BETWEEN TWO DEVILS

*MATEO*

She should give up already, I thought to myself. She shouldn’t have accepted the job offer. I didn’t even think about the consequences of us working in the same place.

After she left the day of her interview, I told my secretary to prepare her appointment letter and send it to her. Two days later, she was the last person I thought I would run into — and even more so, in my office. I didn’t know what to do. What’s making it weirder is that we’re both pretending not to know each other.

I abandoned her five years ago to chase my bigger dream. I’m not going to lie and say I regret it, because I would go for it all over again if time were reversed. I know I hurt her, and I don’t deserve her in any way for the things I did to her back then. What made it worse was that I was her first love, and I was the one who took that from her.

Not going to lie, my “little bunny,” as I always called her, was a hopeless romantic, and she was the sweetest girl ever. I had all of that and still left her without thinking twice. She must really hate me.

Looking at her now, she’s changed. She’s a grown, beautiful, petite woman. I really don’t know what’s going on in that beautiful mind, where she’s been, or who she’s been with. Not going to lie, I really want to know everything that’s happened over the last few years.

During the last few years, there hasn’t been a day that’s gone by without me thinking of her. Has she moved on, or is she still thinking of me? I’m not going to lie, I really miss having her close. Her beautiful eyes, her sincere smile — everything about her was light.

But right from when I was young, I was taught that no matter how much you love someone, work comes first. My mom taught me that. She left me and my sister when we were young. Dad said she felt like we limited and hindered her growth, so she left us to “find herself.” Ridiculous, right? But it looks like I took after Mom with this.

Besides, Dad wasn’t always there either. He was either busy with one thing or the other. He never acted like a father, just provided the necessities. I had to look after my little sister and myself at a very young age. So I felt like that’s how life is supposed to be: just walk away whenever you’re uncomfortable, pressured, or when things get too intense. I know it’s not the right way, but that’s how I live my life. I keep convincing myself that it’s already part of me.

I knew she was going to have a hard time sorting out those files, but I still assigned them to her anyway. Part of my plan was to tire her out with the workload so she’d resign herself. Seeing her every day makes me want to be in her life again. It really awoke old feelings I didn’t know were still there.

She still looked as beautiful as before. She’s even grown more beautiful and confident. She still has that scent I love.

Driving home, she was all over my head. I really wanted to kiss her right then and there, but I had to restrain myself with all my might. I would have risked it all. I could have risked getting slapped for a kiss, but I held myself back. If I keep seeing her every day and we’re alone, I won’t be able to promise to keep my hands to myself.

When I got to my place, I quickly took a shower and changed my clothes. I’m heading to the club for a drink because I’m feeling messed up tonight.

When I got to the club, I was welcomed into the VIP section. What do you expect from someone who treats the club like a second home? Lol. I was a regular, so they welcomed me as one.

“Hey, buddy,” I heard. I looked up to see Noah. We greeted each other and started vibing.

Now, Noah is a very close friend of mine. We share different interests and have opposite characters. Noah is the good guy — the type of friend who stays with you till the end, even if it affects him. You couldn’t say the same about me, because I’m the bad one here. Lol. I’m the one who runs and abandons people even in the worst moments, without looking back. I think the opposite sides of our characters are what made us best friends to this day. You could say we’re two sides of the same coin.

The club was too loud. Or maybe I was just too quiet inside my own head.

Bourbon burned going down. Good. I wanted the burn.

She was in my office today.

Same perfume. That soft, stupid scent that makes me forget I’m supposed to be her boss. She stood two feet from my desk and my hands actually ached to touch her. Five years and my body still betrays me like that.

I downed the rest of the glass and signaled for another.

`Mateo`. `Mr. Devereux`. `Boss`.

None of it mattered when Olandria looked at me like she hated that she still wanted me too.

The music thumped against the walls. People danced. I didn’t.

I just sat here, watching the ice melt, pretending I wasn’t counting the hours until I’d have to see her again at work. Pretending I wasn’t already losing.

My phone lit up on the bar.

`DAD`.

I stared at it. I live alone. I’ve lived alone since I was 22. But his calls still felt like he was standing in my kitchen.

I answered.

“Mateo.” No hello. Just my name, heavy. “Claire is coming back.”

I went still. “What?”

“She’s flying in from overseas. End of the week.” Ice clinked in his glass on his end. “She’s been away for school. She’s back now. And you’re going to be ready.”

My throat got tight. “Ready for what?”

“For your fiancée.” He said it like it was already signed. “The minister’s daughter, Mateo. You will meet her at the airport. You will welcome her. You will make it clear you’re serious.”

I didn’t say anything.

“You hear me?”

“I hear you.” My voice was low.

He hung up.

I set the phone down slow. Claire. Coming back. My fiancée. And I was supposed to pretend like I’d been waiting for her

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