Chapter 21: The jealous storm

The last few days had been quiet without Sean. He’d gone on a week-long business trip overseas, and every night without him had stretched endlessly. I missed his voice, the warmth of his touch, and even the way he teased me when I pretended not to care.

So, when I saw the flight schedule and realized his plane was landing that morning, I didn’t even think twice. I dressed quickly and took a taxi straight to the airport.

When he appeared through the glass doors, tall and composed in a navy suit, my heart nearly stopped. The crowd moved around us, but my eyes stayed fixed on him. He noticed me instantly.

“Rose,” he said, his voice a blend of surprise and relief.

He smiled, that small, knowing curve that always made my knees weak.

We drove mostly in silence, his hand occasionally brushing mine on the gear lever. When we got to my apartment, he set down his suitcase and leaned back, looking tired but still breathtaking.

“I just need a shower,” he murmured. “Then I’ll sit with you for a while.”

I nodded, watching him disappear into the bathroom. The sound of water running made the apartment feel alive again. When he came out, towel around his neck, his hair damp, he joined me on the couch and rested his head back.

He stayed for an hour, talking about his meetings, his upcoming projects, and how much he thought of me. Then he stood, brushed a kiss across my forehead, and said he had to head home, there's some things he needed to finalize.

When the door closed behind him, the emptiness hit again. I curled up on my bed with his shirt pressed against my face, breathing in his cologne until I fell asleep.

The next morning, I woke up determined. Amanda and I had been planning a small business venture together, something creative, something that could give us both independence. But before I could make any move, I wanted Sean’s advice.

So I went to his office. The receptionist recognized me immediately and smiled. “He’s been waiting for you, Miss Rose. Go right in.”

When I entered, Sean stood up from his chair. He looked impeccable as always, charcoal suit, crisp white shirt, the faintest trace of a smirk playing on his lips.

“Well, look who’s here,” he teased. He came around the desk and pulled out the chair for me. “My beautiful distraction.”

I laughed, sitting down.He leaned against the desk. “So, what brings you here today, apart from missing me?”

“I wanted to talk about a business idea. Amanda and I want to start something small together, maybe a boutique or something similar. I wanted your opinion.”

Sean’s smile softened. “Rose, I love that you want to build something of your own, but I need you to promise me one thing.”

“What?”

“Focus on the restaurant first,” he said gently. “You’re still learning the ropes. You have something great there, I don’t want you spreading yourself too thin.”

I nodded. “You’re right. I just wanted your advice, that’s all.”

“You already have that,” he said, taking my hand. “But one thing at a time, okay?”

Before I could answer, the door burst open.

Nancy.

The receptionist appeared right behind her, flustered. “I’m sorry, Mr. Miller, she just walked in... ”

Sean raised a hand. “It’s fine.”

Nancy stormed in like she owned the place, her eyes landing on me with immediate disgust. “What is she doing here?” she demanded, her voice shrill.

Sean straightened. “Nancy... ”

She ignored him and marched closer. “You don’t belong here, Rose. You think you can waltz into his office like you’re his wife”

Her hand reached for Sean’s arm, and before I could think, I grabbed a handful of her hair and yanked her back.

“Don’t you dare touch my man,” I snapped.

“Rose... ” Sean startled , but he didn’t sound angry. He sounded… amused.

Nancy screamed, “You’re crazy!”

“Crazy?” I said, stepping closer. “Try me again, and you’ll see how crazy I can get.”

Sean’s brow arched as he watched me, that dangerous gleam of interest in his eyes. The receptionist quickly stepped in, pulling Nancy back toward the door.

“Miss, please... ”

Nancy jerked free and pointed a trembling finger at me. “You’ll regret this!”

“Not as much as you’ll regret crossing me again,” I said coldly.

Sean finally moved, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Enough,” he murmured, his voice low, almost husky. “Let her go.”

I did, brushing my hand off like she wasn’t worth another second. The receptionist hurried Nancy out, apologizing over her shoulder.

