Chapter Four – Jealousy and Confessions
960 Words
The next few days passed in a blur of meetings, emails, and endless coffee breaks. Rossy focused on her work—what else could she do? The last thing she wanted was to be caught up in whatever this was between her and Thomas.
She wasn’t just an intern anymore; she was exposed. The weight of it all hung over her like a shadow.
And yet, no matter how hard she tried to push him out of her mind, Thomas was always there—in her peripheral vision, in every hallway she walked through, in every quiet moment. His cold detachment only seemed to draw her in more.
Then there was Elliot, one of the other interns. He was a nice guy—smart, charming, and very aware of Rossy. He’d noticed her before, and now he made a point of stopping by her desk. He’d buy her coffee, chat her up in the break room, even linger a little longer than necessary after meetings.
It was harmless. At least, Rossy thought it was.
But that’s not how Thomas saw it.
One afternoon, Rossy was having lunch with Elliot at a small café near the office. They were sitting outside, talking about everything—work, their favorite movies, travel plans. She was finally starting to feel like she belonged.
Suddenly, she felt a shift. The air felt heavier, and when she looked up, her stomach dropped.
Thomas.
He stood across the street, hands in his pockets, eyes locked on her and Elliot. His jaw was tight, lips pressed together like he was trying to suppress something. His gaze was fixed on her—and it was anything but indifferent.
“Is something wrong?” Elliot asked, noticing her distracted expression.
Rossy quickly looked away. “No, I—I just thought I saw someone.”
Her heart pounded as Thomas turned and walked into the building without a word.
That evening, after work, Rossy headed toward the elevator. She was almost relieved that the day was over—until the elevator doors slid open to reveal Thomas standing inside. He was staring at his phone, but his posture was tense.
That evening, after work, Rossy headed toward the elevator. She was almost relieved that the day was over—until the elevator doors slid open to reveal Thomas standing inside. He was staring at his phone, but his posture was tense.
She hesitated for a moment, then stepped inside. The doors closed, and the elevator started its descent.
Neither of them said a word at first.
“Elliot seems like a nice guy,” Thomas said, his voice tight.
Rossy blinked, surprised by the sudden mention of the intern. “What? Why are you—”
“He’s a good fit for the team,” Thomas interrupted. “I’m sure he’s very competent.”
She tilted her head, feeling the sharp edge in his tone. “What’s your point?”
Thomas met her eyes. “Don’t you think it’s… unprofessional to get too close to someone you work with?”
Rossy frowned, suddenly on edge. “I’m not doing anything wrong. We’re just friends.”
His eyes narrowed. “Just friends, huh?”
Her pulse quickened. “You don’t get to tell me who I can be friends with.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them crackled with tension, but then Thomas’s voice softened.
“I’m not… I'm not trying to control you, Rossy.” He looked away, his jaw tightening. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt. Not again.”
The words hung in the air. Rossy swallowed hard, her heart racing.
She didn’t know what to say. Was this the Thomas she’d met weeks ago? The man who’d held her, kissed her with an intensity she couldn’t forget? Or was he just another rich guy trying to manipulate things from a distance?
“Thomas,” she said, her voice quieter now, “what happened between us—was that just some… fling to you?”
He froze. His face hardened as if she’d slapped him, and his eyes flickered with something she couldn’t quite read.
“I’m not like that,” he said, voice low. “You mean more to me than that.”
She couldn’t hold back her frustration anymore. “Then why do you keep acting like I’m nothing?”
He didn’t answer immediately. When he finally spoke, his voice was barely a whisper.
“I don’t know how to handle this,” he said, his tone rough. “I never expected you to be here. I never expected us to be here. And my life isn’t as simple as you think. My family has other plans for me, Rossy. They’ve already arranged a marriage.”
Rossy’s heart sank. She’d known about the family pressures—everyone did. But hearing it from him, in the rawest, most vulnerable moment, hit her harder than she expected.
“Isabella?” she asked, her throat tight.
“Yes,” he said quietly. “But it’s not what I want. I don’t want her. I want you.”
Rossy felt the weight of his confession press down on her. She should have been happy. She should have been relieved that he wasn’t just using her as a distraction. But all she could think about was the reality of the situation.
His family. His obligations.
And she… a girl from a humble background with no place in his world.
“Then why don’t you just walk away?” she whispered.
He closed his eyes, as if in pain. “Because it’s not that simple.”
The elevator dinged. The doors opened, and Rossy stepped out, heart in her throat.
She didn’t look back.
- Writer
