Raleigh povThose words hung to me like a chain around my neck or even a lump in my throat. His words were cold and emotionless, not caring if I felt anything from the way he spoke.I felt like I was some sort of bitch he was talking to. It was my fault. I had brought down my ego and thought it would be a good idea to apologize and perhaps he’d accept my apology.But obviously, this wasn’t the case. It was way far from it.Humiliated, trashed, and looked down on. Damn it, Raleigh. You caused this disrespect in the first place. You should have just stayed back home. I swallowed deep; trying as hard as I could not to let his words get to me. I needed to switch to my stone heart.I couldn’t afford to be moved by someone like him.Never. His words meant nothing. It’d be better if I dropped the value to the floor and just heard the words but did not listen to them.Yeah, that was the best thing to do. Something in me whispered in me to leave and never come back here. I knew it was that littl
RALEIGH'S POV’“Who do you think sent the message?” Mason asked. I racked my head through, but no one I could think of. I was always on the good side of everybody’s life.At least for the one I’m sure of. Who would want to harm me?“I don’t know,” I said.“Raleigh has no enemy as far as I know. She’s a good person. Perhaps this was not directed at you. It could be spam or it was sent to you mistakenly.” “What do you mean?”“What I mean is that whosoever sent it might have made a mistake sending it to you. It might have been directed to another person, but it came to you.” She expatiated. OH, yes. I got her now. No one would want to hurt me because I’ve done nothing wrong.I nodded. “You think so right?”“Yeah…no need to stress things.”“But be careful. Don’t put your guard down. Remain vigilant about everything and everyone around you. If you notice any sues [vicious activities, you can report it to the police.” He was right.The message might not have been a mistake.“Guys, i think
Logan's Pov“I’m not fucking interested if you had a fight with her or not. How the fuck does that affect my life? To crown it all, Mason, these are low lives…they’re definitely after your money. How hard is that for you to comprehend?” I said.I was indeed furious for me to speak to my own best friend that way. Sometimes, he behaves gullible and sometimes makes me wonder if he uses his brain or not. “You’ve got to calm down, Logan. It isn’t that complicated as you make it to be. You’ve been doing the talking since, it’s my turn.” I let out a heavy sigh, trying to get myself to understand his perspective here. To me, everything was glaring that the girl was a low life after his money.“I’m all ears.”“Thank you.” He said as I rolled my eyes.He had better said something reasonable and convincing, or else, this would be our third world war.“Can you just make your point?”“Well, I think I’m the one at fault here. And to clarify things, this girl is not a gold-digger.”“How sure are
Raleigh’s POVI wrapped her up in my hands. Yeah, I knew Mo to be a crybaby especially when something like this happens – heartbreak from a guy. I heard strictly warned against getting too intimate with anybody just the moment you met someone and this was what she always did – (giving too much of herself) that led guys to break their hearts. And now, it happened again.I never knew Mason could be an asshole. So he never considered her his girlfriend when they were kissing, cuddling, having sex every two seconds, and the rest of that bullshit.I was disappointed. I expected something better from him. That’s why asking the right questions like “What exactly are we doing? What do you see me as?” is important to avoid unnecessary and stupid heartbreak.“Mason,” I growled.“I don’t want to hear his name.” Mo sniffed, pulling more of me into her.“You know you caused all these, Mo. I warned you when you were going into this.”“Have you ever loved someone?” she released herself from me, with
Logan's POVWhat the heck was Joseph doing here? It better not be what I’m thinking. Suddenly, our eyes met. It held long enough that it seemed like a competition to know who would take their eyes off first.He took his off first, putting on ahis shades as he shoved his hand into his pocket, making his way into the building. I never expected to see him here.“Isn’t that Joseph?” Mason asked. That was who Francesca, my ex-girlfriend, cheated on me with. It was insane knowing he was here. To do what exactly?“I wonder what he’s doing here?” I sighed.“Forget him. Act like he was never here and don’t let it change your mood.”“You saying it now already changed my mood. Forget it. I’m less concerned about him. I just want us to find a potential investor and get this done with.”“What?”Yeah, I forgot he didn’t know what was happening.“This is what happens when you don’t pay attention to your business. The company is in a bad state and it may go into liquidity soon. The business needs mo
