Page 74 of About Love and Revenge

Not wanting to hear anymore about that, I start walking again, and she has no choice but to follow me.

When we enter the room, both men are staring at us and our joined hands. I don't focus on either one of them particularly, maintaining the expression I've practiced for years.

Disguising emotions is still my specialty.

"Ready for dessert?"

With each bite of the iced sweet, I feel Odin's eyes on me, and I purposely ignore him. I talk to Zoe most of the time, and I'm very careful with each word, even more careful than I usually am.

“Elina, I've been thinking. Yourworkfor Odin”—Zoe says the wordworkvery slowly, as if she wants him to swallow it—“can be planned well in advance, can't it? I mean, do you know when each party will be long beforehand?"

“Yes, usually a month before."I know both men are paying attentionto our conversation, but I'm focused only on Zoe, even though I have no idea where she's going with this.

"Would you be willing to star in an advertising campaign? My ex-agent is looking for a model to be the face of a perfume launch for an Italian brand. What do you think?"

If she had told me she had a third breast, I would have been less shocked.

I don't believe she's being serious. It's probably just to provoke Odin.

"I'm not a model."

“Not yet, but you're one of the most beautiful women I've ever met. I'm sure if I introduce you to Miguel, he'll go crazy."

She pauses dramatically, and now I know that even if she's being honest, she's also taking the opportunity to get revenge on Odin.

“Besides, a simple advertising campaign, if done with the right agent and a generous contract, can guarantee your financial independence for a long time."

Zoe is trying to lift my spirits and teach him a lesson. She's a sweetheart, but what she doesn't know is that I'm not angry.

In a way, it was good that he said that because it brought me back to reality.

“If you want to audition, just call me. I need an answer no later than next week. I promised to keep an eye out for new faces for him."

I focus on my plate. "I'll think about it. Thanks."

Odin

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

"This is ridiculous.You don't have to sleep here."

"Why not? After all, I onlyworkfor you."She holds her head high as she adjusts the sheets in the staff quarters I have in my apartment. She also seems to speak more calmly than usual, which, contradictorily, is unnerving.

“Elina, come back to our room. Why are you being so stubborn?"

“First, there is noourroom. It isyourroom. And I'm not being stubborn, Odin, just trying to keep both feet on the ground. Thank you for what you said earlier today. Things were getting a little messy between us."

I give myself a mental kick.

I didn't mean to say that shit, but her statement at the restaurant was still stuck in my throat. How could she have answered that she's just my employee? The woman shares a room with me every night, for God's sake!

After we got home from the restaurant that night, she acted like everything was fine, surrendering to me and showering me with affection. That drove me completely crazy.

Not really sure what I was getting myself into, I did the only thing I could.

I took her hungrily.

It's like I can never know when our last time together will be, and now she's pissed that I repeated what she said about us.

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