Julie tapped her fingers on the desk over and over, getting more and more angry.. her frustration was beginning to get the best of her.
"How long does it take to do something simple?" She muttered within herself
For what seemed like the hundredth time, she glanced at her phone.
Not a single new thing yet.
She clenched her teeth, and in her chest, anxiety and excitement mixed.
The plan was clear: get rid of Samantha for good.
Just how hard's that??, she thought, running her hands through her hair in frustration.
Thinking about how easy it would have been if everything had gone as planned, she smirked.
But she was left to wait, and she didn't know if everything had fallen apart.. let's not celebrate yet.
Just as she was about to lose it, her phone buzzed loudly, breaking the dead quiet.
Her heart pounding as she unlocked the screen, she grabbed it.
The words flashed in:
"Sadly, we were unable to continue with it. I've been told that she left the country for London."
Julie read the words aloud several times, her fingers getting tighter around her phone.
Her first was a wave of relief.
Samantha left New York for real?
A chuckle exploded in her throat.
Taking the b!tch out of the picture had been the main goal, and she had achieved.. funny enough, she left at her own will!
Victory danced around the sides of her head for a short minute.
However, there was also the sense of loss. Julie had hoped for something more rewarding.
Something more permanent. Not just Samantha casually ignoring it all.
She bit her lip and mumbled to herself, "So, you made it out again, huh? lucky, girl."
She picked up her phone, dailed the number that had sent her the text, then paced back and forth while it rang.
At the third ring, a voice answered.
"How come she's in London?" Julie asked, her tone harsh.
"I'm not sure yet," the caller said with ease. "But based on what I've learned, it seems related to work. She recently made a social media post about starting a new job there."
Julie squinted her eyes.
"Hmm alright." She said into the receiver as she ended the call without waiting for an answer.
She let her breath slowly, feeling the pressure in her chest release as she scanned her clean office.
Her smile turned into a slow, satisfied one.
"At last," she said to herself. "I have Tyler all to myself. Now that bitch is moved away."
The words gave her a fresh sense of purpose and left a nice taste in her mouth.
Julie walked over to the wall-mounted full-length mirror and looked at her image.
She made a conscious move to raise her dress's top and show more skin around her bust.
The rich crimson hue of the gown hugged her body, accentuating each curve she wanted Tyler to notice.
She then lifted her skirt slightly, giving it a flirty shorter look. She gave herself one final reassuring glance as her fingers worked over her beautiful hair, smoothing it down.
With a confident pout on her lips, she whispered,
"Let the game begin."
Julie walked out of her office and down the hallway toward Tyler's office, moving in her hips.
As she neared his door, her stilettos clicked firmly against the smooth floor.
With anticipation, her smile grew as she knocked twice.
Silence..
She glared and knocked once more, but nobody answered.
She felt a brief rush of annoyance before choosing to act separately. She pushed the door open and went inside.
There was nobody in the office.
With an irritated groan, Julie moved to his desk, where she planned to wait for him.
But her attention was pulled to something on the computer screen.
She leaned closer, her interest taking over because the monitor was still on.
Her breath caught in her throat as she caught sight of Samantha's picture on the screen.
Her face instantly became serious.
Wait, he's been staring at her picture? even now that she's gone?
Her anger exploded within of her like an uncontrolled flame.
How on earth could he still be considering that woman?
Julie balled her hands at her sides.
Her carefully built self-assurance fell and was replaced with anger. Her blood shot to the surface, and she cursed beneath her breath without thinking.
Tyler was still focused on someone who wasn't even in the same country as her, despite the fact that she was right here, trying everything to win his attention.
Was she that ugly? unattractive?! what the hell is it with Samantha! To think that she couldn't even understand where the sudden attraction from Tyler to the dirty bitch came from.
There was a sharp creak as the office door swung wide before she could release any more of her anger.
Julie gave a start and spun around to see Tyler waiting at the entryway, his suspiciously narrowed eyes.
"What are you doing here?" His voice was harsh, touching on accusing.
Julie was having trouble finding the right words, and her heart was pounding.
She was taken aback as he suddenly entered the room and caught her off guard. She forced a worried smile as she stammered,
"I.. I was just checking on you."
Tyler’s glare only intensified at her response.
“Checking on me?” he snapped, his voice as cold as the winter air. "Julie didn't I ask you to stay away?"
Julie could feel the fury growing in her chest, threatening to burst free at any moment.
But she couldn’t afford to lose her cool, not now.
“I was just, uh, hoping to give you some updates on the company’s charity event coming up."
Tyler did not avert his eyes. He was still careful, his face unreadable.
"Alright. You have given an update. I apologize, but I have work to do."
Julie's fake smile faded as her mouth twitched.
"Are you not even going look at me? You ignore me even though I'm right in front of you,"
Her words were tinged with desperation, and her voice was dripping with anger.
Tyler's patience was clearly running thin as his mouth tensed.
His movements were slow and measured as he moved across the room, but his gaze never met Julie's face, not even to admire the thoughtfully chosen clothing she had put together.
"Get out," He spat, in a barely controlled rage.
The words felt like a slap on Julie's face, her pride ached as she felt motionless for some seconds.
Tyler made it clear he wasn't in the mood for games with his keen look.
With a hard swallow, she tried to hide the embarrassment that was burning inside her.
She ran out of the office with a huff, the click of her shoes echoing in the uncomfortable silence.
The anger stayed, sticking to her like a second skin, even after the door slammed behind her.
The idea of Tyler continuing to be focused on Samantha even in her absence was painful to her.
"This isn't finished," Julie grumbled to herself. "We've only just begun!"
She would force Tyler to see what was in front of him if he didn't want to.