The end of the day was already approaching. I packed up my things to leave the office. Samantha was also getting ready to leave."If you need help finding a great hotel, I have some references," she said with a sly smile on her face. I didn't even want to imagine Samantha's references, and I let out a brief laugh. I grabbed my bag and walked to the elevator. I saw Joshua approaching and joining us. A sudden silence fell over us.The three of us waited patiently and silently for the elevator to arrive on our floor. After a few minutes of waiting, the doors opened, and Samantha stepped back."Oh! I just remembered that I forgot to check something," she said, taking a few steps back."What did you forget?" I asked."Something," she said, casting a suggestive glance in my direction and smiling cunningly. It was obvious that she did it on purpose just to leave me alone with our boss. I entered the elevator after Joshua.I let out a sigh. There were still a few floors to go before we reache

Numb, I watch Joshua, Jack, and the "real Madelyn" talk."And what do you intend to do?" Joshua asks."I'm not sure yet. But I'll do everything possible to get Emeraude to a rehab clinic," Madelyn responds, standing up next to Jack and Joshua."I think that's a good idea. Because enough is enough. It's been years of that girl interfering in my life. And now, since I know she's not you..." Joshua moistened his lips and quickly looked at me. "I just want her to pay for everything she's done."Strange that he interrupted what he was saying to look at me. His behavior actually made my heart beat faster. Had Joshua endured all these years of the girl's intrusions in his life because he still loved Madelyn? If he had said he wanted Emeraude to pay for everything she did only after discovering the truth, then perhaps Madelyn still meant something to him. Otherwise, he would have stopped her from tormenting his life from the beginning."She'll get what she deserves," the girl affirmed. "I hav

"Did you send flowers to Madelyn?" I asked, watching him place the dish on the counter."What?" He looked at me, surprised.I turned my phone towards him, showing the screen with a message from Madelyn."She's going through a tough time. I just wanted to show her that she has someone to count on," he shrugged, turning his attention back to the burnt chicken on the counter.I remembered the conversation I had with Benjamin, who had encouraged me to talk to Joshua about my doubts and fears."Do you still have feelings for her?" I asked, making him flinch."No, of course not."Joshua didn't look at me and walked over to the sink with the dish."Are you sure?" I insisted."Why do you want to know?""Because I want you to be honest!" I got off the counter. "Do you still have feelings for her?" I emphasized, but didn't get any answers. "Joshua?!""I already told you, no!" He replied like a stubborn child.I narrowed my eyes and licked my lips."Then look at me and say you don't feel anythin

The world seemed to have frozen in that moment. Seeing him there, especially with Madelyn, was the last thing I expected and wanted to see."Why did you do this?" I asked Samantha, getting a little annoyed."Because it's your birthday. And... I thought it might be a way for you two to make up. But... I didn't imagine he would bring Madelyn. I-I'm sorry," Samantha murmurs, feeling guilty."I'll take her inside," Benjamin says and heads towards the cabin.I let out a heavy sigh. I run my hand through my hair, feeling restless. In that moment, I wished I was completely drunk. Thinking that I was hallucinating would be much better than facing Joshua for real, and the next day, I could easily forget everything.And that's exactly what I was going to do.I see Sarah and Nathan talking a little way off from where Joshua was. They both had a beer bottle in hand. Without hesitation, I walk over to them."Birthday girl!" Sarah says excitedly. "I saw that your boyfriend came to celebrate your bi

I looked through the car window at the chubby clouds drifting aimlessly across the sky. Around a small sense of admiration, I allowed my thoughts to expand. The look Samantha gave me before my departure still bothered me. I understand her position in saying that I was putting obstacles where I shouldn't have, because I admit, I often avoided Joshua, just so I wouldn't have to face him for real, but that's because, to me, Joshua could easily be a synonym for confusion. Not because he causes arguments, intrigues, or the various things that can destroy relationships between friends, lovers, and so on, but because he inexplicably manages to be the perfect blend of good feelings and hesitations. I left conflicted. On one hand, a small fury commanded part of my body, on the other, the uninterrupted affirmation that I shouldn't be angry with Samantha. Because, despite saying words that I didn't want to hear, she tried to do a good deed, even if it had been unexpected, but as she herself ha