As soon as I walked into Orchard & Co, there was nothing but happy faces and calm chatter. I raised my eyebrows confused as I took a glance around.

"Good morning Ms. Brown" the receptionist said with a smile. I gave a smile with a wave as I made my way to my desk. Everyone seemed chill and actually enjoying themselves.

"Wow you look really good today, I've been meaning to ask where you get your business attire" one of the other agents asked as she spun her chair towards me.

"Mainly online or my bestfriend" perks of having a friend who creates clothes. My closet is piled with pieces she made just for me.

"Dang a personal stylist, would you mind sliding me her number"

"Oh um sure" I dug in my purse looking for her business card. "Did I miss something, the atmosphere—seems more lively"

"Because the witch is sick" Nia said doing a little shimmy. I passed the card to the girl before turning my attention to Nia.

"Shes worked while being sick before"

"I'm not talking common cold, like she couldn't even get out of bed so Peyton is in charge for the time being" I dropped my mouth surprised. As much as I don't like the woman, I still hoped she got better.

"Her assistant Peyton?"

"ENNESSEY" I glanced up looking at a flustered Peyton who was rushing towards me. "Oh thank god you're here"

"You okay boo?" Nia asked concerned. Peyton pushed her clammy hair out of her face as she clicked around on her iPad.

"Do I look okay? Willow just decides to put me in charge like Im capable of running a whole business. Like there isn't qualified designers who can do this way better than me" her phone started ringing as she quickly answered. "Hold please"

"Okay take a deep breath, what do you need?" I asked as she took a couple deep breaths. Nia grabbed her phone and walked off to talk to whoever was holding on the line.

"Willow has appearances on talk shows she was suppose to attend this week and she wants me to go in her place. Then some of her clients are finalizing their deals but I never closed one in my life." She rambled quickly as she shuffled through the large folder in her hand

"I can get you prepared for the talk show and I'll help with the closings, okay?" She shook her head.

"I was hoping you would go in my place, you're way more easy going than I am. I mean look at me, I'm all over the place" I mean she wasn't lying. Her strawberry blonde hair was oily and pulled into a ponytail. Her dress has a few wrinkles and I assume a coffee stain. She was frazzled for sure.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea. You know Willow would choose me last out of everyone here"

"She would never admit this but she is jealous of how qualified you are for this career. It took almost a decade for her to get recognized and it only took you a week. Rather she likes it or not, you're the best candidate to go on the talk show"

"Okay okay, I'll do it" she smiled big as she went to hug me but her papers tried to slip out of her hand.

"Sorry, meet in the office in five and we can start the closing paperwork" I nodded as she rushed off in another direction. I peeked down at my watch as I quickly my purse and keys and stepped out. Time to meet my new client.

❀  ❀  ❀

"I'm so excited" my client said with a smile. We had just went the plan I designed for her basement remodel. She was ready for some updates and turning it into a women's cave since the recent divorce with her husband. I thought the idea sounded great. We both were piggybacking ideas of what she wanted in here and the color scheme. She still wanted the extra bedroom but making one of the books into a bar.

"I'm sending the finalized details to your email. Just go through and pick some of the pieces you like and then we'll go from there" I said as I tapped on my iPad then pressing send.

"Wow this is going to be amazing. Thank you so much ennessey" I smiled.

"Of course, I can't wait to get this started for you. Maybe I'll be invited to the next girls night" she laughed.

"Girl you're always invited after this. My place about to be the new hot spot" I chuckled as I sent a wave.

"Take care" I hopped into my car and was prepared to leave when I got an incoming call from my mother. I groaned leaning my head back before accepting.

"Hi mommy"

"Hi baby, what are you up to?"

"Just finished up with a client, about to head to office"

"Oh okay" it grew silent. "What is this I hear about Saige having a fiancé"

I sighed lowly forgetting how invested my mother is in drama. It wouldn't be long until she saw those pictures surfacing. There was pictures of the both of us on the yacht then a few of me talking with his fiancé—or whatever she is to him. Not once did I see paparazzi or a camera since his bodyguard was covering us at all times. Meaning her and that friend of hers leaked those photos.

"It's nothing mom"

"Are you sure, there's videos and everything floating around with the two of them and she is proudly wearing that huge rock" I winced remembering the videos she kept pushing in my face.

"Don't believe everything you see on the internet" I muttered as I pulled into the office parking lot.

"Is he cheating on you honey? Do I need to send your grandpa up there" I let out a chuckle as she followed suit. My first ever boyfriend back in high school cheated on me with one of my teammates and when my papa found out, that boy was shaking in his boots.

"No he isn't. Look I have to get back to work, can I call you later?"

"Of course, I love you"

"Love you to mommy" I hung up the phone as soon as I opened the door. Frazzled Peyton came running towards me. Whew this was going to be a long work week.

