Page 22 of Don't Leave Me

He licked his lower lip and nodded, then turned around and started for his office. I noticed that I was breathing heavily as I watched him walk away, my mind racing and my palms sweaty.

“Michael is like, always on your case,” I heard Cassie say.

I looked down at her and couldn’t help but laugh. She looked so serious and concerned.

“He is, isn’t he?” I straightened myself up. “Better not keep him waiting,” I said with raised eyebrows and walked to his office.

I didn’t even bother to knock. I walked in and Michael was sitting on his couch,thecouch, and his eyes were hardened as he glared at me. His arm was resting on the back of the couch and his other sat atop his foot that was crossed on his knee.

“You wanted to see me, sir?” I shut the door behind me, nervous now that we were all alone.

He got straight to the point. “Are the flowers from Jack?”

I crossed my arms and sighed. “Yes,” I looked down at the floor.

“He’s more than just a friend, isn’t he?” His tone was softer now.

I looked up at him with confusion.

“I don’t understand why you’re so concerned about that, Michael. You made it clear that you don’t want anything more than sex from me,” I blurted out, an unusual bout of courage taking over me.

Michael furrowed his brows, a look of confusion on his face. “Where did you get that idea from, Hana?” he asked, standing up and walking towards me.

I gulped. “You told me the other day that you didn’t want a girlfriend,” I explained, holding my crossed arms tighter.

Michael rolled his eyes and sighed. “You’re putting words into my mouth, Hana,” he crossed his arms as well.

I let out a laugh. “Oh, I’m sorry. You said you don’t believe in labels, which is just a clever way to say you don’t believe in having a girlfriend,” I scoffed.

Michael shook his head at me, looking angry again. “I care about you, Hana. Isn’t that obvious by now?” he raised his voice a little.

“Well, I care about you too. But I can’t do the casual thing, Michael. I need more than just sex,” I admitted, raising my hands in the air.

“Who said I wanted this to be casual, Hana?” he rebutted. “I just…I don’t do the boyfriend/girlfriend thing very well,” he went on, closer to me now, looking frustrated.

“What thehelldoes that even mean?” I questioned, my voice higher than usual.

He shook his head and looked defeated before he turned around and started for the couch again.

“It’s too much, Hana. I’ve pushed everyone I care about away. I just don’t want you to expect anything from me only to get disappointed in the end,” he shrugged as he sat down, his voice soft and sad.

I felt like crying. Seeing Michael so vulnerable and sad made my heart ache.

I shook my head as I sat down next to him.“You don’t have to push me away, Michael,” I said softly.

He looked over at me with raised eyebrows. “I don’t want to, but I know somehow I will. I always do,” he shrugged.

I put my hand on top of his and bit my lip.How do I respond to that?

“How am I supposed to compete with someone who sends you flowers?” he sighed to himself.

He still thinks he has competition! He’s more modest than I thought…

“You think I just want flowers?” I raised my eyebrow.

He furrowed his brows and paused.

“I want companionship. I want cuddling after sex. I want us toknoweach other, laugh with each other. I could give two shits about flowers or materialistic crap,” I explained, although I knew deep down that Ididlike the flowers gesture.

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