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Notepad

Penulis: Najoom
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-01-06 21:40:27

Susan

By the time I left the office that evening, the weight of the day pressed heavily on my shoulders. Seeing Elliot again wasn't just an emotional challenge...it was a test of my resolve.

Meera was waiting for me at our favorite bar, a cozy, dimly lit spot tucked away from the city's bustling streets. She waved as soon as she spotted me, a knowing grin on her face.

"Well, if it isn't the woman of the hour," she teased as I slid into the seat across from her.

I sighed, signaling the bartender for a drink. "Don't start."

"Too late... How's Mr. Billionaire Ex treating you?"

I hesitated, swirling the glass of wine that the bartender had set in front of me. "Professionally."

Meera raised an eyebrow. "And...?"

"And what?"

"And how are you dealing with it? Come on, Su. You can't just sit there and pretend this isn't a big deal. You two have history."

I took a sip of my wine, savoring the warmth it brought. "It's complicated, okay? He's my boss...well, technically my client...and I need this project to go smoothly. That's all that matters right now."

Meera leaned back, studying me. "You know, for someone who's always so in control, you're awfully good at dodging your feelings."

I opened my mouth to argue, but she held up a hand.

"Don't even try to deny it," she said. "Look, I get it. You don't want to go down that road again. But pretending you don't feel anything? That's not going to help."

"I don't feel anything," I insisted, though the words felt hollow even to me.

Meera snorted. "Sure, and I'm the queen of England. Just... be careful, okay? You deserve better than to get hurt again."

Her words lingered in my mind long after our conversation ended.

****

Elliot

The office was quiet as I worked late into the night, the only sound the occasional rustle of papers and the soft tapping of my keyboard.

I couldn't stop thinking about Susan...her sharp responses, the way her lips tightened when she was trying not to say something she'd regret, the flicker of vulnerability in her eyes when she thought no one was looking.

I leaned back in my chair, running a hand down my face. This wasn't supposed to happen. I wasn't supposed to let her get under my skin again.

But here I was, drowning in memories I'd tried so hard to forget.

There was a knock at the door, and Gerald poked his head in.

"Still here, sir?"

I nodded. "Just wrapping up."

"Sir, Ms. Hart left her notepad in the meeting room," my assistant, Claire, said, holding the familiar leather-bound book.

I stared at it for a moment, my mind flashing back to the way Susan had clutched it earlier, her knuckles tight against the edges. It was her shield, the same way her words had been. Polished. Detached. Professional.

"Leave it on my desk," I said casually, though my fingers itched to open it.

Claire hesitated. "Should I courier it to her?"

"No need. I'll handle it."

Her brow arched, but she said nothing, placing the notepad down before leaving my office. The silence returned, pressing heavy against my chest.

I glanced at the notepad again, debating whether to flip through it. Would it be filled with work notes, or something more personal? Would it have little doodles in the corners like it used to, back when we were younger, freer?

I shook my head and leaned back in my chair. She probably didn't even notice she'd left it behind.

But that didn't mean I wasn't going to use it as an excuse to see her again.

****

Susan

The clink of glasses and hum of low music wrapped around me like a cocoon as I leaned back against the bar stool. Meera, my best friend and occasional life coach, was in the middle of one of her infamous rants.

"I'm just saying," she began, waving her cocktail for emphasis, "you can't let him intimidate you. You're Susan-freaking-Hart! You've faced worse than some smug billionaire."

"It's not that simple, Meera," I said, taking a sip of my drink. "He's not just some guy. It's...complicated."

"Complicated is code for 'I still care,'" she quipped, narrowing her eyes at me.

I groaned, resting my forehead against my hand. "I don't care, okay? I'm over it. Over him. Over everything."

Meera's skeptical look said she didn't believe me for a second. "Then why are you practically vibrating with unresolved tension every time his name comes up?"

"I am not vibrating," I muttered.

"Oh, you are." She leaned closer, her tone dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You're a ticking time bomb, Susan. And I, for one, cannot wait to see the fireworks."

Before I could respond, my phone buzzed on the bar counter. I picked it up, my heart stuttering when I saw the name on the screen.

Elliot Prescott.

"What?" Meera asked, noticing my reaction.

"It's him," I said, holding up the phone.

Her eyes widened. "Answer it!"

I glared at her. "No."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm not ready for whatever game he's playing."

Meera snatched the phone before I could stop her and pressed it to her ear. "Hello, Mr. Prescott! This is Susan's assistant speaking. How can I help you?"

My jaw dropped as I tried to grab the phone, but she twisted away, laughing as she listened.

