Chapter 02

Sliding her finger over the screen of the device, even without seeing anything, decided that she needed to stop thinking about the subject. Mostly because he was your boss’s ex, but also because you didn’t want a relationship right now. You had to focus on your job. I felt his big chance was near.

He was working on a landscaping project for a significant client. The difficulty lay in the fact that she was just a secretary and then would have to present her project to Amanda Shepherd, hope that she would like her ideas and, hopefully, give her the account. Norah, who was also a secretary in the same office, said she had little faith that this would happen.

I knew I was dreaming big, but I had to risk it. It was your dream, you had to fight for it.

Therefore, he spent all his spare time at work and did not want a relationship to take away his focus.

He suddenly tried to remember the last time he had been with a man. November, just before the Thanksgiving, and it was already July.

He was amazed. It had been eight months, without a kiss, a hug, or sex. But even after so long, there was no lack of such contact. Until he laid his eyes on Ethan Marcus!

What a man! Sexy, extremely sexy. He was the kind that seemed to have a footprint, as Norah used to say.

Tried to imagine her kiss, her hands on her body.

She felt a sudden heat and when she raised her eyes, she found the subject within meters of her. Poor thing. Not that it was ugly, but a woman, after meeting a specimen like Ethan, wouldn’t give anyone a chance.

The subway arrived at its destination, and she got up and left the wagon.

He walked a few blocks and was soon in front of the simple building in which he rented an apartment. It was very far from the center, where I worked, but it was what I could afford. At least the neighborhood was quiet.

She lived on the fourth floor, so the elevator ride was pretty quick. When she was not exhausted, she liked to climb the stairs, but, particularly, that day, she felt exhausted. In the rush of everyday life and the distance from work, I could no longer exercise in the morning, in the neighborhood gym, as I did before. Thus, he left to practice at least a walk on weekends.

Upon entering, he deposited his valise on the sideboard, along with the keys, bared his shoes in medium heels and undressed his coat. Throwing the play on the couch, he smiled.

He walked to the small garden he kept on his tiny balcony. He had opted for small, sturdy plants, like small cacti. To give a light colorful, two beautiful orchids. And everything was arranged on a wooden deck, with a small shelf, made by herself. Undoubtedly, it was his favorite corner of the apartment.

That was her arrival ritual. Taking a walk through the green corner had the power to leave her relaxed and refreshed.

He looked at the night that was already falling. Returning to the room, he turned on the TV to break the silence that prevailed in the environment.

As she turned, her eyes rested on a picture of her with her mother. She twisted her lips. They had not spoken for a long time. And by choice of Alexis.

I knew I owed your mother a lot, but I couldn’t accept her new relationship. The man was half her age!

That could not be love, at least on his part.

Sighing, she walked to the bathroom. Norah told her that it was too retrograde and that she was dragging an uncomfortable situation without necessity. After all, it was her mother’s life, and she should let her live it.

It could be a childish attitude, but Alexis simply could not conceive of such a situation.

Under the shower, he decided he wouldn’t think about it anymore. He had to focus on his project. Just that feeling that she was being a little selfish disturbed her all night.

It was past eleven, when he raised his eyes from the plant. She stretched his back, which they complained. Then it was his stomach that complained.

The paper part was almost ready! I had also done the project on the computer, much more complete and with many more details.

She had become so absorbed in her work that she had forgotten to dine. With a happy smile, she slid her eyes through the drawing. Ideas flowed and everything fit. Yeah! She was born to do that!

He made a cheese snack and settled in the corner of the sofa, where he used to eat. His eyes landed on the valise, on the sideboard.

This hurled the letter and promptly to the recipient: the sexy Ethan! It was curious. It was obvious that Amanda wanted him back, but he didn’t seem to be interested in the idea.

What did you write there? You took the envelope and went back to the couch.

It shouldn’t open! Now, but who knew you read it? Ethan should have kept the package.

