re's

ysically scour away the lingering scent of last night, the memory of his touch, pretending none of it had ever happened. Aft

t to break up with you, and I do love you. If I wanted to en

as every man truly just a collection of base urges, with no heart or conscience

pany when my phone rang.

th birthday today. They're having a banquet

nking certainty, that if I went to that banquet, I w

oney for her treatment, I'd gone to his doorstep, practically begging on my knees. He'd refused to see me, instead sending his mistress to chase me away like a stray dog. I'd had to take out

ve always been so kind to you, Clai

avering support, our lives would have been even more desolate. During Mom's darkest days, the

nceded, my shoulders

en you see your father," Susan ple

tainly won't cause him any," I said,

r had been merciless. He not only divorced her, but somehow managed to hide all his assets, leaving her with nothing and providing only a paltry child support sum for my si

ething else. Etha

h a sweet boy! I thought

Mom. I need to get to work. We'll talk late

ffice just in time

ague, Joey Farmiga, sauntered ove

with Ethan last night?" she purred, le

w I had sex last night?"

ally smell it on you, that

ting nothing but my shower gel. "Your

"Come on, spill! Detail

ship; we shared everything-gossip, t

t, I spent a hundred and fifty dollars on a s

-what? I thought last night was sup

he confession heavy on my chest.

ned, her eyes blazing.

lancing nervously arou

"Honestly, you're better off. At least you found ou

ed smile. "That's what

rms, a playful glint returning,

e sound this time. "Let's j

and fearless. But deep down, beneath the bravado, ou

ed, her voice buzzing with excitement,

m just a financial assistant," I shrugged indifferently

. They say countless women have tried to get into his bed, but he dismisses them all. Right now, every woman in t

rd that kind of headache," I said, still unfazed. I

e, our supervisor, Gary, materialized

assistants are requested in the main conference room.

ng her brows mischievousl

articularly invested in the impending spectacle. My mind drifted back to the man from this morning, his exquisite face contorted in

in his eyes, the way he'd reached for his wallet as if I were some cheap

d fallen into a respectful hush as a tall, undeniably handsome man in a f

al long, disbelieving seconds, shock rendering me

was H

. I rubbed them fiercely, uncertain if I was dr

of the room, being introduced as our new CEO, was the very man I'd spent

nt $150 to sleep

still not too l