Chapter 43
NATHAN
I almost panic. I try to calm myself, imagining that it might just be an apology. But apologizing is not her style. Damn it! She can't do that! She's not like that. She wouldn't give up so easily. No. She definitely wouldn't do that.
Megan knocks on the door. My stomach is upset, which is completely ridiculous! Miss McCartney's expression doesn't help matters. She walks over to my desk and hands me the envelope. I feel a horrible sensation.
"When did she come?" I ask without looking at her, afraid she will notice something different in my tone of voice.
"I think about an hour ago." I wonder if she's all right, or if she just decided to forget everything so easily.
"Was she..." I stop, realizing that I shouldn't ask this kind of question.
"Sir?
"Nothing. You can leave."
"Yes sir."
I hear her footsteps until she walks through the door and the sound fades. I stare at the envelope in my hands. Deep down, I already know what's inside. But I can't accept it. I can't. I start to open it. I look over the small, typed letters. The date is from the day before. It is titled resignation. Shit! I crumple the paper. I stand up, grabbing my jacket and car keys. I don't allow myself to think about anything else, just the fact that I'm not going to let this happen.
After twenty minutes of an almost suicidal drive, for driving extremely fast, I'm stopped in front of her apartment. Still wondering what I am going to say to her, I get out of the car with the idea that I just need to convince her not to give up the job. It can't be that hard. I'm good at it. It's my work. Almost every day I have to convince people. But you don't usually have sex with these people. It doesn't matter. I have to do something, I can't just let her go.
I knock on the door. Seconds later I see the doorknob turn, and soon she is standing in front of me with an expression of surprise.
"Ryan?" She is wearing a white, almost transparent tank top that makes my dick wake up instantly. I swallow hard and try to push any perverted ideas out of my head.
"I need to talk to you." She hesitates.
"I'm not sure that's a good idea."
"It's about work." She faces the street behind me, then the ground.
"Okay... Come in." She says, exhaling the air in her lungs. I walk past her, entering the apartment.
"Sit down." She says as I walk to a stop near the sofas. She also looks desolate, and I feel a sudden urge to take her into my arms. I sit down, trying to ignore the thought. She sits down on the other sofa. My desire grows with her every move. What she does to me is inexplicable. My eyes roam over her breasts, and my mouth fills with water. She clears her throat, trying to get my attention. I blink several times.
"I don't accept your request." I speak the first words that come to mind. The expression that comes over his face next is very familiar, ready to confront me as usual.
"I guess this is my choice, Mr. Ryan."
"I am just trying to say that you are being unreasonable."
"Believe me. I think this is one of the most reasonable decisions I have made in a long time."
"You know that there are many people who want to be where you are, who would like to have this opportunity. And you're just going to give it up? I'm sorry, but maybe you're being a little bit stupid."
"We know exactly why I am giving up." She stands up, and I do the same.
"Why?"
"Just go away."
"Say it. I want to hear it."
"I want to avoid having any contact with you. I should never have done that. It was the biggest foolish thing I have ever done in my life." I swallow hard. I could argue with her, but it would be useless. She was the one who ended it all when she decided to fuck that asshole cousin of mine.
"This is already over." I say, with my eyes on hers. These words seem so true that they scare me. "I only came here because I don't want you to throw it all away because of me. You are very good at what you do. So, if you make the right choice... see you tomorrow, Miss Collins."
I leave. I am leaving, not knowing if I will see her again, knowing that everything has changed. Will she come back? Just thinking about not seeing her anymore makes me feel lost.
KATE
I stare at his body leaning against the door with his jacket over his shoulder and his shirt sleeves rolled up. I lower my head. It has been almost a week since he came to my house, and I still don't know if coming back was the right thing.
"Did you finish doing what I ordered?"
"Yes." I look for the papers in the drawer and hand them to him, avoiding eye contact. Is it too difficult to use the verb ask?
"Great. Good night, Miss Collins."
"Good night, Mr. Ryan." He turns and goes to the elevator, walking as sexy as possible. Stop it right now, Kate. I shake my head, squeezing my eyes shut. I'm just looking around. I laugh. No big deal.
My phone rings. An unknown number appears on the screen.
"Hello?"
"Katherine?"
"Who is it?"
"You sound as if you have forgotten me." The voice sounds familiar. But who is it?"
"God! John?"
"This is good. How are you, Katherine?"
"Fine, thank you. It's a surprise, uh... but how are you?"
"I'm fine. Before you ask why I am calling, I was wondering if you were free tonight?"
Does he want to go out with me? I'm certainly not in the mood to go out. But on the other hand, maybe it's a good idea. He is an amazing man, gentle, mature, and also handsome. Very handsome. Maybe this can help me forget about Ryan. Even if it's not a nice thing to do with someone, Kate. It's more like combining business with pleasure. But in any case, it will help me clear my head.
"Katherine?"
"Yes?"
"Yes?"
"Not this yes."
"No?"
"No. I mean, yes."
"I'm confused." We laugh together."
"Forget it... I accept."
"Great, I was already getting worried. Can you send me a message with your address?"
"Sure."
"What time can I come by your place to pick you up?"
"Nine o'clock?"
"Perfect. Nine then. I'm looking forward to seeing you again. See you later."
"See you later."
Well, I think I have a date. What would Mr. Ryan think of that? You shouldn't wonder what he thinks or not. I pack up my things and leave. Lisa will be happy to know that I have a date. And I'm actually a little excited.
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