Falling for the Enemy

Ch.16

Althea's POV

The familiar sound of the gym envelops me, transforming into a comforting, brown noise. I shift awkwardly on the bench.

"Try these eight-pounders," Eva says, handing me a pair of weights.

I accept them gratefully."Thank you."

She grabs her own weights and sits on the bench beside me." It's not good to miss days when you can't focus on other areas of your body. Besides, I wasn't about to miss this. Not when there's so much gossip to catch on."

I roll my eyes but can't help smiling." Is that why you're here? For drama?"

"Partly." Eva grins, starting her bicep curls."So..... how was the enemy treatment?"

The Mansion.

Taking a break from my reps, I set the weights down as memories flood back - the tension in the kitchen.

"Good," I reply, trying to keep my voice neutral."But it wasn't without drama."

She raises an eyebrow."Drama? When you and Eros are involved? Oh, you don't say."

I laugh at her sarcasm.": I know, right?"

"So what happened?"

"He took care of my wounds and said he was glad we were working together again."

Eva pauses mid-curl, surprise evident on her face."Seriously? Mr. Bottom line said that?"

"I was shocked as you are." I pick up my weights again, wincing slightly as I shift my position.

"Wow." Eva whistles low." That's ..... unexpected."

" I know." I focus on my breathing as I continue the exercise, trying to stop myself from reading too much into it."A nd afterward, he was staring at me."

"Staring?" Eva perks up immediately." What kind of staring?"

"Intense? I don't know how to describe it." Eva's face breaks into a knowing grin." I know what you're thinking," I say." And it's never gonna happen. I already thought once that he might have changed, but he hasn't. He's probably just trying to get on my good side."

We move to the Cable machine, and I position myself on the seat.

"Maybe he's changed." Eva points out.

" I doubt it." I start pulling the cables, focusing on the burn in my shoulders rather than the flutter in my stomach " Even if that were true- and I'm not saying it is- it wouldn't matter."

"Why not?"

"Because I know better now." The cables clank as I release them slowly."Eros is all about money. Always has been. That's why he left our startup - left me- all those years ago. For a bigger paycheck."

I watch her complete set, trying to ignore the tiny spark of hope her words may ignite. A part of me still remembers how it felt to be the focus of hIs attention, to share dreams and plans and inside jokes. Still wonders what might have been if I hadn't rejected him, if he hadn't left.

"It doesn't matter," she says finally.

" I know I have feelings for him," I admit quietly as we move to the next station. It's time I've said it out loud, and the admission makes my chest tight." And that terrifies me."

" Hmm....." She twists her lips." I get it."

The weights clank as I rack the bar, my arms trembling slightly from exertion. I sit up slowly, reaching for my water bottle.

We continue through our modified workout, and by the time we finish our final set, I'm exhausted - both physically and emotionally.

"Want to grab a smoothie before heading out?" Eva asks as we gather our things from the lockers.

I shake my head." I should catch up on some work emails."

"Workaholic," she teases, but gives me a quick hug. With that, she hears her car on the south side of the parking lot. The afternoon sun beats down, making me regret my decision to park so far from the entrance.

I'm halfway to my car when my phone rings. I fish it out of my bag and check the screen. Mom's name flashes on the screen, and I answer with the kind of forced cheerfulness that hopefully masks how tired I am.

"Hi, Mom."

"Althea, honey, I was just thinking about you. How's the new job treating you?"

"It's going well. Busy, but I'm learning a lot."

"You sound tired. Are they working you too hard? You know, you can just quit and -"

"Mom, I'm fine. It's just tiredness from workout sessions. And besides, my new job is what I expected.

"And you're eating properly? Getting enough sleep? I worry about you in that big city, working for people who might not appreciate -"

"I appreciate the concern but everything is under control. I have good news though, I'm moving to a better apartment next month."

" Oh, sweetheart, that's wonderful! Is it in a safe neighborhood? Do you need help with the deposit?"

"It's safe, and I can handle the deposit. The new salary is working out well."

We talk for another fifteen minutes -Mom updating me on neighborhood gossip, me deflecting questions about my personal life with a carefully cheerful response. By the time we hang up, I feel both comforted by her concern and exhausted.

My phone rings again with an unknown number flashing on the screen.

"Hello?"

"Is this Althea Dawson?" The voice is polished and professional.

"Yes, speaking."

"Ms. Dawson, this is Grace Appiah, sister and VP of operations at Appiah's Import and Export Company. I hope I'm not catching you at a bad time?"

I freeze, my grip tightening on my phone. Appiah's Import and Export Company is one of the biggest companies in Accra with a competitive market rate in Cocoa.

"Not at all," I say, trying to sound casual while awkwardly shifting my weight."How can I help you?"

"I'll be direct," Grace says."My brother has explained to us about your career accomplishments at Valenti Corporation. We're hoping you might be interested in exploring new opportunities."

I lean against a nearby car."I'm listening,"

"Our COO position will be opening up next month," she continues, " and your name was recommended by my brother and you've been placed at the top of our list. We admire your recent accomplishment at OAK for Valenti corporation and believe you can create a vision that aligns perfectly with our company values."

A few weeks ago, I would have jumped at this chance. A clean escape from Eros, a fresh start at a company where I could be valued rather than fighting to preserve what I didn't build. The timing is too perfect, like the universe offering me an escape route.

"That's......quite flattering," I say carefully."What would the position entail?"

Grace launches into details about the role, company projects they're developing. It sounds impressive -exciting even. A part of me is already imagining my office there, the changes I could implement, the freedom I would have.

But as she speaks, I find myself thinking about Valenti corporation. " I appreciate the offer, Grace. It sounds like an incredible opportunity."

"But?" she prompts, clearly sensing my hesitation.

"But I'm committed to seeing things through at Valenti Corporation right now," I find myself saying."It's... important to me."

"I understand loyalty," Grace says smoothly."But situations change. Companies change. People find themselves marginalized, their visions compromised."

Her words hit close to home- they echo my fears. Yet somehow, hearing them from someone else makes me want to defend Eros.

"Let me at least send you the formal offer," she continues."Review it, think it over. We don't need an immediate answer."

"Alright," I agree, more to end the conversation than anything else. I give her my email address and we exchange pleasantries before hanging up.

For a long moment, I just stand in the parking lot, leaning against the car. Did I really just consider turning down a dream job offer because I think I need to babysit Eros?

Shaking my head, I push off from the car, I'm not going to let myself fall for him again. I can't. No matter how my heart races when he's near.

I know better than to put myself in a position to be hurt again.