Chapter 46: Majority
Chapter 46: Majority
Chapter 46: Majority
EVANGELINE
I swallow hard, waiting—almost yearning as he keeps holding my gaze in silence, too close for me to breathe properly.
"I'll let you rest," he says at last, releasing my face.
I blink, dazed.
After setting the glass down on the table, he walks past me, and I simply watch him move away toward the exit.
Is he leaving?
I thought…
Without moving, I watch him disappear as the elevator doors close.
What was that? Is he playing with me? Or am I imagining things?
Maybe I’m going crazy, but for a moment, I really thought something was going to happen.
Did I… want it to happen?
I shouldn’t. I can’t get involved. Not with Aleksander.
He’s helping me. I can’t mix things up. I can’t feel attracted to him.
But… I was about to let him cross that line.
Maybe it’s already too late.
✽
Tess is still talking about the feature’s reception while I stare at the traffic light, waiting for it to turn green so we can cross.
I know she’s excited and proud of it, but after the fifth congratulations I heard this morning, I started hoping everyone would just forget about it already, because the last thing I need right now is to hear anyone mention Aleksander’s name.
After what didn’t happen last night, I realized my entire life now seems to revolve around him.
Which is ironic, considering I’ve been trying not to get involved this whole time. After all those “interviews,” I really thought I’d be free. And, of course, I’m grateful he’s helping me with this crazy stalker thing, but I feel like I’m stepping into something far too dangerous by staying this close to him.
Fortunately, nothing happened.
And it can never happen. Not just because I just got out of a shitty relationship, but because he is Aleksander Volkov.
We come from completely different worlds, and despite what Tess has always suggested, it still feels ridiculous to imagine he could have any real interest in me.
The light finally turns green, and Tess and I cross the street, heading back to the publishing building.
"Did you hear the rumors about the new partner?" she asks as we walk through the doors into the lobby.
"Yes, but…" I stop abruptly when my gaze locks ahead.
"What is he doing here?" Tess asks, reading my thoughts.
Confused, I watch Aleksander walking toward us, accompanied by Grant and another one of his security guards.
I can’t even begin to imagine why he’s here.
When his cold blue eyes finally meet mine, he doesn’t show a single hint of emotion before looking away. He keeps walking in my direction, and just as I think he’s going to greet me, he walks right past me and heads out of the building.
Stunned, it takes me a few seconds to process what just happened.
Did he really just act like I was invisible?
"Wow… what an asshole," Tess mutters beside me.
This time, I have to agree with her.
What the hell is his problem? Not even a greeting after that whole conversation last night?
"Yeah, an asshole," I huff, frustrated. "Let’s go," I say, starting to walk again.
"Did something happen during your little photoshoot that night?" she asks, following me.
"No. We just talked."
"Hmm… so he’s always like that?"
"Must be a billionaire thing," I shrug, trying to avoid the subject.
Stopping in front of the elevator, I press the button.
"You know, I avoided bringing up you-know-who last night, but now you’re going to tell me what happened at the event, right?" she asks as we step inside.
"Nothing. I just told him to leave."
"Seems like he doesn’t know when to stop."
I sigh.
"Can we not talk about this? Like, ever again?" I ask with an awkward smile.
"Sorry."
A moment later, the elevator stops at the magazine floor.
"You know I’m here if you ever need me," she says.
I nod and watch her walk away before the doors close again.
She has no idea that, actually, the worst part happened after the event. But why does she think I want to talk about Luke? That’s the last thing I want. I would rather torture myself trying to understand why Aleksander acted like an idiot.
✽ ✽ ✽
I stare at the message I sent last night. Still no reply.
I should’ve just gone to sleep, but no—I had to send that damn message. Now I feel like an idiot, being ignored without even knowing why.
As if the way he ignored me on Monday wasn’t enough. But spending another entire day without a single message only made me more obsessed with figuring out why the hell he’s giving me the cold shoulder.
So I decided to ask about the investigation. It seemed like a good excuse at the time.
Damn it. I need to stop thinking about this. Maybe he’s just busy, and I’m just going crazy. But I can’t stop imagining it has something to do with what almost happened.
No. Enough.
I get up from my desk, grab my bag, and leave it behind.
✽
After coming back from lunch with Tess, I decide to grab a coffee before getting back to work.
As I stop in front of my desk, I feel my phone vibrate inside my bag, the sound signaling a new message.
I set the coffee down and pick it up.
I stare at his name on the screen for a moment—surprised to see a reply—before opening the message.
Aleksander:
Let’s talk tonight.
The message makes me frown.
That’s it? After two days?
Now he wants to talk.
Frustrated, I sit down with a sigh.
Even if I didn’t want to see him, how could I stop him when it’s his apartment?
Determined to forget about him, at least for now, I set my phone aside and turn on my computer.
As always, I check my emails first.
There’s nothing new except for an internal notice from management, which I open.
Internal Notice:
Dear all,
We are pleased to announce the addition of a new partner to Harrington Row.
Aleksander Volkov is joining the company as a partner…
My body goes still.
What?
…assuming the position of majority partner.
No. That can’t be… He didn’t…
Fuck.
Why?