**PRESENT**After storming out of Sophie's house, my feet moved automatically, taking me far from the betrayal I’d just uncovered. I collapsed onto a bench on a nearby street, the cold metal biting into my legs as my mind spun. My thoughts crashed and tangled like waves in a storm. Why? Why did it have to be him? My ex, in her house? Naked?How long have they been together? Are they even together?The questions spiraled relentlessly, gnawing at my sanity, each one twisting the knife deeper. I tried to lose myself in the passing crowds, hoping that watching the ebb and flow of people might soothe the turmoil inside me. But it didn’t help."Jessica!" Sophie's voice shattered my stillness. She jogged over, breathless, her eyes wide with worry as she plopped down beside me on the bench."Can you let me explain, at least - please" she said, her voice shaky. But I cut through her words before she could even begin."How long have you two been sleeping together?" My voice was a flat monotone,
**PARRISH'S POV**"Was she going to be there tonight?" The thought echoed relentlessly as I adjusted my tie, staring at my reflection. A mix of anticipation and anxiety churned in my chest. Seeing her again wasn’t something I could just walk into casually.Was she still angry about the threat? God, I never meant to fire her. She had to know that. The memories of us — the tension, the passion — surged back, dragging guilt along with them. I had shattered her, left her in pieces with the cruel words I spat after that terrible night, five years ago and I hadn’t seen her since. Maybe this was the universe’s twisted way of giving me a second chance, though knowing myself, I’d only screw it up again.And I already, allowing Sophie to lure me back into her den.I considered skipping the night entirely. What if I ruined it for her, especially if she was there with *him*? The image of them of her face when she had seen me in Sophie's house and half naked made my jaw tighten. Maybe I was better
**JESSICA'S POV**I was expecting Nathan to ask about Parrish, but the silence in the car was deafening. He sat next to me, fuming, while I was too drunk to care. My mind kept drifting back to Parrish. Even now, I couldn’t shake the image of him out of my head. The quiet hum of the engine and the blur of passing headlights became background noise to the storm brewing inside me.Without warning, Nathan slammed the brakes, jolting me forward. We had arrived home, but he didn’t turn off the engine. He just sat there, gripping the wheel, his jaw clenched.“What the hell is your problem, Jess?” His voice was sharp, cutting through the silence.“What the hell?!” I shot back, confused and still half-dazed from the alcohol.“I told you I had work to do tonight. Why do you always—"“Oh, I’m sorry," I interrupted him, my voice dripping with sarcasm, "that you couldn’t spare five minutes to pick up your drunk girlfriend from the club."“I wouldn’t have had to if you didn’t get drunk in the first
Immediately, Parrish broke away from the woman and rushed towards me as I crouched down to gather the scattered files. It felt painfully awkward to be on the floor, avoiding his gaze and trying not to accidentally bump into him. I wished the ground would open up and swallow me whole.But then, his hand brushed mine as he handed me the files he’d picked up. Accidental? I wasn’t sure, especially with the way his intense blue eyes locked onto mine in that fleeting moment. It felt like time slowed down, the world outside his office disappearing. It was just us, caught in a suspended moment. But I was the first to pull away, breaking eye contact and the silence that had thickened between the three of us.“I’m sorry for interrupting,” I stammered, walking toward his large mahogany desk, the one with the placard that read CEO “I just needed to drop off some files.”“You weren’t interrupting,” Parrish said quickly, his voice softer than I expected. “This is Celeste, the managing director of V
*Jessica's POV*Tears still slipped from my eyes when Parrish tried to kiss me. It didn’t stop the fluttering in my stomach, the firework-like tension crackling between us, even though I pulled away. My gaze locked onto his, questioning, uncertain. The magnetic pull between us felt too strong, undeniable, but still I didn't want to betray Nathan.“I—I’m sorry,” Parrish stammered, his voice unsteady, breaking the silence. “I don’t know what came over me. I thought—” I stepped back, wiping away the stubborn tears that blurred my vision. “You don’t have to apologize,” I croaked, trying to steady my voice.Parrish's jaw tightened. “I shouldn’t have done that. You’re vulnerable right now, and I—”“And you just had Celeste strewn across your lap a few hours ago,” I finished for him, my words sharper than I intended. His eyes flickered, a mix of cockiness and regret flashing across his face, and for a brief second, I saw him—saw the man who had once shattered my heart.He ran a hand through
Jessica's POVI rushed home, my heart pounding wildly in my chest, goosebumps still prickling my skin from Parrish’s touch. His words echoed in my head, pulling me into a state I’d promised myself I’d never return to.*“Then don’t.”*Those words played on repeat, looping endlessly.*“You belong to me, Jessica.”*I screamed inwardly, begging his voice to leave my mind and let me breathe. It was so hard—impossibly hard—not with the history between us hanging over my head like a storm cloud. No matter how much I wanted to deny it, I couldn’t. I still wanted him, even though it terrified me. But I had to run. I had to stay far, far away from him. If I didn’t, I knew I wouldn’t be able to resist, and I couldn’t afford to let him pull me back into his dangerous orbit.*“You belong to me, Jessica.”*No, I don’t! I screamed internally. Parrish Holmes didn’t own me. I had to banish him from my thoughts.When I got home, I found Nathan sitting at his desk, bent over his laptop. He glanced up wh
**Jessica’s POV**The moment I spotted Nathan and Parrish together, my stomach clenched. Nathan’s gaze flicked toward me, sensing my presence, and his expression hardened before he forced a smile. The air was thick with tension as I approached, both of them watching me, and it took every ounce of strength not to let my eyes linger on Parrish. His gaze was magnetic, trying to pull me in, but I resisted. I couldn’t let myself fall into his orbit again—not now, not ever.“I see you’ve met Parrish Holmes—my boss,” I said, my voice shaky as I wiped my sweaty palms on my dress. I tried to sound professional, to keep the mood light, praying Nathan wouldn’t see through my nervousness. Did he know? Could he tell that Parrish was the one who had shattered me before I met him?“Parrish Holmes?” Nathan repeated, his eyes narrowing as they flicked between us. Then his gaze locked on mine. “You didn’t mention your ex is now your boss.”“I—uh—I didn’t think it was relevant,” I stammered, fighting fo
*SOME YEARS AGO*It was only a few days after his dad had walked in on us at the roof top, his sleazy eyes drilling over my bare body even though Parrish had conveniently pushed me behind him while I struggled to put my clothes back on in a hurried frenzy and my eyes still wide from the adrenaline and hard liquour.After that night, I had resolved to see that night as a one night stand even though we never actually stood or better still lay together. I didn’t think I was going to see him again but a few days later, I had just stepped out of my professor’s office after a long day of lectures and assignments and I was prepared to just fall into my bed and sleep when I bumped into someone just on my way out. “Oh shit, I’m sorry. I – ” I stopped when I looked up and saw that it was Parrish.“You – ” I said, surprised to see him.“Me,” he humored me, then he smiled, a sweet smile that went all the way to his cheeks “You didn’t give me your number, so I never thought I’d see you again.”“I