As she finished getting dressed for her new job, Lucy couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over her. She had been so caught up in the aftermath of last night's escapades with Asher that she had forgotten all about this new opportunity.
But as she made her way to the office, her fears were realized. As soon as she walked through the door, there he was - Asher, sitting at his desk like he owned the place.
"What are you doing here?" she spat out angrily. "I thought we were done after last night."
Asher just smirked at her and motioned for her to take a seat.
"Well, well, well," he said in a mocking tone. "Look who decided to show up for work today."
Lucy felt herself getting angrier by the second. This was not how she had envisioned starting off her new job.
"I can't believe this," she muttered under her breath. "Out of all the people in this city, I had to end up working for you."
Asher just chuckled and leaned back in his chair.
"Relax," he said with a shrug. "It's not like we have to bring our personal lives into our professional ones."
But as much as Lucy wanted to believe him, there was still an underlying tension between them that couldn't be ignored.
She tried to focus on her work and ignore Asher's presence as much as possible. But every time their eyes met or their hands accidentally brushed against each other's, it sent shivers down her spine.
Part of her wanted nothing more than to give into temptation once again - to throw caution to the wind and let Asher have his way with her right there in his office.
But another part knew that it would only lead to trouble - both professionally and personally. And besides, who needed men anyway? They were all just lying cheating bastards in the end. Even if they happened to be billionaire CEOs with chiseled jaws and piercing blue eyes.
The tension between Asher and Lucy continued to grow throughout the day, their interactions becoming more and more strained. As she packed up her things to leave for the day, he stopped her in her tracks.
"Listen," he said seriously. "I know things got a little out of hand last night, but I can't stop thinking about you."
Lucy rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Yeah right, like I'm going to be your b**m partner and submissive," she spat out sarcastically.
Asher's eyes widened with surprise. "How did you-"
"I heard you talking about it with some other girl earlier," she interrupted him angrily. "Do you really think that's all I'm good for? Some kinky s*x toy for your pleasure?"
Asher tried to backpedal, telling her that he didn't mean it like that - that they could explore their boundaries together and have fun doing it. But she was having none of it.
She grabbed her bag and stormed out of his office, slamming the door behind her as she left.
As she walked down the hallway towards the elevator, seething with anger and frustration at Asher's audacity, she suddenly ran into someone - or rather something - else entirely.
It was him - her cheating ex-boyfriend who had broken her heart just a few short weeks ago.
"What are you doing here?" she asked incredulously.
He just shrugged casually. "Oh, you know me, always trying to make connections in high places."
Lucy felt bile rise up in her throat as memories of their past relationship came flooding back to her mind - all the lies, all the deceitful behavior that had led them to this moment right now.
"How dare you show your face around here," she muttered under her breath as she tried to push past him towards the elevator.
But he wouldn't let go so easily. He grabbed onto her arm tightly and pulled her close.
Lucy tried to pull away from Max's grasp, but he only held tighter. "Let go of me, you asshole," she growled through gritted teeth.
Why does life always bring back bitter memories?