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

eyeliner, soft waves in my hair, a hint

look, I grab my coat and head for the

I freeze when I catch Aiden and Zaid walking out of the kitchen with a

eyes drag over me, slow and intense, his jaw tightening. He doesn't say

feet, pressing my

drawls,

gaze, suddenly feeling like

of my dress. "Do you think Jake

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

and makes his way toward me. He grabs my

murmurs, brushing his lips

twisting. "You think so?

back to his. "He's going to love it so much that he'll want to take it

eyes, but my stomach

keys. "Come on,

he drives and I pick at his knuckles, nervous to bring

the next conversation.

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How Things Were

start softly, having to clear my throat when it

flexes on the

the courage to say

feeling about all of

see the way his

quiet sigh. "About us.

leg, just for a second, and then he puts both hands on

I keep my eyes

only one with me at school. That it

He nods.

things to go back to how they

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

and nods. "Is it bad

answer, but hearing it out loud

ache.

was just us. When I didn't