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It’s easier to pretend.
“Are you alright?” His voice is soft and caring, like a father worrying about his child.
I want to tell him the truth, but I can’t. I won’t. It’s my burden to bear.
“Everything is fine. I’m just extremely grateful, and I don’t think I say it enough. Anyway, back to the grand opening.”
I swipe at the lone tear that falls down my cheek.
Get it together Alexandra. He doesn’t have time for your problems.
“Ah. yes. I’m about to step out of the office for a private meeting. Do you need anything from me?”
His definition of a private meeting is that absolutely no one knows about it. Not even his children. It must be an important business meeting because this is the fourth one in a little over a week.
“Yes, sir. Just for a quick moment, and then, you can be on your way and I’ll forward your calls to my desk. The new manager for the club was wondering if you were going to make an appearance for the opening, and if you are, how big of a party will there be for the VIP section?”
“I’m not sure I’m going to make it, but Joseph and Francesca are more than welcome to claim the VIP section with their dates. After all, the club is their inheritance. You should take the night off and join them.”
Dates.
That one word causes my stomach to perform somersaults like it’s the Olympics and my heart to constrict with pain.
I don’t want to imagine Joseph with a date, let alone see him with someone.
If he’s with anyone, I want it to be me.
It should be me.
“I’ll pass along the word to your children. Will you be out for the rest of the day?”
“More than likely. If you have anything that needs my immediate attention, email or fax it over to the house.”
Joseph barges into my office with a glare that could kill. I place my hand over the microphone so Arturo can’t hear me.
“What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be practicing with the team?”
He doesn’t speak. He continues to glare at me as if he’s waiting for me to hang up.
Getting back to Arturo, I say, “Yes, sir. Will do.”
I hang up the phone and sigh. “You can’t just barge into my office, Joseph.”
“I can and I will. You’re mine, Alexandra.” He grunts out.
Spinning around, he closes and locks my office door before turning off the overhead light. The few rays of sunlight peeking through the dense clouds filters in through the blinds, letting us see just enough of each other.
He presses his lips together in a tight, thin line as he stalks across the office to me.
“You were ignoring my calls and texts. Why?”
“I was busy.”
It’s mostly a lie, but I can’t tell him the truth right now. He’s standing too close to me. Close enough to smell the citrus scent of his cologne with hints of smoke, and right now, my body is reaching out to him.
Craving him.
Begging him for just one more time.