Chapter 4.
1310 Words
This morning I'm in high spirits. I grabbed my bag and my car keys.
"Goodbye mom, I'll be back before dinner, and I'll bring dessert," I said, waving to my daughter without waiting for a reply from my mum who was turned away flipping some pancakes.
"Be careful driving!" I managed to hear my mother's voice as I crossed the front door into the street.
I got into the car and drove to the office.
The building loomed in front of me, I entered the parking lot and parked in my designated spot, grabbed my things, and when I opened the door, I saw him.
I saw those deep blue eyes that delved into my soul, bringing back memories of the intense feelings I once experienced, his lips that I kissed and bit so many times, red and full as I remembered. His black and slightly tousled hair that I touched with my fingers so many times.
There he was.
Getting out of his black McLaren, with his navy blue suit and red tie, he looked so handsome, only now he had more muscle mass and his features had hardened and matured over time.
There was no trace of the young man I fell in love with, only a man with a cold and distant gaze remained.
I froze, even with my car door still open, my mind raced, wondering if I looked ok. Thankfully, I had dressed up today.
My black pencil skirt paired with a fitted beige blouse with loose sleeves, along with some slightly high beige heels, made me look good.
Definately.
I didn't know whether to continue on my way or stop and greet him, but my doubt was resolved when he slammed the car door and headed briskly towards the elevator, practically ignoring my presence.
What the hell?
Was he not happy to see me?
Did he hate me?
My brain couldn't process that event, and my body didn't respond to any movement.
I managed to snap out of it, closed my car, and moved towards the elevator.
I couldn't stop thinking about what had happened. When the elevator reached the floor, the sudden noise of the doors opening startled me.
"Thank God you're here. I thought you'd never arrive. My brother is in a terrible mood, and I don’t know what's wrong with him. But don't take it personally; he's just being an i***t," Maryse’s voice brought me back to reality. I frowned, dropped my things on my desk, and was practically dragged by her to my boss’s office.
To my surprise.
It was him.
"Brother, let me introduce you to your new secretary, Alex. This is my brother, Eros. Eros, she's my friend, Alex," Maryse's smile kept shining. When I was about to tell her that I already knew him, her brother spoke.
"Maryse, instead of wasting my secretary's time, maybe you should go do your job," he snapped. She wasn’t wrong—he was in a foul mood.
"Eros, don't be disrespectful, you don't even know her, you should introduce yourself" Maryse stomped her foot in frustration, and her brother finally lifted his eyes from his phone and fixed his gaze on me.
"Nice to meet you, my sister hasn't stopped talking about you, so I expect productivity, responsibility, and punctuality, Miss...?" He looked at me, waiting for me to say my last name.
Of course, he was going to act like he didn't know me either. Why didn't I see that coming?
"Romanov, Alexandra Romanov". I extended my hand hoping he would shake it, but he left me there with my hand outstretched.
"Eros!" Maryse reproached him.
"It's okay Mary, I think I should get back to my tasks and stop taking up Mr. Blake's time" I looked at Eros again and let out a sigh of disappointment, smiled at Maryse, and went back to my desk to continue working.
I felt a pain in my chest, or maybe my heart. I wasn't sure.
Having him so close all this time and never knowing.
How had I not recognized Mr. Joseph?
How did I not realize before that he was his father?
I had seen Mr. Joseph many times, and he always ended up arguing with Eros about the marriage, and we always went to eat at some fast-food restaurant.
God, all I wanted was to storm into that office and scream at him, ask him why he was ignoring me.
His empty and indifferent gaze towards me hurt terribly.
But what could I do? He was no longer my sky.
I used to call him that because his blue eyes were as clear as a cloudless sky. And whenever I called him that, he’d gift me one of those incredible smiles that could melt you on the spot.
"I miss you so much, my sky", I let out a sigh and rested my head on my hands, and when I lifted it, I saw him standing there in front of me.
"Is this how you waste time, Miss Romanov?" His deep and strong voice startled me.
"I'm sorry, do you need anything else, Mr. Blake?"
His gaze was intense, and his silence didn't help me.
"Can you come to my office for a moment?" His request puzzled me, and the fact that he was being kind and not rude as he had been all day took me by surprise. I frowned and nodded before following him.
My pulse quickened when I heard him close the door and lock it.
A cold sweat broke over me.
My mind couldn't stop imagining what horrible things he wanted to say to me in private.
"Lex..." I closed my eyes and let out a painful sigh upon hearing the nickname I had missed so much.
I opened my eyes and turned to face him.
I gathered the courage to ask.
"Why?" I looked at him, hurt and confused, begging for an answer. I knew we’d ended things amicably, but what had happened afterward for him to forget about me?
"I didn't call you here to talk about the past, Miss Romanov. I brought you here because, since we already know each other, you can help me with something, something that we both know won't stop until it's done".
It was clear he hadn’t brought me here for that, yet the way he said my name made me question everything."
He missed me as much as I missed him.
"I'm sorry, sir, tell me", I sat in front of the large desk, and he took his seat.
"My father keeps asking me to get married, as you already know, so I need you to marry me" his superior gaze froze me, especially with the proposal.
"What?" Of course, I was stunned. "Are you kidding? We didn't do it six years ago. What makes you think we will now?" My courage was beginning to show.
His cold, calculating gaze pierced me so strongly that I didn't know where to look or what to do.
"Of course, how could I forget? You, so helpless and well-mannered. You didn't want to get married so young, but what about three years later, you were ready to marry John. Too bad you got divorced," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
My face showed my disbelief.
"All these years, thinking about what I did wrong, for you to stop calling me, and now you come to blame me for moving on with my life just like you did. You're out of your mind, so my answer is no, I'm not going to marry you, Eros," I said firmly.
I opened the door, grabbed my things, and glanced at the clock. It was already a bit late. Without a second thought, I rushed to the elevator and headed home, my throat tight and my blood boiling with rage.
What an i***t.
- Writer
