Chapter 8: DO YOU REMEMBER ME?

ALLIS' POV

I shouldn't open the door. Ryan didn't have any business in the bathroom. But a part of me wanted to open the door.

“Allis,” he called out one more time, and I swallowed hard. “I'll be kicking the door down if you don't open it in the next four seconds.”

My feet seemed rooted to the floor. I was thinking about different things at once.

“One,” he started. “...three.”

I quickly lunged forward, pulling the door open. There was a smirk on his face as he took a step inside. He ran a finger along my jaw, and a shiver ran through my spine.

“You shouldn't be touching me like that,” I said, and he cocked an eyebrow.

“You enjoyed when I touched you the other night. You wanted more. And now, I can tell that you still want more.”

Fuck, I hated how expressive my face was.

“You're imagining things,” I said, and he shut the door.

“No, I'm not. I can see right through you. And now you have a fiance?”

“Yes,” I answered tipping my chin. “Do you have a problem with that?”

He shrugged. “Not at all. I'm just shocked that you can be happy with someone else. Does he make you happy? Does he make you cum as fast as I made you?”

I cleared my throat. “Ryan, I don't know what you're talking about.”

Ryan took another step towards me, forcing me to hit my back against the counter. He brought a hand up, and I tried to move my face away. But he wasn't even going for my face. He swiped a thumb along my nipple, and I bit my lip.

“You're going to say you don't remember that touch?” He asked. I hated how calm and collected he was. How he still managed to remember all my weak points. But most of all, I hated how my nipples were practically cutting through the material. My whole body betrayed me.

“I do,” I ended up blurting. “But it was nothing but a one night stand. I've moved on from it, you should do the same.”

His lips slowly spread into a smile. “Fine then,” he said. “Let's see how long you can actually keep up.”

Ryan turned on his heels, and I was so glad that he was finally going, when he suddenly turned back.

“That reminds me. You said you have kids?” He asked, and I gave him a quick nod.

“Are they really Lucas's?” He asked, and I pressed my lips into a thin line.

“Maybe no one has told you, but I was married before.”

He smirked. “You weren't a mother when we first met, Allis.” Then he leaned in. “Trust me to find out everything.”

I swallowed hard, and he finally shut the door behind him. I turned to look at the mirror again, blinking back the tears that were already pricking my eyes.

I didn't have to react like this. I didn't have any reason to cry. It couldn't be that hard. Hiding the truth from him, and trying to be more happy with Lucas.

My hands were pressed against my cheeks, as I tried to make them regain their normal color. I headed back to the table, and Lucas was so focused on his phone. I tapped on his shoulders and he quickly placed the phone on the table, with the face down.

Okay, what the hell?

“What's going on? Who were you texting?” I quickly asked, and he frowned.

“It was just your mom,” he said, but a part of me didn't believe a word that left his mouth.

“You don't keep your phone with the screen down,” I said, and he shrugged. “I just decided to do it today.”

I looked at the other rside of the table, and noticed that Ryan and Ellie were looking at me. The last thing I wanted, was the price to them that we weren't the perfect couple.

“Alright then,” I said, sitting down beside him again. I noticed that he was tense, and he didn't even bother to touch me or ask why I spent so long in the bathroom. Something was definitely wrong. And I was as sure as hell, that it wasn't my mom he was texting earlier.

Ryan suddenly leaned in. “That's the man we're supposed to be getting the contract from. Mr. Miller. It's your job to get familiar with him.”

I switched to professional mood immediately, standing up and rubbing my hands against my skirt, before striding over to where he was standing.

“Mr. Miller?” I asked, and he turned to look at me immediately. He narrowed his eyes like he was trying to recognize who I was.

“Do I know you from somewhere?” He asked, and I smiled even wider.

“Maybe you do. I'm Allis Armando,” I said with slight pride to my voice.

To these men, the pride was confidence.

“Armando's daughter?” He asked, and I gave him a firm nod. He didn't even go for a handshake anymore. He went straight for a hug. “Your dad did mention that you were coming back home. And I've been hoping to get some business down with you.”

I smirked, before turning back to look at our table, where Ryan, Lucas and Ellie were looking over at me.

“Actually,” I said, leaning in. “There's a project I heard you were working on. You think you can hand it over to us to handle for you?” I asked, and he pressed his lips together like he was considering.

My fingers were crossed at my back, hoping for the best.

“There's a lot of competition on that particular project,” he said, and I nodded.

“I can come to your office and give you a mini presentation if you want. And then you can decide.”

His lips immediately spread into a smile, and he gave me a handshake. “I'll be expecting you at the office on Monday.”

I gave him a small bow, heading back to my table. Ryan's jaw tightened.

“Did you manage to seal the deal?” He asked, and i smirked at him.

“You should have more patience, Ryan. Only phase one has been done.”