Our Cruel Hearts

Chapter Fourteen

I have barely gotten through the past couple of days, Meera came by that night I spoke to Luca and knew something was wrong. She made me mac and cheese and spent the night with me. For the past few days she has brought me food every night, and also took away all my alcohol sadly. She said I haven't been taking care of my body and I'll get it back when I recover. I genuinely think I would've ended up in hospital if it wasn't for Meera checking on me everyday. I don't really know what I did to deserve her, but for whatever reason, she's stuck around and I have grown a deep appreciation for her.

This morning though I feel like I've finally processed the emotions from that night, like I've finally cooled down. A cool breeze blows in through the window and dries the beads of sweat at my forehead. I've just come from the staff gym and I'm making myself an iced matcha latte - bless Meera for introducing me to this heavenly drink. I just finished a two hour workout and feel rejuvenated. The office buzzes with conversations this Friday morning, a couple people having breakfast on the balcony and a couple others trying to grind out work. For once the gym wasn't deserted.

I finish my matcha and lean against the counter to watch everyone when I notice Liam approaching me in the corner of my eye, I sigh. Liam has kept trying his luck with me in meetings and during work hours, and I've just tried to let his words be like water over stone, not allowing him to anger me has proved to be harder than expected when he yaps like a damned teenage boy.

"What do you want, spawn of satan?" I turn to him before he's even reached me, no doubt a scowl plastered on my face.

"Nothing to do with you, but Griffin is requesting you in his office for some reason, maybe you're not all that useless." He smirks, his thick eyebrows narrowing and disgust lines his voice.

I roll my eyes, "Grow up dipshit," I say, grabbing my matcha and walking past him to Griffin's office. He hits my shoulder with his as I pass him and I swear I nearly swing on him but just carry on walking to maintain my dignity, or whatever remains of it.

"Ayla, good morning," Griffin says as I stand at the door to his office and suddenly I'm hyper aware of my clothing - a sports bra and leggings.

"Please come in," he says, and I'm not really sure how to behave, we haven't seen each other since he showed up to my apartment drunk. He slept on my couch that night but he was gone when I woke up. I'd heard from Meera that he had to take a last minute business trip, which I was unaware of. I should've been the first person he had told, as his assistant but I can't and won't hold it against him though, we're both desperately trying to get used to this assistant thing. As I walk in I scan the room, his office couldn't be more different from his fathers office. He has burgundy walls with a black desk in the middle of the room, a black bookshelf next to it, black chairs, a black chandelier, a black carpet. You get the just, a very modern office.

"Morning, Mr Marbroi. Good to see you back safely" I say as I take a seat on one of the chairs.

"Griffin," He corrects me, "And I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye Ayla, it was a last minute business trip my father called me about in the morning." Griffin's eyes soften as he speaks, he looks alive and rejuvenated and I've missed his face, as punchable as it is.

I don't respond and just narrow my eyes at him and I think he figures it out, finally, "Ah shit, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you about it." He pauses, his eyebrows twitching as he takes me in, head to toe. His full lips part and he swallows, bringing his eyes up to mine.

"It's fine, I just, I think as your assistant it might help if I had your calendar?" I say, "So I can, you know? Do my assistant duties." Assistant duties? What the hell Ayla? I'm overcome with awkwardness and I feel my cheeks flush red, I allow my eyes to float down, anywhere away from his. Immediately I realise it's a bad idea when I notice his hands toying with a pen on his desk, how does one human have such attractive hands? I force myself to meet his gaze again as he speaks.

"Isn't that a little creepy? Wanting to keep tabs on me Reyes?" He says, the corners of his lips curling up into a smirk. The way my last name rolls off his tongue lets off a warmth in my chest.

"Just doing my job, golden boy," I smile innocently.

"Well, that can be arranged." He says, "And I think we've gotta work on a better nickname there, I haven't really been doing a good job at upholding that golden image recently," He purses his lips, a rasp in his voice and something more behind those words, I wonder for a moment, how things are going with his father.

"Not happening, I've committed to the bit now," I say with a small chuckle, he just smiles at me, "Is that all today, Griffin?" I ask, because if he had a point to calling me here, beyond just staring at me I'm sure he would've gotten to it by now.

"No I actually wanted to ask you something," Griffin says as he stands from his chair, walks to the front of the desk and leans against it.

"Mhm?" I mumble.

"Train with me in the mornings, I see you in the gym all the time," He lifts a glass of whiskey from his desk and takes a sip.

"And I'm creepy for wanting your calendar?" A laugh bubbles up my throat. And there's a beat of silence as Griffin waits for my answer. Being close to him, hot and flustered, would be the worst idea possible. One I'd love to immerse myself in but it wouldn't end well for either of us. I'm not sure if Griffin feels what I do when we're together but close proximity like that would be a horrible idea.

"And no, I'd rather not train with you." I say, his eyebrows furrowing slightly at my answer, "I get quite enough of you here at the office," I add and he chuckles, a devilish grin on his face. "Now would that be all, golden boy?" I ask.

The corner of Griffin's mouth twitches, like he's suppressing another smirk, "Yes ma'am you're free to go," He says and I stand to leave when he asks, "Also, why aren't you getting ready yet?"

I turn, pure confusion on my face, "Getting ready? What for?"

He smirks at me, "Check the calendar," He says, quickly tapping something on his phone when I get a notification that I've been added to his calendar. I look up to him, his eyes drawing me in like they always do. He winks and oh, I need to leave before I cross the room and climb him like a tree. I turn to leave, checking the calendar as I walk.

A charity ball, there's a ball tonight. And I'm going with Griffin.

I had to leave you guys with one last treat before my break so here we are! I'll see you guys back here later this month <3