THE PAIN YOU GIVE

CHAPTER 4-Echoes of Doubt

Chrissy's thoughts swirled like a tempest in her mind as she paced her office floor. Memories of the beach with Jason flooded her senses, each moment etched vividly in her memory. The cool breeze, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore, and that unforgettable kiss-all of it replayed like a scene from a movie.

But amidst the waves of nostalgia, a pang of confusion and self-doubt emerged. "How am I falling for him like this?" she whispered to herself, disbelief coloring her words. Chrissy knew herself well-or at least, she thought she did. Falling for someone like Jason seemed out of character, especially considering his reputation as a total jerk.

As she continued to pace, her frustration bubbled over, finding release in an exasperated exclamation. "What am I going to do now?" she cried out, her hand meeting her forehead in a frustrated facepalm. The realization of her feelings clashed with her understanding of who she was, creating a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

Lost in her inner turmoil, Chrissy failed to notice her subordinate lingering at the entrance, silently observing the scene unfolding within. Chrissy's heart skipped a beat as she heard her subordinate s voice, causing her to flinch in surprise. "Um, madam," Eunice called out, her tone apologetic. Chrissy let out a startled laugh, rubbing her temples. "You scared the ghost out of me, Eunice," she admitted, shaking her head. "I guess you didn't hear me knock on the door," Eunice replied, her own voice laced with regret.

Chrissy sighed, waving off the apology. "It's alright," she assured her, sinking into her chair with a heavy heart. Eunice's concern was palpable as she spoke up again. "If I may," she began tentatively, "I don't need to pry, but I heard everything you said before I startled you. I know it's not easy, boss," she offered sympathetically.

Nodding, Chrissy acknowledged the truth in Eunice's words. "I'm scared now, Eunice," she confessed softly, her voice tinged with sadness. "I don't like his attitude, but I'm already falling for him," she admitted, the weight of her emotions evident in her words.

Eunice listened attentively before offering her perspective. "But isn't that a good thing?" she asked gently. "It's better than marrying him and not falling for him," she pointed out, her wisdom shining through.

Chrissy nodded in agreement, a glimmer of relief flickering in her eyes. "Yeah, you're right," she conceded. "But I wonder if he loves me back," she mused, her doubts resurfacing. "He just said he wants to love me and he wants this to work."

Eunice's response was swift and reassuring. "See, he's ready to love you too," she reassured Chrissy, her voice filled with confidence. Chrissy felt a weight lift off her shoulders at Eunice's words. "Yeah, he is," she agreed, a small smile playing at her lips. "I guess I'm overthinking again," she chuckled softly, grateful for her support.

Their conversation was interrupted by Eunice's reminder of the impending meeting. "Anyway, we have a meeting at one with the board of directors," Eunice reminded her, already on her way out of the office. "Alright, I'll be there," Chrissy confirmed, watching her leave.

Alone once more, Chrissy turned her chair to face the long glass window, gazing out at the world beyond. "Well, what do you know, time could tell," she murmured to herself, a sense of anticipation tingling in the air.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed, drawing her attention. With a quick glance, she saw the message sender. "It's Jason," she said aloud, curiosity piqued as she opened the message, eager to see what he had to say. As Chrissy read Jason's message, her heart fluttered with warmth and affection. His words painted a picture of their time together, each memory vivid and cherished. "Hello kitten...future husband here," the message began, immediately bringing a smile to Chrissy's lips. She felt a rush of happiness at the endearment, a glimpse into the intimacy they shared.