Navigating Hermes (Book Two)

Chapter Ten

Welcome back! Just a quick shameless plug on my end to check out the published version of Apollo's Prophecy if you want to support my writing in a monetary way, but you can also leave a review on Goodreads (all linked in my bio) with your honest thoughts about the book, which is free and helps bring more attention to the book. Don't forget to share any thoughts you have on this chapter and vote if you enjoy! - Amy

~~~

     Julie tiptoed across the granite floors of the apartment, trying very hard not to wake Tom up. Or was it Tim? She carefully picked up her strappy heels and caught a glimpse of a key card hanging on the brass hooks. Fuck, his name is Todd. Julie successfully slipped out through Todd's ground-floor apartment and made her way onto the busy Auckland street.

     "Fuck, I'm going to be late," Julie swore as she fastened the buckles on her shoes. She was supposed to be at her father's main office in an hour and she was currently across town, wearing the prior night's clubbing dress and face of makeup. She requested a ride on her phone and a few minutes later she was sitting in the back of a car, majorly regretting how she'd spent her night.

     Almost two weeks had gone by since Julie ended her friends-with-benefits arrangement with Hermes. She'd finally stopped crying every day, but the fight was still fresh in her mind. It didn't help that Hermes had tried popping in a few times to talk to her, resulting in her yelling at him all over again.

     Julie sighed at the memory of Danika transporting her back to New Zealand just hours after the argument. She was grateful she didn't need to spend an entire twenty-four hours crying on a plane and at airports, but it sucked that she had to pretend that she was doing better than she really was, not wanting to ruin Danika's honeymoon. 

     "Are you sure you don't want me to stay with you, Julie? Danika asked, her voice heavily laced with concern.

     Julie waved her hands dismissively. "I don't even know why I'm crying. I'll be totally fine, believe me. Go enjoy your honeymoon." She put on a fake smile, holding back her tears. "I'll see you in a few weeks and you'll see how much better I'll be doing."

     Julie snorted, laughing at Danika's actions. After a long shower, Julie returned to her bedroom to find a lovely note from her best friend and ice-cream from her favourite fast-food chain sitting on her bedside table. Danika knew her well so the extra fudge and cookie-dough pieces were very much appreciated.

     "We're here, Miss," The driver announced, pulling Julie from her thoughts.

     "Sorry about that," Julie replied, sheepishly. She gave the driver a perfect score before running into her house to take a power shower. If I'm quick I'll only be a few minutes late.

     Julie pulled out of the driveway in Marcus' car in record time. She'd connected her phone to the bluetooth when the garage door was opening and already had the phone ringing to call Marcus.

     "What the fuck, Julie?" Marcus answered the phone, telling Julie that he'd gotten a notification about his car.

     "I'm sorry!" Julie laughed, keeping her eyes on the road as she sped down the road, but not quickly enough to get pulled over. "Your car was behind mine and you left the keys on the seat again. I didn't have time to switch spots."

     Marcus groaned. "Piss off," he said before hanging up.

     Julie frowned, feeling like something more was going on with Marcus than him having a migraine, but she pushed the thought away. She had to focus on getting to her father's office in time. She pulled into the parking lot, not caring that she was taking up two spots before she ran into the building, thankful that she wouldn't get a ticket since it was the company's private parking lot and her father was the boss.