I walked the steps to the 2nd floor as I approached the door on the far right side. I knocked a couple of times as I slipped my hands into my suit pants. I heard the lock shift as I was met with her face that slowly dropped its smile.

"Why are you here?" she asked keeping the door cracked.

"It's been a week, I think it times we talk about why you avoided me"

"I can't talk right now" I cut my eyes as I looked past her as she tried to keep the door cracked.

"You got company?" I asked. She glared at me for a moment longer before attempting to close the door. I thought back to what Silas said: I'm not loosing my girl to a lame nigga.

"Saige" she sighed as I gently pushed her out of the way. Just like I expected there sat her ex on the couch eating food. He turned around as our eyes connected than it slipped towards Ennessey.

"What he doing here?"

"To kick you out, leave" I said crossing my arms staring at him.

"Saige can we not"

"Nah I'm not about to let you go back to this boring ass dude, so bounce nigga" I mugged him as he got closer.

"And you think she want your cheating ass, please" he scoffed as a laugh escaped. I was 2.5 seconds away from loosing the professional demeanor and letting my fist take over.

"Liam um"— she sighed pressing her fingers on the bridge of her nose— "I think it's best if you go, please"

He glanced at her before back at me then snatching his jacket up. "Whatever" the door closed behind us abruptly as she went to lock it.

"It better be a..." my lips crashed on hers stopping the sentence. My hands grabbed her thighs picking her up as I walked in the direction of her room.

"Wait what are we—we shouldn't" she fumbled as she bit her lip slightly keeping her gaze on me. I sat her on the bed as I stood up to unbutton my shirt.

"Do you like when I chase you?" I questioned as I took my cufflinks out. She took deep breaths as she watched me intently.

"Hmph, why do you keep running away from me" I continued as I grabbed her leg to pull her to the edge of the bed.

"Why didn't you tell me about her?" She finally asked. I kissed the top of her foot as I let my hand trail down her thigh.

"You don't understand how badly I've been wanting you, to finally take it there and then I find out you're engaged" I pushed her long shirt up and slipped her panties off.

"Was" I corrected her. "I was engaged and that shipped sailed a long ass time ago. My only focus is you and our relationship"

"I'm not sure—oh my" she moaned as I pushed inside of her. After seeing her with him, I wanted to remind her that I wasn't going anywhere. She was the only one I wanted.

"Don't run from me Cece, we gotta communicate" I groaned as I pushed her legs up.

❀  ❀  ❀

"Maybe I'm easy" she muttered tracing circles on my stomach. I let out a laugh which caused her to softly smack my chest. "It's not funny"

"To be serious, I wasn't sure how to bring up my ex, she changed my perspective on a lot of things" she stopped tracing circles.

"What do you mean" my thumb caressed her thigh as I thought of the whole situation.

"I was naive as hell when I first started working in the company. One of my father's business partners had a daughter and she was consequently the same age as me. We had kicked it off immediately and made it official.

"She was a very persuasive woman and at the time I was easy to manipulate. I just wanted to impress not only my father but hers as well. I would've gave up everything to just make her happy"

"What happened?" She questioned. I looked down at her pondering eyes.

"She changed my perspective on woman. It's why I'm skeptical on letting people in as easily because I fear they want me mainly for what I can provide them financially"

"—after we got engaged, I was a fool to let her be apart of the business accounts as well as my personal. Over the course of a year she was slowly draining my pockets without me noticing. Not until my father found out" I closed my eyes sighing. Till this day he blames me for allowing a woman to scam me the way she did.

"Both her and her father were money hungry and would do anything in their power to gain more funds. My father was his best friend but wasn't allowed to be a co-owner to any accounts. That's when he started bringing his daughter around"

"Saige" she muttered.

"Since our relationship was in the public and for the sake of our reputation. I couldn't let what she did get out to everyone. When our wedding day came, I left her at the altar. From then I was considered the asshole just like his father. The guy who cares more about his job than anything else."

"You should've told me"

"I know and I regret not doing so. I didn't mean to blindside you. I thought if I kept the whole relationship swept under the rug than maybe I could proceed on with my life" I shifted my body so I could see her face.

"That engagement was over four years ago, she thinks one day I might take her back and that's why she came to Miami. She saw the opportunity to run you away from me"

"I'm sorry" she mumbled.

"Don't apologize, I'm just not use to being open about things in my past" she nodded.

"Can you make me a promise. That we don't keep anything from each other no more. I want this relationship to start off on honesty"

"You have my word" I kissed the back of her hand. "So why you had your ex over?"

"Honestly I think it was my way to distract me from what was happening between us."

"Well can you promise me something" I asked. She nodded.

"Stop running away when things get tough for us. Just follow your heart"
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~BR££