Raleigh’s POVThat must have been the most ridiculous thing I have ever done. He’d want to crucify me at this point. But what the hell was Jake doing here of all places?With fear in my heart, I hugged him tighter, landing a kiss on his cheek. I knew I was overdoing it when he pulled me out of his arms.“I’m sorry,” I whispered. Fear clutching my heart.I could feel my knees shake, knowing he was about to smack me in the face and of course disgrace me. I was ready as he stepped towards me.He came closer and closer. Suddenly, I felt his lips pressed against mine.What the fuck was happening? Mr. Logan Hunt was kissing me. His lips were soft, it felt like soap against my hard, rocky lips. I knew I had taken this too far. I just wanted to make Jake jealous and bring to his awareness that I could find someone better and of course, someone could love me.That night we broke up, he had told it to my face that I was unworthy of love or any male figure in my life. And that has stuck with m
Logan's POV It was a miracle that the investors found favor in my business, or else, Sprocks would be filing for bankruptcy.The pitching was over, perhaps I could rest now. I stood face to face with the mirror, gazing at what a miserable person I’d become. It was sad that this was what was happening. And to crown it all, my greatest enemy was there to see my downfall.Not literally, but yes.I hated every single word I uttered as I stood on the carpet, knowing Joseph was there. And to think of it, he knew Raleigh. So he dated my ex and simultaneously Raleigh.What an asshole.He even changed his name…that dude is an entirely different son of a bitch. He wasn’t the top in deception or manipulation, but he is ranked in the top tier.Suddenly, I heard someone barge through the door. As I turned to look, it was Raleigh. It was like I felt in my bones that she was the one person to come in here and disrupt my privacy.“Why the hell would you barge into the gent’s restroom.”“Perhaps, I’l
Raleigh POVI pushed open the door to my apartment, fully expecting silence after the terrible meeting with two insane humans (Logan and Jake) I'd had.Instead, the sound of laughter greeted me. I paused in the doorway, frowning. Mo and Mason were on the couch, both grinning as if they hadn’t been at each other’s throats just yesterday.I blinked.Had I missed something? The last time I saw them, they were barely speaking to each other. But now, they were acting like everything was sunshine and rainbows.“Uh… what’s going on?” I asked, my voice full of confusion. I dropped my bag by the door and stepped inside.“Aren’t you two supposed to be mad at each other?”Mason looked up at me, still wearing that goofy smile of his.“Oh, that? Water under the bridge.”Mo nodded, her face lighting up.“Yeah, Leigh. We talked it out, and everything’s fine now.” She jumped up from the couch and hurried over to me.“By the way, I owe you an apology for earlier. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. I was
Logan's POVThe train station was quiet, almost too quiet. I sat on a cold bench, staring at the empty platform. My head felt heavy, like I was carrying a weight I couldn’t drop. Leigh kept filling my thoughts. Her voice, her face, the way she looked at me when she was mad—it was all stuck in my mind.Why did she leave?I didn’t even know where she went. I didn’t know how to fix this. And the worst part? I wasn’t sure if I deserved to.I called Mason earlier, and told him to meet me here. He showed up ten minutes later, looking annoyed like always. His hands were shoved in his pockets, and his coat was zipped all the way up to his neck.“You really got me to leave my warm apartment for this?” he grumbled, sitting next to me on the bench.I didn’t answer right away. My thoughts were messy, too messy
Leigh POVThe train slowed down, making a loud screech as it stopped at the small, almost-empty station. I stepped off with my small suitcase, looking around at the unfamiliar town. The air smelled fresher here, almost like rain even though the sky was clear. The platform was quiet except for a few people walking past me, their steps quick and purposeful.I didn’t know where to go next. I just knew I needed to be away. Away from Logan. Away from Mo. Away from the city where everything felt heavy.I pulled out my phone, checking for directions to the address of the place I had rented. It was a small room I found online the night before I left. The pictures didn’t look great, but it was all I could afford for now.As I walked down the narrow streets, I noticed how different this place was from the city. No tall buildings. No honking cars. Just little houses with
Leigh’s POVThe train shook as it moved fast, and I sat by the window, holding my bag close. Outside, trees and houses flew past so quickly, like they were running away. I wished I could run away that fast too. The glass window was cold, and I leaned my head on it, hoping it would calm my heart.I couldn’t stay in that city anymore. It was too much. Mo shouting at Logan, Logan trying to talk to me, the looks people gave me because of that stupid photo. I hated it all.My phone beeped. I looked at the screen. It was Mo.Mo: “Leigh, pls don’t do this. Don’t run away like this.”I sighed and turned the screen off. What did she know? Mo always thought she was right, but she didn’t understand. She didn’t feel the pain I was feeling.It wasn’t just about her. It wasn’t just abou
