Twisted Loyalties

16

I was running late for work, a result of the relaxed morning I'd spent with Camilla on the couch.

I knew Matteo wouldn't be too mad, but I still felt a bit guilty for not being on time.

As I walked into the warehouse, I wasn't expecting to see a certain blonde laughing as she moved boxes.

Great, just great. What a nice way to start off the workday.

"Julian! You're fucking late!" Matteo called out from across the room, his voice cutting through the air.

"I slept in late!" I shot back, shrugging off the reprimand with a smirk.

But as soon as Sabrina heard my voice, she froze. Slowly, she looked up at me, her golden hair pulled into a high ponytail that accentuated her features.

She was wearing a pink cropped tank top and leggings, the outfit showing just the right amount of skin.

For a moment, I was taken aback by how stunning she looked.

"Finally! Someone to help us!" Val chimed in, clearly relieved to see me.

Sabrina didn't respond. The air between us felt heavy, and I could sense her tension. I knew exactly why she was acting like this—because of the things

I'd said the other day. I still hadn't apologized, and I felt a knot in my stomach.

I decided to shake it off and walked over to where she was stacking boxes. I picked one up and placed it next to her pile. "You look good today," I said, trying to break the ice.

"I don't want to talk to you," she replied flatly, avoiding eye contact.

"Come on, Sab, really?" I pressed, wanting to know what was going on beneath her cool exterior.

Without a word, she took a box and moved it somewhere else, a clear signal that she was shutting me out. "Yup," she said, her tone icy.

I watched her for a moment, feeling a mix of frustration and regret. This wasn't how I wanted our first conversation to go after the awkwardness of the other night.

"Okay, then," I said, trying to keep things light as I moved another box. "But I'm still here to help, whether you like it or not."

The tension lingered as we both continued working, the laughter that had filled the room moments before now replaced with an uncomfortable silence.

I knew I had to find a way to make things right, but for now, all I could do was push through the heavy air between us.

I should have known Julian would be here. I mean, Christ, the man works here.

Where else would he be? But of all the days for him to show up late, this was the one I didn't need.

The first thing he said to me was, "You look good." Not, "I'm sorry for being a total ass."

Yeah, not getting any of my attention, that's for sure.

As I moved another box, I could feel his eyes on me, and it only made me more annoyed.

I focused on stacking, trying to ignore the tension hanging between us, but then I heard him say, "I'm sorry, Sabrina."

I kept my head down, refusing to acknowledge him. I wasn't ready to hear what he had to say.

"I shouldn't have said that stuff," he continued, his voice more serious now. "I didn't mean it."

I finally looked up at him, my irritation boiling over. "Then why did you say it?"

He paused, clearly caught off guard by my bluntness. "I don't know," he admitted, the frustration evident on his face.

"Wow, great excuse," I shot back, crossing my arms. "At least come up with something better than that, Julian."

The look on his face hardened, and I could see him struggling with the weight of his words. "I'm being serious," he said, his tone firm. "It was dumb of me."

I sighed, feeling a mix of annoyance and something softer creeping in. "I agree. It was dumb."

"Look, I really didn't mean to hurt you," he said, sincerity creeping into his voice.

I wanted to stay mad, to keep that distance between us, but something in his expression made me hesitate.

Maybe he really was sorry. Maybe he didn't deserve all my coldness.

But I wasn't ready to forgive him yet. "Well, that's great, but it doesn't change anything," I replied, turning away from him.

"Sab—"

I cut him off, not wanting to hear any more. "I'm going to take my break now," I announced, directing my words at Matteo as I walked past him.

Without waiting for a response, I strode out of the warehouse and headed outside, desperate for some fresh air.

The moment I stepped into the open, I felt a mix of relief and frustration wash over me.

I pulled out my phone, scrolling through my notifications, hoping to distract myself from the tension that still lingered in my chest.

I needed a moment to gather my thoughts, away from Julian and all the awkwardness that came with him.

As I leaned against the cool metal of the warehouse, I took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions inside me.

AUTHORS NOTEE

Sab standing on business??
Don't worry she's gonna forgive him next chapter guys I promiseeee!!