CHAPTER 39

**CHLOE DUARTE**

Even though I feel lighter because of the alcohol, I still manage to reason well and think about what Alex just told me. Even though I don't want to, the image of James comes into my mind devastating all my thoughts.

My mind travels through the sensations I have felt since the night before, when James and I danced together at that dance, and when we had sex in my living room this morning before everything happened.

It was so intense and I'm not just referring to today's sex, but the feeling I felt when we were dancing so close, the feeling of fear and helplessness when he almost lost consciousness twice next to me.

It is more than clear that James needs help and someone, but I see that I am not the only stubborn person in this situation, I just want to help him, but he always tries to push me away when I can get close.

I can see that he doesn't want my help and I should forget about it and move on with my life instead of caring about a selfish and cold person who doesn't want to be helped by anyone.

I want to do exactly that, but why can't I stay away?

“Are you still thinking about the person who left you like this?", I turn around to find Alex looking at me intently and I sigh and nod my head in agreement.

I want to tell someone about all of this, I can't even do this with my best friends and it's suffocating me from the inside out.

“Why does life have to be so complicated, Alex?", I rest my elbow on the counter and stare into the void.

“That is the price to pay for still being alive, life is more than complicated for many."

“May I make a critical analysis of your situation?", he asks, opening a bottle of still mineral water before pouring it into a glass and handing it to me.

I drink the clear, refreshing liquid without complaint knowing full well that I need it to stay hydrated after so much alcohol at this hour.

“Make yourself comfortable...", I take another sip of the water before I start paying attention to Alex who dusts off some bottles of drinks that look expensive on the various shelves hanging in the bar.

“I don't need to know much about your life to realize some important points like why you are here at this time, you are a bright girl who must have made many sacrifices to be here today and I admire that."

“You are trying to hide and pretend that this new feeling is not affecting your life, but you know perfectly well that it is. I can see in the glitter in your eyes that you are struggling and trying to forget something that has hurt you or someone..."

He stops talking for a moment to look at my face, I don't know how it is possible for me to feel touched by a stranger who seems to know my whole private life.

I may be hurt by James' behavior towards me, but I am not in love with James Colucci, that is not possible.

I don't know if it is the effect of the alcohol starting to show, but I let out a wry laugh because of my senseless thoughts.

“You might be right, someone has managed to hurt me a lot, but I am not in love or suffering for love, Alex.", I say with conviction, but I wipe the smile off my face when he denies with his head that he completely disagrees with me and that puzzles me more than anything right now.

“Okay, you're not in love with this person yet, but you are starting to feel something for him, something else that you don't want to feel, am I right?", he asks, arching his blond eyebrow.

“Can we change the subject?", I ask annoyed and Alex begins to laugh at my answer.

“No, Miss. You are still depressed and I feel the need to try to help you, Chloe. So, come on!"

I am almost in denial again when two customers arrive at the bar and Alex is forced to step aside to serve the new customers who are settling into the stools at the end of the bar.

As he serves the men I am again lost in my damned thoughts that keep circling my head.

Okay, it is clear that something is going on and there is no denying it to myself.

But even though I can't command my heart, I can't be falling in love with James, ever!

Even if this happened I would be the only one hurt and bruised in the story, just like the words spoken by James in that hospital room.

I huff hiding my face with my hands before closing my eyes and continuing to think about it.

With my eyes closed my mind travels back to the first moment I saw James Colucci, the moments in the elevator, in his car, in that bathroom, today inside my office at the company.

His blue eyes look at me the way only he can, his skilled hands holding me and touching me intimately in a way that makes me feel completely his.

The thin and tempting mouth that I desire glued on mine in my erotic dreams, the unique kisses that only he can awaken imaginary sensations in me.

Only him...

I have only been working in my new position as his assistant for a very short time, and I can't start feeling something more for my boss, the sexual attraction is already too intense and difficult to control.

At this moment I think about my decision to change positions within the company, it was good for my professional resume, but this is messing with and affecting my emotional side too much, this should never happen, but unfortunately, it is happening and I don't know how to stop it.

If that tempting offer hadn't come along, I would still be on my old floor working with my best friend and the manager I am used to working with. I would be living normally and none of this would have happened to this extent.

“Have you started to feel everything spinning because of the doses?", I lift my head and remove my hands from my face seeing Alex staring at me smiling.

My goal when I entered this bar was to get completely drunk, I wanted to get so drunk that I would forget everything that had happened in my life until this moment.

But luckily I ended up meeting Alex who became a totally pleasant company at that moment for me, I didn't complete my goal of getting drunk, but I found a good friend and enjoyed the light conversation even though he insisted that I was in love.

I had arrived at that bar in the middle of the afternoon and left when it was already evening, the time had passed so quickly that we had not realized that I had been there so long just talking.

Unfortunately, Alex had to get back to work attending to the various people who arrived at the bar as evening approached, the place became so crowded that I had to leave to let my random conversation partner work.

When I arrived at the apartment in the evening I went to change and prepare something quick to eat before sitting down on the couch with a glass of wine and start catching up on all the chapters of my story and end the wait for my dear readers.

I love writing and I get so caught up in it that when I finish I see that it is almost 1 am, I review all the chapters I managed to write in that time of hours before I start publishing them all.

Even though the story is a romance, I loved keeping my mind busy writing because it made me stop thinking about my problems and James Colucci's.

Since I don't have to wake up early tomorrow for work, I spend a lot of time enjoying the company of my beloved kitty who was missing me so much.

Still, with the computer on my lap, I also start a new search for more news about what happened in that restaurant, but there is none and not a single picture.

I am completely strange this fact, James was angry with the leaked photos from the night before and maybe he made sure that nothing was published by the media and press.

In my bed I pick up my cell phone and think of a fun way to spend my day off tomorrow, the bad part is that my friends are still going to work, so my adventure will be in a solo state again.

Through the reflection of the cell phone in my hand I see my reflection, my eyes fix on my long hair and soon a crazy idea comes to my mind.

I take my hand to my hair feeling the dry strands, it would be a great way to rejuvenate myself after today, I am wanting to change and I am in the mood to start doing it starting tomorrow.

This morning I wake up more than willing, this morning I wake up in a better mood than yesterday.

After getting out of bed and having my beloved breakfast I start a general cleaning inside the apartment, today I'm in such a good mood that I even feel like cleaning the house.

I start in the kitchen and finish cleaning the bedroom, I take a shower and put on a light dress because of the heat, grab my purse, and leave the apartment with a smile on my face.