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I am left speechless, my mind reeling in disbelief. Ava raises an eyebrow at my surprised expression. "Well, what's going on?" she asks.I hesitate before uttering, "Can you believe who just called?" Ava's curiosity is piqued. "Who?" she asks. "Chloe, the one who's been showing up around Josh's office," I explain. Ava's eyes widen. "The one you mentioned before?" I nod. "Yes, the same one.""A few days ago, I saw Josh and Chloe getting close and intimate. And now she's calling me, telling me to stay away from her man." My emotions are in turmoil. Ava's eyes widen in disbelief. "Whoa, that's quite a twist." I sigh, feeling a range of emotions. "Tell me about it."Ava leans forward, her eyes fixed on me. "Did she say why she thinks you should stay away from Josh?" she asks."Not really. She was vague, just telling me to back off. I knew they had a history, but I never expected her to confront me like this." Ava leans back, crossing her arms. "So, what are you going to do?""Honestly, I d
As I scan the restaurant, my eyes land on Josh, seated across the room with Chloe. They sit in a cozy corner, their bodies leaning in, faces inches apart, lost in an intense conversation that feels like a private world.A wave of unease washes over me. Chloe's gaze meets mine, and we share a fleeting moment of understanding. Her eyes sparkle with mischief as she leans in closer to Josh, their lips almost touching.I force myself to focus on Nick’s words, trying to shake off the discomfort. "I know you were wondering about my last call," Nick says, drawing me back into our conversation. My mind, however, keeps wandering, tangled in a web of emotions from what I just saw.I nod slowly, my heart racing with anticipation. "Um, yeah."Nick’s gaze is sincere. "I've been feeling something for you, Harper. I didn’t want to rush into saying it, but after your birthday, I couldn’t ignore it anymore. I thought it was better if I let you know."My heart races as I process his confession. A flutte
Amelia gives me a teasing look. "You and your new bestie. If I didn’t know you any better, I’d think you two are crushing on each other." She adds, "You know, I’ve seen Chloe. If you were to crush on Josh, she’d crush you to pieces." She bursts into laughter, mimicking crushing motions with her hands.I let out a nervous laugh. "I don’t want drama. But speaking of drama, did I tell you Chloe called me? She told me to stay away from Josh. Can you believe that?" I recount my conversation with Chloe.Amelia’s laughter fades, and her eyes widen in disbelief. "What? She said that to you?" "Yep, she did. The nerve, right?" I am waiting for her response.She sighs. "I can’t believe she’s doing this. It’s like she’s trying to control everything." Amelia shrugs. "Well, she can try, but you’ve got to do what’s best for you.""You’re right. I won’t let her antics get to me." Amelia grins. "That’s the spirit. And hey, if you need backup, just let me know. I’ve got your back."I chuckle. "Thanks,
Two Months Later"What's this office meeting for?" I ask Amelia."I'm not sure. I don't know what it's about. Sophia might know; she's been smiling a lot," Amelia replies."Oh, come on, give Sophia a break. She's not as bad as you think," I say to Amelia."Whatever," Amelia responds.After a few minutes, we headed to the meeting room. All the staff members are there, curious to find out the reason for the emergency meeting.Josh enters the room, looking handsome as usual. Our eyes briefly meet, and my heart skips a beat. Even after three months of awkwardness and avoiding each other, he still makes me feel excited inside, like butterflies in my tummy.Chloe has been going in and out of Josh’s office, but I don’t care about what they’re doing. What matters to me is protecting my heart. He should deal with his feelings for Chloe before thinking about any other relationships.He clears his throat to get everyone’s attention."Good morning, everyone. I have something important to share. Th
Pausing for a moment, I choose to answer Chloe's call. When she speaks, her voice carries warmth, and I make an effort to sound composed as our conversation flows.Chloe gets straight to the point. "Harper, I want you to know how much Josh means to me. Our friendship has a deep history, and there's a unique bond between us." She continues, "I sensed that things changed the day you saw us kissing."I nod, forgetting she can't see me. I listen further as Chloe continues, "I've noticed the awkwardness between us, and I want to clear things up. I know things have been weird because of Josh, and I want to make sure there are no misunderstandings because Josh and I are going to get married." She adds, "I know that Josh cares about you as well, and I want to make sure that everyone's feelings are respected."Chloe's honesty takes me by surprise. Her words are a curveball, and I don't know how to react. I manage to reply, "Thank you for being straightforward. I don't want any trouble. Josh is
He takes a deep breath and begins, "First of all, I want to apologize for how I reacted during our last conversation. I was frustrated, and I shouldn't have raised my voice like that."I appreciate his honesty and nod in understanding. "It's okay, Josh. Emotions were running high."I ask him how his new job is going. "It's going well. My father has retired due to old age, so I'm overseeing everything now.""That's nice," I reply."About today," he continues, "Sophia is clever. If you let her manipulate you, she'll come out on top. If she's recommended, she might get the job, and you'll have to prove yourself to the new GM if you want that position.""Tell me about it," I say."The thing is, the new GM likes you, but he was disappointed that you quit and then came back," Josh explains. "I had my reasons, though.""Yes, but you didn't have to, you know. You could have just communicated through email. So, what's new?" I ask."Chloe called," I say. His face shows shock. "What?!""You heard
I sit there, frustration bubbling inside me. My GM's words replay in my head, urging me to show what I can do. It isn't just about fixing the problem Sophia caused; it's also about boosting my self-assurance and proving I can shine in my job.Looking around my office, my attention shifts to the package Nick sent. It reminds me that there are people who believe in me and my skills. With this newfound energy, I resolve not to let Sophia's negativity get to me. I have to focus on my work like never before.With that determination in mind, I leave work for the day. "Phew, what a long day at work," I say as I step inside my cozy apartment. I kick off my shoes and let out a sigh of relief."Yeah, sorry about your crazy workload," Ava replies.I change into my comfiest clothes—a pair of loose joggers and a big sweatshirt. The soft music in the background is soothing. "I'm just glad to be home."The aroma of my favorite herbal tea wafts from the kitchen. "Ah, my favorite tea," I say, smiling.
