SAM
“Margaux, I got the manuscripts ready, emails sent to the following writers, and pages online is updated. Anything else you want to add for today?” I inform her over the phone.
My boss is a forty-five-year-old divorcee with a son already a freshman in college. She’s an easy goer, never been a bitch to any of her co-workers that’s why I am so lucky to be a part of these amazing people, and I love my job so much.
“Enough for today, Sam. I’m on my way back with the boss from the meeting with the new co-owner of publishing, and his team is already waiting in the lobby. See you in five minutes,” she answers and sounds a little bit nervous and excited at the same time.
“Oh, I see. Can I do something?” So, it was true about the selling of Mr. Gilbert’s share.
“Thanks, Sam!”
I stand up from my chair to check for Sandy, and she’s busy talking with someone over the phone. She’s biting the tip of her pen and spinning herself in her chair.
So mature. She smiles, showing her deep cherry red lips.
I give her an I-wanna-talk-to-you-now looked, then she finally hangs up the phone and comes closer to my cubicle.
“What’s wrong, Sammy?” she asks with furrowed brows.
“What you said is true.”
“Which one?” she demands quickly.
“About the selling of half of the publishing,” I whisper.
She laughs, throwing her head back.
I grab her hand to let her behave, but instead, she shakes her head. “You are so not updated with the new gossips here, are you?”
I don’t react. She widens her eyes. “Wait, you haven’t heard the news? It was Monday, dear, Sammy.”
“Should I be worried?” I ask.
She shrugs. Before she can answer, I hear a commotion from the door. We both stop to check what’s happening.
My jaw literally drops to the floor with a thud. My eyes almost pop out from my head.
“Oh, my God! They’re so frigging hot!” Sandy giggles, gripping my hand and it’s freaking strong that almost dislocates my bones.
And she’s right! They’re blazing hot!
They get everyone’s attention in the office, and all stand and greet them hi and hello with handshakes and batting their lashes.
I feel my stomach twist and my heart aches with jealousy.
We are the only one who still in our place and doesn’t approach them because I am still shocked and trying to process that I am not actually dreaming. I close my mouth, and I almost drool. I blink twice or maybe more.
They are all wearing a suit and tie that is worth a year of my salary. They could be Armani and Tom Ford models.
Jesus, no wonder my officemates are about to jump into them and they all have a killer smile on their faces.
Sandy grips my hand stronger when they walk in our direction. I barely hear our boss introduces them to my officemates.
“Hello, princess!” Hawk greets chirpily.
His smile even grows wider, showing off his dimples. He extends his hand for a handshake, and Sandy grabs it instead and introduces herself. I want to roll my eyes, but they are our visitors.
“Margaux, you are very lucky to have Sam here with you. She’s a keeper,” Hawk says.
“Yes, Mr. Williams, indeed she is.” Margaux smiles and winks at me.
“Hi, Sam, good to see you again,” Seb says with a smile and wink.
I can feel my face turns hot when everyone comes to join us.
“Princess, I’m happy to see you again, too.” Patrick shakes my hand stronger and chuckles, and I glare at him.
“Hi, Samantha,” Phoenix says in a soft tone.
I can’t almost hear his voice. He looks at me and smiles with sadness overflowing in his eyes. He’s wearing a gray suit that fits perfectly for him with a white shirt and dark gray tie to match his outfit.
“Hi,” I say back.
“Who bought half of the publishing?” I ask with a firm tone.
They knew that I didn’t want to work for them, but I couldn’t stop them from buying if this if it’s in the market-that’s how the business world works.
“Don’t worry, it’s not me. It’s Seb, Abby is interested in owning half of this. She also loves books. Seb bought for her since he’s still handling Abby’s assets,” he explains.
I nod and feel suddenly uncomfortable.
“Samantha, can we talk?” he asks.
I scowl at him. “What do you think we are doing?”
He gives me a tight smile. “I see, the princess I know is back.”
