“You -” She opened her mouth to rain insults like I knew she would, but the door opened, causing her to freeze on the spot.
We all stood up straighter, each keeping to their position on the line. Over 50 workers stood in two lines, facing each other, to receive the owners of the firm, whom none of us had ever met.
“Welcome!” We all greeted them at once, bowing as they strode into the receiving room.
Since it was the only part of the office that could contain us, the director chose it.
As one, we all raised our heads as I stepped away from the others to meet them, only to freeze when I saw who it was. Staring at me were none other than my lovers. Though they looked different dressed in silver suits, there was no way I could mistake them.
Fucking hell.
My heart thumped against my chest as I watched them. I had to blink, to be certain I wasn’t making things up. Rubbing my eyes didn’t seem to help matters.
I gave them an appraisal, noting how fucking handsome they were. I couldn’t tell what I expected, but it wasn’t this. They seemed to have gotten more graceful than they were when I last saw them. Their hair had gotten longer too. They had them up in identical man buns, making them look more ethereal than ever. Another thing I noticed was their skin. It had gotten paler compared to the last time I saw them, almost like they spent the entire weekend cooped inside, away from the sun.
Their lips were blood red, the colour almost unnatural.
“Bella!”
At the call from the director, I blinked, realizing I was gaping at them without saying a word. Forcing a smile, I gulped, ignoring the snickers from Imelda and the few of the workers who hated my guts.
If they looked shocked to learn the men we were dying to know about were the owners of the firm, they didn’t show it.
“Good morning, sirs. You are welcome.” I bowed to them, keeping a forced smile on my face. My hands shook, but I clenched them, trying to hide my fear and nervousness from them. Somehow, seeing Blue reminded me of what happened a week ago, of how I was almost raped by the men I cared so fucking much about.
Though I was freaking nervous, I managed to finish my speech. I couldn’t help but applaud myself for how mature I was, which was so unlike me.
After the speech, the director welcomed them while I returned to my position next to Chris, who gave me a thumbs up, to show how good I was with my presentation.
I only nodded, working to keep my nerves in check, while smiling like everything was okay. It fucking wasn’t okay. I didn’t understand the conflicting emotions I had at the moment. I wished to run as far away from him as I could, but, I needed to embrace them and tell them how much I missed them.
I was sick, I could tell. Instead of being scared of them, I was thinking of something else.
The director introduced us to him, smiling when he got to my turn. He might think I would put in a good word for him since I was close with the brothers. What a pity.
It got to the time for a tour. The director gave me a rundown of everything that would take place, from the speech to the tour. I was nervous, thinking of being alone with them. I wasn’t scared, just nervous, with my heart still hammering against my chest.
“Miss Bella will take you on a tour around the office. She’s the best candidate and will be perfect for this,” the director said, gesturing for me to step out of the line.
With shaky legs, I walked forward, grateful I didn’t fall on my face.
I smiled when I got to them, raising my hand to tuck my hair behind my ear, only to discover I tied it up in a bun.
Blue stared at me, his gaze boring holes in my face.
I noticed it was the first time since they arrived that he looked at me. His gaze took me in, from my head down to my toes. I couldn’t tell what was going through his mind as he watched me. His face was expressionless, so I couldn’t tell.
“Do you have anyone else to give us a tour?” He asked, his voice cold and devoid of emotions.
The coldness of his face and his tone sliced through my heart. I gasped inaudibly, looking at him. It was as if he slapped me with those words.
The director looked shocked by that. He glanced towards me as if to ask what was wrong.
Shrugging, I looked towards the brothers, who were looking behind me and not at me. It was as if they didn’t want to see me with their eyes, opting to act like I didn’t exist.
“Miss Bella is the best journalist in the company. There’s no one else suitable for this type of job. She’s good. Do you -”
“Are you deaf, or hard in the ears? We want another person. Is that difficult for you to comprehend?” Fred growled, looking like he was just moments from tossing the director out through the window. “Give us another freaking tour guard. We don’t want her!”
I sniffed back the tears that threatened to fall. Watching them reminded me of the first time I met them. Spending time with them made me forget how they were. I bet they have gotten tired of me since they wanted someone else.
“Sorry about that, sir. I apologize for my poor actions. If you please follow me.” He gestured towards the door. “I will be your tour guide,” he offered.
“No, we don’t need you. Why don’t you give us the most beautiful in this place?” Fred looked towards Chris before his gaze landed on Imelda. “We will take her,” he stated, further shattering my heart into innumerable pieces.