"Oh, her notepad?" Meera said, giving me a sly grin. "I'll let her know. Thanks for calling."

She hung up and handed the phone back to me, looking way too pleased with herself.

"Meera!" I hissed.

"What?" she said, feigning innocence. "He wanted to return your notepad. Sounds like a perfect excuse to see him again."

"I don't want to see him again," I said, though the words felt hollow even to me.

"Keep telling yourself that, babe."

****

Elliot

By the time I reached the bar, the notepad tucked under my arm, I wasn't sure what my plan was. I'd told myself this was just about returning her property. A simple, professional gesture.

But as soon as I stepped inside and spotted her sitting at the bar, her head thrown back in laughter, I knew I was lying to myself.

She looked...radiant. Her hair framed her face in soft waves, and the glow of the dim lights made her skin shimmer. The way she laughed with her friend...genuine, unguarded...was a stark contrast to the tightly controlled version of her I'd seen in my office earlier.

I approached slowly, feeling more like an intruder than an old acquaintance. Her laughter died when she spotted me, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Elliot," she said, her voice neutral but her posture stiffening.

"Susan," I replied, holding up the notepad. "You left this behind."

Her gaze flickered to the notepad and back to me. "Thanks. You didn't have to bring it yourself."

"Thought it'd be faster than couriering it," I said lightly.

Her friend, who I recognized from college as the sharp-tongued Meera, leaned forward with a sly grin. "Well, well. If it isn't Mr. Billionaire himself. Fancy running into you here."

"Meera," I said with a nod, not missing the glint of mischief in her eyes.

"Is this where you deliver lost items to all your business clients, or is Susan just special?" she teased, earning a sharp look from Susan.

"Meera," Susan said, her tone a warning.

I smirked, enjoying the brief flash of color that rose to Susan's cheeks. "Just doing my part as a responsible business partner."

Susan grabbed the notepad from my hand, her fingers brushing mine for the briefest moment. The spark that shot through me was unexpected, almost unwelcome.

"Well, thanks again," she said quickly, clutching the notepad to her chest like it was a lifeline. "Have a good night, Elliot."

She turned back to the bar, effectively dismissing me. But I wasn't ready to walk away just yet.

"Enjoy your evening, ladies," I said, my voice smooth. "And Susan...we'll talk soon."

I walked out before she could respond, a small smile tugging at my lips.

****

Susan

I watched him leave, my pulse racing for reasons I didn't want to examine.

Meera let out a low whistle. "Well, that was intense. You okay?"

"I'm fine," I said, though I wasn't sure if I was convincing her...or myself.

"You're definitely not fine," she said, sipping her drink. "But don't worry. I've got front-row seats to the drama of the decade."

I groaned, dropping my head onto the bar. This night was going to be a long one.

Bab terkait

  • Falling For My Billionaire Ex    Susan

    SusanBy the time I got home, the night's events were still replaying in my head. Meera's laughter, Elliot's smirk, the way my heart had betrayed me by skipping a beat when our fingers brushed...all of it swirled around like an annoying little storm I couldn't escape.I placed the notepad on the kitchen counter and stared at it like it was to blame for everything. If I'd just remembered to grab it from the conference room, none of this would've happened.But it did happen. And now I was back in the tangled mess that was Elliot Prescott."You're over him," I muttered to myself, opening the fridge in search of a distraction. "It's been ten years. You're a grown woman. You don't care anymore."I pulled out a bottle of water and shut the fridge door with more force than necessary. Unfortunately, my little pep talk wasn't doing much to calm the flutter in my chest.I grabbed my phone and flopped onto the couch, scrolling mindlessly through social media. Anything to stop thinking about the

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-06
  • Falling For My Billionaire Ex    Elliot

    SusanI tossed the phone aside and leaned my head back against the couch, letting out a frustrated sigh. The notepad still sat there on the counter, mocking me with its presence. Why had I left it behind? Was fate playing some cruel trick on me, or was it just my own stupidity?It's just a notepad, Susan, I reminded myself. But deep down, I knew it wasn't about the notepad. It was about everything it represented—the past, the unresolved feelings, the man who had walked away.I got up and paced the living room, my bare feet padding softly against the hardwood floor. "Get it together," I whispered to myself. "He's just another client. Nothing more."But no matter how much I tried to convince myself, I couldn’t ignore the weight of the emotions that had come rushing back. The way his eyes had softened when he looked at me, the way his smirk had sent an annoying flutter through my chest.Suddenly, my phone buzzed again. I snatched it up, hoping it wasn’t Meera with another round of teasin

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-08
  • Falling For My Billionaire Ex    Life's Too Short For Regrets