"Sophia would never do that," I vocalize my thoughts. Pondering the possibility further, I ask Amelia, "Do you think Sophia could be the source behind all this?"Amelia pauses, her face thoughtful as she considers my question. "You know, given your history with Sophia and how she's been trying to undermine you lately, it's not completely impossible. But we shouldn't jump to conclusions without strong evidence."I nod, understanding the need to be careful. "You're right. Emotions shouldn't cloud my judgment."A reassuring squeeze on my shoulder from Amelia makes me feel supported. "Don't worry, Harper. We'll dig deep and find out who's truly behind this leak."Her encouragement means a lot to me. "Thank you, Amelia. I can't let this situation get worse. I need to clear my name."The thought of Sophia being involved is unsettling, but having Amelia's assistance gives me confidence. We'll work together to uncover the truth and make sure justice prevails.Then suddenly, Sophia walks into t
Josh’s POVI shut the door behind me, and the sound rang in my ears like a blow. I’m left standing in the hallway, my heart feels heavy with Harper’s words. I can barely breathe, the air thick with the realization that I’ve lost her—truly lost her this time. I lean against the wall, running a hand through my hair, trying to collect my thoughts. How did it get to this point? How did I let everything spiral so far out of control? All I wanted was to protect her, to make things right, but all I’ve done is push her further away. My mind races back to every moment, every decision that led us here. The anger, the jealousy, the lies. All of it is crashing down on me now. And Nolan… Damn it, Nolan. The thought of him with Harper, the betrayal—it makes my blood boil. But I can’t even blame him entirely. I’m as much at fault as he is.I’ve been a fool. I let my pride and fear dictate my actions, and now, I’m paying the price. I thought I could control everything, but I was wrong. I couldn’t c
Josh’s POV Greg's face pops into the room, and my blood boils instantly. What the hell does he want now? My anger surges, as I seethe, “Can you fucking leave? I’m having time with my fiancée.”Greg opens his mouth to protest, but one look at the fury in my eyes makes him hesitate. He glances at Harper, then back at me, before finally taking a step back, and retreating into the hallway.I can feel Harper’s eyes on me, questioning, unsure of what to make of the situation. The unease between us deepens, and I can feel that something is about to break, something that might be beyond repair.I turned to Harper, my eyes searching hers, desperate to find some sense of hope.“I feel something strong for you, Harper. Please, let's start all over again, I promise to be the man of your dreams, the man who wakes up every morning just to see your face.”Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I could feel the mucus in my nose threatening to spill over. This level of vulnerability was something I had n
I hurried to the doctor as the door opened, my heart racing with hope. “How is she?” I asked, desperate for good news.Amelia and Axel stood close behind me, their expressions tense as they awaited the doctor’s update.The doctor took a deep breath before speaking. “She is stable for now. We’ve run some tests and carried out x-rays on her brain, considering her condition and the memory loss. It seems like she’s beginning to recall bits and pieces. It’s a positive sign, but we need to be cautious. Memory recovery can be unpredictable, and it’s crucial to provide her with a supportive environment.”I nod, taking in the information. “So, there’s hope she might regain more of her memories?”“Yes,” the doctor confirms. “There’s potential for her to remember more as she recovers. The process can be slow, and we’ll monitor her progress closely.”I held my breath, waiting for more information.“The tests show no severe damage,” the doctor continued. “Her brain activity is normal, and there ar
Josh's POV Seeing Harper with Greg ignites a surge of fury in me. It’s like déjà vu of what happened between Harper and Adams. The sight of her arm linked with Greg’s is unbearable.I almost stormed over to them, ready to yank her away from Greg, but Axel grabbed my arm, pulling me back. I had intentionally cut our Atlanta trip short after overhearing Greg's plans to take Harper to a club. Harper, I trust, but I don’t trust Greg at all. He’s involved in shady dealings with women. There are rumors about him drugging them and then using his father’s wealth to cover it up, making it look like the women were at fault. I can’t let Harper become another victim.As I struggle to control my anger, I watch helplessly as Greg, with Harper in his arms, heads for the ground floor. The panic in Axel’s voice only adds to my frustration. I know Harper’s health is the priority right now, but the sight of her with Greg makes it hard to think clearly.Axel’s firm grip on my arm is the only thing keep
