One Kiss Too Many
1444 Words
Mila's POV
I watched her leave, her words still echoing in my mind, clinging to my thoughts like a persistent ghost.
While I wrestled with the aftermath of our conversation, Mr. Harris walked in, cutting through the quiet like a storm.
"Miss Brown," he called, his voice slicing through the tension in the room.
I blinked, shaken from my spiraling thoughts.
"Yes, sir," I replied, clearing my throat and trying to regain control.
His gaze lingered on me. His eyes were dark, unreadable, but intense. I shifted, trying to hold onto some semblance of professionalism. But the way his eyes held mine, like he could see every secret I was trying to bury, was unsettling.
I adjusted my stance, the weight of his gaze almost making it impossible to breathe. The air felt thick, heavy with unspoken words. But of course, I failed. My hands, betraying me as always, knocked over a stack of files. The sharp clatter broke the tension and dragged him back to reality.
"Get me the files on the foreign investors. Quickly," he ordered, his voice softening into a sigh as he turned toward his office. His tone shifted slightly, but there was a hint of something more, something I couldn't quite place.
"Oh, and book a reservation for dinner at 8 p.m. for Alexis and me."
His smile was smug, like a man who knew exactly how to stir the storm inside me.
I nodded, forcing a "Yes, sir," past the tightness in my throat as he disappeared behind the door to his office.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside me.
Fuck him. f**k Alexis. And f**k these feelings I always get when he's near. I was done. Done letting him control my emotions. He's just my boss. That's all he'll ever be. I know how to bury these feelings.
But they wouldn't go away.
They never did.
I grabbed my phone, my fingers trembling as I dialed the one person I knew would help me forget.
"Maya, we're getting drunk tonight," I said, my voice a little too sharp, more forceful than I meant.
"What? Who are you, and what have you done with my friend?" Maya's voice rang through, incredulous, followed by a shocked laugh.
"Just... stop. Can you just be ready by 8?" I muttered, rolling my eyes as I paced across the room.
"Fine... but you know it's a weeknight, right?" Maya chuckled, clearly amused.
"Damn it, Maya, just be ready by 8!" I snapped, cutting her off before she could say anything more.
I needed this.
I needed to escape.
And getting drunk seemed like the quickest way to do it.
The rest of the day dragged. Mr. Harris was different. Cold, distant. He didn't bark orders at me like usual. When he finally called me into his office, he refused to meet my eyes. It was like he knew I could see right through him. It made my skin crawl.
But I didn't let it bother me. I couldn't. I was too focused on not letting him pull me back in.
After work, the traffic was unbearable. It took almost an hour to get home, and I was already regretting the decision to go out. The thought of facing a night of empty fun felt like the biggest distraction I could ever attempt.
I stepped into the house, and the silence hit me immediately.
"Mom? Lila?" I called out, but there was no response.
I checked the kitchen. A note sat on the counter.
I took your sister to the movies. We'll be back later. ❤️ Mom.
I smiled faintly at the note before pouring myself a glass of juice, trying to shake off the heaviness of the day.
Exhausted, I dragged myself upstairs to my room. My bed looked too inviting to resist.
Just a quick nap before the night with Maya, I told myself as I closed my eyes.
I don't know how long I slept, but the shrill ring of my phone snapped me awake.
Groggy, I picked it up, and before I could speak, Maya's voice screeched through the receiver.
"Babe! I'm a few minutes away! Hope you're ready to have some fun!"
I groaned, still half asleep.
Rolling my eyes, I quickly hung up.
What had I done?
I'd unleashed the party beast in Maya.
And deep down, I knew it wasn't going to help. But I needed to do something. Anything to forget.
"f**k it," I muttered, dragging myself out of bed.
The shower helped clear my head, and as I dressed, I found the rhythm of the night starting to take over. A denim skirt. A silver crop top. Heels. The old me might have hesitated.
But tonight, I didn't care.
I finished my look with loose curls in my hair and light makeup. Maya texted that she was outside.
I rushed down the stairs and opened the door.
"Girl!" Maya screamed, pulling me into a hug.
"Okay, babe, you look beyond gorgeous," she gushed. "What's with the sudden weeknight outing? Not that I'm complaining!"
I laughed, shaking my head.
"Can we just go already?"
Maya raised an eyebrow but followed my lead, dragging me out the door.
The drive was a blur of laughter and conversation, Maya's voice cutting through the music. But in the back of my mind, all I could think about was him.
Angel Harris.
His face.
His touch.
The weight of his words.
We arrived at the bar, and the night quickly picked up speed. Shots, music, laughter. This was what I needed, what I told myself I wanted. Maya and I danced, forgetting about the world outside.
But then Maya shouted over the thumping bass, "Mila! Let's go somewhere more exciting. This place is dying out."
"Where to?" I asked, taking another shot.
"A club. I know a guy who'll get us in," she whispered, her eyes glinting with mischief.
I nodded, already feeling the rush of freedom.
We hopped in a cab, and by the time we reached the club, I was already feeling a buzz. The bouncer let us in without a second glance.
The moment we entered, the energy shifted. The music was louder, faster, the crowd electric. Maya grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the bar.
"More shots?" she asked, her grin too wide.
"Hell yeah," I answered, ignoring the knot of tension in my stomach.
We clinked our glasses together.
"To forgetting about him," I said, my voice laced with bitterness as I downed the shot.
Maya grinned.
"So, it's about your hot boss. You actually want more of him, don't you?"
"Yes," I admitted, laughing bitterly. "But I'm done. It was just some stupid infatuation. I'm over it."
Maya raised an eyebrow, her grin widening.
"It's not like you slept with him."
I dropped my voice.
"Babe, you're more drunk than I thought."
She laughed, but then her eyes narrowed with mischief.
"Well, as your best friend, I'm going to help you forget him. The best way to do that is to get you laid."
I wasn't sure about her plan, but right now, I'd do anything to drown these feelings.
I nodded, letting her drag me to the dance floor.
We moved together, a blur of movement and sound.
But then I saw him.
Armando Rayas.
His hazel eyes locked onto mine, and everything else faded. I hadn't expected to see him here. The last time I saw him was in London, and now, here he was.
"Miss Brown," he said smoothly, his deep British accent wrapping around my name like a caress.
My heart skipped.
I couldn't speak.
My throat suddenly felt dry.
"What are you doing here?" I finally managed, my voice barely above a whisper.
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair from my face.
"You're beautiful, Miss Brown," he said, his voice low and intimate.
I swallowed hard, unable to tear my gaze away.
"You can call me Mila," I whispered, feeling the heat rush to my face.
His smile deepened, and in one fluid motion, he pulled me into his arms. His lips crashed against mine, and for a split second, I was lost in him.
But somewhere, buried beneath the fog of lust and desire, Angel Harris's face flashed through my mind.
He wouldn't be happy seeing this.
I remembered his warning.
Stay away from Armando Rayas.
But why was I even thinking about him? Armando is here, kissing you, holding you, the voices in my head screamed.
You're a free woman, I reminded myself.
And I kissed him back, letting go of everything.
- Writer
