Chapter 365
ALEXANDER
The phone was pressed to my ear, and my other hand traced the edge of the conference notes I had spread out before me.
It was one of those long, dry discussions about quarterly projections, supply chain issues, and the endless demands of running the company. I was already exhausted.
understand. No, I don’t think that’s feasible given the current production schedule. I can authorize a
but we’ll need to adjust timelines
stand. Thank you.”
ng up, setting the phone de
She was perched in one
compulsive way she
wasn’t much differ
I leaned back
suspicion
Her
rdingly. Absolutely, I’ll follow up with the team… yes, I
bing my eyes. That’s when I turned my attention to Faye.
er fingers working at her nails in that nervous, almost
e was thinking–or when she was trying not to think, which
her. “Hey,” I said, trying to keep my tone light, though I had the faint al energy.
nto me with those sharp, expressive eyes of hers. “Be honest with me,” she ng through the calm of the office, “do you think I have anger issues?”
sues? Faye? Of all people, it s
Was this about the convers
from?” I asked gently, leanin
mped a little in her chair, he
ice low but rushed, like sh
breakfast this morning.
posed to follow, but
ort laugh escap
lways seem
been me, if anyone. My mind ran
ast night? Something at the house?
hing at her nails. “I yelled at Martha,” she out everything before I could interrupt. the menu. The same menu I designed, ot upset. And I was acting crazy.”
It wasn’t loud or mocking, just that instinctive started rambling in her earnest, almost frantic
not slightly. She didn’t like it when I laughed at her
careful with my timing. “Wait–don’t laugh,” she said
d frustration. “I’m serious, Alexander.”
derstood. “I am taking you seriously,” I said, suppressing the
it’s kind of funny, in a harmless way. But I get it, I do. Go on.”
Hook that could have melted steel. “It’s not funny,” she said, her
Chapter 365
+25 Points
voice now a little louder, “and I don’t know why I even got so worked up about it. Martha did exactly what
she was supposed to do, and it’s… it’s ridiculous that I let it get to me like that.”
I leaned back in my chair, letting my gaze settle on her. “Babe, listen. It’s nothing to stress over,” I said
calmly, though I could see that she wasn’t entirely convinced. “Martha’s domestic staff. If she made a
mistake or didn’t check with you first, there’s nothing wrong with setting her straight. You’re Luna–this is
your space. Your decisions matter. She’s not going to take it personally if you correct her.”
Faye’s eyes narrowed slightly. She tilted her head, as if I was missing the point entirely. “You don’t get it,”
she said, a little more softly now, almost a whisper. “It’s not just that I told her. It’s… it’s how I reacted. I got
… angry. I ra y voice. I interrupted her, and then I yelled–literally yelled at her. Over breakfast. Over
someth
She
omething she didn’t even
ands gripping the a
he way her postur
nraveling a little
rong. And I can’t… I can’t remember the last time I-”
hair as if holding herself steady. I could see the tension
I realized she wasn’t just talking about the incident
e, over something that objectively shouldn’t have
tarted gently, w
s fine. Really. If
re about thing
gave a shor
e, letting
bice quie
minor th
I lean
That
St
ross and touch her arm, but I let my hands stay where they
t’s just Martha. You’re not an angry person. You’re passionate. That’s not the same as having anger issues
ke she didn’t quite believe me, and then h
ion. “I guess… I just don’t like that I reac
ed to be calm, composed, rational. I’m
tening. “Listen, you’re allowed to fee
ferent person. It doesn’t make you
he was trying to let my words s lightly fiddling with her nails
wn–out sound that seen
bed a
mitted, her
Glode over
to be frustrated.
ut things. That’s all.”
hing, just sat there for a
frustration and
g, she slum
f her restless energy, her body
ontemplative stillness I loved seeing in
arched her. There was something about the way
reflective that made me smile softly.
ough I didn’t expect a full answer. Sometimes just being
ine, before she looked away again, exhaling softly, “T
LUCK DRAW >
Vote
rection, repetition–that made everything else essing. Just action and response.
One pair to another, catching the small things.
y against his shoulder. “Relax this,” I said. ”
e it out on his own.
ncoordinated.
ou’re training. Slow it down.”
jore controlled.
em settle into the pace I wanted.
stepped in instinctively, catching his
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
