My Boss Next Door

Chapter 7

Eva

In night, I settled in with Melanie and Shyla, our stash of snacks spread across the coffee table, ready for a horror marathon. We'd been talking about this for weeks, a chance to unwind and scream at the TV together. The lights were dimmed, casting just enough of a shadow to set the perfect spooky mood, and as the opening credits of our favorite horror movie began, I felt a wave of comfort being with them.

As we shared popcorn and traded sarcastic comments about the characters' terrible choices, I realized just how much I needed this break.

As the movie paused for a snack refill, Shyla turned to Melanie with a concerned look. "So...Mel, how are you holding up after, you know, everything with Konnor?"

Melanie sighed, playing with a stray piece of popcorn. "Honestly? It's been tough. I mean, two years...you don't just forget that overnight. But I know kicking him out was the right thing to do."

Shyla gave her a sympathetic nod. "I can't believe he had the nerve. You deserve way better than him."

I reached over, giving Mel's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "You do. And, hey, look at us-movie night, snacks, no Konnor drama. It's the beginning of your freedom tour."

Melanie chuckled, the tension easing from her face. "Yeah, you're right. Better company and better movies. Did you hear about the CEO Alexander Hart, Eva's new love interest"

''He's not my love interest'' I said immediately 

Shyla's eyes lit up, her attention instantly shifting to me. "Wait, what? Alexander Hart? Isn't he, like, insanely good-looking?"

I rolled my eyes, trying to play it off. "Look, he's just my boss. And, yes, he's attractive, but that doesn't mean anything."

Melanie smirked, clearly enjoying herself. "Oh, please, Eva. You've been all 'I never want to see him again,' but then you end up bumping into him all the time. Sounds like fate, if you ask me."

I huffed, crossing my arms. "Yeah, fate-if fate is a sarcastic jerk who thinks he owns the world."

Shyla laughed, tossing a handful of popcorn my way. "Right, and yet, you can't seem to get him out of your head, huh?"

"Trust me, if he didn't just pop up everywhere I went, I'd never think about him." But even as I said it, I knew my friends weren't convinced.

''Maybe we should ask him to join us'' Shyla said '' are you serious? No! do you think he has time for us?'' I added

Melanie raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I mean, he's not that busy if he has time to run into you all over the place, right?"

I groaned, sinking further into the couch. "You two are impossible. Can we just watch the movie and leave Mr. CEO out of this?"

But Shyla wasn't letting it go that easily. "Come on, Eva! Just picture it-the intimidating Alexander Hart, sitting here with us, eating popcorn and watching horror movies."

I burst out laughing at the mental image. "Right. I'm sure he'd love that," I said, dripping with sarcasm. "Anyway, can we please get back to the ghosts on screen instead of the one haunting my life?"

The girls laughed but finally let it go, though I knew they'd bring it up again soon enough.

Just as the suspense in the movie reached its peak, a sudden knock echoed through the apartment, making all three of us jump nearly a foot off the couch. Popcorn went flying, and Shyla let out a squeal, clutching a pillow to her chest. Melanie grabbed my arm, eyes wide with a mix of terror and excitement. For a split second, none of us moved, frozen in the eerie silence that filled the room after the knock. We exchanged nervous glances, each of us too spooked to get up. Finally, I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the dread. "Well...who wants to answer that?" I whispered, half-hoping no one would volunteer.