Louise’s POV
He left me after we fuck, but to be honest I was letting him leave. I was showing him to the door, I was trying not to get myself too attached to him.
Seeing his ex, I was glad that I was the rebound girl. She was saying things like they were together for quite a while. And when Winston stood up for his brother, that was when I decided to have another go at him.
I was keeping my feelings in check as I was keeping it casual, with me being his rebound girl. But when he called, I freeze and couldn’t let myself answer his call.
My mind was thinking the worst, we’re supposed to be casual. But none was taking it to that level. He said that he was getting addicted to me, and I brushed it off and leave him to get dressed. But the look I saw in his face, was a disappointment.
Shit! I should’ve handled things more casual, I shouldn’t give in to his wants. I could feel myself getting hungry, but I decided to sleep it off. I know I should eat, I haven’t eaten much since breakfast. But I was not feeling it. I need to sleep, I’ll get better tomorrow. Then I’ll eat.
Tomorrow comes too soon, I was groaning when my alarm woke me up. I took a quick shower knowing I had an important meeting this morning. A new client, I groaned when Cherise texted me that Jeff would be joining the meeting since the company was owned by his client, who was also one of his best friends.
“Are you okay? You don’t sound so good.”
“I will be Cherise, thank you for asking. I will be there in an hour.”
Getting into my car, I was about to start the engine when my hand trembled and I dropped the keys.
“Shit!”
The signs were there, I need to make my appointment. I knew that I might be having a relapse, I needed to take care of myself. I picked up my keys and took a deep breath, I relaxed and have another go. It was good, for the time being.
My car moved swiftly onto the road and I was driving through the dense morning traffic. I put my phone on speaker and told Cherise to set me up with breakfast. I was not pushing through the morning without breakfast, I know my issues and I was handling them.
But when I arrived at the office I was shocked to find Adam, yes my ex cheating fiance Adam talking to Jeff in the lobby.
Oh no! Is he the new client?
Fuck! I don’t think I can do this.
I was about to take another path to my office when Jeff called me out. Adam was surprised to hear Jeff called out my name.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Jeff was pleased to see that he had caught me off guard. I cleared my throat and walk towards them, trying to appear business-like.
“Well… well… how have you been my dear Louise.” Adam greeted me, and I hated myself as my eyes quickly glance to his ring finger.
He smirked as he sees me checking him. Crap!
“Yeah, it didn’t work… she chooses her cakes over me. But you… damn… I shouldn’t have let you go.” He said taking my knuckles rubbing my ring finger, the one where he once put his ring on before he cheated on me with his secretary.
“So you know her already?” Jeff was not pleased with his gesture towards me. I was still amazed seeing him here out of all places, that I pulled away from my hand from him.
“Yeah, we used to be a thing,” I told Jeff briefly.
“She’s toning it down Jeff, she was my fiance….”
“Look, I need to go to my office. I’ll meet both of you in the meeting room.” I quickly excused myself, as I was feeling a bit light-headed.
Adam nodded and let me pass, I could feel that he was checking me out. Then his laughter was heard together with Jeff’s, I know he was probably telling Jeff about the why and the when. I quicken my pace, finally passing straight to Cherise without greeting her.
“Boss? Are you okay?”
I sighed looking at the breakfast spread, knowing that my appetite was gone. I sat down and try to eat anyway, but ended up with two bites of bagel and a cup of coffee. I just couldn’t help myself finishing it after meeting Adam.
“Do I need me to call Sherry for you?” my trustee assistant looked at my untouched breakfast.
“No, call my psychiatrist. Just saw my ex-fiance, need to talk…” I was finishing off on my coffee. Cherise didn’t know about him, that he was my initial trigger for my eating disorder.
I was so in love with him that I starved my self just to be praised him. He was ten years older than me, I was young and naive. He was my first in every way, I was flattered that he would even consider me and dating me. He was very handsome and extremely successful. He still looked handsome with gray streaks, which actually made him look even more mature and handsome.
“Shit! I’ll make an appointment. Do you want me to cancel the meeting?”
“No, I’m good Cherise. I’m just going to take a half-day and go straight to the doctor’s office after the meeting. Reschedule all of my afternoon meetings…”
My words were interrupted with a knock on the door. I cursed on the inside hearing Adam on the other side of the door. But Cherise was quick on her feet and opened the door for him.
“Louise darling, we should join Jeff in the meeting room.” He was still handsome, I’d say even more handsome especially with his British accent when he curled my name in his deep voice.
Get it together Louise!
You hated him.
You despised him.
Cherise looked at me and asked if I want to have her in the meeting. She was having my back, just in case, I needed her…
“No Cherise thank you, just my usual coffee an hour from now,” I told her and took Adam’s hand and go with him to the meeting room.
I can do this…
It’ll be over soon…
He’ll go back to England…
“You’re beautiful kitten…” He said lowering himself and whispered on my ear, while his hand trails my lower back.
I sighed, knowing that his words were always empty praises that he’d say easily to every woman.
“Thank you, Adam, we should get this meeting done I have places to go…”
But the meeting went excruciatingly slow, more details and projects need to be discussed. Adam has always been a very smart businessman. It was one of the things that attracted me to him. He has a street smart intellectual capabilities, and he was a bit taken back when I started talking and taking the lead in the meeting.
He had never seen me as his equal, I was groomed to be the typical Stepford wives. He looked at me and smirked a couple of times throughout the meeting and was actually looking impressed with me when the meeting ended.
Well… that was new. I was proud of myself, proud that I could silence him and make him listened to me.
“We should have dinner, I’m in the city until a couple of more days. Call me.” He pulled me close to him when the meeting ended and put his name card in my hand whispering his words and kissed my cheek.
I took a deep breath, and walked away from him, and paced my step faster. I reached my private bathroom after telling Cherise that I was not to be disturbed.
My hands trembled when I finally locked the door and call Sherry. I was in shock, my walls finally cracked and I breakdown leaning against the bathroom counter.
“Lou? Shit! Where are you?!”