Chapter 103
A R I A N A
I just wanted a quiet lunch an hour to myself to enjoy my salad and not think about the impending work I have or anything.
I found a small table in the corner of the company cafeteria. I opened my book as I took a bite of my food.
Then I felt someone sit down in the chair next to me. I didn’t even have to look up. I knew who it was.
I could smell his cologne.
“What do you want Angelo?” I asked my voice flat, keeping my eyes on my book.
“Just to have lunch with you,” he said his voice too cheerful. “Can’t a cousin have lunch with his favorite cousin-in-law p>
I finally looked at him. He was smiling, the same fake smooth smile he always used.
“It’s been three days,” I said, closing my book. “Three days since your big apology. And you have been up my neck non-stop… You bring me coffee I don’t want and I never asked for. You stop by my office to ’chat’ you try to sit with me at lunch every single day. What do you really wan huh? Can’t you just leave me alone p>
His smile didn’t slip. “I just want things to be cool between us Ariana. I want us to be friends, besides I think even uncle wants us to get along, don’t you think p>
I pushed my plate away. I’d lost my appetite. “Nothing will ever be cool between us, Angelo absolutely nothing and the sooner you understand that the better. Do you want to know why p>
He shrugged. “Why p>
“Because I can still see it,” I said my voice getting louder. A few people at nearby tables looked over. “I can still see you In our bed, my best friend, or at least I thought she was my best friend p>
His smile finally faded. “Ariana, that was a long time ago p>
“It doesn’t matter how long ago it was!” I snapped, standing up, my chair scraped loudly on the floor. “You humiliated me, you broke my trust in the worst way possible and you think bringing me a coffee and a fake smile fixes that? You think I can just forget that p>
I grabbed my bag and my book. “Stay away from me Angelo and I mean it p>
I didn’t wait for his answer, I turned and walked away. The anger in me shook with each step I took as I rushed out of the cafeteria.
I decided to go back to my office after my peaceful lunch was ruined, it best I return to work, but as I walked down the hall to the executive floor, I passed Dante’s office. His door was slightly open.
I thought I would pop my head in and say hello. I mean seeing him always made me feel better after dealing with Angelo.
I pushed the door open a little more.
And then I froze.
My heart dropped straight to my feet as I watched Dante hugging a dark haired woman. Her arms were wrapped tightly around his neck, his arms were around her waist and her face was buried in his chest.
They were holding each other so close and Intimate.
The world tilted, I felt like couldn’t breathe.
A sob escaped my lips one I tried to fight earning their attention.
Dante’s head snapped up, his eyes met mine over the woman’s shoulder.
He looked… shocked.
Guilty.
He quickly let go of the woman and took a step back.
“Ariana!” he said his voice sharp.
The woman turned around. She was gorgeous with perfect makeup and wore a very expensive-looking dress.
She stared at me with curious calm eyes like she wasn’t just hugging my man.
I couldn’t speak, I just stood there staring.
“What… what is going on?” I finally whispered. My voice was trembling.
“Ariana, it’s not what you think,” Dante said walking towards me but I didn’t hear the rest. I saw his mouth moving but the sound was just a buzz in my ears.
All I could see was the image of him holding that woman so tightly.
The tears came fast blurring my vision.
I turned around.
“Ariana wait!” Dante called out.
I didn’t wait, I ran.
I ran down the hallway past my own office towards the elevator with tears were streaming down my face now not caring who saw me.
I pushed the elevator button over and over.
How could he? After everything, after all his promises, after all his words about trust and new beginnings.
Was this why he wanted me to work here? So he could keep an eye on me while he carried on with someone else?
The elevator doors opened. I got in and pressed the button for the lobby.
I leaned against the wall.sobbing.
The doors started to close.
Then a hand shot out and stopped them.
Dante stood there, his chest heaving, he looked panicked.
“Ariana, please. Let me explain p>
I shook my head, the tears still falling. “Explain what Dante? That I didn’t see what I just saw? That you weren’t hugging another woman in your office? How could you!? You liar”
“It’s not like that! She’s p>
I didn’t let him finish. “I can’t do this not again. I can’t p>
I pushed the ’close door’ button and he moved his hand just in time.
The doors closed, shutting me in alone. The last thing I saw was his desperate worried face, but all I could feel was the crushing weight of my breaking heart all over again.
How could you Dante Russo?