Chapter 06

Lena:

I walk through the office doors and let myself fall into the chair of my desk. I haven't slept at all thanks to the whole uncertainty of my situation. And if that wasn't enough, the few hours I managed to catch some sleep, a horrible nightmare made me open my eyes crying.

Basically, my mind changed the events that happened years ago and, instead of being Ryan, the one who received all the insults and the mocking was me. And in the middle of everyone there was Ryan looking at me with hatred and even disgust. It felt horrible and I know I owe him an apology but I also know that an apology won't be able to erase the years of pain we caused him, let alone my situation.

Ryan hates me, and with all the reasons anyone could ever have to hate someone. All I have left to do is receive and put up with everything he throws at me. With that conclusion, I take my notepad and head to his office to organize the schedule for the day.

I open the doors and the same heavenly vision, the one I'm positive I'll never get used to, sets foot in front of my eyes: clarity everywhere and, in the middle, him. Every time I admire his attractive features I have to hold my breath in fear I might pant and ridicule myself in the process. His body is also impressive, with those broad shoulders covered by a beige shirt that can barely contain his muscles and that imposing stand that makes me tickle in indecent places.

I walk until I'm right in front of him and his frowning lets me know immediately that this is not going to be a good day.

“Good morning, Mr. Blake.” I speak as softly as I'm able to. He lifts his beautiful green eyes towards me, he was too concentrated in the papers in front of him to notice my apparently insignificant presence.

“Cancel all my appointments today. There's a big event planned for today and you have to come with me. All the info is on the company's website. Be in the WTC building by 9 o'clock. That's it for today.” He finishes speaking and deviates his stare again to the papers he was checking out before, making it a clear sign he wanted me out of his presence.

I turn around without replying and as soon as I leave his office, I run to the computer to look up the info of tonight's event Ryan just told me. I know what that building is, or at least what it used to be, and a very bad feeling takes over me.

The website says that the event is the inauguration of an old real estate company that BlakeHill absorbed from Hunter Warren, the son of the billionaire and business savvy Walter Warren and, also, my ex-boyfriend.

Shit.

Shit, shit, shit.

I know everyone I used to know is going to be there. I know that this event is going to take everything I had and throw it in my face. I don't know if I have the strength to walk around a room filled with all the people who refused to help me when I needed it the most.

And like that wasn't enough, this event is black tie, meaning it's fancy as hell and I don't even have a decent pair of heels to go to these kinds of events. Anxiety starts crawling up my brain, my hands are shaking letting me know a panic attack is coming.

Remembering the technique my therapist taught me years ago, I take a deep breath, mentally count to three and slowly let the air out in five. I repeat the same drill until I'm calmer, but no technique will make my worries fade away. Now that I think about it, it sounds like the nightmare I had last night was a premonition of what's probably going to happen tonight.

Ryan's office doors open up, making me jolt with surprise. He comes out and stops in front of my desk. Looking down towards me, a blond lock of hair slides through his forehead and the frown he had minutes ago disappeared. Now he looks bored.

“I'm going home, you can take the rest of the day off.”

Without waiting for a reply, he walks to the elevator, but just when the doors are about to open, he turns around and stands again where he was. His hand slides inside his pocket and takes out his wallet, grabbing a black American Express credit card and hands it to me.

“I almost forgot. Take my credit card and buy your outfit for the party tonight, it has to be elegant and black.” I have no words to describe the relief I have to not have to worry about this. I take the credit card with both hands without being able to hide my astonishment.

“Thank you,” I say, almost like a whisper.

“Don't thank me, I can't allow my secretary to stand next to me looking like a homeless person.” And just like that he crapped all over his gesture. Rage starts boiling inside of me and spreads through my limbs. The need to scream at him every insult I can dominate me, but just when I couldn't hold it anymore, he disappears behind the elevator panels. Staring at the credit card, I make a decision.

Ryan Blake is going to regret the day he insulted me.