43

It was Sunday and a storm rang at my apartment door. I didn't sleep well after last night. I was still in bed, crawling under my covers, not wanting to see or hear anyone.

But Andy put a spoke in my wheel. I knew he wouldn't give up until I opened that damn door.

So I let my best friend in.

"Damn Alea, would you mind picking up your cell phone, what do you have one for?" he hissed angrily.

"I was still asleep Andy okay?" I replied annoyed. I ran to the kitchen and made us some coffee. When it was finished, I poured the hot drink into a cup and handed one to Andy.

We sat down on the sofa and I told him about last night. Starting with the helicopter flight to the bitter end.

"Damn Alea, this guy is definitely not good for you. I mean how many times has he messed it up and treated you badly? You really should stay away from him. Really this time. Even if the next moment he's kissing you again and invites you in his helicopter. He only thinks about himself. It's toxic".

I hated it when Andy spoke so openly and honestly and was right about it. I actually knew it myself. But hearing it from him again hurt twice as much. Because I had to admit that Thiago Silva didn't leave me cold. On the contrary. I got weak around him. I felt drawn to him and enjoyed the warmth my body felt when he touched me. Damn. I was angry at myself.

That I let it get this far in the first place. But I was also angry with Matt. If what Thiago told me is really true, then I was completely wrong about Matt and as a person I would be disappointed in him.

I spent the rest of the day with Andy before it was already Monday again.

~

I sat in the office and waited for Matt to come. I had to speak to him directly about the matter before it's too late. I didn't want to help Thiago. On the contrary, I didn't give a damn about his concerns. He was right about the emotional though. I didn't care about the people there. I felt sorry for them.

Not five minutes later, Matt walked in and before he even reached his office, I walked up to him and waited. He closed the door behind him "Alea, what's up so early in the morning?" He prompted politely and smiled at me. However, I didn't feel like laughing.

"Is that true? Is it true that you want to leave the peer at 24 East Road?" I got straight to the point.

Matt cleared his throat and looked up at me confused "what do you mean? I don't understand"...

"Matt be honest with me. Do you plan to build hotels there?" I asked again.

His expression turned serious. "Where did you get this information from? It is not accessible" he wanted to know seriously.

"So it's true? I can't believe it. Do you have any idea what you're doing to the people there?" I now hissed angrily.

"Now calm down. I can understand that it's not easy, but we're doing good things again. New jobs for people," he defended himself.

"We? I don't want anything to do with it. On the contrary, Matt. If you really go through with this, you can look for a new real estate manager," I shouted in his direction.

There was a loud bang and it was nothing less than Matt's fist hitting the desk. He was really angry. I've never seen him like this before. He was completely upset... Lost his temper.

"Enough"... he yelled...."You can't take it all Alea Miles. I'm still the CEO of this company and you should show me respect. You're threatening me? Then pack your bags and leave. But this project will not be channeled," he spat.

I winced, startled. Wow for the first time he showed his true colors. Now he was again the CEO who demands respect. A week ago he wanted to lay me down in his limousine. Idiot.

"So much for the subject... if you really cared about me, you wouldn't have reacted that way," I mumbled disappointedly before leaving his office to wait for an answer.

I decided to take the rest of the day off. I didn't want to have to see Matt anymore today. He's just yelling at me right now. He's like Thiago. Exactly the same. These are probably the core characteristics of a CEO: cold-hearted, callous, imhuman, egotistical with a god complex. And unfortunately always damn good-looking.

Annoyed, I entered my apartment complex. I was just about to use the lift when Robert, the porter, called me back: "Ms. Miles, that was handed in for you," he said and handed me an envelope.

I gratefully accepted the brown envelope and ran to the elevator. I had no idea who this was from.

When I reached my apartment, I flopped down on my sofa and opened the envelope. Inside was a photo.

In the photo you can see me and Thiago riding the swing carousel and both laughing while holding hands. In the photo it seems like we are happy. At least that's what I was at the moment. While he played everything for his plan.

I didn't even notice that someone was taking a picture of us. I turned the said photo over and on it were the following lines;

our happy place

is tut mir leid, little

Thiago

(Translation:

happy place, I

'm sorry little

Thiago)

I put the picture aside and closed my eyes for a moment. When I opened them again, my eyes fell on my wardrobe. Next to it was still the oversized teddy that Thiago shot with him. I sighed heavily.

But I've made a decision. I have to get him out of my head. Thiago doesn't mean as trouble and pain to me.

I grabbed the teddy and the photo and stowed both in the closet in the far corner.

After that, I opened my laptop and looked around for new job postings. Because I also wanted to break away from Matt and his bogus dealings. Time for a new chapter Alea Miles, again.