BREAK THE RULES

CHAPTER THREE

ISLA

"He just bought you a cup of tea." I hear on the other side of the phone. "It's not a big deal." I can tell Charles is already annoyed with me, but I can't help it.

"Yeah, but still. It's awkward." I sigh.

"Just go to your work as normal. Act normal. No drama. No nothing. Do you understand?"

"Ugh." I'm so mad at myself about this. I don't know why I'm like this. "Fine."

"Great!"

"But you know that it's all your fault? If you went with me, such a thing wouldn't happen."

"Isla, I'm hanging up on you."

"Don't you dare."

"You are waking me up at bloody seven a.m. all stressed out about a stupid drink from Starbucks, and now you're saying it's all my fault." He complains.

"Fine. I will keep my mouth shut."

"Thank you." I hear the relief in his voice. "Now." Something rustles. "Can I go back to sleep?"

"Okay, go. Whatever."

"You are absolutely amazing. Do you know it?" The sarcasm in his voice can be heard for a mile.

"Sleep well, Howard." I say and hang up.

Oh god. I hide my face in my hands. After a few seconds, I have to stand up and get dressed. I put the dishes after my breakfast in the dishwasher and leave the kitchen.

I show up at the office just in time. While preparing my folder for today, I see from the corner of my eye that Henry finishes his tea with milk while listening to a conversation in the room.

My phone beeps. I put it on silent immediately. It's a message from Charles.

Howard: Good luck, you little pain in the ass x

Me: It's not a big deal.

I don't know if I do drama because of this drink, or I'm just scared to face the smirking guy after yesterday. I still don't understand why I corrected him about not being married.

Howard: Exactly. Now say sorry to me.

Me: I beg your pardon?

Howard: I had a nightmare because of you.

Me: Now you know what I have to deal with every time I look at you xo.

"Good morning Henry." I greet him, putting a phone in my pocket.

"We will see if it's gonna be good." He says, smiling. "How are you?"

"I'm good, thank you. How are you?"

"I'm feeling a little bit tired today. I'm not gonna lie."

"I think it's because of the weather. It's been raining since yesterday."

We leave the office.

"Ahh. Maybe." He has a quick look through the hallway window. "Anyway. Do you have any questions for me so far?"

"I'm afraid that I don't."

"That's good, right?"

"I guess so."

We enter the hall. Two minutes later, Henry gets annoyed. He can't connect to the hall's projector.

"It's not the best start of the day, isn't it?" He sigh.