Love Triangle

Chapter 3

Although Zoe was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to get under the sheets in her bed and pass out, she waited up until Caleb got home. She was on the couch watching 'New Girl', a TV series she has fallen in love watching, with a cup of green tea and her black and white cat, Daisy, on her lap when she heard the keys in the door rattle. A second later, Caleb walked in.
'Oh hey, you're up!'  Caleb said, sounding surprised.
'Yeah, I thought I would wait up until you got home tonight. We haven't seen much of each other the last few weeks.'
Caleb walks over to the couch and sits beside Zoe. He lifts her feet up and puts them over his legs like he use to.
'Guess what? You know Johnny? He's invited me and the boys on a holiday at his Aunt Marie's house in Sydney. Have I told you how big her house is? She's going away to Italy for a month and asked Johnny to house sit for her, and he's invited all of us up. It's going to be amazing!'
'Wait, what? When is this happening?'  
'In two weeks. I'll have to ask for a month off work, but seriously! She has this massive pool, a hot tub, games room, everything.'
'You're going for a month?'
'Yeah. Didn't you hear what I said? His aunt will be away for a month so Johnny will be house sitting for her.'
'No, I heard what you said, but I just didn't think you'd be going for the whole month. What about me? We hardly see each other as it is.'   Zoe said, trying not to cry.
'Zo, we do see each other, don't be silly. It's just a month'
Zoe turned away. She knew now was the time to talk about everything.
'Caleb, we need to talk. I don't think this relationship is working. You are always off with the boys, never home and then when you are home, you're on the xbox. You never have time for me anymore and it hurts.'
'Are you breaking up with me Zo? I'm sorry if that's how you feel. I promise, I'm not meaning to hurt you.'
Zoe looked over at Caleb. She could see the worry in his eyes and lent over to him.
'No, Caleb. I'm not breaking up with you. I just want you to show me you love me, like you use too. I want to be apart of your life.'
'You are apart of my life. You are my girl, Zo. I promise I'll start being a better boyfriend.' 
Zoe smiled and kissed him. She hasn't kissed him passionately in so long. Better yet, they haven't slept together in months. Caleb must have been reading her thoughts because at that moment, he started kissing her neck and whispered in her ear.
'I really don't like that shirt you're wearing'  he said, as he pulls it off over her head.
Zoe laughed, then pulled him on top of her.
'Fuck the bedroom, I want you now'  
And with that, they made love slowly on the couch.

Zoe woke up the next morning in her bed. She had no idea when they made it to the bed, but the feelings she felt for Caleb were stronger than ever. Even though she was disappointed that they didn't talk things through thoroughly, she knew they were okay. She just needed to loosen up a bit. She heard the toilet flush in the bathroom that was connected to their bedroom then a minute later, a sleepy, bed headed Caleb walked out. The sight of him made Zoe's heart jump.
'Good morning, you. How was your sleep?'  Caleb asked, leaning over the bed to kiss her good morning.
'The best sleep I've had in a long time'   Zoe replied, as she got out of bed. She looked down at her body and realized she was naked. At that moment, she felt Caleb behind her.
'I'd really love to take you back to bed right now.'   He says, kissing her neck.
'As much as I'd love for you to take me back to bed, I have to get to work'
She heard Caleb groan as she stepped out of his embrace and headed to the bathroom.
The hot water ran over her body as Zoe stood under the water. She couldn't help but think about last night. Caleb hasn't made love to her like that in years. Maybe he will try to be better and make time for her? she thought.
Once out of the shower, dressed and face full of makeup, she decided to send Axl a message telling him to not message her again. She has made up her mind, she will make things with Caleb work, no matter how many obstacles get thrown in their way. She loved Caleb and Axl is in the past. 

