I got home that day feeling guilty.
Instead of worrying about who sent me the text message,
I had spent the whole time replaying every moment with Ray. And worse, I had enjoyed it.
"Hey, girl."
Sophie's voice cut through my thoughts.
"We haven't had time to talk I know.
Everyone's been so busy, and I don't like it,"
she said with a soft smile.
She really was a nice girl.
"You look worried. What's wrong?"
I wished I could tell her the truth...that I was a werewolf with a cursed Alpha boyfriend stuck in his wolf form. But how would she even take that?
"Nothing," I muttered.
She gave me a look that screamed I don't believe you.
"Come on, you can talk to me. I know we haven't had much time together."
She sat down beside me, crossing her legs neatly on the chair.
And if you're wondering where Celine was? She had gone off to see her
"mysterious"
boyfriend. The one I still hadn't met.
I sighed.
"Well… the thing is, I have a boyfriend. I thought I loved him so much, but ever since I met this other guy,
everything feels… complicated. He makes my heart race in ways I don't like. It feels like I'm betraying my boyfriend."
Saying it out loud almost made me feel lighter.
Sophie tilted her head, thoughtful.
"Maybe you just miss your boyfriend. Or maybe…"
she smiled knowingly,
"you're falling for the new guy. Love doesn't always give us choices."
I blinked at her.
"You sound experienced."
She shook her head.
"Not me. But my mom was. She fell in love with someone else and left me and my dad for him."
I frowned, my chest tightening.
"That's wrong. She didn't just leave your dad,she left you too. That's cruel."
Sophie's smile wavered.
"Yeah, it hurt. But my dad gave me so much love, I survived. I just… hope she's okay, wherever she is."
I looked at her with pity. Was this how Andrew would feel if I gave in to these feelings for Ray?
No. It's just attraction. Nothing more. He's not interested anyway.
I reminded myself of how horrible Ray had been to me at work. That should have been enough to hate him.
The next day…
"Why are you just getting here?"
Ray's voice snapped the air as soon as I entered his office, coffee in hand.
I wasn't even late. He was just ridiculously early.
He took the cup from me, his expression unreadable.
"Pack up your things. You're fired."
My heart stopped. "F-fired?"
"You heard me."
Tears stung my eyes as my knees buckled.
"Sir, please… I need this job."
As I begged, my thoughts twisted cruelly,This is the man you think you like? A monster. A fool to even think he could like you back.
I hadn't realized my face betrayed my thoughts until his voice broke in again.
"Why are you giving me that look?"
I quickly snapped back to reality.
"N-nothing, sir."
"Call Bianca,"
he ordered.
I muttered under my breath, "You could just call her with your phone"
"What was that?" His eyes narrowed.
"Nothing, sir!"
I rushed out before my mouth got me in real trouble.
Passing through the office, I noticed something strange,Maya's desk was empty. She wasn't at work.
I shook it off and went into Bianca's office.
"Dad, give me more time. I'll get it done. Don't say I can..."
She stopped mid-sentence when she saw me.
I could see fear in her eyes.
"How long have you been standing there?"
I froze.
"I just came in. I thought you said I could...I'm sorry.''
Her voice turned sharp.
"Why are you here?"
"The boss asked me to call you."
She snatched up a tablet and walked past me. I followed.
Back in Ray's office, his gaze moved from me to Bianca.
"Bianca, you have much better taste than her."
He rolled his eyes in disgust.
"i mean look at the way she's dressed."
Bianca laughed, She felt so good hearing those words from Ray.
I looked at myself.
I mean, what was wrong with my yellow shirt and blue trousers? They match, if you ask me.
And as for the red shoes… I actually feel more comfortable in those and they are not bad at all,Andrew loves this combo alot.
Ray let out a sharp laugh, rubbing his forehead like he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"Go to the boutique,"
Ray continued.
"Get a dress. In your size."
Bianca blushed.
"You'll be sending it to someone,I will text you her address. She's exactly your size."
Something in me snapped, and I laughed out loud. The both of them turned and glared at me.
Bianca's face burned with anger.
But it was funny.
Ray was a monster,why raise her hopes only to crush them? Still, I loved the way he destroyed it.
I glanced at Bianca's face again. She looked truly disappointed.
Why would she even think the dress was for her?
"What!"
Her voice cut into my sweet thoughts.
"Sir, the police are here."
Ray looked so unbothered,his attitude was giving 'i have nothing to hide'
"Why?"
I asked.
We all stepped out of the office.
That Maya's office bestie,he pointed straight at me.
"You are under arrest."
The police man said to me.
"Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."
I stood my ground and asked.
''Why I'm I getting arrested.''
"It's best we say it on our way out,"
one of them said.
The office was filled with whispers.
Well I've given them what to talk about.
I caught the spark of joy in Bianca's face.
Payback I guess.
But what the hell did I do?
"Just follow them,I'm right at your back"
Ray's voice rang out.
Everyone turned to him, shocked.
He didn't care.