na's

. Glass, steel, and silence. Edinburgh's skyline towered above, but it was this

ced at me. "We'

n't ready for tha

open. I fixed my eyes on the lettering across the doors-Lachlan Conglomerat

brave. I fel

nes. The smell of clean money and colder power. The secu

a smile.

appointment." The receptionist barely looked up. She made a call. A

bad decisions wear good suits. The manager slid a folder toward m

d. "Tha

choking. "You'll be trained for a week. Then y

ch

ry part of me remembered. His voice. His eyes. His wedding vows to my best friend. I

fered this job like it was nothing. Like she hadn't just th

to a hug like no time had passed. "My dear friend, congratulations!" She commented brimmi

s and policies were studied intensely. I stayed late

You'll need it." I didn't ask why. I already knew. That weekend, Isla ca

asual shrug.

ng shopping. The bi

ugh," I murmured. She laugh

te, dazzling. All the things I used to afford before everythi

ar paint: heels, lipstick

, I knocked. "C

ch

ansion few days ago. Not really. Just flashes-wedding photos, social post

d... unt

but unreadable smile. "You're the new secretary."

ike that, I was under him and working for

nsion. The silent pulse between every word. The way my skin buzzed when his

erything cracked. "Clo

di

me or ruin me as he gazed out from the window.

his arms. Leaned against the desk. That look in his

us

l." The air snapped.

ir

ok my head. "I'm here to work." His smile wa

le

tightened. "It's complicated." I looked down. Fist

it didn't burn.

ruminating on the happenings on the previous day at the office. Lachlan haunted every part of my min

unbearable. Because Isla didn't deserve this

interaction burned like it wanted to leave scars. Then Isla started visiting h

d

I stood in front of Lachlan's desk, n

e didn't laugh. Not really. "I know this is

You have a wif

ing. "I didn't come here for this. I don't want this."

it. The next few days were colder than winter. He barely looked at me.

lasagna- A little part of me cracked, conscience was pricking me an

wasn't an accident any

ne didn't st

s going to