A Distant Memory

Chapter 25 - Silent treatment

That night was absolutely mind blowing, we cut the sexual tension but I don't think that it ever went away. He was sweet the whole night, careful to not force anything on me and caring for me. He was rough and soft at the same time. It was something I never thought that I would experience again.

But it was unprofessional, something that I swore I wouldn't let happen. That spoke low of me as a business woman and I'm keeping my distance from him. I gave him the week off, what happened - despite how perfect it was - should never, ever happen again.

And it didn't. 

I stopped replying to his texts, I never answered his calls and I told everyone I knew to not give him any information about me or the situation. Two times I had gone to the secret beach, both times he was there. 

So what did I do? I turned around and left. He never saw me.

When Rose hung out with Eve, I always sent my dad, my ex parents-in-law or my close friends to pick her up. Despite the fact that I ached for him, this was the way that it was supposed to be.

Distance is what we need for our relationship to become solely professional.

"You're way to stressed, Li. Is it about Mr. Handsome?" Maria was seating next to me. We were in my office on the couches, talking.

"I just- me and Anderson... we shouldn't- our relationship has to be solely professional"

"You're so fucking dumb" Maria shook her head with a grin on her face, she took a sip of her coffee. "What?" I chuckled. A beat went by.

"Your relationship was never 'solely professional'" 

"Yes, it was and it is"

Maria just full on bursted out laughing, she was clutching her stomach and gasping for air, I stared at her with shock with my arms crossed.

Something about Maria? her laugh is very contagious. I slowly felt myself cracking a small smile which turned to a light giggle, which turned to a chuckle which turned into a full-on fit of laughter. I had to put my mug down or else I would stain the couch.

"I've never met anyone as oblivious as you" she was wheezing, our laughter was dying down. I shot her a questioning look, awaiting an answer.

"You've denied it since day one, but I can tell. You get fidgety and you can't do basic tasks when he's near. I'm not blind, Olivia"

"Thank you for your observation, Ria. But I won't act on any... urges I have. It's not ethical of me"

Maria chuckled and shook her head, "c'mon let's go, Ki and Amelia are waiting for us" 

Me and the girls had planned a shopping day. We would go to the mall, the movies, have lunch at the food court and whatnot. A fun activity that we wanted to do for awhile now.

"On Monday Anderson's week off will be over, how will you avoid him then?" 

"I'll see" I shrugged my shoulders, we had reached the elevator. "It's easier to ghost him when you don't do it to his face" she said as we exited the building. Both of us waved at Jessica and got into a car that was waiting for us. "What do you mean?" I asked, putting my seatbelt on, she did the same.

"That once that you have him in front of you, you won't be able to ignore him"

"You don't know how stubborn I can be" I chuckled, "I don't think that even that will be enough, Li"

-

I went alone to the bathroom during the movie, I had been holding it in for a while and I was scared that if I held it in for just a minute longer, my bladder would burst. Not to mention that I had my period, I needed to change my tampon ASAP.

I was a step away from bathroom, pure bliss. A pair of strong hands held me by the waist and took me to the janitors closet, took me away from my heaven. The man was quick with his actions and pinned me against the door. "Hey, let me go!" I almost yelled, I could not see his face but he covered my mouth. "I have to pee, do you want me to throw my used tampon at you?!" My words came out muffled. Then he chuckled, a chuckle that I knew very well.

"Rowan, we can't skip class. Especially for this" Row had grabbed me by the waist and pulled me into the janitors closet.

"You were gorgeous yesterday. I can not believe that you... are all... mine" he pinned me against the door, I rested my arms on his shoulders. "You weren't too bad yourself" I chuckled, he bit his lip and words simply could not describe how that made me melt.

"How did I get so lucky?" his touch was sending shivers to all parts of my body, fireworks were erupting within me and air was stuck in my throat.

"I guess we'll never know" I said sarcastically, he observed my lips and then my eyes. Those sharp, blue eyes staring at the depths of my soul, all the good and the bad. 

"Why are you avoiding me, Olivia?" Anderson asked, he was mad. He had moved his hand away from my mouth, "Why did you beat that man up?"

"Answer me." he demanded, and it was hot. "I'll answer if you answer first"

"He was touching you, it didn't seem consensual" he said in a low tone, "You essentially disfigured him"

"he was touching you" those words made my heart flutter, "I-" I started, but I had no intention in finishing.

"Answer my question, Oli. Why are you avoiding me?" he asked, furious, and in some deep part of him, scared that he did anything wrong. I don'y know why I knew that last part but I did. Either way, it was total bullshit 'cause he was a fucking sweetheart that night.

"You already know" I stood my ground, I tried to free myself from his grip and failed. "This is wrong, Anderson." I stated. "If it's so wrong, then why does it feel so... right?" he asked, my heart skipped a beat, this man was so sweet. 

"It doesn't matter how it feels" I muttered. "Then what matters, Olivia? Because there is no fucking sense in that" he ran a hand over his hair and chuckled sarcastically. "What can happen and what can not happen" 

"Jesus christ" he sighed.

"As amazing that night was, it was a one time thing. You're my intern and I'm your boss." I was about to reach for the doorknob when his firm grip on my wrist stopped me. "I didn't do anything wrong?" he asked, in disbelief. I wanted to grab his pretty face and kiss him, but I couldn't. Mentally and physically I wanted to but... It wasn't right.

"Of course not, Marko" And with that I left.

I didn't want to leave. I did leave because if I didn't, god forbid what would happen. I can be stubborn, but not against things I desire with such power.