I jolted awake when I heard a noise, using the back of my hand to wipe the drool off my mouth.
I clutched my glasses and wore them, my breathing fastened when I caught a shadow movement, along with slow footsteps, so faint that I thought maybe my drunken state was starting to make me hear things.
What did I drink?
I grabbed the bottle to check, just to be safe, but the sudden smell of familiar expensive cologne dulled my senses.
Ares.
A discharge of numerous emotions swamped me, but I couldn’t find it in me to bring anyone forward, so I just sat there numbly as he emerged from the dark.
Ares gripped onto the wall as if for balance, loosening his tie hastily with clenched teeth.
He still hasn’t caught sight of me.
Ares pushed off the wall, walking as if counting his steps. It wasn’t until he rested his hand on the table that he saw the food.
His gaze traveled to the candles I had long since blown out, one empty bottle of wine, the neat glass, and the other one, stained, the half-finished bottle, and then on me.
He’s drunk.
That was my first thought when I caught his unfocused eyes. A rare sight of Ares King under the influence of alcohol. He’s not so different after all.
A part of me wanted to start demanding answers, but a feeling stuck me to the core. I had no right to.
"Busy day?" I asked, fixing a forced smile on my lips. "I understand."
I pushed to stand, wobbly, but I found my ground, taking the bottle with me.
"Goodnight."
I could feel his eyes on me as I climbed up the stairs. When I made it to my room, I locked my door and continued drinking, feeling something cold running down my cheek.
I looked in the mirror, the silent tears gushing out as if I had no control over them.
"Pathetic," I said to myself, using the back of my hand to dry my tears.
~☆~
"Um..."
"What Gary...?" I asked, trying to focus on typing this document I have left pending for so long, but he had been breathing down my neck.
"I’m gonna have to use my desk sooner or later. I’ve a workload that won’t magically get done."
I stopped my typing and said through clenched teeth. "There are plenty of desks. Pick any."
"But this is where I’m assigned to work, and I’m sure you have yours too." He leaned toward me. "In Mr. King’s office!"
"Well, my desk broke, so I’m stuck here until further notice."
"Broke?"
I could feel he was about to demand answers, but chose not to.
He cleared his throat. "That can be changed with a snap of a finger."
"Mr. King is very busy, and I have a lot of work to cover up."
"That—"
"Which means I’ll be here as long as possible. So just find another desk, Gary!"
"Whoa, easy! Who got on your bad side?"
When I didn’t reply, he said. "Okay, fine! I’ll sacrifice my favorite spot for you."
I heard his retreating footsteps drowned out by my rapid typing. My fingers ached so badly because I had been working for two days nonstop, coming in so early and leaving so late.
I want to stop, but I was afraid the ache would be transferred somewhere else.
My phone chimed. It must be Tori again; she had been demanding I give her the details of my date, but I’ve been avoiding her ever since.
I released a shakily sigh, adjusting my glasses and taking my phone. I can’t just ignore her forever. However, when I unlocked my phone, it wasn’t a text from Tori.
Devil Husband: Come to the office.
I scoffed, sounding deadly amused. After standing me up and totally disappearing for three days, this is what I get?
The texts I sent were still unseen, almost like he didn’t bother to consider them.
I ran a hand through my hair, irritation clawing through me. I felt like screaming, but the only way this was gonna get to me was if I reacted, and I wasn’t going to.
I want him to know that what he did didn’t affect me because, just like him, that date was unimportant and meant nothing.
I pushed to my feet, gearing myself up and fixing my professional neutral expression.
Face it with courage. This time, my words of affirmation seemed to finally work.
I kept my poise firm as I made my way to the executive suite and gripped the doorknob. With one last deep breath, I opened it and stepped in.
I haven’t been here for three days, nor have I seen Ares. Hearing a soft tingle, I looked to my left, just behind his workspace, Ares was pouring whiskey into the rocks glass.
He dropped the decanter, held the glass with one hand, and buried the other in his pocket. He faced me, and I loathed how affected I was under his cold gaze. I don’t think anything would ever make that coldness melt.
"Ms. Lane." He brought the glass to his lips and took a sip.
"Mr. King," I said stiffly.
I noticed he winced from the taste of the whiskey before dropping it on the shelf.
He leaned against the counter, gripping as if for balance. "Why aren’t you at your desk?"
"I chose a more preferred working environment, Mr. King. Is there anything else? I was in the middle of something..." I was already walking to leave.
"Catherine..."
I stopped before I could reach for the doorknob.
"Look at me."
I did.
"Are we gonna fuck?" I blurted. "Let’s be quick. That’s why you called me here, isn’t it?"
Ares pushed away from the counter, coming to me. Despite the air-conditioning, sweat beaded along his face as he drew closer.
I kept my gaze firm, tilting my chin to maintain eye contact.
"You’re right..." he agreed, and the weight of it felt like I was being crushed.