James.The moment I landed in Miami, I was bombarded with messages from Allison, Tally, and even Becca. Even others messaged me, questioning me about a mystery woman I had been seen with. Of course, Alison pointed out that it was clearly Becca.I was confused about what they were talking about, but as soon as I opened my phone, I saw the picture of Becca and I at the Convention in New York. We weren't alone, of course, we were with Neal and two other people that were in the background.The photo wasn't intimate, but we were very close, and we were talking. The photo must have been taken right after I had kissed her, but it was still enough to make people question who she was and if we were more.That wasn't what mattered, though. Allison had assumed that Becca had not heeded her warning, and it didn't matter how many times that I told her to back off and leave Becca alone. She refused.This was the last thing I needed right now while I was trying to fix my relationship
Becca With James being gone, I had to keep myself preoccupied, which meant diving into my studies and pretending to be the A plus student I had always been. While the other seniors were enjoying spending time with their loved ones and friends, I hid away in the library when needed and then rushed through the halls to my next class, learning as much as I could before heading home.There wasn't much I honestly wanted to do. The one person who I wanted to spend my time with wasn't here, and as much as I missed him, I understood the importance of making sure business was taken care of.Walking from one of my math classes and heading towards the library, I ended up bumping into a familiar face in the hallway I hadn't seen in almost two years."Becca?" Tyson asked as he looked down at me with a large grin across his face. His dark, shaggy hair hanging just below his eyes before he quickly whipped his head to the side, moving his hair from his eyes."Tyson, I didn't think tha
James.The short conversation I had with Becca the night before had been playing on my mind all day. She seemed down and worn out over all the issues with the people talking about what was going on with her and me.It didn't matter how much my PR team tried to make things go away, Allison was very determined to make sure that Becca paid for even thinking that she could have me. Never in my life had I thought Allison was going to be like this.After all these years of us being divorced, she was the pettiest woman I've ever met, and I had regretted ever spending part of my life with her.Trying to keep myself preoccupied, I made plans to take Becca to Europe during Christmas break. I wanted to show her how much she meant to me and that things were going to get better. She deserved it, after all."Mr. Valentino, there is a man here to see you," Evette said from my office door. She seemed on edge, and her nervousness didn't sit well with me. However, I nodded and gestured with
AllisonHanging up the phone with James, I couldn't stop the anger coursing through me. For him to honestly think he could just speak to me however he wanted to was beyond insane. I was, once upon a time, the only woman he loved, and since the moment that little whore Becca stepped into our lives, I had completely lost control of him.Pacing around my living room, I took in the fading decor and the unfortunate end to the lavish lifestyle I had once lived. I had lost so much over the past few years and all because James didn't understand the needs I had.He had been gone all the time traveling overseas, and with the many photos I constantly had seen of him with other women, it was hard for me to believe he wasn't cheating on me. So, in a moment of weakness, I had slept with somebody else. It wasn't anything serious. It was a one time thing, and yet, James never forgave me for what I had done.Even though I had forgiven him so many times over the transgressions against me he h
BeccaA few days had passed, and the conversation between James and I hadn't been as much as I would have liked. In fact, he had been more busy than usual, and I didn't know what to do with myself.Every day was just like the last. I got up. I did my morning workout. I walked down to the cafe and got breakfast and coffee and then went to class. I would go through the day as if nothing in the world was wrong with me, and by the time I got done with classes, I would head back to my apartment to eat dinner and do homework.Whoever said that life as a student in college was exciting was sadly mistaken. My life was full of nothing but getting my work done, passing my classes, and surviving to the weekend.Then, usually on the weekends, I was way too exhausted and tired to even want to do anything. Not to mention I was not the kind of girl that enjoyed going out partying. I was the kind of girl who would rather stay home with a good book, a movie and a friend, and some pizza.
BeccaThe next morning, I awoke with a little pep in my step. It was Saturday, and I was excited. That was because it was the one day I didn't have to worry about school or studying, even though I probably should have been. It was the beginning of a weekend I was going to absolutely adore.Throwing on my tennis shoes, I grabbed my purse and headed out of my apartment, ready to start the day of nothing but fun and excitement. First up was the grocery store, and then I was on to find a little bit of odds and ends to decorate up the spare room, just in case Neal wanted to stay. There was no way I was going to let him drive home after he had been drinking, or across town for that matter.Making my way towards my car, I climbed in and put it in drive, heading across town towards the local grocery store. Not even five minutes out from my destination, however, my phone lit up, and James's name crossed the screen.Of course, he's calling. "Good morning," I said with very littl
JamesAs soon as Becca hung up the phone, I felt nothing but guilt and remorse over the way I had acted. This is a girl who had been nothing but good to me and time and time again, I did nothing but become a complete d*ck to her.She had never given me a reason to question her or doubt I could trust her. Instead, she had done everything right, and all she wanted was a chance to prove herself to me. And yet, I was the one who was constantly feeling as if I was unsure of the situation.Staring out the window of my office, I looked across the green grass leading to the small railing overlooking the ocean. I was a complete mess, and the fury of worry flowing through my veins had done nothing but hinder my ability to think straight.I was being unfair to her, but I wanted to protect her. Once upon a time, I lived a life of criminalized activity. I'd messed with the wrong people; I'd made shady deals, and I'd cut corners. Through everything, I ended up pissing off the wrong people
BeccaAfter the conversation with James, I pushed my feelings aside and continued my tasks for the day. I ended up having to go up to the school to drop off a last-minute paper to one of my teachers before I was supposed to meet up with Neal.Through the week, things had been utterly strange considering everything that had happened, and the last thing I wanted to do was draw more attention to myself.As soon as I had finished grocery shopping, I drove straight to the school and quickly took the paper from my bag and made my way inside in order to drop it off. Usually, on days like today, my professor wasn't in the office. But considering he had a lot of grading to do, he had made an exception for me.Without wasting time, I scurried inside and straight to my professor's office. His smile was cheerful that I had made it on time, considering the noon deadline."Thank you, Miss Woods. I appreciate you being able to stick to our agreement.""It's not a problem, Professor. I'