Page 53 of Working For A Billionaire

After a few more meetings I can barely remember, I am finally done for the day. I gather my things and head out the door, wishing I could spend the rest of the weekend locked in my room.

When I arrive home, I find that Riley still isn't here. A part of me is always hoping. I pour myself a glass of wine and go upstairs to my bedroom. I lie on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I close my eyes, trying to figure out what I am going to do next.

I miss her so badly, I can hardly stand to breathe.

I know I shouldn't contact her. I know I shouldn't see her, but I can't help it. I need to hold her, to kiss her, to touch her. I want to tell her how sorry I am. I want to explain that I wasn't trying to hurt her. I wanted nothing more than to have her by my side. I just needed a minute to realize what I wanted.

I climb out of bed and pick up my phone. I send her a text message.

Riley, please come home. I'm hurting more than I ever have in my life. Please, just come home.

I wait for the response, but none comes. I curse under my breath and throw the phone to the floor. I hate myself. I should've known better. She hates me.

I take my clothes off and throw them into the hamper. I strip down, stepping into the shower and letting the hot water run over my body. I scrub my skin until I feel clean. I step back into the bedroom, where I pull on a pair of boxers and a shirt.

I sit down on the edge of the bed and pick up my phone, deciding to read through her messages. After reading through several of her texts, I see she hasn't sent me another one. I am not surprised. I know she is upset, and I know she wants nothing to do with me.

But, that's not true. I know she does. I saw it in her eyes. She cares about me. I know I must seem like the biggest asshole. I should've told her what I was thinking. I should've told her about Shawn and the parenting class. Instead, I made things worse.

I think about calling her, but that would only make it worse. I have to respect what she wants. If she doesn't want to talk to me, then I will stop pushing. I can't keep doing this.

I finish reading through her messages, then set my phone down and get dressed for bed. After brushing my teeth, I lay back down and try to fall asleep. I hope one day she will forgive me.

Waking up the next morning, I know it's going to be a rough day. I don't know what I am going to do, but I know I can't just sit around waiting for Riley to get home. I don't have a plan, but I do know I am not leaving this house until I hear from her.

I get up and get ready for work, wondering how I'm supposed to get through the day when everything inside me is screaming for me to go after her.

I sit in my office and open my laptop, checking my email. Nothing new has come in since yesterday. Just as I am about to pick up my phone to let Mrs. Thatcher know I'll be working from home, it starts ringing. I pick it up, hoping it's Riley, but I see Mrs. Thatcher's number instead.

"Hello?" I answer.

"Mr. Rutherford, is everything okay? It's nearly nine," she says with concern.

"Yes, I am fine. I will be working from home. Please cancel whatever meetings I have for the day."

"Of course. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"No, thank you."

I hang up the phone, fighting the urge to call Riley again. I push my feelings aside and focus on getting through the day.

I spend the majority of the day on the phone with clients. There are usually three or four calls each day, but today there were five.

When I get off the phone with the last client, I check my work email. I haven't heard anything from Riley, so I assume she hasn't replied to my message. I begin typing another message, against all common sense.

Riley, please come back to me. I'm hurting more than ever. I know you don't want to be with me, but I need you to be. I can't do this without you. Please come home.

I hit send before I think. I take a deep breath and stare at the screen. I am so angry with myself for doing this, but I know I need to show her that I am serious about fixing our problems.

I set my phone down on my desk and shut down my computer, ready to end the day. I wonder if she'll reply this time. I mean, I know she won't be happy with what I have done, but she has to see how much I want her.

I stop in front of the kitchen sink and lean against the counter. I push my fingers through my hair and take a deep breath before turning on the faucet. I fill a glass with water and take a drink. I turn off the water and place the glass in the dishwasher.

"Do you want me to start dinner?" Gloria asks as she enters the kitchen.

"I am not very hungry, but you and Penny should eat."

"Alright," Gloria responds with a smile. "Do you need help with anything?"

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