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

1/4

4:06 pm 11

How Things Were

waves in my hair, a hint

I grab my coat and

I step down into the living room, I freeze when I catch Aiden

tenses instantly. His dark eyes drag over me, slow and intense, his jaw tightening. He doesn't say a word, but the way his

feet, pressing

"Damn, baby," he drawls, his

I lower my gaze, suddenly

my hands over the fabric of my

clenches his jaw, turns on his heel, and walks away. I watch him go, a strange tightness settling in my

and makes his way toward me. He grabs my chin and tilts my

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

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

"He's going to love it so much that he'll

'my eyes, but my stomach flutters at

grabbing his car keys. "Come on, I'll

on my thigh as he drives

the next conversation.

2/4

How Things Were

softly, having to clear my throat

hand flexes on

my lip, gathering the courage to say what's been

feeling about

the way his shoulders tense.

sigh. "About us. About me being with you, Jake,

for a second, and then he puts both hands on the

voice strains. I keep my eyes on him,

week how you like being the only one with me at school. That it reminds you of old

He nods.

want things to go back to

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

sighs and nods. "Is it bad

answer, but hearing it out loud still makes

ache.

just us. When I didn't have