Chapter 63: I Can't Wait...

Chapter 63: I Can't Wait...
Chapter 63: I Can't Wait...

EVANGELINE

Where is he...?

What does he mean?

Another message appears on the screen.

✦
Aleksander:
I know you know.
✦

I know...?

Against my will, my mind starts trying to decipher his riddle, running through the possibilities.

A place I know...

Is he here?

Another message suddenly appears.

✦
Aleksander:
I can still hear your moans.
✦

I swallow hard, my breath catching in my throat.

My...

Oh my God.

The maze.

Is he there? Right now?

✦
Aleksander:
I can't wait to feel you again.
✦

The new words on the screen are enough to send heat spreading through my chest.

I try to push the memories away.

Why is he doing this to me? I can't. I can't let him affect me like this.

But the messages keep appearing on the screen.

✦
Aleksander:
I know you're reading this.
So, good night, my ember.
✦

My ember...

What does that mean? And how does he know?

No... It's happening again. I'm letting him get inside my head and play with me. But I can't let this happen again. I need to forget him. Forget everything that happened.

Even if it seems impossible, I have to do it.

✽ ✽ ✽

"What are you thinking about?" Tess asks as the elevator moves, taking us into another week of work.

"Nothing." I lie, because I can't admit, even to myself, that I'm thinking about his latest message.

The one that came yesterday morning, almost like a taunt: "I hope you slept well."

As if he knows exactly what he did. As if he knows his damn messages kept me from sleeping properly.

Hell. Damn the day I walked into that office and met him.

The elevator stops on the magazine's floor.

"See you later..." Tess steps out. "I mean..." She turns back to me. "If you don't lose your mind before then," she teases with a smile before the doors close.

She's right. I need to stop thinking about it.

Just focus on work.

I let out a long sigh.

Which isn't going to be easy either, after spending all of Sunday listening to Tess try to convince me to accept the promotion.

I was sure turning it down was the right thing to do, until she managed to plant that doubt in my head. Now, I don't know what to do anymore.

I still can't believe he had nothing to do with it. But if that's true, I'd be turning down an opportunity I've wanted for a long time. If it isn't and I accept it, I don't know if I could live with knowing I didn't get there on my own.

Damn it. How could I let him interfere with my life like this?

✽

I'm about to shut down my computer to go to lunch when a new email from Human Resources arrives.

I click the notification, opening it.

❖❖❖

Hello, Evangeline,

We're reaching out to see if you've made a decision regarding the promotion.

We look forward to hearing from you.

❖❖❖

They're still waiting for my answer. It looks like Aleksander didn't pass along my refusal. Just as I thought.

At least that gives me a little more time to think.

As if that's a good thing.

Closing the email, I shut down my computer and grab my bag before heading out.

✽

"So..." Tess begins as soon as the waitress walks away after taking our orders. "I hope you're not upset, but I took the liberty of asking Charles about the promotion."

"What do you mean?" I blink, confused.

"Didn't you want to know why Aleksander, of all people?"

"What did he say?"

"Apparently, it was a last-minute thing. He said Aleksander just showed up and, since you two worked together on the article, Charles thought it would be a good idea for you to hear the news from him."

"Of course. Just a coincidence." I scoff.

"Well, I think the fact that he's practically the 'big boss' probably had something to do with it too."

"I still don't understand how he managed to pull that off."

"I do. And the answer is very simple: infinite money."

"I mean, it happened so fast."

"Someone like him must have his ways."

I have no doubt about that.

"You can see that, but you still think he had nothing to do with the promotion? How is that possible?" I ask, incredulous.

"You want to know what I think? I think you're letting a guy who just came into your life make you forget how hard you've worked over the past few years."

I sigh. Why does she always have good arguments?

"Okay... Maybe you're right."

"I am. So make the right choice already so we can forget about all this and start planning your birthday."

My birthday...

"And the best part is, we'll have two reasons to celebrate." She winks.

"You know I don't like birthday parties."

"And you know I'm never going to let my best friend's birthday go uncelebrated."

"Yeah, I know." I sigh, giving in.

But it's what she said before that keeps echoing in my head, making me feel stupid for even thinking about turning down something I wanted long before I met him.

After everything, why am I the one who has to give something up? After the way he humiliated me, am I really going to let him keep interfering with my decisions?

Driven by a sudden surge of anger and determination, I pick up my phone from the table and start typing a new email.

❖❖❖

Hello,

I would like to inform you that I have decided to accept the promotion.

❖❖❖

My finger hovers over the send button for a moment. But before I can change my mind, I tap it.