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"Workon all the files from yesterday, and try really hard not to screw them up. No excuses if you do. Reschedule all the meetings that were supposed to take place this morning and text me when my schedule is up to date." With that, he walks out with Damien following closely behind.
I makeit to my desk before tears prick at my eyes. I throw myself down in my chair and hold my head in my hands. I hate thatJeremy makes me feel this way. I hate his guts for treating me like a piece of trash. Whenever he looks at me, I see a strange gleam. It's nothing like the way he looked at me that night.
This one seemsto have a single purpose.
Humiliating me.
Making me disappear.
It'slike he hates me for some reason. Even if I try not to admit it, it's upsetting in a way that makes me feel worthless.
The first manI ever gave myself to hates me. Am I really that unlovable?
I knowmy fling with Jeremy wasn't meant for love, in fact, we were never supposed to see each other again after that night. But fate played us. Even then, he shouldn't treat me this way.
But screw him.I'm done letting people break me. I’m–
I stop,staring straight ahead as a new thought enters my mind. Hold on a second, Jeremy might be treating me this way on purpose. That's right. Oh, I get it now! He’s trying to make me quit, isn’t he?
Well,he doesn’t know who the heck he’s dealing with. If he thinks I'm going to run off like a scared little chicken, then I'vegot news for him. I'm not going anywhere until I want to. He doesn’t know how much of a thick skin I’ve grown over the years.
I feellike I just figured out the world's most difficult puzzle. I smile triumphantly and begin to work on the files like he told me to. I stay focused, immersed in the files for what feels like an eternity, oblivious to the world around me. I can't seem to feel my neck anymore. I sit up to stretch and I find Tyler standing in front of me.
"Oh my god!"I leap to my feet in shock, feeling as if I've momentarily detached from my own body.
He chuckles."I’m so sorry! I didn't mean to startle you."
I takea moment to collect myself, pushing strands of hair behind my ear.
"Tyler! What are you doing here?"I look around, checking to see if someone else came with him. I’d gotten so lost in the files that I didn't hear him walk into my office. "How did you even know where to find me?"
He grins."Ella and I were in the neighborhood and I thought I'd check up on you. You haven't hung out with us since you got here, but it’s cool. She said you’re pretty stressed out with work."
"Yeah, but I'm fine."
"Good.It's lunchtime, care to join me? Don't say no, please."
"I can't sayno to a chance to escape this prison of paperwork."
He chucklesand leans against my desk. "Well, lucky for you, I'm your rescue mission. Lunch break, my treat."
"Sounds thrilling."
We ridethe elevator in silence, but it’s not the awkward kind. The door opens and Tyler steps out. As I move to follow him, I catch my heel in the gap between the elevator and the floor. I stumble slightly but Tyler steadies me. "Thanks," I mumble, feeling a slight flutter when he doesn’t let go of me right away.
"Careful,wouldn't want you falling for me too soon." He smiles at his corny joke, but his eyes are twinkling. I roll my eyes at him but can’t help smiling in return.
"You wish,"I quip, and he just laughs. I stroll towards the company cafeteria but Tyler takes the lead and redirects my steps. "Wait, where are we going? There’s a cafeteria down those stairs."
"You’ll see."I follow him to his car and he drives us to a restaurant a few blocks away. The place is quaint, cozy, and beautifully decorated. It’s an inviting haven of soft lights and muted conversations.
"This place is great.You sure you're not trying to impress me?" I raise an eyebrow at him and he smirks. I scan the menu thathangs over the counter, then place my order with the person working the cash register. He does the same.
"So, spill it,"he says as we wait for our orders. "What's the secret project consuming your life?"
I sigh,feigning seriousness, then lean closer to whisper, "If I tell you, I might have to kill you."
He raises an eyebrow."That’s a risk I'm willing to take. Seriously, though, what's going on?"
