Page 84 of After Hours

I could get used to starting my day like this. Dillon was getting dressed and cleaned up and I was just looking around. It’s almost time for me to head home. Abigail was expecting a call; I missed my mom, and I missed the gym but I needed to cut some expenses.

“I’m going to my office, Azzaria.”

“Why are you always so grumpy?” He stood at the corner of the door jam, basically eye-fucking me and giving me silence instead of an answer.

“Are you ready?”

“No. Not until you tell me why your mood changed from happy to grumpy in the space of ten minutes.” His gaze softened on me, but his smirk remained the same, getting especially larger.

He thought this was a game, so let’s play. He’d lose.

He walked over towards me and brushed the loose hair out of my face. I was a sucker for the way he touched my face and stared into my eyes. “I don’t like working on weekends, but projects have to be done, so I’m needed at the office.”

“Oh?”

“Don’t worry,” he said, wrapping his rather large, cold arms around my lower body. “Mellissa will be there, she’s helping me with the new software assessment for our inter-clubbing and countenance database.” I remember seeing her work on a draft plan for this, but I wasn’t in the know that she was doing it on behalf of Dillon. I thought it was more of independent work or just going over the files she’s given daily.

“Tech stuff, gross.”

“Exactly. Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” I wasn’t.

“Are you sure?”

“I just don’t like the idea of you going to work on weekends with o—”

“Just to make this clear, I’ve never slept with Mellissa. I’ve never even looked at her that way. I’ve fucked a lot of women in my day, but never one that’s an employee.”

“I never said that.” I wasn’t lying. I didn’t say that, but I was thinking it.

“You were thinking it.”

I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.”

He laughed and kissed me even deeper than the first time and I left to get home.

I had just returned to the apartment, finding myself once again enveloped in the familiar coziness of my space.

Yet, despite the comfort it offered, my mind was anything but at ease. I couldn’t help but reflect on the events of the day, and well, the past few months, particularly the time spent with Dillon. Each moment with him felt like a secret, something thrilling and irresistible that I couldn’t get enough of.

As I sat down on my couch, thoughts swirled through my mind. The connection between Dillon and me was undeniable, but it was also something we kept hidden.

I sometimes wondered how people would view our relationship. Would they think I’d gotten to where I was because of him? Or would they think I’m not of his standard? Our bond was deepening, but society had a way of twisting things.

I learnt the importance of balancing my personal and professional life. My connection with Dillon was intense, but it also brought worries. The two of us were both adults who had the right to be in a relationship but the worrisome part was he was my boss and that could be read completely wrong as well as him being drawn with the whole Matthew fiasco. I don’t think I could survive walking on campus with persons thinking that the only reason I have good internship hours or a “good living standard” is because I was fucking one of the world’s richest men who happens to be my interim boss.

Despite my doubts, I believed Dillon’s intentions were sincere. I just hoped that in the end, this would all work out.

“I think I’m falling in love, and I hate myself for it. This isn’t what I was supposed to be doing,” I groaned in frustration, my voice filled with anxiety. Abigail was on the other end of the line, helping me choose an outfit for my date later.

“What happened to ‘Ms. I can’t fall in love ever because I’m heartless’?” Abi teased. My own words were coming back to haunt me, and I wasn’t happy about it.

For all I knew, this newfound feeling might lead to judgment or disappointment.

“Now is not the time to quote me,” I hissed, “but what should I do?”

Abigail mumbled an apology before offering some advice. “You’ll always end up with the person you’re meant to be with. If he’s the one, don’t let your fears hold you back. Everyone has flaws, but not every red flag is a deal-breaker. So far, all I’ve seen is good things between you two.”

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