Zoe walked into the building where she worked for Cosmopolitan. She was 10 minutes early, so she decided to run to the cafeteria and grab a coffee before heading in. Just as she ordered, her phone went off. A message from Axl. She decided to leave it until she was in her office.
Halfway down the corridor, her phone went off again. Seriously? she thought.
She sat down at her desk and opened the message.
"I respect your relationship and that you want me to stay away, but we both know you can't do that. You know where to find me when you realize that I'm the one you want."
Zoe then opened the second message from him.
"Oh, and I bet I can made you scream more than Caleb did last night. Have a good day at work."
Zoe threw her phone in her bag. The nerve that boy had. Coming back to Melbourne and thinks he can just waltz into her life again? No, not this time, She thought.
She decided to turn her phone off for the day and drown herself in work. The new month issue will be launched next week and she had a lot of writing to do. As much as Zoe loved writing, her job can be really demanding.

She was just finishing the final piece of the column she was writing when an email alert popped up on her computer screen. It was from her boss asking her to go to her office.
Zoe made her way down to her boss's office and knocked. After a minute of waiting, she heard "come in."
'Hi Tess, you wanted to see me?  She asked.
'Yes. Have a seat. So as you know, Janie is leaving us next week, which means a position for editor in chief will be open. Now, I have read every single piece you have written for the magazine and love your work. How long have you been with us?'
'Four years in September'
'Right. Well, four years is a long time to be working with us, which only means one thing'
Zoe waited for her boss to continue, but when she didn't, Zoe knew she was waiting for a response.
'I'm sorry, what only means one thing?'   Zoe asked, suddenly nervous.
'Well, it means that you will be our new editor in chief, Zoe.'
Zoe couldn't believe it. She's been wanting that position since she started working at Cosmo. She worked her ass off everyday, sometimes not getting home earlier than 9pm and starting no later than 5am. She has written numerous of articles for the magazine, but she always dreamed of being the editor in chief. And now? She is!
'Oh wow, thank you so much Tess! This is such great news. Thank you for this amazing opportunity'   she replied, trying not to sound over excited.
'I've seen how hard you have worked, all your articles are extremely well written and I know how passionate you are about writing. You deserve it.'
You'd think Tess would be like all those other boss's you hear about that work for a magazine. How they are all cold and snobby towards their employees and anyone who just aren't worth their time. But Tess is different. She involves herself in her employees work, she's nice and understanding and doesn't make your life a living hell. There are some days she is in a really bad mood, but almost everyone is when a new months issue is about to be dropped.
'You have no idea how much this means to me. Thank you, Tess'
Zoe got up and walked back to her office. The smile on her face must have been big because she was stopped by three of her colleagues and was asked why she was so happy.
Once back in her office, she turned her phone back on and instantly messaged Kira and Caleb.
"I got the editor in chief position! We need to celebrate!"
She seen that she had 5 new messages from Axl, but deleted them without reading them and put her phone back in her bag. There's no way she is letting him ruin her day.

'My bestfriend is the newest, hottest, editor in chief at the famous Cosmopolitan!'   Kira yelled.
Zoe, Kira, Caleb, some of Caleb's friends and some of the other girls who Zoe was friends with, sat around a big table at Eau De Vie Melbourne, a restaurant and bar they all loved.
She had invited them all out for a few drinks to celebrate her new position as the editor in chief.
'I agree. My girl is the hottest editor in chief, and I am so proud of her.'   Caleb said, taking Zoe's hand under the table.
'Thank you, everyone for coming out and celebrating with me. I've been wanting this position since I started working at Cosmo and after years of hard work, I finally have it!'
Everyone clinked glasses and started talking among themselves. Zoe was talking to one of her girl friends when her phone went off. She checked who it was from and seen it was Axl. When will he take the hint? she thought. She deleted the message and went back to talking.
After she had a few drinks and was feeling slightly tipsy, her and Caleb decided to head home. She had to be up at 6am and didn't want to be exhausted at work the next day.
Once back at the apartment, Zoe stripped and got under the covers. Caleb laid next to her.
'I'm so proud of you, Zo. I know how hard you work and it's finally paid off. I'll take you out for dinner tomorrow night, just us.'
'Thank you, babe. Goodnight.'
'Goodnight'
Zoe turned over and checked her phone to make sure her alarm was set. She seen another message from Axl. This time she read it.
"Good night, baby girl."
She shivered. Axl knew how much she loved being called baby girl, and he was the only one who called her that.
Zoe drifted off to sleep. Not thinking of Caleb this time, but thinking of Axl.