from work, heavily exhausted from work. As usual,

ore me forever?" she asked, h

ord, I refused t

," she continued,

I was still mad at her. Just

eeping with him?" I demand

knew I had caught her off guard. Sh

important,"

sisted, I was g

before finally admit

ole

g them, trying to heal, suddenly felt useless. The hurt

m sorry," s

apologies, it wasn't goi

the door behind me. In that moment, I wished I could leave but I had already

room crying, ti

Virelli Headquarters, I knew it would be the last time I walked through those doors with Mason Virelli as my boss. Fo

earnt about his reputation as a cold, thorough businessman. I was so scared I cou

dactyl go to the bathroom?" h

round the room before looking bac

't know"

had ever heard. He apparently found it to be the funniest thing in the wo

found him discussing with a m

tioning for me to come forward.

ice to him. With dark hair, piercing deep blue eyes, and a sharp jawline, he was the physical embodiment

esence carried confidence t

o much about you," he s

slight acce

aptivating just by the way they spoke?

onded, hoping that I didn't sho

ou Mr. Virelli J

is fine"

"Shall we?" He gestured forward, a

o the board how thrilled he was to finally be there. I did my best not to stare, but

on Virelli was officially no longe

, I turned to him. "So, what'

think I'll tak

ou, we all will." I swallowed fighting the te

to manage without yo

i replied. "I'm sure he'll surpass

son and heading over to Jillian, who was sorting

," I greete

ally," sh

stunning,"

e replied, offering a ti

e you?"

ully placing the design in

hru

retired, huh?" she sa

son's voice came from behin

itement in my tone," she qui

always tell when you're

not, because then you'd know I'm

my lips as she hugged him. I had never seen that

it," Mas

she shot ba

ings with Alexander. Surprisingly, the senior Mr. Virelli spent the

standing by my car. My stomach tight

u doing here?" I as

talk?"

tions, then let out a sigh.

t a diner nea

?" he asked, but I just

tered, then sig

eriously?"

," he insisted, as if that wa

my voice heavy w

ogether just

hear it," he said. It was t

eally do," I r

t you... plain and boring. You're not exactly the kin

k in His hurtful w

ecause I'm ugly?" My vo

just-" he trailed off. "The p

ove her?"

uilt was written

up with me, you know," I sai

ry," he

nger. As I turned to leave, I caught sight of Lin

rything. I hurried away before

y hands trembled, caus

ou okay?" a fami

ed, forcing a tearfu

-view mirror, I barely recognized the reflection staring back. Suddenly I

er he c