My Boss Next Door

Chapter 5

Eva

Back in my own head, I could hardly process everything that was happening. My anger at Konnor simmered just below the surface, but Alexander's presence was an unexpected anchor, grounding me in the chaos. I could feel the warmth of his body pressed against mine, his arms still holding me firmly, yet protectively.

"Just let him go, Eva," he whispered softly, and I found myself hanging on his every word. The way he said my name sent a thrill through me, cutting through the haze of anger and confusion swirling in my mind.

But Konnor was still standing there, watching us with a smug look that made my blood boil. I wanted to break free from Alexander's hold and confront him, to tell him how much he had hurt Melanie and how he was no longer welcome in our lives. Yet, part of me was conflicted, caught in the intensity of the moment with Alexander.

"Why are you even here, Konnor?" I spat, forcing myself to focus on him instead of the warmth radiating from Alexander. "You have no right to show your face after what you did to Melanie."

As I spoke, I could feel Alexander's grip on me tighten slightly, as if he was ready to step in if things escalated again. The tension between us was palpable, and while I tried to keep my anger directed at Konnor, I couldn't ignore the way my heart raced in Alexander's presence.

Suddenly, I spotted Melanie striding toward Konnor with a fierce determination in her eyes, and my heart raced. Before I could even warn her, she raised her hand and slapped him across the face with a sharp crack that echoed in the hallway.

"Konnor, you're nothing but a coward!" she shouted, her voice ringing with fury. The shock on Konnor's face was almost comical, but I didn't have time to relish it. I could see Melanie was a whirlwind of emotions—hurt, anger, and a fierce resolve to stand up for herself

"Mel, wait!" I called out, but it was too late. She was on a roll, and the weight of the moment felt electric. I glanced back at Alexander, who was watching the scene unfold with a mix of surprise

"Maybe I should have let you handle this," I murmured to him, half a smile creeping onto my face despite the tension. But my gaze returned to Konnor, who was reeling from the slap, his expression shifting from shock to a petulant anger.

"You think you can just walk away from what you did?" Melanie continued, her voice steady but laced with emotion. "You don't get to treat people like that and then act like nothing happened!"

Konnor opened his mouth to respond, but Melanie cut him off. "Save it. I don't want to hear your pathetic excuses. Just leave—now."

I felt a surge of pride for my best friend, standing up for herself like that. It was a moment of empowerment, and I was grateful that Alexander was there beside me, witnessing this transformation in Melanie.

Konnor glared at Melanie for a moment longer, his expression a mix of disbelief and anger, before turning on his heel and storming out of the apartment building. The tension in the hallway slowly dissipated as his footsteps faded away, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.

I exhaled a breath I didn't realize I was holding, relief flooding through me. I turned to Melanie, who was still fuming, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she processed what had just happened. "Are you okay?" I asked, stepping closer to her.

"Am I okay?" she repeated incredulously, a fierce fire in her eyes that was both intimidating and inspiring. "I just slapped my cheating ex-boyfriend in public! I feel fantastic!"

Alexander looked at us in shock, his eyebrows raised and a bemused smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "What did I get myself into? You two are really something," he remarked, shaking his head slightly as if trying to process the whirlwind he had just witnessed.