𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇 | 𝓙𝓪𝓿𝓲𝓮𝓻 𝓟𝓮𝓷𝓪 |

~ 18 ~

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆ ｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆ ｡･:*:

The morning sun filtered through the blinds of my office as I sat at my desk, trying to focus on the mountain of paperwork in front of me. Yesterday's events still swirled in my mind, making concentration difficult. I glanced at my phone, the memory of waking up at Javier's place vivid in my mind.

***
I woke up wrapped in Javier's arms, the warmth of his body making it hard to get out of bed. I slipped away quietly, heading to the shower. When I emerged, Javier was still in bed, his eyes following me as I crossed the room in my towel.

"You're really getting up this early on a Saturday?" he asked, his voice husky from sleep.

"I have to," I replied, rummaging through my bag for clean clothes. "I've got a lot of paperwork to catch up on, thanks to a certain someone." I shot him a teasing look.

He stretched lazily. "Let me guess...me?"

"Exactly," I said, slipping into my skirt and blouse. "I need to sort through some papers before Monday."

Javier propped himself up on one elbow, watching me intently. "Alright, but let me pick you up at least, we can do something afterwards."

"Fine," I agreed, unable to suppress a smile. "I'll text you when I'm ready."

***

Back in the present, I shook my head to clear the memory, focusing on the task at hand. Sarah and Mark were already in my office, discussing the new contracts.

"So, the French real estate agency seems quite promising," Sarah said, flipping through her notes. "They're looking for a comprehensive legal framework."

"Yeah, and the German agency is keen on establishing a long-term partnership," Mark added. "They've been expanding rapidly and are looking forward on stablishing a good relationship with the United States real state."

I nodded, listening carefully. "We need to ensure all their legal needs are covered. Let's prioritize-"

A text message notification interrupted me. I glanced at my phone and couldn't help but smile. Javier had sent a cheeky message: 'You left the thong you came to pick up'.

"What's got you smiling like that?" Mark asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's nothing," I said quickly, trying to steer the conversation back to work. "Let's focus on-"

Sarah leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "Oh, come on, Madison. Did you finally sleep with Javier?"

The three of us had been inseparable since the very first day. We joined the agency the same day, but I had way more experience than them, they had just finished their internship when they started here. So we were grouped together, and since then we've been sharing experiences forging a strong bond. We knew each other well, perhaps too well.

I tried to maintain a serious expression but failed miserably as their teasing faces broke my resolve. I laughed, nodding. "Okay, yes, I did. But it was just one night."

Mark and Sarah exchanged knowing glances before bursting into laughter. "We knew it!" Mark exclaimed.

"I really liked it," I admitted, feeling a bit vulnerable. "But I doubt Javier wants to repeat it."

Sarah smirked. "Show us the message. Prove he isn't crazy about you."

"No way," I said, shaking my head. Javier had sent me a photo of the thong I'd left at his place, a reminder of the passionate night we'd shared.

"Come on, Madison," Mark pressed, "we're just curious."

"We should be talking about work," I insisted, trying to change the subject. "Besides, this is a ridiculous conversation to have at the office."

Sarah rolled her eyes. "This was a stupid decision to come to the office today. We could have worked from home. Now, tell us more about Javier."

I sighed, knowing they wouldn't let it go, and then another message popped up, Javier again. "Oh come on tell us," Mark begged.

I denied with my head, now I was actually confused by the message. "He told me what do I want to eat later, as he is doing some grocery shopping."

I frowned looking at the message. "Well that looks like he is going serious," Sarah commented.

"It seems so," my mind was just confused.

Was I getting scared? Was he maturing and starting to be more serious? Did he want something more than just sex?

My gaze went to my friends who were smiling at me. "What's wrong Mad?"

"I don't know I... I guess I didn't expect this kind of texts from Javier like, I thought he wasn't a compromise guy."

Sarah took my hand. "Maybe you are changing him, I must tell you," she said and looked at Mark before looking at me. "You may have been the first woman that he had trouble getting to bed, you were really though."

"What do you mean?"

"You already know Javier," continued talking Mark. "Javier had been a really famous entrepenaur because of his low begginings, and how he grew so fast without any help, and he had also been always known of the womanizer, because he was seen a new girl everyday."

"I mean," Sarah interrupted. "He is a damn fucking good looking man," she said enfasiting every word. "Only because I'm a loyal girlfriend, but I would love to be one of that girls."

Some panic grew inside me. "That's what I'm saying, I don't know what I want anymore like, I've found my way of satisfying myself altough before I just wanted something serious but, what if we get into something serious and he just keeps being the way he is, being unfaithful?"

A new message popped in my phone. "Maybe you need to talk to him," I looked at my phone. "Leave Mad, we'll take care of today's work."

Taking a deep breath, I took my things and left the office.

'I guess you are busy I'm sorry,
let me know when you get out
so that I can pick you up'

'Btw I bought enough to make
some food, I'll try at least,
I'm not good at cooking...'

I read Javier's last messages.

As I walked down the street, I felt a wave of uncertainty wash over me. Should I reply to Javier or just let it be? I knew he was trying, showing signs of wanting something more, but why did that scare me so much?

I paused, staring at my phone, my thumb hovering over the keyboard. Finally, I typed out a reply.

'I'm going to have to stay
late at the office. Sorry.'

It was a lie, of course. I was walking home, needing time to think. Why was I suddenly so afraid of a man trying to be serious with me? Javier had been nothing but sincere, yet here I was, pushing him away. I sighed, shoving my phone into my pocket and continuing my walk, trying to sort through my tangled thoughts.

[To be continued...]