MEGAN
IT’D BEEN two weeks since our trip to England. I stayed for two days at their manor. Still, I found it hard to believe how rich Forrest was, how he managed his businesses during the day and worked as the low-key bartender at night. After the approval of their project, I officially met his mother.
When I got home, I stayed with Mom for the whole two weeks, taking care of her even though she had a servant at home. I even went with her to her prenatal appointment. It was a relief that they were both healthy.
I quit the part-time receptionist job when Beth came back to work. Last month, Forrest offered me the most attractive job that it was hard to say no to. It took two days for us to give each other the cold shoulder when I chose to turn it down.
“Can you just consider it already? It’s just a job, Megan. Stop being stubborn. I bloody want this relationship to work as much as you want it. I want you to be here with me. Just say y
MEGAN MY HEART stopped, then jackhammered. It instantly followed with a fluttery feeling scattered in my stomach. This was impossible. I must be dreaming. “Miss me?” A soft, deep voice and warm breathing confirmed my doubt. Then he pressed his lips against mine. I slowly opened my eyes, and I met the most mesmerizing eyes, smiling down at me. “Hi.” My voice came out a breathless whisper. “Hey, my love,” he whispered. “I missed you.” He pressed his lips longer. He drew me into a hug when we parted, and I was still shocked to respond. I tried to process everything when he sat beside me, pulling me into his arms. “Say something.” I turned my head to look at him. “Say something? Really? Can’t you even at least call me or leave a text before you fly over hundreds of miles over here? I was worried sick, Forrest! If you happen not to be here, or I won’t hear anything from you in twelve hours, I will call your head of security a
MEGAN FORREST WAS the sole heir of his father’s fortune. He donated every penny to the Cancer Research Center in Manchester. Last month, I was thankful that we would adjust Forrest’s schedule for the groundbreaking of his old house into a clinic. Yes, my man was a damn philanthropist. Myra had a successful charity event on behalf of the battered women in the city. Alan was back in town to continue his business. And I, on the other hand, had no more escape but to accept the job offer in his Atto Tech Company. That was three months ago. At first, it was awkward when I was welcomed into the office. Everyone raised a brow, but when they found out that I was dating their boss, they backed off and treated me with respect as the new financial manager to the most eligible bachelor CEO in the city. Two days ago, we were back in New York, and hopefully, we would be there when Camila and Pyke welcomed their first son. Kelly was still close to Forr
MEGAN Four months later... OUR DAYS in New York were over. After attending two fundraising events, meeting with investors, and a dinner date with Forrest, I didn’t think I could still stand straight. I was exhausted. I just wanted to throw myself in the bed and sleep for a day. Not that I was complaining. In fact, I was beyond grateful for everything. But I invited my friends to come over to the private jet we chartered before heading back to England. I popped a Champagne. Since Forrest traveled a lot, he planned on purchasing a jet. He let me look over the reports, investments, and insurance of the new Atto Tech project last month. “What are we celebrating? Don’t tell me Lord Kentworthry is buying this jet?” Pyke joked around. “Not this one. But it’s more than that.” I bit my lip. The girls awwed at me. “You’re not pregnant because you’ve been drinking wine,” Camila clarified. “I am not,
FORREST “AHHH.” A deep groan broke from the Night Stalker Club office as I passed by. Fucktastic! A loud thud followed, vibrating the door. This was fucking ridiculous. Call me old-fashioned, but they could do it at home before coming over. I quickened my pace toward the entrance of the rooftop. Sex noise didn’t surprise me, but considering my friends were making those noises, it was awkward. I couldn’t listen to that. I couldn’t blame them if they wanted a quick fuck with their wives, though. They had the best lives, but ignoring the stabbing pain settling in my chest was hard. On the rooftop, the sun just sat down from the horizon. My eyes were steady as I watched the red, orange, and yellow colors before the twilight beckoning the sky. Those colors reminded me of fire, passion, danger, energy, happiness, and hope. I leaned my elbows against the concrete parapet, flicked the ash from my cigarette, and breathed in the remaining inch I lit up while watching for the sun to set.
MEGAN Suckstastic! IT HAD been eight days since I lost my job. Eight days of wallowing in self-pity at the four corners of my apartment. Alone. And every time I closed my eyes, all I saw was the image flickering of my evil boss as he tried to violate me. He was a shameless piece of shit and thought I would just welcome his loser dick because he had one. Since I kneed him on his balls and punched his wrinkled ugly face, I hadn’t seen or heard from him again. I was immensely grateful and scared at the same time that cops would just knock on my door, informing me that someone had sued me for assault. I’d never been violent in my entire life. In fact, I was always a victim. Then I saw red when he tried to do that thing that I was scared about. My instinct kicked in, and I did what I thought was right to save a little morality I had left. It was past six when I got out of my bed. I tried hard to ignore my urge to cal
FORREST Where the fuck is she? SHE JUST left! There was no way she went with that jackass! I was just waiting for my break to chat with her, and then I found her seat empty. I had a few ideas about Megan’s history of hook-ups, but I was the last person to judge her—she was a consenting adult. I just didn’t want her to mix with that scumbag of all the people because he had a flashy card at his disposal. “I’ll be right back.” I patted Dice on his shoulder and took off my apron. My blood was already boiling, and I badly wanted to light a stick if I wasn’t still working. I strode toward the exit, hoping to apologize for butting into their chin-wag earlier. The smell of pees and cigarettes assaulted my senses as I scanned the area where Megan could possibly park her car. She couldn’t have gone far. Thankfully, her car tail lights were still on. I sprinted to the parking lot. A red haze gathered behind my eyel
MEGAN THE STOIC looked was back on Forrest’s face. A frown deepened even more as I tried to get his attention. I just wanted to apologize, but my chance was starting to slip off my fingers when he gave me the cold shoulder. I didn’t think he would give me a chance after the stunt I pulled out the other night. I thought I could talk to him to keep what happened just between us because I couldn’t let my friends know about it. After placing my drink, he left right away and took another order from a socialite-ish woman two stools from my left. Forrest never flirted back with the customers, but this time was different, which annoyed me. What was he trying to pursue?Fine. Have it your way. Oh, no. No freaking way!This was unacceptable!What’s so special with that woman anyway? I could feel something shift in me as I watched them interact with one another, and I wanted to claw this woman’s eyes out s
FORREST “GOOD TO see you again, Forrest.” Dr. Diana Reed sat back in her chair after our handshakes. “You too, Dr. Reed.” I took a seat on the couch across hers while taking her notes and pen. She smiled. “So, what brings you here today?” I rested my arms on my thighs and linked my fingers together. “I don’t know.” She studied me for a while before she asked. “Have you been having trouble sleeping lately?” “No.” I hated it when people tried to read me, but this woman helped me a lot over the years. Alan usually gave me a long speech to visit my therapist if he knew constant nightmares were keeping me awake, but I came here willingly this time. For what reason? I didn’t know. “Something’s bothering you.” She smiled knowingly. “Let me rephrase. Is someone keeping you awake?” She must have noticed the dark circles under my eyes. I licked my lips and shifted on the couch. I always kept everything unde