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A dinner with a Rake?

Author: Perchibie
last update Last Updated: 2024-09-24 12:21:07

Sitting at my sleek, modern desk, I looked out at the bustling office around me. The hum of conversations blended with the clattering of keyboards, a familiar backdrop that usually calmed me.

Today, though, my mind was anything but calm. “Focus, Marissa,” I whispered to myself, pushing back thoughts of Harreld and the whirlwind of emotions I was grappling with. I needed to center myself for the upcoming meeting, but it felt like my brain was a chaotic storm.

My phone buzzed insistently, pulling me from my thoughts. I glanced at the screen: a reminder about my meeting with the legal team regarding my divorce.

“Great, just what I need,” I muttered, feeling the weight of dread settle in my stomach. “You can handle this,” I coached myself, though the self-assurance was shaky at best. “You’ve thought it through. Time to move on.”

As I gathered my notes, my assistant Jamie poked her head in. “Hey, you okay? You seem distracted.” Her tone was gentle, but I could hear the concern in her voice.

“Just a lot on my plate,” I replied, forcing a smile. “Let’s not worry them, right?” But inside, I felt like I was teetering on the edge of an emotional cliff.

“Right,” I thought, shaking off the heaviness as I grabbed my laptop. “You can do this. Just take it one step at a time.”

Entering the conference room, I felt the familiar tension in the air. My legal counsel, financial advisor, and business partner, Alex, were already seated, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity.

“They’re all watching you,” my inner voice whispered. “Don’t let them see you sweat.” I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders, reminding myself that I was in control.

“Glad you could make it,” Alex said, trying to lighten the mood. “We were just discussing strategy moving forward.”

“Let’s get started,” I replied, my voice steadier than I felt. As the meeting progressed, we delved into the legal ramifications of my divorce and the impact on the company.

“This is about you now,” I reminded myself, trying to block out any lingering thoughts of Claymon. But every mention of him sent a sharp pang through my chest. “It’s not just business; it’s your life,” my inner critic nagged.

“Marissa,” the lawyer interjected, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts. “Are you sure about your decision? We need to prepare for any fallout.”

I leaned forward, determination flooding my veins. “I’ve thought about it long and hard. It’s time to move on, for both of us.” The room fell silent, and I could feel their eyes on me, assessing my resolve. “Stay strong,” I urged myself. “You’re making the right choice.”

As the meeting continued, my mind wandered back to Harreld. The way he looked at me, his playful smirks that sent butterflies fluttering in my stomach, and how effortlessly he could shift my mood. “What are you thinking about him for?” I scolded myself. “You’ve got enough on your plate.”

After the meeting wrapped up, the team filed out, but Alex lingered. “You did well today. Just remember, we’re here to support you.”

“Thanks, Alex. I appreciate it,” I replied, though I still felt the heaviness of my decisions weighing on me. “What’s next?” my inner voice prodded. “You can’t just sit in uncertainty.”

Returning to my desk, my phone vibrated again, and I glanced at the screen. A text from Harreld:

*Thinking of you. Let me know when you’re free.*

“Just what I need,” I thought, a smile breaking through my serious facade. I quickly typed back:

*Soon. Just a lot going on.*

“You deserve this,” I reminded myself. The thought of him waiting for me, hoping for something more, gave me a flicker of hope. “Focus on the future. You’re not bound by your past.”

As I settled into my work, I felt my mind wandering again. “What will I do next?” I thought. “The divorce, moving, everything—it’s a lot.” My brain buzzed with possibilities, from finding a new apartment to navigating the complexities of starting fresh.

“You’ve been through worse,” I reminded myself, trying to instill some confidence. “You can handle this.”

The afternoon dragged on, and the weight of impending changes loomed large. “What if I make the wrong decision?” my inner voice questioned. I had always prided myself on my choices, but this felt different. “What if I lose everything?”

“Stop overthinking it,” I scolded myself. “You’re not losing anything; you’re gaining your freedom.” The thought of that freedom was both exhilarating and terrifying. I couldn’t help but wonder how Harreld fit into this picture.

As the day wound down, I wrapped up my tasks, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Harreld. “What would it be like to just be with him?” I pondered.

“To escape all this mess?” The idea was intoxicating. “But you can’t just run away from your problems,” I reminded myself. “You need to face them head-on.”