I glare at him. “Don’t you dare call me that again?”
“Sorry,” he grunts.
“What do you wanna talk to me. You can start talking before your time runs out.”
“Samantha, I don’t wanna talk to you here.”
“Then we won’t talk.”
He sighs deeply as if he accepts his defeat. “I want you back.”
I laugh my ass out loud that gets everyone’s attention. I raise my hands up to apologize. They continue staring at us.
I give them a what-the-hell looked. I face him when everyone gets back to their own business. Seb, Hawk, and Patrick are busy with the boss for their tour in the whole office.
“Look, Phoenix.” I take a deep breath. “There is no wanting me back.” It honestly hurts to say that though, but I need to say it. “We are over almost four months ago. I gave our friendship a chance, our relationship a chance then you ruined it for your false assumptions. I’m not giving us another chance. I think I gave you enough chances already. I’m not blaming you for my dad’s death. I forgave you for whatever mistakes you did for me, but taking you back is not happening. I’ve learned enough, and Tyler left me when I took him back, and I’m afraid you will do the same thing if I take you back, and you also cheated on me.”
“Samantha, just let-”
I raise my hand to stop him. “I’m not gonna hear that, Phoenix. I gave you three months to come to me but you never did try. You hurt me the most. I trusted you, and I don’t think I can ever trust you again.”
He looks up at the ceiling and releases a shaky breath. My heart is bleeding. I love him so much, but I should do this for my own good. I should think about myself this time. I need to let him go. I’ve had enough heartbreak that could last a lifetime.
“Samantha, can I, um, can I just give you something.”
I laugh and shake my head. “You can’t bribe me again, Phoenix. You can’t just buy me something to get what you want from me. You did that before, so it’s a no.”
“That’s not what I mean, I just want to-”
“No, Phoenix. I think we are done talking. I should go back to work.”
I walk away from him even if I don’t want to. I don’t even wait for him to respond. My tears threaten to fall, but I take a deep breath to calm my emotions. My nerves are shaking, and I’m going to break down at any moment if I’ll stay with him longer.
I bite my lower lip to stop myself from trembling. I can’t see him so affected like that-that’s my weakness. I could have agreed to take me back if I just followed what I feel for him. I can’t even be a friend to him, that never going to happen-I will end up in his lap or worse in his bed.
“Princess, it’s Abby.” I look up at Seb who’s leaning to my cubicle, offering his phone.
I take the phone from my hand. I clear my throat. “Hello?”
“Sam!” she squeals over the phone, and I can’t help but roll my eyes.
“You are hurting my ear, mommy.”
“I am your new boss of the boss,” she says proudly.
“I heard that,” I say slowly. “Should I resign?”
“Hell no! Don’t you dare.”
“The last boss didn’t end so well. So, I’m just giving you a heads up.” I look up at Seb who’s looking at me curiously, but there’s a hint of a smile on his face.
“Sam, I didn’t call you for that. I’m not your boss. I own half of it because I love books. I’m calling to invite you on Saturday. Don’t worry it’s a girls’ day out. No guys this time.”
I sigh. “I’ll call you if I can, okay?”
“No. You won’t say no to me, Sam! I won’t accept it.”
“Ugh! Are all of you don’t recognize a word no?”
She laughs. “We, King, Hughes, and Williams don’t accept no for an answer.”
I groan. “Your husband is waiting.”
“So, I’ll pick you up on Saturday. Be ready! Seb will babysit Lizzy.”
“Whatever! Like I can ever say no to you.”
“It didn’t go well, huh?” Seb asks.
“Your wife is so relentless,” I affirm.
“That’s not what I mean.”
“Oh, that.” I shake my head.
He nods. “Take your time, Sam. He won’t go anywhere soon.”
I shrug and I feel bad and empty, but it should be this way.
“Princess, we are leaving. We’re still seeing each other soon,” Hawk says with a sad tone.
I smile tightly and nod.
