16 | Unwanted memories

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THE CURSOR ON THE COMPUTER keeps blinking at me and all I can do is stare. I'm supposed to be working on the restoration project of an art gallery in Edinburgh, yet here I am, obsessing, consumed by thoughts of Olivia.

I'm trying hard to forget what happened, just like she asked, but damn it, I feel my brain has been hijacked. I'm either revisiting distant memories or vacantly gazing through the office window, observing the people going in and out of the Penderel's Oak, the pub right across our building.

More often than I wish, it's her face I see in the middle of the busy street.

I close my eyes and rub my temples, feeling totally helpless, with no idea of what to do.

What I do know is, if I don't manage to gather my wits together soon, my father will storm into this office and remind me that this firm – one he so proudly founded almost thirty years ago and which has a portfolio of important award-winning projects – cannot afford to keep screw-ups who don't do their job efficiently.

And he's absolutely right. For a lot of different reasons, but mostly because I really owe him that. Last year's near disaster took a hard toll on all of us, but not even for a second did he hesitate to stand by me throughout the entire mess.

So, thank God, it's Friday. I need to go out, clear my head, and get over last weekend. Maybe watch a ball game with Simon and check how he's doing?

On second thought, the way life's treating him lately, I'm afraid it'd hardly cheer me up. Maybe I could find some company for dinner and then hit a club?

Resolutely I grab my mobile and search through my contacts.

Beatrice. No, too chatty.

Denise. Nope, too posh.

Joseph– Shit, no! The memory of our disastrous argument makes my stomach turn and I give up on the idea.

The truth is, I don't want to be with anyone else.

I want her.

"Damn it," I mutter under my breath as I toss my mobile back to the table, the frustration consuming me, eating me from the inside out.

"You all right?" Millie asks over the rim of her glasses, already on her way out of my office. I didn't even notice her enter.

"Excuse me?"

"I asked you if you wanted me to go through everything with you."

"Through what?"

She points at my desk, a look of concern plastered on her face. "The documents you asked for. Next week's meeting with the Xiaowan Group? Everything all right? Can I get you something, a coffee maybe?"

Her questions remain suspended as I let my gaze fall to the file folder and my mind refocuses on the task I have in hand. Interrupting the awkward moment, my phone rings.

"No, thank you. You can go now." I wait until she leaves to pick up the receiver. "Anderson."

"Hey, you didn't join us for a coffee this morning. You okay, mate?" I quickly scan the floor through the glass walls. It's Jake, from the opposite office.

I give my shoulder a quick shake. "I'm good. What's up?"

"Listen, I kind of... I need your advice on something; it's serious. You up for an after-work drink? Or maybe you already have other plans..."

"Sure. I myself may need a couple drinks too. What do you mean, serious?"

"It's about Claire, man. I really fucked up this time."

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