Chapter 7 Lexie's POV

Chapter 6

Lexie's POV

I lay sprawled across my unmade bed, everything that happened in the office replayed in my head like a loop. My small apartment was a reflection of my current state, it was chaotic. If there was one thing I was bad at, it was not being messy.

The walls were painted a soft, muted grey, but the corners were littered with boxes I hadn't unpacked since moving in, I was that lazy. There was a small desk in the corner which was piled high with paperwork and half-empty coffee cups, remnants of late-night work sessions. The faint smell of takeout lingered in the air, a testament to my less-than-stellar culinary skills. And I had just eaten one this evening. I knew it was time to clean up but I was just too lazy.

But this was getting unbearable. I stood up to do some work and was halfway through with cleaning when my phone rang. I knew it was only time until Sarah called me because I had sent her a message, updating her about everything that had happened in the office.

"Are you fucking serious right now?" Sarah's face filled the screen, her eyebrows raised in disbelief.

"Did you have to attack me that way?" I asked her with a chuckle as I lay back in my bed.

"I don't care. Are you serious?" She asked me again in disbelief.

"Ugh, I know, right?" I groaned, rolling onto my side to get comfortable. "I thought I was dreaming when I found out who he was."

"Wait, wait, wait. Back up," she said, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "You're telling me that your one-night stand turned out to be your boss?"

I nodded, "Yes! Ethan. The new CEO. Can you believe it?"

Sarah chuckled, her laughter ringing through the phone. "That's just... wow. Tell me everything that happened again." She said to me with a wide smile playing on her lips.

"I sent you a full breakdown," I told her, referring to the message I sent.

"I know but I want to hear you say it yourself and maybe also see your awful face." She said to me,

"You love this face," I told her with a chuckle.

I could resist and not tell her everything but I knew Sarah, wasn't going to stop pestering me until I gave in. And that was why I told her everything including how he insisted I was only temporary.

"He was being an arse by saying you were temporary but I have to ask, did he recognize you?" She asked me.

I shrugged. "I don't know. He pretended not to know me so there is that. Maybe to him, I do not exist."

"But what if he wasn't ignoring you?" Sarah asked me.

I narrowed my eyes at the screen. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Sarah had always been the wild one in our duo, the carefree spirit who pushed me out of my comfort zone. I was the reasonable one, the cautious friend who often had to pull her back from the edge of impulsiveness. But now, as I listened to her, I found myself rethinking our dynamic.

"I mean, given the circumstances, did you expect him to give you a hug and a smile?" she asked,

"Well, no, but..." I trailed off, unsure of where to go from there.

"No 'buts,' babe. Let's not be judgmental about this. He's a new CEO, and I'm sure he has a lot riding on his shoulders. Maybe we can reserve judgment until you try speaking with him again, and he ignores you-like, outside of a meeting."

I considered her words, realizing that perhaps I had been too hasty in my initial judgment. Maybe I should give him the benefit of the doubt. "Fine, but I'm going to be proven right."

"Do you want him to ignore you?" she asked, her tone shifting to genuine curiosity.

"Of course not! Why would I want that?" I sighed, running my fingers through my hair in frustration. "I've told you how much I can't get him out of my head. It's like he's everywhere I go. I can't escape it!"

After that night with Ethan, I had imagined running into him almost everywhere-at the grocery store, the coffee shop, and even on my walks around the neighbourhood. Sometimes I was so sure I saw him pass me, but when I turned around, it was just someone else. So did I want him to ignore me? No, absolutely not. If anything, I craved another chance to relive that night, just to compare how much Daniel had been slacking off. Although, perhaps Daniel had been slacking off because he wasn't into me-or girls in general.

"And that's why you're going to be optimistic, young lady," Sarah said to me.

"I'm older," I shot back, a smile creeping onto my face.

She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "By two months!"

"Doesn't change the fact that I came into the world before you," I replied, chuckling at our banter.

"Fair enough," she said, her laughter echoing through the phone. "But still, you need to be positive about this whole situation. You might find that he's interested. And maybe he wasn't ignoring you."

"Yeah...maybe," I muttered.

I wasn't so sure Ethan was interested in me because if he was why wasn't he more proactive? Well perhaps I was too hasty in my judgment and I needed to take his part into consideration.

"Lexie, stop it!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with determination. "You're amazing, and if he can't see that, then he doesn't deserve your time. Focus on your work and your goals. You've got this!"

"How is your chef husband treating you?" I asked, changing the subject.

"I love him, but I hate the fact that he's treating me like an invalid. I'm pregnant, not sick!" she replied, a playful pout forming on her lips.

"You secretly like the way he's being caring," I teased.

"Not to this point! He doesn't even let me do anything. It's that bad," she said, rolling her eyes dramatically.

I couldn't help but laugh at her exaggerated expression. "You'll survive, I promise. And when that little one arrives, you'll be grateful for all the help."

"Yeah, but right now, I just want to feel normal," she said, her tone softening. "It's hard being so far away from you, Lexie. I wish we could hang out like we used to."

"I know," I replied, my heart aching at the distance that separated us. "Moving to America has been a huge change, but we'll figure it out. Video calls are the next best thing, right?"

"Right," she agreed, her smile returning. "Just promise me you'll keep me updated on everything-especially if you run into Ethan again."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "You bet I will. And who knows, maybe next time I'll have some juicy details to share."

She chuckled. "And you have to introduce me to Elizabeth someday."

"You like her already?" I asked her with a smile.

"Who wouldn't love a woman like her? She seems like sass and an attitude in one package." She laughed.

We continued discussing as she asked if I had finally finished unpacking my boxes. She knew the answer and perhaps that was why she made me do it while she kept me company through the phone. I hated that I was so far away when everyone I lived was in another country but I made this choice and I'm not letting anyone derail me for it.