    Present Day: ElliotI leaned against the balcony railing of my penthouse, the city lights sprawling below me. The hum of traffic blended with the occasional distant siren, creating a faint buzz that mirrored the chaos in my mind.Susan.Seeing her again had thrown me off balance in a way I hadn’t expected. I thought I’d buried those memories—tucked them neatly into a box, sealed, and stored away in some unreachable corner of my mind. But the moment I saw her, it was like that box burst open, and I was drowning in everything I thought I’d left behind.Her laugh, her stubbornness, the way she used to light up when she talked about something she loved.And her guardedness now. That caught me off guard the most.The Susan I’d known wore her heart on her sleeve, unafraid to feel, unafraid to be vulnerable. This Susan…she had walls. Walls I didn’t know if I could—or should—break down.I took a sip of the whiskey in my hand, letting the warmth spread through me. It didn’t help. The memory of

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-08
  • Falling For My Billionaire Ex    I Admire You

    Susan"Don't forget, life's too short for regrets," Meera's words kept echoing in my head as I walked into the meeting room. She’d said it so casually over lunch, like it was the answer to all my problems.Sure, Meera, no regrets...except maybe agreeing to take this project and facing him.Elliot was already seated, the picture of corporate perfection in his tailored suit, his expression as unreadable as ever. I swore he made it a personal challenge to look even more annoyingly attractive every time I saw him."Ms. Hart," Gerald greeted me warmly as he gestured to the chair opposite Elliot. "Please, have a seat. Let’s get started."I settled in, determined to maintain my professionalism. Elliot, on the other hand, looked entirely too calm for someone who used to panic when his laundry turned pink."We’ll be discussing the proposed timeline today," Gerald began, shuffling through some papers. "Ms. Hart, I believe you’ve prepared an outline for us to review?""Yes," I replied, pulling o

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-08
  • Falling For My Billionaire Ex    You Two Know Each Other?

    Present Day – Elliot The boardroom felt unusually quiet despite Gerald flipping through some charts. I couldn’t focus on the projections or the numbers. My mind kept slipping back to that sunset moment with Susan. It was such a small thing...a quiet evening, a shared conversation...but it felt monumental now. How could something that simple have left such a deep mark on me? "Earth to Elliot," Gerald's voice cut through my thoughts. He snapped his fingers dramatically in front of my face. "You still with us, or have we lost you completely?" I blinked and cleared my throat, straightening in my chair. "I'm here," I said, maybe too quickly. "Good," he replied, sliding a report across the table. "Because we need your input on this marketing approach before next week." I glanced at the report, but I couldn’t stop myself from stealing a glance at Susan. She sat a few seats away, her notebook open, scribbling notes with precision. Her face was calm, professional, completely unreadable.

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-08
  • Falling For My Billionaire Ex    The Gap Between Us

    ElliotI leaned back in my chair, twirling a pen between my fingers while Adrian's words replayed in my head."Don’t forget the gala next week. It’s not optional, Elliot. You need to be there."I hated these events...overdressed crowds, empty conversations, and the constant pressure to appear polished and perfect. But this time, I saw an opportunity.The idea had struck me mid-meeting earlier today. Watching Susan hold her ground, confidently pitching her ideas, I couldn't ignore the growing curiosity that had been gnawing at me since she re-entered my life. Inviting her to the gala wasn’t just about business...it was a chance to see her in a setting beyond conference rooms and presentations.It wasn’t like I could call it a date. No, this was professional. She was consulting for my company. I had every reason to invite her...right?Without overthinking it, I picked up my phone and dialed her number. It rang twice before her voice came through, clear and professional."This is Susan H

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-08
  • Falling For My Billionaire Ex    The Gala

    SusanThe gala was every bit as extravagant as I’d imagined...maybe even more so. The moment I stepped out of the car, I was greeted by a sea of flashing cameras and perfectly coiffed people who looked like they’d stepped straight out of a high-fashion editorial. I adjusted the sleek, floor-length black dress Meera had somehow managed to arrange from an exclusive designer. The fabric hugged my curves in all the right places, and the confidence boost was necessary, considering I was about to walk into Elliot Prescott’s world.Elliot stood by the entrance, looking maddeningly perfect in a tailored tuxedo. The way his sharp jawline was highlighted by the golden light made me question my life choices for a second. But then he smirked...a trademark, infuriating smirk...and I remembered why I wanted to strangle him half the time."You clean up nicely," he said, his green eyes sweeping over me with an intensity that made my stomach flutter."So do you," I shot back, lifting my chin. "Though

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-09
  • Falling For My Billionaire Ex    Damn Her