“Bye, Princess.” Patrick waves. I wave back, then they start walking away.
“You know them?” everyone asks in unison as soon as the guys close the door behind them.
I jolt up in my chair, holding my hand over my chest. “Are you all trying to kill me?” I ask the five pairs of eyes looking down on me, including Sandy.
“Tell us, how did you meet those hot men in suit and tie.”
I roll my eyes to the brunette name Marie. “They’re taken, so go back to your work before the new co-owner fired us all,” I tell them flippantly.
They don’t move.
“I know the Playboy Seb Hughes is married, but how about the other three,” says the strawberry blonde with hazel eyes, I think her name is Chloe.
“Do tell us!” Ben pops his head from the crowded girls.
“As if you don’t know them already,” I answer him with a snort.
“Are you mad at me, princess?” de asks waggling his brows.
“I hate you!” I snap.
He laughs instead.
“We are waiting,” Sandy sings.
“Check them online to answer your questions,” I say and pretend to type on the keyboard, focusing my eyes on the screen.
“Such a sour puss!” Sandy exclaims and leaves.
Everyone moves away when they can’t get the answer they want except for Ben.
“What?” I snap.
“Phoenix’s Princess, huh?” he says with a grin then walks away.
***
I groan after hanging up the phone call I received from the security of the apartment building. I head to the elevator after wearing a sweater and pajama bottoms, taking my keys with me.
I walk out of the elevator, then halt to stop to see Phoenix being grabbed by the security. He’s completely wasted, worse than I expected when the security called telling me that there’s a man yelling and wanting to talk with me. His face is flushed, bloodshot eyes, his hair is messy, wearing the same suit, but without a tie.
“It’s okay. I know him,” I tell the security who’s his name is Jackson.
Phoenix almost stumbles down when Jackson releases him. I walk toward him before he falls.
“Are you sure, Ms. Anderson? I can call a cop,” he suggests with his weary voice.
“I’m fine. He’s a friend. He’s not used to drinking,” I lie.
“But-” Jackson is cut off when Phoenix growls.
“Fuck off!”
“Phoenix!” I snap and wrap his arm around my shoulder. I almost lose my balance when he leans on me. He may be lost some weight, but he’s pure muscles.
“Need help?” Jackson offers.
“Help me keeping the elevator open, please.”
Jackson walks past us and presses the elevator key as I guide Phoenix to walk with me. He smells of musk, cologne, and liquor that makes him smell very masculine. I can feel his warmth spreading on me as we are pressed together. His warm breathing tickles the exposed skin of my shoulder.
“Call me if you need anything, Ms. Anderson,” Jackson says.
“I said fuck off!” Phoenix responses.
I elbow him that makes him groan. “You are a drunkass, Phoenix!” I snap and glare up at him, but his eyes are half-closed.
“Why did you come here, Phoenix?”
“To see you, princess,” he answers with a slurred voice.
“I told you I don’t wanna see you!” I don’t know why I even bother going down to take him.
I can’t just let Jackson call the cop if Phoenix does trouble down the lobby. There is something inside me that tells me to do the right thing. The right thing? Seriously, Samantha? You just want to see him. I roll my eyes.
“You’re sassy,” he says with an amused tone.
“Just shut up!”
“Okay,” he says, pursing his lips close.
I guide him to lie down on my couch, remove his shoes, then his jacket. I stop when he’s looking at my face intently. He swallows hard. His pain bloodshot eyes are looking at me, but he hasn’t said a word.
“Go to sleep before I kick your ass out of my apartment!” I stand straight from my bending posture.
He curls himself in a fetal position, then closes his eyes. I walk away from him, then I stop when I hear him say good night, my love.
Did he mean it? Did he say it for me? Don’t they say that a drunk man’s words are a sober man’s thoughts?
I wipe my tears and crawl back to bed, tucking my blanket above my chin.
“Good night, Phoenix,” I say and close my eyes.