Back again

Chapter 16: The visitor

I sat upright on my bed,"What?!"

"Uh.. Yeah"

I hopped out of bed ,"give me just a minute".

As soon as Vincent left, I changed into a decent t-shirt and walked out of my room.

Remind me again, WHY THE FUCK WAS MY BOSS IN MY HOUSE?!

As I entered the living room, I saw James sitting on the couch, a bouquet of flowers in his hand. Vincent sat opposite him. A smug expression on his face.

Both of them spoke to each other in hushed tones. Clearly, the weather in the room wasn't sunny.

On seeing me, James stood up,"hey" he flashed me a smile,"I was just telling Vincent about you."

I shrugged.

"Yeah. He was telling me about you going to lunch with him the other day." Vincent gave me a forced smile.

Not good, Ashley. Not good.

James came forward and gave me the flowers.

Flowers? For what? A hangover?!

"There are some other stuff that you need to see to. As soon as you're fit enough that is. I've email them to you though."

"Okay" my voice came out small and choked.

"I need to get going right now. Have to get back to work." Saying James went to the front door. Vincent walked into his room. As soon as he was out of sight, James turned to me,"He's your friend?"

"Yeah"

"Oh, okay. He's a nice friend. How long do you know each other?"

Actually we met again after five years during which we weren't speaking to each other and before which we were sort-of best friends, and now he claims to be in love with me.

"long time"

"Oh. Nice guy. Meet you at office tomorrow" saying, he gave me a wave and walked out of my flat.

Holy shit.

--

I went to Vincent's room and knocked on the door.

"Come in" he said, his voice cold. Something that I had never been a fan of ever since we knew each other.

I sucked in a huge breath and walked in. He sat on his bed, his head hid in his hands.

"Vincent?"

"Why didn't you tell me", his voice was still cold.

"What?"

Vincent looked at me for a minute. His blue eyes looked so cold. "That you've been dating him?"

"Dating him?"

He remained silent.

"Excuse me?! I am not dating him?"

He got up from the bed,"Then what about him telling me about all the time you've gone out with him?"

"I am not dating him! He took me out because he wanted to! It wasn't a date"

Vincent clenched his jaw,"All this time! All this time!" He let out a breath,"I shouldn't have"

"You shouldn't have what?!" I snapped.

"I SHOULDN'T HAVE COME BACK!" he bellowed.

I could feel the tears stinging my eyes. Strange how this was happening when none of it had been my fault. For a minute Vincent's glare softened. His raging eyes cooled and looked apologetic.

"Maybe you shouldn't have" I said and stormed out of the room.

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