AN:

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I eat my breakfast while staring at the empty chair across from me. It's morning, but my mood is already sour.

It frustrates me that when I woke up earlier I didn't find Nevaeh. I'm pretty sure that I involuntary fell asleep with my head resting on hers, so the fact that I didn't notice her getting out of my bed is ridiculous.

It must have been because of the medicine that I overslept. How early did she go to LA today? She didn't even have her breakfast.

It's funny because I was usually the one who left her alone at the dining table. Now it's the other way around, and I have to swallow the fact that I can't see her until next week.

Ashton arrives to get his usual morning coffee placed on the kitchen counter. His eyes widen as he sees me already dressed in my office suit.

"Are you going to the office today?" he asks in disbelief. "I don't remember the doctor allowing you to work. You still look pale."

"I was having a fever, not pneumonia," I retort, munching my food.

"I'm serious." Ashton sighs, knowing that he won't be able to change my decision.

But he also knows damn well that I hate being treated like a sick person, especially when they assume that I haven't recovered from my nightmare.

Ian steps into the dining room. He places my coffee on the table, and that's when Ashton asks him, "Is he really okay?"

Ian shakes his head in disagreement. When he passes Ashton on the way back to the kitchen, he whispers, "I don't think so. All he's been doing since he woke up is pouting. He's definitely not fine."

I scoff, knowing that the old man purposely whisper shouts so that I can hear.

"I see," Ashton hums. His tone is rich with humor.

Tell me, why did I hire these two people again?

I wipe my mouth with the napkin, throw it onto the table, and stand up. "I can assure you that I'm physically fit to work and that my organs are still intact and functioning properly."

"I hate to break it to you, but," Ashton pauses, staring at me with amusement. "There's definitely one organ in your body that needs intensive care by we-know-who, and it's very crucial, since it pumps your blood through the blood vessels of your circulatory system."

I stare at Ashton like he's crazy.

"I'm talking about your heart," he concludes.

"What the fuck is wrong with my heart?" I bark, walking out of the dining room.

Ashton chuckles behind me. The next thing I hear is him talking on the phone, "Mrs. Rogers." It's my secretary. "He will be there today, but I have to warn you about one thing." Pause. "No, he's physically fine, but he's just in a very bad mood right now."

I stride toward my room to get the files I left on my desk before going to work. To say that Ashton and Ian annoy me is an understatement.

Nothing is wrong with my heart. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it.

When I enter my room, I find a maid about to make my bed. My eyes widen. "What the hell are you doing?"

My voice is so loud that she jumps.

Shock and horror skate all over her face as she finds me glaring at her. I feel guilty that I scare her, but what she's about to do to my bed makes my heart race.

"Mr. Klein." Her voice is shaking. "I was just about to make your bed as usual. I will change the sheets and arrange the bedspread--"

"Do not change the sheets," I hiss, cutting her off.

The maid gulps. She just freezes there, not knowing what to do.

"Out," I order, and she flees in no time.

I sigh, looking down. I run my fingers through my hair.

Maybe Ashton and Ian are right. Something is wrong with me. I'm definitely not fine.

Even though I know that they're enjoying this change in me, I know what I feel about this.

Horrible.

This will only turn messy and disastrous. The ugliest thing is about to happen. Because I know who I am.

I'm not the same person anymore, no matter how much the people around me want me to be.

I sit on my bed, gripping the sheet. I let my body collapse on the mattress with my face buried in it. I take a deep breath.

It smells like lavender... honey... and coconut...?

It smells so much like her.

The sweet scent reminds me of Nevaeh, and that's why I don't want the sheets changed.

I still want to feel her here. Maybe it will help me ease this feeling while she's away.

Fuck. I'm totally fucked up. I know what this feeling is, but I'm too scared to admit it.

It's fucking hard to admit that I miss her.

It's the seventh day. Finally. Today is the day when Nevaeh will come home.

I've been spending the last few days trying to distract my mind, and work has always been the best option. The distraction works, except for today.

I'm in a meeting with my subordinates, but I can't stop glancing at my watch. It's only 10 in the morning. Shit.

Why the heck is time moving so slow today?

The Vice President of Legal explains to me about a clause in our future agreement, but I can hardly care.

I check my phone again to find my latest conversation with Nevaeh. She hasn't sent me any new text, which means that she hasn't arrived.

Me: Let me know once you land in Seattle.

An hour passes without her reply. I know that she's on the plane, but I plan to ask her to grab lunch together. Fucking last minute, I know. I was planning to wait until office hour ends to see her, but I just... can't.

Nevaeh: Just landed! :)

I immediately straighten up on my chair, which makes the person giving the presentation pause.

"Sir? Do you have any questions?"

I shake my head. "No. Please continue."

While she continues with the presentation, I shoot Nevaeh a text.

Me: Lunch together?

Nevaeh: Sure

Nevaeh: I'm quite hungry...

"Good," I mumble, making the presenter pause again.

When I look up, I notice that my employees are all staring at me.

I clear my throat. "I'm saying that the graph represents the latest demand very well. Good."

The presenter smiles from ear to ear, while I shift my attention back to my phone.

Me: My driver, Sam, will drive you to my office. We'll go together.

Nevaeh: I don't mind taking a cab to your office.

Nevaeh: Wait, Maya just told me that she would give me a ride.

Me: Sam is already standing by in the airport. He'll pick you up in the lobby.

Nevaeh: Oh Ok.

I sigh. My eyes dart on the presentation, only to return to my phone again as soon as Nevaeh sends me another text.

Nevaeh: Are you sure that it's okay if I go there?

Nevaeh: I'm afraid that someone will see.

I know what makes her worried, but she shouldn't be. My family is not here right now, and nobody would recognize her except Luna and Max. She can just come to my office as a guest.

Me: It will be okay. Don't worry.

I spend the next minutes in my office speeding up the presentation and going through the important parts only. This meeting better be finished when Nevaeh arrives.

When my secretary walks into the room, I shoot up to my feet. This startles everyone.

"She's here," Mrs. Rogers informs me with so much excitement. She sounds giddy, and she has the biggest smile on her face. I've never seen her so happy.

When she remembers that we have audiences, she quickly clears her throat.

"I believe that we have ended today's discussion. I expect the report to be ready by the end of this week," I announce to my subordinates, and they nod in understanding.

After they exit the room behind Mrs. Rogers, I sigh. I straighten my suit.

My heart pounds against my ribcage because of the anticipation building inside me. I'm going to see Nevaeh again.

Fuck. I feel like a teenager. I really do.

I've been numb for two years, and when these feelings come back, they attack me full force, like I'm experiencing everything for the first time again.

I know that I should stop this, that I don't want this to happen, so what the hell am I doing?

Nevaeh slowly walks into my office. She travels her gaze around the room, biting her lip. I can tell that she's uncomfortable, because everything about her is in contrast with the surrounding.

Nevaeh wears an outfit that's far from formal -- a simple white t-shirt, a blue floral midi skirt, and white sneakers. Her wavy blonde hair falls naturally against her shoulders and back, while her sunkissed skin shows that she just came back from a vacation.

In this cold and intimidating room, she's everything bright and lively.

"Hi," I greet her as soon as her gaze meets mine.

Hi?

What in the holy mother of fuck did I just say?

"Um...hi," Nevaeh greets me back. She looks shy, and I wonder what's going on in her mind. "I feel... um... I feel that I'm so out of place."

You look perfect.

"Are you ready for lunch?" I ask.

She nods, giving me a cheerful smile.