Just as I was about to leave, my phone chimed again. It was Harreld: *How about dinner tonight?*

“Dinner? With him?” My heart raced at the thought. “Can I really do this? Dive into something new when I’m still dealing with my past?” But a part of me yearned for that connection. “It’s just dinner,” I reasoned. “You can handle it.”

I typed back, *Sure, that sounds great.* The excitement bubbled within me, mingling with a sense of apprehension. “This could change everything,” I thought, glancing at the clock. “But it’s a risk worth taking.”

Later that evening, I stood in front of my closet, clothes strewn everywhere as I tried to find the perfect outfit. “What do I wear for someone who makes me feel so alive?” I asked myself. “Something casual but nice. You don’t want to look too eager.”

After much deliberation, I settled on a sleek black dress that hugged my curves just right. “Perfect,” I thought, admiring my reflection. “You can do this. Just be yourself.”

As I headed out the door, I felt a rush of adrenaline. “This is it, Marissa. No looking back,” I whispered to myself, stealing my resolve. The drive to the restaurant was filled with a mix of anticipation and nerves. “What if it doesn’t go well? What if it’s awkward?” But I shook off the doubts. “You’ve been through worse. Just focus on enjoying yourself.”

Arriving at the restaurant, I took a deep breath and stepped inside. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with soft music playing in the background.

My heart raced as I scanned the room, searching for Harreld. When our eyes met, a smile broke across his face, and I felt my stomach flip. “You’ve got this,” I told myself.

“Hey there,” he greeted, standing up to pull out my chair. The warmth of his presence enveloped me, instantly easing my nerves. “You look amazing,” he said, and I could feel my cheeks flush. “Thanks,” I replied, smiling shyly.

As we settled in and began to chat, I felt the tension from earlier melting away. “See? This isn’t so bad,” I thought. “Just enjoy the moment.”

The conversation flowed effortlessly, moving from light banter to deeper topics. I found myself sharing pieces of my life, my struggles, and my hopes for the future. “You’re being brave,” my inner voice praised. “Opening up like this.”

“I really admire how you’re handling everything,” Harreld said, his eyes sincere. “It’s not easy, but you’re strong.”

“Am I?” I thought, a wave of vulnerability was crashing over me. “I’m just trying to survive.”

As the evening progressed, I felt more at ease, laughing at his jokes and enjoying his company. “This is what it feels like to be alive again,” I mused, reveling in the moment. But in the back of my mind, the weight of my impending divorce lingered. “Can I really allow myself to feel this happy?”

Harreld reached across the table, taking my hand gently. “I know things are complicated, but I want you to know I’m here for you,” he said, his voice steady. “You don’t have to go through this alone.”

My heart swelled at his words. “What if I want to be with you?” I thought, the possibility was exhilarating yet terrifying. “Can I trust this feeling?”

As we finished our meal, the conversation flowed effortlessly, and I felt a connection forming that I hadn’t expected. “What are you afraid of?” my inner voice asked. “Is it the risk of getting hurt again?”

“Maybe,” I admitted to myself. “But isn’t it worth the chance?”

When the dinner came to a close, Harreld suggested a walk. “Let’s take a stroll and talk a little more,” he said, and I nodded, eager to extend the evening.

As we walked side by side, the city lights twinkled like stars, casting a magical glow around us. “It feels good to be here,” I said, genuinely meaning it. “I needed this.”

“Me too,” he replied, glancing at me with that warm smile that made my heart flutter. “You know, I’ve always thought you were amazing.

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    "Marisa, you really need to figure things out," Harreld said, pulling me closer. "You can’t keep bouncing between him and me. It’s not fair." I sighed, feeling the weight of his words. "I know, but it’s complicated. I can’t just turn off my feelings." His gaze softened. "Then let’s make it less complicated. What if we just focus on us, at least for now?" I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You think that’s possible?" "Why not? Let’s explore what we have before worrying about the rest," he replied, determination in his eyes. I nodded slowly, a sense of hope sparking within me. "Okay, but you have to promise to be honest. I can’t handle any more secrets." He smiled, a warmth radiating from him. "I promise, Marisa. We’ll navigate this together." "Together," I echoed, feeling the tension ease a bit. "But you know my past is messy, right?" Harreld leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "I’m not afraid of a little mess. I want to understand you, all of you." I bit my lip, weighing his

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