After a warm bath, I collapse into bed, finally feeling the exhaustion. The weekend is a welcome break, and I spend it relaxing and doing nothing in particular.Amelia visits and excitedly talks about her relationship with Axel. I'm happy for her; it seems like she’s finally found love.But as Monday approaches, I dread seeing Josh. His silence over the weekend has only made me more anxious, reminding me of how he acted before our trip to Atlanta. No matter how much I try to think about something else, his face keeps popping into my mind, along with the unsettling dream I had about him.I can’t seem to shake these thoughts, and it’s clear that Josh still has a big impact on my life, even when he’s not around.Monday arrives, and I drag myself out of bed, feeling the weight of the day ahead. I get dressed quickly and head to the kitchen for a brief breakfast, trying to brace myself for what's to come.At work, I bury myself in tasks, especially preparing the report on everything that h
I find a space and settle in, pulling out my headphones and plugging them in. As the music starts, it helps calm my racing heart a bit.I wonder if things will be awkward between Josh and me now. His new behavior is confusing, especially when my whole body is still craving his touch.Relaxing back into my seat, I glance at him frequently, but he never turns to look at me. It feels like this is going to be a hell of a ride.I try to focus on the music, letting the rhythm fill the silence between us, but it’s hard to ignore the tension. My eyes keep drifting back to Josh, hoping for any sign that he might look my way. But he stays engrossed in his tablet, completely detached.I take a deep breath, forcing myself to look away and focus on the window. The clouds outside blur as we ascend, and I try to clear my mind, but it’s no use. This is going to be a long, torturous ride, I think to myself, trying to shake off the ache in my chest.I don't think I've ever been in a situation where I
I open the door and find Mia standing there. I sigh in relief when I see it’s her. “Oh, you made it,” I say, still breathless.“Are you okay?” she asks as I step aside to let her in.“I’m fine, Mai. I just woke up,” I reply.“Girl, you didn’t tell me you just woke up! You look all flustered like someone was giving it to you from behind,” she teases."Oh my God," I groan, collapsing onto the bed, realizing I've got another Amelia in Mai.She gives me a skeptical look. “Harper, don’t tell me you just had a sex dream.”I sit up quickly, eyes wide. “Is it that obvious?” I ask.“Oh my goodness, Harper, don’t tell me my theory is right!” she exclaims.My cheeks burn at Mai’s words, her knowing grin only making it worse. I try to laugh it off, but the sound comes out strangled. How did she guess so easily? I haven’t even processed the dream myself, yet here she is, already connecting the dots.I drop my gaze, fiddling with the edge of my robe. The images from the dream flash behind my eyes v
Harper's POV I nod and say, "Hi Greg. Yes, I know him. He is my..." I trail off, unsure of what to call Josh.I can feel Josh's eyes on me, waiting to hear how I’ll address him. We're not engaged anymore; I need time to process the emotional rollercoaster he’s putting me through. "Yes, he’s my boss," I finally say.I glance at Josh and notice he's visibly angry, his frustration almost palpable.I make my way back to my room, feeling drained after the exhausting five-hour meeting. I drop my bag on the table and quickly change out of my work clothes, wanting nothing to disturb my sleep. It's a relief that I’ve checked out of Josh’s room.In just my panties and bra, I collapse onto the bed. As I settle in, Josh’s presence lingers in my mind, but fatigue overtakes me, and soon I drift off to sleep.I hear a knock on my door and groan loudly. Hastily, I throw on a bathrobe, tie it firmly, and make my way to the door. Unlocking it, I grasp the doorknob and open it. “Josh,” I whisper his n
“Oh, don’t worry, Axel. When we meet in Seattle, I’ll fill you in,” I say, laughing. I know he’s eager to hear what I’m talking about.“Don’t you dare, Josh? Why would you say something like that and then leave me hanging?” he responds in his tone, a mix of playful and frustrated.I laugh loudly, feeling a rare moment of relief. It’s a welcome distraction from everything I’m dealing with regarding Harper.“Okay, okay,” I say between laughs. “I know you can’t wait.”“Spill it, man. What’s the news?” Axel presses.“Trisha’s son isn’t mine,” I say, watching as he falls silent. “Say something, man,” I urge, wondering if he knows something I don’t.“That’s a relief, Josh. I’m happy for you, man,” Axel finally responds.“That’s all you’ve got?” I ask, knowing Axel usually has more to say.He gives a nervous laugh. “What do you want me to say? It’s a relief, isn’t it?”“But there’s something about that child’s appearance,” I continue. “He looks like someone I know but I can’t place it. His e