on'

hnically, I could. The cold air, the glinting glass, the

I felt

ay

l and poised. Her black suit hugged her frame like armor, and her hair was pulle

ust a second. On

d how much it still messed with me. I felt the linger

y mind, the way her hand jerked away the moment I reached f

t a refusal. I

want me. N

'd get back on track, it just kept reopening old wou

ing between us. Ma

ot anger, but something colder, like disappointment. Like

God, it fuc

ames and smirks, I felt a gnawing emptiness-

loved and lost. I was facing mysel

know how to

iately, she averted her g

tter opening and slamming closed again. She was numb of emotions,

id, breaking the tension. "Welcome. W

e. "Looking forward to se

hadn't

ecutive said, "our PR team

P

n. Would I be working with

d her. Cameras clicked in the bac

ing my hand. "Congratulations. Looks

nked. Ju

uched mine,brief,

e bosses chuckled nervously. "Actual

y from her. "I'm s

h opening like she wanted to s

onnection do we have together? Who is she? Bu

Confere

everyone seated. I'd barely s

was

and answered.

ok. "I couldn'

igu

on't know what this is

I shot back

me that. Is t

omach

her voice rising. "All of this? J

napped. "You're not even s

cause you cut me out. The moment

h." I h

room, all eye

seniors gestured to her. What

fore she co

ated. The

n, firmer. "Sit

looked like he'd swa

someone watching me. I took a glance at Taylor and continued, "...since the former collaborator

burst into laughter. F

tly at her. Let

tunate

s. The tension was delicious

I'm Henry, the P

t me. Try again," I sa

oat. "We've assigned Ms. Rivera, one

I said

Wh

in charge," I replied,

Taylor?" he a

. "The name you'll remember

knew what I was doing. She a

for minutes, like he'd had enough of my shit. "Actually... y

lenched.

?" another exec said carefully. "An

n't re

en companies. But this was never about

She built her empire with glass smiles and sealed doors. Growing up, I watche

s that smelled like cologne and old money. He smiled too much, talked too loud,

successor. What they didn't realize

chose would win over the stock market. My billionaire friends

ng. Ready to welcome me with open arms when I rejected her. As if he hadn't w

. "Whoever you choose between them will get

." You could hear the scramble

omething flickering acro

t care.

then, Taylor, would you mind

s the insult

"No. I'd like you

gasped i

ed like she'd

, mocking. "What

and you..." I stopped, and she also stopped

eft, she turned aroun

art?" I said,

Just turned to the

enough silen

pretend that neve

ook at me. "Y

ser. "I'm a man who remembe

ply. "You mean h

e papers. You left. Wha

jump to conclusions so quickly! You

ft, what stopped you from coming to explain? N

ttered, trying to touch her

u always had a choice.

ing revenge on me

her voice was steel. "Yo

ed. "No

d your billionaire family name, and what? You thin

I think you're a

she wanted to run. But then she'd had en

" I said, my

from my bag and dro

sign this. Jus

alked to the table, looking at t

showing me thi

loser. My vo

ou in my life. Agree to thi

"And why the fuck would you think I

d I know exactly why you will accept

drained fro

ime that day-she did