    Elliot-flashback I should’ve just kept walking. Minded my own business. But the sight of her standing there with some guy, laughing softly under the faint glow of the streetlights, froze me in my tracks. I didn’t recognize him...some tall, broad-shouldered guy with an easy smile and an irritating air of familiarity. He leaned toward her just slightly, like they were sharing some inside joke, and she didn’t pull away. She smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear, and it hit me like a punch to the gut. I wasn’t supposed to care. I had no right to. But damn it, I did. I could feel my pulse quicken, a tightness creeping into my chest. I clenched my fists, trying to convince myself to let it go. It was probably nothing. Just a casual conversation. But my feet had other plans. Before I knew it, I was striding across the courtyard, closing the distance between us in what felt like seconds. She noticed me first. Her smile faltered, her eyes widening in surprise. "Elliot?" The guy turned

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-09

Bab terbaru

  • Falling For My Billionaire Ex    Chocolate

    Susan The next morning, as sunlight streamed through my bedroom window, I found myself still thinking about the boat ride. I sipped on my coffee and stared out at the city skyline, replaying the previous day like a movie reel in my head. Elliot’s laughter, the way he effortlessly steered the conversation to include everyone, his ridiculous attempt at paddling—these small moments had a way of weaving themselves into my thoughts. I hated it. But if I was being honest with myself, there was one moment that stood out more than the rest—the way his eyes locked on mine as we stood at the bow of the boat, the city lights shimmering around us. It was fleeting, but something about it felt… different. I shook my head, trying to push the thought aside. “Snap out of it, Susan,” I muttered under my breath. I wasn’t going to let him win. Not again. But it wasn’t just about winning, was it? He wasn’t playing games—not this time, at least. Elliot’s efforts felt real. Intentional. And that ter

  • Falling For My Billionaire Ex    The Outdoor Retreat

    ElliotWeekends at Prescott Industries were usually quiet, but I had other plans.“An outdoor retreat will boost morale,” I had told Gerald during our morning meeting. “The team’s been working hard...they deserve it.”Of course, the retreat wasn’t entirely about team morale. It was also a perfect opportunity to get Susan out of the office and into a setting where she couldn’t easily dismiss me.After sending out the invitations, I made a point to stop by her office. Susan looked up as I knocked lightly on her open door.“Good morning,” I said, stepping inside.“Elliot,” she replied, her tone cautious but polite.“I assume you’ve seen the email about the retreat tomorrow?”“I have,” she said, leaning back in her chair. “But I wasn’t planning on attending. Weekends are my time to recharge.”I smiled, undeterred. “You should come. It’ll be fun. A little fresh air, some games, good food. Bring Meera, too. The more, the merrier.”For a moment, she studied me, as if trying to decipher my t

  • Falling For My Billionaire Ex    Post-it Note

    ElliotThe new plan was simple: charm her colleagues. Susan had built a wall around herself, but if I could win over the people she interacted with daily, it might chip away at her defenses.By mid-morning, I had made my move. A catered breakfast for the entire floor...a selection of bagels, croissants, fruit platters, and, of course, coffee. I personally delivered the spread to the break room, ensuring my “generosity” was on full display.“Breakfast is on me,” I announced casually, leaning against the doorframe as the employees gathered around the table.One of the junior staffers, Claire, beamed at me. “Wow, Mr. Prescott! This is amazing. What’s the occasion?”“No occasion,” I replied smoothly. “Just thought everyone deserved a little something to start the day right.”Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Susan walking past, a folder in her hand. She paused for a split second, her gaze flickering toward the break room before continuing down the hall.I smirked. Got her attention. Sus

  • Falling For My Billionaire Ex    The Tie

    ElliotI arrived at the office feeling particularly bold, armed with my secret weapon: a bright pink tie covered in cartoon dinosaurs. It was an absolute eyesore, clashing so violently with my tailored gray suit that it could probably be seen from space.But I didn’t care. This tie had a purpose...it was a conversation starter, an icebreaker, and, hopefully, a surefire way to get Susan to crack. After yesterday, when I managed to get her to laugh, I was eager to push the boundary just a little further.As I walked through the office, I could feel the eyes on me. Whispers followed my every step. Someone at the water cooler actually choked on their drink. I straightened my tie, ensuring it was prominently displayed.When I passed Susan’s office, I slowed down just enough, glancing her way. She was seated at her desk, head bent over her laptop. She didn’t even look up.I paused. Was she ignoring me? Surely, she noticed the tie. How could she not?“Good morning, Susan,” I said brightly,

