Tangled in Temptation 18+

T W E N T Y-E I G H T-R A G E

Romeo didn't call. He didn't text. She spent her birthday alone and in misery. Zach didn't call either and he knew damn well it was her birthday. She tried not to cry too much. Panther even tried to comfort her by curling up in her lap and rubbing his head against her. Nothing helped.

She felt alone. Alone in this cold and unpredictable world. In that moment, she missed her parents, more than ever. She missed Cassie. She missed Zach. And, stupidly, she missed Romeo too.

The next day, she went to work. Surprisingly, Zach was there and he succeeded in avoiding eye contact with her.  She was hurt and confused. She knew he was upset about her not telling him about Romeo but, come on, it had been over a month. He needed to get over it and let her explain.

She was still mad at Romeo. The bastard didn't even bother to call. He didn't apologize or anything. How could he be so heartless?

She tried to avoid him that day at all costs, but he was her boss and she was his personal assistant. Of course, they had to communicate, and she had to give him that damn report.

Clutching the eighteenth page report in her hand, she walked into his office and threw the folder on his desk. She dared not to meet his gazing eyes. He studied her, thinking he fucked up. Bad. He didn't like the look on her face and he wanted to make it up to her. He knew her birthday was very important but his child was his main priority and he just wished she would understand that. It would make things easier.

She turned around to walk out and he stopped her with an authoritative tone, "Stop,"

Reluctantly, she paused, her back facing him. With a sigh, he stood up and slowly walked towards her. He stood behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. She flinched in response and his eyebrows curled in confusion. Was she afraid of him now?

"What do you want?" She forced out.

"Babe, please," He breathed out. He really wasn't in the mood to argue and they had been doing a lot of that recently.

"Don't babe me!" She scoffed, spinning around to take a good look at him.

She dashed him a nasty glare. If looks could kill, he'd surely be dead right now, "Why didn't you text me yesterday? You knew it was my birthday. You stood me up and you didn't even call!"

"I know I fucked up baby, and I'm so sorry. My son and I had gotten so carried away and he was having so much fun. I didn't have my phone most of the time,"

She glared at him evilly, "Fair enough. Why didn't you text me when you returned home then?"

"I...uh," He stuttered nervously. Her anger was really...frightening.

"Cat got your tongue?" She teased humorlessly.

He released a deep breath, "My...my wife was home."

Her heart fell. She pursed her lips as she stared at him. Wow, he didn't call because his wife was home. He really was just using her. She needed to get out. He didn't belong to her.

She swallowed.

"I think we should break up,"  She said bravely.

His eyes went wide, "No, no, no. We are not breaking up. Babe, you're overreacting. You didn't even text me either. Can't you please just understand—"

"Overreacting?!" She scoffed, "I'm overreacting?! Romeo, you say that I'm your girlfriend yet you stood me up on my birthday! You said that you didn't call me because your wife was home. How do you think that makes me feel?!"

How dare him? He was turning it all around on her.

"Hailey..." He breathed, his voice low.

"Please, Romeo. Just let me go. This isn't working out," She pleaded softly. 

"I can't..." He whispered in a raspy voice.

She stared at him blankly, as she tried to mask her emotions. She couldn't let him see how much he was hurting her. He didn't deserve her tears.

"Please, let's talk later. We both have to get back to work. Meet me after work in my car, please?" He said, trailing his finger over her soft lips.

She sighed, giving up and simply nodded.

"Good," He breathed and placed a quick kiss on her lips.

The rest of the day went rather slowly, much to her dismay. With each clicking of the clock, and with each passing second, her heart raced. She just wanted to get this whole thing over with. She wanted to walk away from this toxic relationship. He wasn't meant to be hers and she didn't know why he wanted to hold on to her.

After a long, dreadful wait, five o'clock finally struck and she slowly made her way out of her office. Her eyes landed on Zach who was conversing with another employee across the lobby. She nervously waved at him and he glared in response at her. She swallowed and continued walking towards the elevator. He was still mad at her. She sighed sadly as she stepped inside the lift. Could things get any worst?

Once she stepped outside of the lift, she made her way towards Romeo's car. Slowly, she hopped inside and avoided eye contact. The music was on and one of her favorite songs was playing — We're  not making love no more by Dru Hill.

The irony.

Without uttering a  word, Romeo drove off in the direction of his home, which meant one thing—his wife wasn't home.

She sighed as she stared out the window, silently humming the lyrics of the song. The song made her more depressed. Love songs had a way of making you feel worst. They made you feel even more hurt and heartbroken. She wanted to turn the stereo off but it was her favorite song. Plus, the tension in the air was too thick.

Soon, Romeo pulled up at his house and she released a tired breath.

Here goes nothing...