Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 131

How Things Were

It's been a week.

A week since I've seen Jake.

Not even in passing have I caught his gaze. Thankfully, Aiden and Zaid have been with me every day. Keeping me company, distracting me, making me feel loved.

But Jake? He's been swallowed whole by work. I've been thinking about him so much, to the point where I'm thinking of reinstating the phobia chants in my head. Even when I'm laughing with Aiden or tangled up with Zaid, Jake is on my mind.

I miss him.

It's starting the feel like it did when I forced myself to stay away from him.

The board is pushing him to také legal action against his late CFO's family. They want repayment. They want blood. But Jake doesn't. And it's been draining him to be the only one against it.

Even if he is the founder and owner, he has the board top answer to.

So for the past week, I've only received little notes from him. His handwriting is terrible, but I cherish the small apologies scribbled onto the expensive cardstock. Even more so when they are tucked between the petals of the flowers he sends

me.

My room is filled with them, vases on my nightstand, my dresser, my windowsill. They're beautiful.

But I miss him. I want him, not flowers.

I sit on the edge of my bed, staring at the bouquet he sent this morning. I make up my mind there and then that I want to see him. Enough is enough.

I stand up and pull my red dress from the back of my closet. It's short, silky, and just revealing enough to make a statement. He won't be able to ignore me, regardless of how much work he has piled up.

I pair it with heels, letting them click against the hardwood floor as I make my way

to my

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4:06 pm 11

How Things Were

waves in my hair,

I grab my coat and

into the living room, I freeze when I catch Aiden and Zaid walking

over me, slow and intense, his jaw tightening. He doesn't say a word, but the way his

shift between my feet, pressing my

"Damn, baby," he drawls, his lips

rushes up my neck, and I lower my gaze, suddenly feeling like I'm caught with my hand in the cookie

my

he clenches his jaw, turns on his heel, and walks away. I watch

me.

gonna love it," he murmurs, brushing his lips over mine in

heart is hammering in my chest now, my stomach twisting. "You think so? I haven't seen him and I miss him. I just

grip on me and forces my gaze right back to his. "He's going to

eyes, but my stomach flutters at his

his car keys.

he drives and I pick at his

the next conversation.

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How Things Were

to clear my

flexes on the

lip, gathering the courage to say what's

feeling about all

I see the way his shoulders tense. "What do you

let out a quiet sigh. "About us. About me

my leg, just for a second, and then

strains. I keep my eyes on him, my

you like being the only one with me at school.

He nods.

to go back to how they

a thin line. His silence stretches between us. It's uncomfortable. I place a hand on his thigh for comfort and it seems

it bad that sometimes

but

ache.

was just us. When I didn't have to