He imagined Amanda’s expression if he saw her at that moment. With all his pride, he doubted that Alexis had the courage to read what he had written.

Thinking like that, in a gesture of rebellion, he opened the envelope:

“Honey, I can’t stand being despised by you anymore! I miss you! I have spent my nights remembering your kisses, your hugs, the craziness we did in bed or on any surface."

Alexis rolled his eyes.

"I doubt you won’t miss me! Call me and we’ll work something out. I’m excited for you, baby!"

"Oh, God! "Alexis laughed.

"Regarding my other offer, I think maybe she wasn’t substantial enough."

"Does this other value interest you?"

Alexis was blown away by the sum offered by his boss. Who had so much money? And what did she want to buy from him?

And yet, Ethan Marcus had refused.

The man should be rich, and beautiful. 

Where did the weekend end? She thought, entering the office on Monday morning. She had passed quickly, but had surrendered: she had managed to finish her project. I was excited, crazy to show Norah.

As soon as he saw her, he made a gesture to meet her in the kitchen.

" Alexis! It’s wonderful! " the friend admired, examining the plant exposed on the table.

" Do you really think so? " An insecure Alexis bit the corner of her mouth, twisting her hands.

" Of course! It’s perfect! I’m afraid I just delivered this beautiful thing to the hands of Shepherd! " feared the other, going to help himself with coffee.

" Ah, Norah, I have no other option! I can’t just show my work straight to the client! It would be unethical!

" I understand, friend! Well, the way is to hope that the Snake one gives you your value! When do you want to show her?

" I don’t know!

" Remember that the customer will come next week!

She snitched on me:

" I think about it every second of the day! " she collected her fruit from the table carefully. " Everything will depend on the mood of her.

They laughed as they left the kitchen. They had given Shepherd that “affectionate” nickname because of his authoritarianism and moodiness. Furthermore, they worked together, in the same anteroom, each had its boss, but Alexis “served” the office’s CEO, Amanda.

" And I think today will not be the day. " he confided, sitting down and pushing the chair near the table of his friend. " I need to tell you! Amanda asked me to take a message to her ex.

" And what is he like? " the other was immediately interested.

" Man is the embodiment of perfection.

She would give you more details, but her boss had just entered the room, muttering a serious good morning:

" Alexis, in my office, okay?

" Yes, ma'am. " he nodded, crossing a look with Norah.

He got up to follow the woman, but first took the letter he had taken to Ethan.

" So what? " She got to the point.

Alexis has imitated her:

" He said no. " extended the envelope.

Oh, how you loved each other’s disappointed faces. I’d love to take a picture and frame it.

" What do you mean, he said no? " she was reluctant to take the paper out of her hand.

" That’s all he answered. " he thought it best not to add the part where Ethan asked him to leave him alone because he feared it would be left for her.

Then Amanda took the letter and tore it up with a giggle of skepticism:

" So he wants to play hard to get? Well, " threw the shredded paper in the trash – two can play this game. " sat on the leather chair and crossed the beautiful legs. " He is only hurt because I left him! " she bragged. " He will calm down! I’ll give him a break and then strike again. The agenda, please!

" Yes, ma'am, uh.

Why did you doubt that she was the one who would have ended the affair? Perhaps because of Ethan’s expression, which had changed drastically when he heard Shepherd’s name. He didn’t look like a despised man, but he did.

After keeping her abreast of the day’s appointments, Alexis went to the door and stopped halfway.

I should tell you about your project?  Is this the right day?

He turned and stared at his wife.

This one lowered her glasses and stared at her, curious:

" Anything else, Morgan?

Cranky tone. No, it wasn’t the day.

" No, ma'am, there’s nothing else.

Coward. That’s how you qualify while closing the door behind you.

In the distance, Norah made an inquisitive gesture with his hands. He replied with another gesture: Denial.

The friend twisted her lips and shrugged, disappointed with her.