Leigh’s POVThe train station was crowded, but it felt like I was the only person there. People rushed past me, dragging suitcases and clutching tickets, their voices blending into an indistinct hum. My feet felt heavy as I walked toward the platform, one step at a time, like each step carried the weight of everything I was leaving behind.I held my ticket tightly in my hand. The edges were crumpled from how long I had been clutching it. I didn’t even look at it again—I already knew where I was going, though I wasn’t sure why. Anywhere but here. That was the only thing that made sense in my head.As I sat on the bench, waiting for the train, the smell of hot coffee and engine grease filled the air. The announcements over the speaker barely registered in my mind. My head was too loud, full of thoughts I didn’t want to think about.I closed my eyes and took a
Logan’s POVMason leaned against the edge of my desk, his usual smirk replaced by something more serious. His arms were crossed, and he tilted his head like he was trying to read my mind. I hated when he did that.“You’ve been pacing for the last five minutes, Logan,” he said finally. “Care to explain, or should I guess?”I stopped walking, my shoes making a soft scuff against the polished floor. I turned to face him but couldn’t hold his gaze for long. “It’s... nothing,” I said, though even I didn't even believe it.Mason raised an eyebrow. “Right. Because ‘nothing’ always puts that look on your face.”I sighed and leaned against the wall, folding my arms. “It’s complicated.”“It’s always complicated with you,” Mason shot back, his smirk re
Leigh's POVThe suitcase sat open on the bed, half-filled with clothes and memories I didn’t want to take with me. The room felt cold and unfamiliar, as though it already knew I was leaving.***I have always been careful. Careful of the choices I made, careful of my life, and most of all my heart. But last night, I didn't know what came over me, because this feeling of recklessness was what I felt. Something I hadn't felt in years.The bass thumped through my veins, the drink left this cold burn on my hand, and across the crowded room, my eyes locked with his. I should have looked away. Better still, I should have walked away, but something was in the intensity of his gaze that pinned me down.I had no idea who this man was, and I cared less. He was too hot, his face glittering, his ocean blue eyes staring deep into mine, with his thick brown hair that fell to
Leigh’s POVThe cool night air hit my face as Mo and I walked out of the building. My heels clicked against the pavement, but her voice was the loudest thing around. She was practically seething, her words sharp and fast, like arrows aimed directly at me.“Leigh, what the hell was that?” Mo snapped, grabbing my arm to stop me. “You just stood there, watching. Watching me, watching him, watching everyone like a bystander in your own life.”I pulled my arm free, my teeth clenching. “You don’t get to do this, Moe. Not tonight.”“Oh, I get to do this,” she shot back, stepping closer. “You know why? Because someone has to say it. Someone has to remind you of who you are—or used to be, at least. You’ve been so... so passive.”I didn’t respond right away. My chest felt heavy, like someone had tied
Logan's POVThe glass felt cool in my palm as I held the untouched drink, the low hum of voices in the room barely registering. My eyes darted toward the entrance, as if Leigh might reappear, though I knew she wouldn’t. My fingers tightened around the glass, the faint buzz of conversations around me almost unbearable.I glanced toward the growing crowd, watching as the ripples of attention from Mo’s outburst slowly faded. Yet the whispers didn’t.“Who is she?”“Did you see what she said to him?”“Logan Hunt in a public spat? Never thought I’d see it.”The murmurs hung in the air like smoke, suffocating and impossible to ignore. I didn’t need to look to know they were about me. The curious, judgment
Leigh’s POVI stood there, frozen, my back pressed against the cool wall, my hands gripping the hem of my dress. The noise of the crowd felt muffled, distant, like I was underwater. My eyes stayed fixed on Mo and Logan.Mo’s voice sliced through the air, sharp and hot, like the hiss of steam from a boiling kettle. “You think you’re so untouchable, don’t you? So high and mighty with all your money and power.” Her finger jabbed the air between them, her whole body practically shaking with anger.Logan stood his ground, his face calm but his eyes sharp. He tilted his head slightly, the faintest twitch in his jaw. “Mo, you’re overreacting.”“Overreacting?” she echoed, her voice rising even louder. People started to glance their way, but she didn’t care. “Do you even hear yourself, Logan? Overreacting? Leigh lost h