  • Falling For My Billionaire Ex    Day-five Making Her Laugh

    Elliot The day started off perfectly. I had my plan: charm Susan with humor. She always used to say my jokes were terrible, but they made her laugh anyway. If I could get her to crack a smile, it would be progress.So there I was, striding into the office like a man on a mission. I’d spent the night rehearsing a few jokes in front of the mirror, determined to test them out today. After all, laughter was the best medicine—or, in my case, the best way to win back the love of my life.First attempt? The elevator.Susan was waiting by the doors when I spotted her. Perfect timing. As I stepped in beside her, I gave her my best grin.“Morning,” I said, keeping it casual. “You know, elevators are like relationships.”Her eyebrows shot up. “Oh, really? How’s that?”“They have their ups and downs.”She blinked at me, her expression completely blank. I swear I heard the elevator itself groan at my attempt.“Wow,” she finally said, deadpan. “That was... something.”Okay, maybe not my best work,

  • Falling For My Billionaire Ex    Day-four Strategic Progress

    Elliot The morning sunlight poured through my office window as I leaned back in my chair, steepling my fingers. Yesterday had gone better than I expected. Susan hadn’t outright rejected the notebook I gave her, and though she’d put up her usual defenses, I’d seen the flicker of something in her eyes. Nostalgia? Uncertainty? I wasn’t sure, but it was progress.Today, I had to keep the momentum going. This wasn’t just about grand gestures—it was about consistency. Susan needed to see that I wasn’t the man who walked away ten years ago.“Mr. Prescott,” Gerald’s voice broke through my thoughts as he entered my office. “Here’s the updated agenda for today. You’ve got a team briefing at 11, followed by a lunch meeting with the investors at 1.”I nodded, glancing at the papers in his hand. “And Susan? Anything on her schedule I should know about?”Gerald frowned, puzzled. “Not that I’m aware of. Do you want me to check?”“No,” I said quickly. I didn’t want Gerald poking around too much. He

  • Falling For My Billionaire Ex    Day-three Calculated Moves

    Elliot I’d barely stepped into my office when Gerald appeared in the doorway, a stack of files in his hands and a look that told me my schedule for the day was about to be anything but pleasant.“Morning, sir,” he began, placing the files on my desk. “Your nine o’clock with the board is confirmed, the budget meeting is at eleven, and lunch is with Mr. Vaughn to finalize the partnership terms.”I nodded.“And Ms. Hart’s integration into the marketing team is proceeding smoothly,” Gerald added, pulling me back to the conversation.My eyes flicked to him. “Any concerns?”“None so far. She’s efficient, confident. I’d say she’s exceeding expectations already.”A hint of pride swelled in my chest, but I kept my expression neutral. “Good,” I said casually. “Keep me updated.”The truth was, I didn’t need Gerald to tell me how Susan was doing. I’d already checked in with her team lead, glanced at her initial reports, and overheard more than one colleague singing her praises. Susan didn’t just

  • Falling For My Billionaire Ex    Small Victories

    Elliot The moment I stepped out of Susan’s office, I couldn’t help the faint smile tugging at the corners of my lips. It was subtle, but I saw it. That flicker of emotion in her eyes. The way she hesitated before thanking me. The crack, small as it was, in the wall she’d built so carefully around herself.This wasn’t going to be easy...getting through to Susan never was. But today felt like a win, however small.Walking back to my office, I replayed our interaction in my head. The way she looked at me, guarded yet attentive. The slight shift in her tone when I told her I believed in her. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to tell me that I was getting under her skin.And that was the plan, wasn’t it? To remind her of the man I could be...the man I was trying to be now. The man who wouldn’t walk away this time.As I sat at my desk, I let out a long breath, leaning back in my chair. Susan was no fool; I knew that much. She’d see through any obvious attempts to win her over, which meant

  • Falling For My Billionaire Ex    Day-two The Second Step

    Elliot Day two of the plan, and I was already restless. Patience was never my strong suit, but if I wanted Susan to trust me again, I had to play the long game. Yesterday’s coffee delivery had gone better than expected. She didn’t outright refuse it, and that was a win in my book.Today, I had something more subtle in mind.I sat in my office, going over the agenda for the day. Meetings, reports, the usual chaos. But my focus kept drifting to the fact that Susan’s office was just a few doors down from mine. Every now and then, I found myself glancing at my watch, calculating the best time to make my next move.“Mr. Prescott,” Gerald’s voice came through the intercom, snapping me out of my thoughts. “The proposal for the new campaign has been finalized. Should I send it to Ms. Hart for review?”I leaned back in my chair, my fingers tapping lightly on the desk. This was perfect...an opportunity to involve Susan in a high-profile project, one that would not only highlight her skills but

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