Those love stories

Ryan Parker became my boss. On my resignation day, he showed up at my door with a pregnant Ragdoll cat, knocked up by my tabby. "Time to pay child support." Ugh! That traitorous cat! I saw Ryan again at our high school reunion. The private room buzzed with energy. Fresh off closing a major case, I calculated my commission, practically glowing. "Cheers to our star lawyer, Lizzie!" Glasses clinked as I grinned. "Just remember me for your next big case, everyone!" As I raised my glass, the door swung open. The room hushed. I turned and saw him—tall, sharp in a tailored suit. Someone whistled. "Damn, Ryan was hot in high school, but now? That suit should be illegal." My good mood evaporated when his cool, aristocratic eyes met mine. Did no one warn me he’d be here? The party revolved around Ryan. I retreated to a corner sofa. My best friend Claire slid over. "Lizzie, I organized this! At least pretend to have fun." I shot her a look. "You invited my nemesis and want me to play nice?" Claire snorted. "If you won’t appreciate him, others will." True. Ryan’s face was a magnet for attention. "You’re a top lawyer now—be professional! Rumor says his net worth is this high." She flashed a number. "Think of his future cases!" My resolve wavered. Sure, he’d stolen my #1 rank for three years and overshadowed my youth, but who holds grudges against money? I pasted on a smile and approached. Sophia Liu—dressed in virginal white—was already cooing at him. Some things never change, like Sophia’s thinly veiled crush. "Looking forward to working together, Ryan!" My smile turned genuine spotting his Patek Philippe. Ryan sat shadowed in the booth, his profile sharp. "Likewise." Polite, for once. I left early for my cat, Goldie—a stray tabby I’d adopted. After litter duty and dinner, reunion photos flooded social media. Friend requests piled up. I accepted them all and crashed. ... Seeing Ryan in my office elevator the next morning, I thought I was hungover. Daylight made him unfairly striking. Alone in the elevator, I forced cheer. "Floor?" "Sixteen." My floor? Only our law firm occupied sixteen. Eyeing his Armani suit, I saw an opportunity. "Here for business? I work here—" Ding. The doors opened. My boss beamed. "Lizzie! You know Ryan?" Ryan? As in… the firm’s youngest equity partner? My new boss?! Ryan’s cool voice finalized my dread. "Small world. I work here too." Holy hell. I wanted to quit. "Are you nuts?" Claire hissed. "You’ve clawed your way up! Plus, having Ryan as your boss? That’s VIP treatment!" I groaned. Ryan had crushed me into second place all through high school. His move abroad finally let me shine, only to land me back at square one. Bowing to him daily? Unbearable. But Goldie needed gourmet kibble. I surrendered. Fine. Boss him may be. Just pay me. By noon, Ryan’s gilded resume had circulated firm-wide. "Lizzie, you went to high school with Ryan?" Colleagues swarmed me. "With that face and build? He must’ve been popular!" I glanced at his broad-shouldered silhouette beside our managing partner. "Probably. We weren’t close." Ryan suddenly looked over. My pulse jumped. "Partner Parker! Need anything?" "Send me the YL merger files." VIP treatment? He’s bossing me around already. "Right away." Things worsened when client Alexander King appeared at the office with roses. "Dinner tonight, Lizzie?" Eyes pinned us. I stiffened. "Sorry, Alexander. Prior engagement." He smiled smoothly. "My mistake. Take these as thanks for your brilliant work." I hesitated. Declining a major client’s flowers felt rude, but— "She’s allergic to pollen." Ryan materialized beside us. "And client satisfaction is our priority. No need for gifts." ??? I did the work, but you take the credit? Alexander flushed. "My apologies." He vanished with the roses. Relieved, I delivered Ryan’s files. He stopped me. "Maintaining professional distance is also part of our ethics." He questioned my integrity? I seethed. "Partner Parker, Alexander, and I have zero personal relationship. You don’t think I’d date a man who doesn’t know my allergies, do you?" He took the files. "True. After all, you’re not close to people who do know, either." I froze. Three years of high school, and my enemy knows my weaknesses. Nothing has gone right since Ryan’s return. I raced home to Goldie’s comfort, only to find movers hauling boxes into the opposite loft. A carrier sat by the door, housing a regal, blue-eyed Ragdoll. My heart! I crouched, waving Goldie’s tuna treats. "Want some? Delicious!" The Ragdoll eyed me disdainfully. "Seriously! For a pretty kitty like you—" "Lizzy." I turned automatically. "Yeah?" The Ragdoll stretched and meowed. ??? Beyond Ryan living opposite me? His cat shared my name! "Ryan! You named your cat Lizzy!?" Pure malice. "She likes it." The lamest excuse ever. I swallowed my pride, hypnotized by those sapphire eyes. "Then… let me pet her!" Ryan’s gaze turned amused. Flustered, I waved the treats. "The cat! Let me pet—" "Lizzy’s particular. I don’t control her." ??? Our fragile high school truce hung by a thread. "Besides," he added, "she’s too smart for random treats." Oh, you’re mocking me. I clenched the can. Pretty as you are, cat, your attitude— Click. Ryan opened the carrier, lifting the Ragdoll. "Say hi to the neighbor, Lizzy." Neighbor?! If looks could kill, that cat would be up for adoption. She glanced at me and purred. Squeee! Mama loves you! I stroked her silky fur. Once. Twice. Fine. Ryan could live across the hall. For the cat. I entered my apartment, beaming. "Goldie! Look what Mama got—" Goldie trotted over—then recoiled, glaring. My stomach dropped. I only petted Lizzy! Don’t be dramatic! After an hour’s standoff, I knocked on Ryan’s door. Movers were gone, revealing expensive minimalist furniture. Ryan raised a brow. "No date tonight?" I took a breath. "Canceled to be with Goldie… Look, Ryan—Partner Parker—neighbor—I need a favor. Bring Lizzy over to… explain things." I’d only committed every pet owner’s sin! He studied me, then glanced away. "Fine." I nearly hugged him. Five minutes later, Goldie rubbed adoringly against Ryan’s legs. My heart shattered. "Goldie!" Traitor!