The chains of the past that bond us

Chapter 3: I will wait for you

As I sit at my desk, I rub my head to ease the throbbing headache, staring blankly at my cup of coffee. God, I'm an idiot! This man planned on leaving me without even trying to fight for us. Then he had the audacity to want me to be his side chick while he has a wife and child with someone else. And finally, we almost ended up fucking at Chloe's dinner!

I completely lost control of the situation. I banged my head on my desk out of frustration and I wallowed in shame. That's it! I can never see that man again. No, I won't see him again. I refuse to let him back into my life. Suddenly, a knock at the door jolts me back to reality, and I see Adele standing there with her usual efficient demeanor.

"Hello, Alessandria. Your two o'clock appointment is here."

My two o'clock, huh? Adele had contacted me this morning about an important investor opportunity and that they specifically wanted to meet this morning. I only need one more investor, and then I can launch my app across New York and expand to my hometown in California. This is also a perfect opportunity to get my mind off Cole. But as I stand to greet the investor, I freeze when I see Cole close the door behind him. You've got to be fucking kidding me.

"Good morning, it's good to see you again, Alessandria," He says, extending his hand with that infuriatingly confident smile.

I slap his hand away, my eyes narrowing in anger. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Ouch. How rude. Is this how you greet all your potential investors?" He gives me that smug grin, his eyes glinting with amusement.

This cocky bastard! How dare he come in here and act like he owns the place! When I looked over at the window, I noticed everyone in the office staring at us. I need to do something, or else people will start suspecting things and spreading rumors.

"No, actually, I don't. I only greet selfish, entitled boys who march into my office like they own the place this way. Now tell me, Cole, what do you want?" I growled as I forced a fake smile towards him.

He grins again, taking a seat in my office chair and crossing his legs like a king on his throne. Cocky fucking prick.

"Princess, what makes you think I didn't come here to invest in your company? I did say at Chloe's dinner last night that my advisors have been trying to get me to invest in you for a long time."

I clench my fists, my face burning with anger. "Bullshit! Tell me one reason why you want to invest in my company, huh? I bet you don't even know the first thing about it." I stand up, slamming my hands on the desk.

"I wouldn't be so loud, Alessandria, or your team will think there's something wrong." He leans back, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

"Besides, your company is remarkable, Alessandria. You give men and women a chance to have someone to bring to important events or even to make someone jealous." His eyes narrow suspiciously.

"Your concept is almost like you've assessed your own company for personal use. Like last night with that boy, you were with?"

I let out a derisive laugh, deciding to play along with his little game. "Boy? Oh no, Cole, you've got it all wrong. That man doesn't work for my company; that's my boyfriend, Liam. Unlike some boys I know, he actually takes care of business and makes sure I am supported and loved."

Cole suddenly stands, slamming his hands on the desk, his gaze intense. "Is that so, princess? So, he satisfies you, then?" He said as he uses my pen to point at the buttons on my satin rose-gold shirt. My face became flustered as I shove him away, opening the door.

"Thank you for your time, Mr. Cole. I will deeply consider your offer to invest in my company. Please have a wonderful rest of your day."

In other words, fuck off and get the hell out of my office. I force another fake smile as he grabs my hand and kisses it.