Page 128 of Matchmaking the CEO

I couldn't believe Jake and Maddox had gotten into a fight over Vince. The guilt was choking me. Had I been too naive to think I could simply start a new chapter in my life and Vince would stay in the past where he belonged? Maybe I’d fooled myself into taking everything as a positive sign: meeting Jake, falling for him, and then getting this job with Maddox. I sat on my couch, putting my legs under me. I felt utterly defeated.

The hurt on Jake’s face killed me, but I knew I needed time to think things through, and if he were here, I couldn’t do that.

Why couldn't Vince simply have cornered me at home? Why did he have to go and make a spectacle at my workplace? I was so mad at him. He'd broken that tender peace Jake and Maddox had finally found. I’d seen them over the past few weeks. They'd definitely gotten closer. Now they were at odds again because of me. The last thing I wanted was to drive them apart. I remembered Jeannie's joy at her birthday, seeing all her grandsons together at the same table.

I messaged Larissa, desperately needing to talk to another human being.

Natalie: Hey, can I call you?

She replied a few seconds later.

Larissa: Sure.

Then she actually called me. I answered right away.

"Are you okay?" She sounded frantic.

"Why would I not be?"

"Because you're not a phone person. You prefer to message."

"True. I'm just feeling like crap. I miss my parents and my sisters. And with you gone too..."

She laughed. "I like where I am on your list of priorities."

"You know I love you."

"I know. What happened?"

"Vince happened."

"He showed up at your work again?"

I’d told her about the incident last week.

"Yes. And this time Jake was there too. He got mad that I didn't tell him, then got mad that Maddox didn't tell him. They had a fight, and then Jake and I had a fight. And I simply want to wake up and feel like none of this ever happened."

"Oh, poor baby. Wait, Jake left you alone? I'll kick his ass."

"No, he wanted to come with me. I just told him I needed to be alone."

"Why? If I had that hunk of a man, I would jump his bones every chance I got. I definitely wouldn't tell him to leave me alone."

"I don't know. I just... I was so distraught watching them fight."

"You have to do something about Vince."

"I know. I've been far too relaxed about it, but obviously he's just going to keep bothering me, and that won't do." I couldn’t believe I’d brushed this off for so long. To be honest, until he showed up at work, I genuinely thought he’d give up. I didn't like conflict, but I wouldn't allow anyone to simply walk over me like this. His temper was even worse than I remembered. We fought a lot, and he often yelled, but he’d never behaved like this. "Whatever's happening with him, he’s definitely on a destructive course, and I want him out of my life ASAP.”

"What are you going to do about Jake?"

"Right now, I don't know. And I don't want to talk about it anymore. I want you to distract me. Tell me something cool."

"Well, I didn't want to spoil my secret yet, but honestly, coming to Bali is the best thing I ever did."

"I'm so happy for you. How long do you think you'll stay away? No pressure."

"I might extend my stay here a bit longer. I like it, and people seem to really respond to the online classes I shoot out here."

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