*Three weeks later*
Evie's pov
Three weeks had passed since I started working at Lacroix Enterprises, and the place had become almost familiar. The bustling hallways, the hurried footsteps, the coffee-fueled conversations—it all blended into a rhythm I’d grown used to. Even Adrien Lacroix, with his imposing presence, had receded into the background.
Our interactions were rare and brief, mostly polite greetings in passing. The coldness that had once left me second-guessing every word now felt like an accepted part of the office air.But in that time, I had also met people who’d made this whirlwind of corporate life a little warmer.
Harry, from IT, was always cracking some tech joke that went over my head, his smile infectious and his energy like a jolt of caffeine. Connor, from marketing, had this charming way of lightening the tension in any room, always quick with a compliment or a well-timed quip.
And Sasha...she had grown to be my closest friend. She was the kind of person who could walk into a room and instantly make it brighter, her laughter contagious, her advice solid.As I slipped into a cute top, jeans, and a denim jacket, I pulled my hair back into a loose ponytail and went for light makeup.
The company was hosting a small party to celebrate the team’s successful wrap-up of the new project. Just an informal gathering with cake and some music, nothing too fancy. I glanced at my reflection, adjusting my jacket and feeling ready for a laid-back day.I stepped out of my apartment, heading toward the office, my sneakers tapping against the pavement.
It was one of those crisp, autumn mornings where the air was cool but the sun cast a warm, golden light over the city. The street was alive with the usual hum of the day, and I found myself walking a little slower, savoring the moment.
As I approached the main road, I saw a young girl—couldn’t have been older than five—darting across the street. Panic flashed through me as I noticed the car barreling down the road, the driver clearly distracted. My heart leapt into my throat.
Without thinking, I sprinted.
“Hey! Watch out!”The girl froze in the middle of the road, her eyes wide with fear.
I reached her just in time, pulling her toward me and out of the car’s path. We both tumbled onto the pavement, my back hitting the ground hard as I shielded her. The car’s tires screeched as it swerved, missing us by inches.My breath came in quick gasps, my chest tight from the shock, but the girl was okay. She looked up at me with wide, tear-filled eyes.
“Are you alright?” I asked, my voice shaky.She nodded, sniffling a little.
“Yeah… thank you.”I helped her stand, brushing dirt off her dress.
“What were you doing crossing the road alone?”She pointed across the street to an ice cream truck parked on the corner.
“I saw my favorite ice cream over there,” she said softly.
“Mommy was on the phone.”I glanced around, spotting her mother a few feet away, phone pressed to her ear, her back turned.
I knelt down to the girl’s eye level. “You should never cross the street without an adult, okay? It’s really dangerous.”
She nodded, her small hands clutching the edge of my jacket. “I promise.”I smiled, ruffling her hair a little.
“Good. Now, let’s go back to your mom.”
She hugged me suddenly, surprising me with the warmth and sincerity in that small gesture. I hugged her back, feeling the lingering adrenaline from the scare.Her mother rushed over, eyes wide with panic when she saw what had happened.
“Oh my God, Cecilia,are you alright? What happened?”
“She’s fine,” I reassured her, standing up and dusting myself off. “She just wanted ice cream. Next time, make sure she’s not alone when crossing the road.”
The woman’s face softened with relief. “Thank you so much. I don’t know what I would’ve done if...”
“It’s alright, just be careful next time,”
I said,and I bid Cecilia and her mom goodbye.As I turned to leave, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw Sasha’s name flashing on the screen.
“Where are you?” she said, her voice bubbling with mock annoyance. “You’re late, and if you don’t get here soon, I’m eating your slice of cake.”
In the background, I could hear Connor’s voice chiming in, teasing me about my always-on-time routine being broken. I smiled, feeling the warmth of my friends from a distance.
“I’m on my way!” I laughed, shaking off the remnants of the scare as I quickened my pace, my shoes tapping a little faster on the sidewalk.
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I want cake too!!😅
Here...you can have a slice🍰😂
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Bitter Love
RomanceEvie's life was simple-until a fateful encounter with Adrien Lacroix, the cold and untouchable CEO, drags her into a world she never imagined. Beneath his polished exterior lies a maze of secrets, and as Evie becomes entangled in his life, she disco...
