Chapter 16: Anger Issues

Quickly jumping out of bed I ran to the bathroom and took a quick shower, almost slipping on the way out.

"I can't believe I'm late!" Running to my closet, I quickly wore the first outfit I could find and putting on my glasses, nearly ran out of the house.

I ran into our office and I could see heads turning my way, then I made a show of walking casually but when I realized I was only getting more late, I started running once again and took the stairs instead of the elevator because it took too long to arrive.

Slimming the CEO office door open, I tripped but the someone caught me before my face hit the floor.

"Oof!" And I looked up to see Adam with furrowed brows looking at me.

"Hi," I said weakly and straightened up, then glared at the three men behind him who had suddenly left their seats to see me.

"What the actual F*** Lance!" I screamed at him and his eyes widened.

"Were you that mad about me going out to dinner last night that you couldn't wake me up in the morning?! Were you seriously that pissed off even when I told you the truth and everything else? I seriously can't believe you now, why would you stoop that low? And then you told the guards not to let me out of the house, or enter here?" I scoffed at him.

"Isabelle." He warned. "Let's talk somewhere else. Not here. Not now."

"No, I'm done talking. I was only here to see if you were really the one who did this but now I'm sure."

"Belle, calm down okay, let's talk." Tristan tried to take my hands but I pushed him away.

"I'm leaving. You can talk about all you want, but I'm going. Have fun controlling other people's lives, because I'm DONE!" I left the office and went outside, still furious, when I felt someone touch my arm and I turned around quickly.

"What now?" I said a little loud then realized who was standing in front of me. Adam Thorne. In all this drama I forgot he was standing right behind us the whole time I fought with my brothers.

"Sorry. I got a little carried away." I answered, not looking him in the eye.

"It's okay. Happens all the time" he grinned at me but I didn't feel like saying anything.

"Are you going somewhere?" He asked

"Yes, to my boutique."

"Come on, I'll drop you." He motioned to his car which now stood in front of us.

"No it's fine, thank you. My driver's on the way."

"I insist. Isabelle." The way he said my name made me look at him and I nodded after a pause, and he opened the door for me. We stopped on the way at the cafe I always went, and he got out of the car and made me get out too, then lead me to the cafe.

"Why are we here?" I asked

"To have breakfast. You don't look like you've eaten anything since last night, am I correct?" He said and I nodded, realizing it had been more than 12 hours since I last ate.

We sat in our usual place and sipped on our coffee and ate brownies, sitting in complete silence, until he reached across the table and took off my glasses, setting them on the table, then looking at me.

"Are you okay?" He finally asked.

"Not really, but I'll manage." I answered him truthfully, giving him a slight nod.

"Do they hate me that much?" He asked again and I almost choked on my coffee.

"What?" I asked him confused.

"Your brothers, I mean. They looked displeased."

"Yes, they weren't exactly elated but I cleared the air for them. At least I thought I did..." I sighed and we sat in silence the rest of the time.

The car ride to the boutique was silent and I had calmed down by now, although I was still a bit pissed off. Then I remembered.

"Right, um... before I forget, I need your size", I told him as my boutique came into view.

He looked at me thoughtfully before nodding. "Okay.. I have some time now so you can take it right now. If it's no problem?"

I sucked in a sharp breath. "Yeah... Yeah no problem.. Come on in."

We went out and I opened the door, to be greeted by my few employees who gasped when they saw Adam.

"Oh my god it's Adam Thorne!" A few girls squealed and I glance at him, who had a serious and cold expression on his face like he couldn't care less. I guess he didn't.

"Come this way" I told him and led him to my office. Taking out my size book and a measuring tape, I motioned for him To take off his coat and he did so, although rather slowly.

"Am I supposed to take off my clothes?" He asked innocently.

"No!" I answered quickly.. Too quickly and he smirked.

I then went closer to him and started taking his measurements, aware of how close we were standing, but I dared myself not to look at his eyes or I'd lose my sanity which I could already feel slipping away.

"This reminds of that little moment in my office." His husky breath fanned over my neck while I took his collar measurements and I pulled a little too tight at the tape, choking him slightly, then loosening my grip and looking him in the eyes. A few seconds passed like this and we didn't move until someone knocked on my door and came in.

"Um.. Mr. Thorne?" My head snapped to his driver who had caught us like this and my face turned red, and I backed away, looking everywhere but back into his eyes.

"What?" He snapped, rather loudly and his driver flinched.

"Lucas is calling saying you won't pick your phone. You have a meeting in less than half an hour, Sir." the driver said this and immediately stepped out.

"I'm done anyway so you can go now." I said slowly and looked at him already staring at me.

"Do you want me to go?" He said and inched closer.

"You're running late as it is. Aveline already sent me her preferences and sizes... for Aidan and your dad too... So I'll get to work." I told him and he nodded. "Do you have any preferences?" I asked him carefully and he smirked.

"You." Was all he said and he left, leaving me speechless.

.......................................................................................................

Caught once again... Too many interruptions, no? What could Adam mean when he told her she was his preference? "Do I sense a romance brewing?" (From Persuasion by Jane Austen)

Keep reading on to find out!

Question of the Day: What do you have for breakfast?

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