bothering to tell him anything in return.

This was a first for William. He was William Stone, and he had the knack to dominate the room with both his intellect and nerves of steel, and yet Simone made him a needy teenager all over again.

He was going to have to find a way to break through her walls. Simone had never been guarded around him, and he didn’t want that to change. Heavens, he wanted so much more.

This wasn’t a game to him. He would never play with her in such a cruel manner. He cared for her far too much, and wanted to be her support, her lover, and simply her person.

The question was: Would she ever feel the same?

** ** ** **

The only reason Simone had to walk out of William’s office in such a manner was because tears had decided it was the right time to spill.

She had rehearsed what she would tell him this morning before coming to the office. She had told herself it would probably be fine, and William would overlook the whole incident. For even though she had let out those jealous words, he had been the one to kiss her. They were equally at fault… Surely, he wouldn’t make it difficult for her.

And yet, as she had told him it had been a mistake, her heart throbbed almost painfully, the forced lie making her feel like she would never amount to anything.

Why couldn’t she own up to her words? She had never been a scaredy cat, and never had to shy away from anyone… But William was the one person she absolutely could not lose. She refused to let a mistake be the downfall of their connection.

As she returned to her desk, just outside his office, right into the open space, she inhaled deeply, and tried to will the tears away.

They weren’t cooperative at first, but soon she got her wits back together, and began to work on the documents that needed proofreading – it was something she excelled at, but also a good task to try to forget everything.

By 10 am, the elevator came to a halt at the floor, and soon came out the one colleague she wasn’t sure she wanted to see. Indeed, Ryder was a sweet and kind guy, and she didn’t want to drag him into her mess… But he was all smiles, and she found it infectious, thus smiling at him in return.

“They’ve made you their errand boy?” She soon teased him as he handed her the paperwork which was due today by their department.

His lips curved into a smirk, a smirk she would have found bewitching, if she hadn’t been so damn into her stepbrother.

“I volunteered.”

She let out a stunned “Oh?” before she could help herself… even though she just knew she wouldn't appreciate his next words, mostly because she couldn’t reciprocate the feelings.

“Because I wanted to see you,” he drawled simply, his words confirming exactly what she thought.

Before she had the time to tell him it would not work out, or anything along those lines, because she refused to lead him on, William’s voice rang out, cold and unforgiving, “I don’t pay you to be a flirt...”

William stood by the door of his office, eyes locked solely on Ryder, and Simone felt the need to diffuse the situation, “He was just going, sir.”

William let out a dismissive grunt before saying, “Simone, my office, now.”

“I’ll text you,” Ryder had the nerve to say in parting, and Simone could have face-palmed if the two weren’t both watching her.

Heavens have mercy, Simone just prayed the day would go smoothly.