When the door closed, Sean turned to me, and for a long moment, he said nothing. Then he smirked.

“You know,” he said slowly, “I’ve never seen you like that before.”

“She had it coming,” I muttered, folding my arms.

He stepped closer, the air between us thick with tension. “You pulling her hair like that… it shouldn’t have been as attractive as it was.”

I glared at him, but he only smiled wider.

“Sean,” I warned.

He leaned down, brushing his lips over mine briefly before pulling away. “You really think I’ll let anyone touch me when I have you?”

I felt my breath catch, but I forced myself to focus. “Don’t try to change the subject. I came here to talk about business.”

He chuckled, walking back to his desk. “Right. Business. You were saying?”

“I wanted to ask if you’d invest in Amanda and me, just to help us get started.”

Sean sat down, lacing his fingers together. “I’d rather you let me invest in you. Not both of you.”

I frowned. “That’s not fair.”

“I didn’t say it was,” he said simply. “But if you want to do something, I’ll fund it. I’ll make sure you have everything you need, the best space, best equipment, best everything. Amanda can manage something else.”

I sighed. “You can be impossible sometimes.”

He smiled faintly. “And yet you love me for it.”

“I didn’t say that,” I said, but my voice came out softer than I meant it to.

He leaned back.Before I could roll my eyes, his intercom buzzed. The receptionist’s nervous voice came through: “Mr. Miller, your next meeting is waiting.”Sean pressed the button. “Tell them to wait ten minutes.” He turned back to me.

I stood, pretending to be unbothered, but inside, I was melting. “I’ll think about your offer,” I said.

“You’ll accept it,” he replied confidently.

The air outside the building was fresh, and I decided to stop by a small coffee shop nearby to clear my head. As I sipped my cappuccino, I saw someone familiar walk in, Michael.

He noticed me and smiled. “Fancy seeing you here.”

I gestured to the chair across from me. “Join me.”

He sat down, placing his phone on the table. “You look good, Rose. How’s life?”

“Peaceful,” I said. “Well, mostly. How are things with you?”“Better. I moved out of the Millers’ place. I’m renting an apartment now, just three buildings down from you, actually.”“Really?” I asked, surprised.

“Yeah,” he said, chuckling. “Small world.”

We talked for a few minutes, light conversation, nothing serious. Then he glanced at his watch. “I should go. It was nice catching up.”

“Same,” I said, smiling.

He paid for his coffee despite my protest and left. I lingered a few more minutes, then made my way home.

When I walked in, my phone buzzed. A message from Sean.

Sean: Nice to see you having such a good laugh with Michael. He looks happy.

Attached was a photo, me and Michael at the coffee shop, both smiling.

My heart skipped. Who took this?

Me: Sean, what is this?

Sean: Got it from an anonymous number. I don’t like it. I’m coming over.

I tried calling him, but he didn’t answer. My pulse quickened as I paced the room. Ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door.

When I opened it, Sean was standing there, his jaw tight, eyes sharp.

“So,” he said quietly, stepping inside, “you were having fun without me?”

“Sean, it wasn’t like that... ”

He stopped me with a look. “You think I don’t trust you?”

“I don’t know what to think when you show up like this.”

He moved closer, his voice low but steady. “I just don’t like the idea of anyone else making you laugh like that. Especially not him.”

“Jealousy doesn’t suit you,” I said softly.

He tilted his head.

I sighed, my heartbeat unsteady. “Sean…”

He reached out and brushed his fingers through my hair. “Don’t argue with me tonight.”

And in that charged silence, I realized — this man was dangerous in the way only love could be. He made me want to fight him and fall for him at the same time.

I didn’t say another word. I just stood there as he closed the distance between us, his jealousy melting into something that felt like possession and devotion woven together.

The rest of the night unfolded slowly, a mixture of tension and tenderness. When he finally left hours later, I sat by the window, the city lights reflecting in the glass.