Page 93 of The Accidental Wife

“I’ll think about it,” I whisper.

“I’ve got a flight to Dubai tomorrow afternoon to present your design to them. If you decide to take up my offer, meet me on the tarmac at two o’clock.” I nod.

Cole keeps his eyes on mine, “Why didn’t you show me this design?” He asks, pointing to the screen. I drop my gaze and shrug.

“Because I didn’t think it was good enough. I was just messing around trying to familiarise myself with the software, Cole.” I explain, and Cole looks at the screen and back at me again with a frown.

“Messing around? You produced that by simply messing around on the software?” He questions. When I nod, looking at him blankly, he laughs, shaking his head.

“Shayla, that design is exquisite! When I saw it, I was in awe, and so was my Dad. You have so much talent, and I can’t believe you wouldn’t share it with me or come to me for guidance. Even if it was bad— which it isn’t, if you want to learn and grow as an architect, you have to believe in yourself and your work first and foremost.” He says earnestly.

I rub my forehead and sigh, “Cole, just having you acknowledge and recognise that I have talent means more to me than you know. Especially coming from you, you’re one of the world’s most renowned architects. You’re my idol. That up there may be ‘exquisite’ to you, but when I look at it, all I see is mistakes and errors, and that’s why I trashed it because I wasn’t ready to share it with anybody.” I explain, averting my gaze.

“Come here,” Cole takes my arm and turns me around, so I was facing the screen, his hands on my arms. “Show me the mistakes.” He speaks quietly in my ear. I force away the giddy feeling at the pit of my stomach when I feel his chest pressed up against my back and look at the screen.

“The tunnel in the middle, it’s all wrong,” I explain, pointing at it. Cole nods.

“If you move it slightly to the left, right here, it will flow better, see.” He explains, pointing at it. “What else?”

I sigh, “The windows, they don’t look right to me.”

“The windows are perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing. It will give the building an airy feel.” He says, squeezing my arms gently. “Shayla, you think the designs I do are without mistakes or flaws? Believe me, I have to correct myself constantly, but what makes an excellent architect is not to be ashamed of the imperfections or mistakes, and more importantly being able to recognise and improve them.” He explains. “And you have that ability, sweetheart.” He whispers in my ear.

Turning, I look up at him with a sigh, “I’m glad you think so.” Cole’s green eyes search my face, and he looks as though he wants to say something but then decides against it. “I should go back to work.”

Cole nods and takes a step back, allowing me to step away from him and walk to the door. “Shayla?” I look back at him when he calls my name. “I really hope I see you on that tarmac tomorrow.” I bite the inside of my cheek, and without a word, I turn and walk out of the conference room.

I slump down on the chair at my desk and watch as Cole walks out of the room and speaks to Emma as they walk through the office. Our eyes meet across the room, and he holds it till he disappears out of sight. “Shit,” I whisper, closing my eyes. What the hell am I supposed to do? Cole is giving me an opportunity of a lifetime; my design will be built in Dubai. Freaking Dubai! I still couldn’t believe it.

I should be jumping at this chance, but working alongside him every day, I only just started clawing my way out of that dark place he left me in. Do I really want to put myself through that again?

* * *

That evening I went home,and I couldn’t focus on anything else for the life of me. I tried, I really did, but my mind would just turn and turn. I walk in through the front door, and the girls look at me as I drop my bag on the floor with a thump.

“Uh-Oh.” They mutter, sitting upright, and they share a look.

“So, he’s back then?” Aimee questions stuffing her mouth with crisps and chewing loudly while her wide blue eyes look at me with interest.

“He’s back.” I sigh, letting my head fall back on the sofa.

“Oh lord, here we go again,” Jo mumbles, handing me the tub of ice cream and a spoon before she sits on the sofa beside me. “So, what are you going to do, Shay? Are you going to accept his offer?” She asks, and I shrug.

“Of course she is!” Aimee exclaims after she swallows her mouthful. “Shayla, the boy is offering you your dream on a plate. You’d be an idiot not to accept it.” She states, crumpling up the empty packet in her hand. “Your design, yours, will be built in one of the most iconic places in the world. Dubai Shayla, you’re always so selfless you deserve this break, babe, and I know Cole knows this too that’s why he wants to help you achieve your dreams. It’s okay to accept help, Shayla.” Aimee explains, and I close my eyes and exhale slowly. “I know you hate hearing this, Bish, but that boy is in love with you, he just doesn’t know it yet.” She adds and shrugs at me when I lift my head and glare at her.

“I agree with Aimee. I don’t know what you’ve done to that boy with your golden vagina, but he is hooked on you girl. He couldn’t go more than a couple of months without you and even bought the company you work for, Shayla.” Jo says and laughs when I pick up a cushion off the sofa and hit her with it.

“Shut up. Cole isn’t hooked on me. If he ‘loved’ me or was ‘hooked’ on me, why didn’t he choose me? He told me he loves her with all his heart but only wants me. He’s thinking with his knob and nothing else. He’s probably bored with Sophie already and is looking for a thrill. That’s all I bloody am to him, a good time.” I utter bitterly scooping up some ice cream and eating it. “I’m a good time girl,” I mumble miserably into my tub of ice cream.

“Oh, please, if anyone’s the meantime girl it’s that witch Sophie. Mark my words, that boy will be yours. She’s just keeping that seat warm for you, baby girl,” Aimee claims with a laugh when I throw a glare her way and sits forward, clapping her hands. “Now! Let’s get you packed for Dubai because you are going.” She declares, jumping over my legs and pulling my arm to get me up. I groan and shake my head. “Move your fat arse off the sofa, you little ho.”

“Yes, come on, get up. We’d be the worse friends in the world if we let you pass up an opportunity this good. Get up, Bish!” I squeal when they manage to pull me off the sofa, but we lose our footing, and all go tumbling, landing on top of one another.

“Ahhh my face!” Aimee exclaims when the entire tub of cookie dough ice cream empties on her face. Jo and I roll on the floor, laughing hysterically. “My fucking eyeballs are frozen!” She sits up and scoops up the ice cream off her face, and throws it at Jo and me. “If I go blind, I expect an eyeball from each of you hoe bags.” She grumbles, wiping the ice cream off her face with her shirt. “Oh, sweet Jesus, I’ve gone blind! I can’t see shit! Help me wash my face instead of laughing, you bitches!” She scolds while reaching for us.

“Ohhh God, I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time,” I chuckle, wiping away my tears, Jo and I still giggling.

“I’m so glad you’re fucking amused at the prospect of me going blind. I hate you both!” Aimee grumbles and squeals when Jo and I haul ourselves at her.

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