Chapter 3 3

"What are you doing here?" I asked again, sharper this time, just in case he'd somehow missed it the first.

How the hell had he even gotten into my house? Then it hit me of course. We'd dated for two years, he knew exactly where the spare key was. I was going to have to talk to Cara. The locks needed changing. Immediately. He didn't get to waltz in whenever he pleased anymore. He wasn't my boyfriend, and he had no right.

"So... you were with him last night?" His voice was edged with accusation, and that's when I realized the shirt and slippers I had on weren't doing me any favors.

"And why exactly is that your business? In case your memory's failing you, we broke up." I moved to walk past him, but his hand shot out, catching mine.

"Let go."

"Does he treat you better than I did? Does he touch you better? Kiss you better?" His words grew harsher until, before I knew it, he yanked me toward him. My chest pressed against his as he leaned in, trying to kiss me.

The sound of my palm meeting his cheek cracked through the air. I shoved him back.

"Are you out of your mind?!" I snapped, heat rising in my face. "You dumped me. You cheated. And now you're in my house, questioning me about another man? Who do you think you are?"

"Rose..." he murmured, soft, like he thought saying my name might magically undo everything.

He should've tried imagining how I felt when he ended things with that pathetic excuse about me being 'too uptight' only for me to hear he went clubbing with a female coworker hours later.

"What do you want, Derick?" I folded my arms.

"Us," he said. "We can fix this. I'll take the blame. You forgive me, I'll forgive... last night."

I laughed, cold and humorless. "I don't need your forgiveness. If anything, I should be thanking you for setting me free. Now get out."

"Come on, babe-"

"Don't call me that," I cut in. "You lost that right."

"What the hell is your problem? I'm offering to get back together. Shouldn't you be happy?!"

Before I could answer, a voice came from behind me. "What's going on here?"

Relief washed over me. Cara stood in the doorway, her eyes flicking between us. Derick's lip curled, he'd never liked her, and the feeling was mutual.

"What's this trash doing in our house?" she asked, glaring at him.

"Watch your mouth, slut," he shot back.

That was it. "Derick, leave," I ordered.

"Yeah, and while you're at it, disappear off the planet," Cara added.

"She's been poisoning you against me, hasn't she?" he said, pointing at Cara.

Cara's laugh was sharp. "You broke up with her, now you're trying to pull her back like she's some toy you tossed aside. Get lost."

"I'm calling the cops," I said flatly.

"I'm already dialing," Cara added, fishing in her bag.

"Fine!" Derick spat, storming out like the drama king he was.

When the door shut, Cara turned to me, her tone softening. "You okay?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

Her eyes narrowed. "He didn't hurt you, right?"

"No."

She exhaled, then suddenly her expression shifted to mischief. "Now... why do you look like you just walked in from a very interesting night?"

"You wouldn't believe me," I muttered.

"Try me."

So, I told her well, the parts I remembered.

By the time I finished, she just stared, wide eyed and speechless, until suddenly she jumped to her feet, squealing like she'd just won the lottery.

"My best friend had a one-night stand! Tell me everything was he gorgeous? Rich? And why the hell did you run off?"

"I wasn't sticking around to be caught in that awkward morning after moment," I sighed. "Besides... you know I haven't been with anyone but Derick."

Ryan. His name alone made my chest tighten. He wasn't leaving my head anytime soon. But it was just one night. He'd forget about me surely.

"Anyway," I said, steering the conversation away. "I'm starving. Let's eat."

We grabbed cereal, then collapsed into a nap marathon.

When I woke up, it was because I'd dreamed of him. One night, and he was already haunting me.

The weekend passed in a blur of grocery shopping and clothes hunting Cara helped me pick out outfits for my new job. Monday came too soon.

Dressed in a neat black skirt, pale pink blouse, and heels, my hair swept into a bun, I walked into the building ready to impress.

At the building's entrance, I greeted the security guard, flashed my new ID, and stepped inside. The sleek lobby made me feel both tiny and important at the same time.

"I'm here for my first day," I told the receptionist with a polite smile.

"Name?" she asked without looking up from her monitor.

"Rose Norman."

Her head snapped up, recognition flickering across her face. "Ah Miss Norman. One moment." She picked up the phone, spoke quietly, then hung up. "Someone will take you to Mr. Ricci's office."

A woman from my interview panel appeared moments later, greeting me warmly. "Follow me, please. He's already in his office."

I nodded and stepped into the elevator with her, trying to ignore the nerves twisting in my stomach. We rode up to the twenty third floor in silence, and my pulse only grew louder in my ears.

When we arrived, she slipped into the office first, leaving me outside. A moment later, she reappeared with a smile. "You can go in now."

Still smiling, I opened the door. My new boss stood with his back to me, gazing out of the massive window.

"Good morning, sir," I greeted.

No response.

Then, slowly, he turned and my smile vanished.

And for a moment every laying just feels like a dream.

I shut my eyes for a moment, silently wishing that when I opened them, he'd be gone. Maybe I've been thinking about him too much lately, imagining him in every space.

Oh shit.