JADEI thought I was ready to face him after the breakfast I had with Jaiya. The way she had been pushing me and cheering me on had me feeling like I could take on the world.But the sight of Atlas, even frozen as he was at the sight of me. It was enough to make my palms sweaty.God, why did the man need to have this much control over me?We stayed that way, staring at each other, in shock and trepidation, for what felt like hours. In reality, it was only a few minutes. Maybe three or even two. But a century was what it felt more like.We both snapped out of whatever trance held us that way and Atlas advanced into the office. He closed and locked the door first, then he pulled the blinds.My stomach knotted at the click telling me I was trapped in here with him.I wasn’t scared of what he would do to me. I’m more scared of how I was going to respond to him after everything. The sight of his lips was already making me think of how good they had felt against mine.The urge to bite mine
JADE“No.” I whispered, shaking my head but then Atlas nodded. Acting like he didn't sound completely crazy right now.I really can’t deal with this if he is acting this way. I wanted to get up and leave. Refusing to succumb to the temptation that had led me to kiss him last night. I attempted to push him aside and leave the office. My mind was running as I recalled he locked the door. The fastest way would be the elevator since I didn’t have the key. I had to wait for it to get here too.Fuck. Why didn't I think to stop him when he closed the door at first.“Don’t go.” Atlas backed my path, gripping my biceps and staring into my eyes.Immediately, it felt like I was being put under a spell. I couldn’t do anything but stay there frozen, staring into his dark eyes.He breathed out a soft sigh when he saw I had stopped attempting to leave.Relief made his face relax and he nodded at me, his hands loosening its grip around me.“Thank you.” He breathed out.I didn’t know what to say. The
JADE“You don’t have to look like you’ve seen a ghost.” He chuckled, being his usual self.Andrew was the calmest and nicest person I have ever met. Especially in the pack and not just because he was my friend.I have been a horrible friend to him for the past few days but he didn’t look offended. If anything, he looked worried about me.“Tell me now, how have you been?”The elevator doors opened and he moved for me to go in. He followed me and pressed the ground floor button. He turned to me, as though asking if that was okay and I nodded.“Andrew,” I sighed. “I’m so sorry. I’ve been a horrible friend and I—““Don’t apologize, yet.” He added with a small smirk. “I need to milk this out of you later. For now, just tell me. Are you okay, Jade?”He turned to me, fixing his unwavering gaze on me. I couldn’t even lie to him because he knows me so well. So I shook my head slowly.“Wanna talk about it?” I considered it for a bit.“What’s the time now?” I was already late for work but I had
ATLASI stayed in my office long after Jade left. I knew she had gone off with Andrew.She didn’t notice me following her out to the hallway. I had only gone back in when I saw him. And though I told myself I was fine. Something ugly reared itself in my head that made me want to smash his face against the wall.Jealousy? That didn’t feel right. I’m not jealous of anyone. I’ve never been jealous of anyone in my life. I’m not about to start now.My eyes trailed back to those offending papers.Where had Jade even gotten them from? I knew I left them at home in my bedroom. Since the day she left.I would always bring it out and stare at her signature at the bottom of the page. Then I would start to regret my decision of letting her leave in the first place.Why couldn’t I just let her go? It would be easier for the both of us.I thought it was just because of the pack. And it was scary to imagine that wasn’t the only reason I wanted her back. She could work for the luna. Though, that didn
JADEThe conversation with Andrew shed light on one thing. There was no way to get rid of Atlas, unless he wanted to leave by himself.Why did he want to stay in a marriage he hated so much? Or is it because I want to leave now and he just couldn’t have that? Some narcissistic part of him couldn't handle that I was ready to move on.I told myself it was better if I kept thinking it was because of his selfish reasons. Rather than any delusional hope of him having feelings for me.Although when I asked Andrew, he said he didn’t know either.“He has been acting really weird of late. So, who knows.” He’d shrugged. Not looking entirely convinced.I wasn’t going to waste my time trying to figure out what Atlas was feeling. I had enough on my plate already. And really, I would much rather be spending time with my father instead.This is the third day after I went to Atlas’s office and came out more confused than ever. And still married to him. I was hanging out with dad as it is the weekend.
JADEJohn and dad dropped me off at Jaime’s place. I have gone back to my apartment. She texted me asking if I was free to hangout. And since my only plan was going to my apartment and staring at the wall, I told her I’ll come after.“You’re making friends in the company? Everyone is treating you alright?” Dad asked after we got in the car.I couldn’t help smiling as I told him all about the people I was talking to. If you asked me a few days ago if I thought I would have female friends. I would laugh and call you crazy.I thought I had an aversion to females. Or more, they had an aversion to me. Because most of the people that I met didn’t like me instantly. I used to think there was something wrong with me.There was nothing wrong with me. It was just them.Jaiya had already made snacks, ordered Chinese food from a place she told me I would love the day after I slept over. And she had three movies which she asked me to pick from.“I’ve never had a female friend like this.” I told he
JADE“WHAT?!” Jaiya looked confused and I nodded, working my bottom lip with my teeth. “B-but how is that even possible? You were married. For years!” She squealed the last art.I didn’t know if to laugh or cry for myself. It really was pathetic. For the lack of a better response, I only shrugged.“Wow,” she muttered under her breath. “That’s really crazy. Who could be married to you and not try anything?”Again, I shrugged.“We have to fix that.” She said to herself, still looking lost and confused.“We don’t have to.” I reassured herWith all that is going on. The last thing I wanted was to add a man to the equation. Any man for that matter.“No, but—“ she pursed her lips, her eyes widened like she was still trying to wrap her head around it.“How about this?” She asks after a while. “When we go out tonight, have a little fun. Just like we planned.” She rushed to add when I opened my mouth to speak. “You don't have to do anything with anyone, really. Just talk to people. I’m sure yo
JADEJaiya didn’t bother knocking before she pushed the door to the office open. I whisper-yelled her name but it was already too late as she had already entered.“Hello, hello.” She waved her hand as she walked into the room like she owned the place.“Shit.”“Fuck.”I hear the curses just as she rushed back out of the door, closing her eyes. It was good that I wasn’t directly behind her. She would have run into me.“Are you okay? What happened?” I gripped her arm, my eyes narrowing in panic when I saw how shaken up she looked.Did she see a dead body or what?The door opened and I got the response to my question in the form of a 6 '3 man, trying to right his clothes. He brushes his hand over his messy hair, trying to fix the messy strands.Being slow, as I was, I still didn’t gather what had been happening. Even after Jaiya smacked him on the arm.“You dirty pig!” She growled, hitting him with her purse.Instead of being offended, he just laughed and tried to take the purse away from