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No, it’s not. Obviously! Why am I even asking?

It’s almost like I can watch the blinds going down again, and Aden’s whole expression becomes more distanced. “It’s nothing, don’t worry.”

“It’s not nothing. You were really upset. It was your brother, wasn’t it? Kayden?”

“Yes, it was my brother, but it’s nothing important.” The blinds go down completely, and Aden’s expression is suddenly almost blank. It’s such a stark contrast to how he was with me when he took me to bed.

I wonder if he will ever trust me.

But why would he?

You are nothing.

I am nothing. I have nothing to offer.

…useless…

I didn’t want you.

Why did you ruin everything?

I don’t want you, Noel, not like that.

Don’t make things complicated, Noel.

“Noel?” Aden’s voice startles me, pulling me out of my trail of thoughts. “Is something wrong?”

When I first stepped into Aden’s home, I wondered why I felt so off. Aden’s place is beautiful and warm, yet something spiked my anxiety. Now I know what it is. Everything in this place isperfect, but me. Everything belongs here, but I am completely out of place.

“I need to leave,” I blurt out.

Aden looks at me, confused. “Now?” he asks. “Why don’t you stay the remainder of the night? I will drive you home in the morning.”

“No, it’s fine.” I grab my remaining things. Fortunately, I don’t have a lot with me, and I dash out of the room. Behind me, I can hear Aden calling my name and saying something, but my ears don’t seem to pick anything up. It’s a constant ringing that I hear, that blocks everything out. That, and a dull ache in my chest.

I am not sure how I made it home. I ran until I finally found a way to the subway. My mind was completely switched off. Once back home, the ringing in my ear has stopped, but the ache in my chest remains.

fifteen

ADEN

Iskim through the information Cedric has put together, scribbling down notes on the parts that need improvement. Overall, he takes direction and feedback well, and this project he is working on is already so much better than he did two weeks ago.

I hand him back his folder. “You can work this into the presentation for next week,” I tell him. “Take a look at the notes.”

He gazes inside the folder. “Still so much to improve,” he sighs.

I smile at him. “You have already improved a lot.”

“Really?” He beams as if he just wasn’t bummed two seconds ago. Then he balls one of his hands into a fist. “I will get even better! Thank you, sir!”

I don’t even manage to utter a reply before he has already dashed out of my office. Outside, I can see him bump into one of the female employees. He profusely apologizes and then chats happily with her, sometimes pointing at my office while he does so.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying not to pay Cedric any more attention. This kid will be the end of me.

Talking about the end of me…

I gaze at my phone. Fuck, I should focus on my work, but Noel just doesn’t leave my mind. He left almost immediately after we had sex and now, one day later, he still hasn’t replied to my messages, not even the one where I asked if he returned home safely.