Like a mirror.

(ARIELLE'S

POV)

As I sat at my desk in my office, staring blankly at the computer screen in front of me, I couldn't stop my thoughts from straying. These past few days have been of constant debate about Jared's continuous stay in my house and finally it had led me to a decision -I needed

to ask him to leave.

I couldn't continue living with my ex-husband; it was growing awkward and difficult with each passing day.

I had planned to tell him the previous night, but just as I was about to bring it up, Dwayne's call interrupted me, and I decided to put it off until today, after work.

But the more I thought about it, the more I found myself growing more and more anxious. I couldn't continue to keep up with the charade of living with him, pretending that everything was fine when it wasn't.

He was making me uncomfortable with all the nice things he did, and as much as I hated to admit it, they were beginning to get to my heart.

I sighed, pushing my chair back from the desk. I needed to focus on something else, or I would never get any work done. I returned my attention to the designs my graphic designer sent to me for the restaurant's rebranding.

Scrolling through the options, I tried to decide which one I liked best. But my mind kept wandering back to Jared.

*****

The day flew by in a blur, and before I knew it, it was time to leave. I packed up my things, shutting down my laptop and gathering my purse and phone.

As I headed outside, the warm sun hit my skin and I slipped on my sunglasses to shield my eyes. But nothing prepared me for the sight that greeted me.

Jared was parked outside, obviously waiting for me. I halted in my tracks, the scene oddly familiar. I recalled how he used to pick me up from work every day when we were together. It stirred up deep memories from the past, those that I had tried to suppress and bury. But I pushed them aside, putting up a nonchalant face as I approached him.

me,

went

never left his face. "I came to pick you

outside and for all I knew, a press person could be hanging around. The last thing I wanted was to make the headlines with my ex-husband. So I simply

eyes collided. For a moment, I was lost in them, but quickly snapped back to reality and got into the car. Jared shut the door and

he asked, "So, how was your

out the window, watching the cars and buildings whiz by. Anything not to keep

all smiles. "That's good. I'm glad to hear that," he paused, his eyes trailing to me

"Yeah," I mumbled.

their thoughts until Jared broke it. "Umm...I wanted to talk to you about

tore my gaze from the road

Jean has invited us to dinner -you,

on what could be the motive behind the invitation. "Umm...is there a problem? Why is she specifically

don't know," he replied, his eyes fixed pointedly on the

unpredictable, but at the same time I can't help but

sharply, and before I could stop

caught off guard, his eyes briefly flicking to me before he turned them back to the road, his jaw tightening. He hadn't

I stay a little longer?" he asked, his tone soft, almost fragile. "Maverick's gotten used to having me around. We've been... we've been

sense he was hurt, even though he tried to mask it, and the ache in

Maverick had indeed gotten attached to him. Still, I shook my head, trying

to stay at my place to accomplish your mission," I said softly,

and when

a chance for us to start all over

heard in his voice, but a raw longing, a hint of regret

the same time I felt a surge of

that it was over? Why couldn't

thoughts,

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