Page 35 of Always Been You
Lawliss
I run out of the office, my heels clicking against the empty hallway. I pause when I reach the elevator, leaning against the wall closest to it since it’s already in use.
What have I done? My mind reels. I’ve been avoiding Eddie since our near kiss in my apartment, but that didn’t last—especially not now, after he just gave me one of the best orgasms of my life. It feels like I’m living someone else’s life since I met Eddie again. Making impulsive decisions, like making out. Letting him get close shows how much I trust him, even if I’m not willing to admit it—at least not yet.
I don’t know how he does it, but he evokes something in me. My body reacts before my mind can catch up whenever he’s near. It’s like my heart, mind, and body are at war, and with Eddie, my mind goes quiet like it’s asleep. Logically, I wouldn’t have clung to him like he was my salvation, but that’s exactly what I did in there. And the worst part? I can’t bring myself to regret it.
The elevator bell dings and Josh steps out of his. He nods at me, and I nod back, stepping into the elevator he just exited. He looks like he wants to say something but shakes his head and walks past me. I press the button for the ground floor, eager to escape.
The reason we came here hasn’t been accomplished, all because I let myself be consumed by Eddie, who isn’t like me. I need to pull myself together. But Eddie said he loved me. My heart flutters again at the memory, and that strange, butterfly feeling hits my stomach. It’s the same feeling I had when I first realized how much Eddie meant to me.
I was on my way home from prom. I’d gone with the most popular guy in school, infatuated with the idea of him. I thought he could pluck a star from the sky for me. But when we arrived, he dumped me. I was completely out of place. Back then, I was just the awkward little sister, a shadow of Aria and Lauren. People only knew me because of them.
Somehow, Eddie showed up that night. He was furious on my behalf, angrier than I’d ever seen him. He fought Andrea—my so-called date—and I can still hear his words: “Let me catch you anywhere near her, and you’ll wish you were never born.” Andrea had admitted he took me to prom on a bet that he didn’t even find me interesting.
Eddie wasn’t as muscular back then, but the way he stood up for me changed something. It was the first time I saw him like that. Eddie, the boy who always smiled, was suddenly fierce and protective.
The elevator dings, pulling me from the memory. I step out and immediately spot Elisa outside the building. She exhales in relief when she sees me.
“How did it go?” she asks as I get closer to her. I shake my head, and we start walking to the car park.
“He’s not willing to negotiate?”
“Nope… We didn’t talk about that,” I respond.
“What? How? You stayed so long…” She pulls my hand to stop me from walking. I turn to face her, and her eyes narrow.
“Oh my God. Law… you look freshly fucked.”
“Language, Elisa, and no, it’s not what you think.”
“Oh yeah,” she singsongs like she’s got some first-hand information.
“Whatever. I’ll try to talk to him again,” I mutter, already dreading the conversation.
“That won’t be necessary,” Elisa says, her focus shifting to her phone. Her lips quirk into a small smile as she points to the screen.
Curious, I step closer. The email is addressed to our company’s general inbox and marked urgent. The sender? M Industries.
From: M Industries
Subject: Supplier Agreements
Message: To the Dua Group
First of all, we would like to apologize for any inconvenience faced due to the change of hands in management. We understand the challenges you’ve faced recently regarding supply chain issues. As M Industries now owns a majority of the distributors providing these materials, please rest assured that you will no longer need to engage in negotiations with them directly with regard to anything.
Effective immediately, Dua Group will be granted priority access to all raw materials required for your operations. You will only be billed for your agreed share of the costs. No additional interest or fees will apply. This is a gesture of goodwill to ensure continued collaboration.
I read the message twice, my stomach twisting with equal parts relief and apprehension. Eddie. It has to be him.
My gaze drifts upward to his office, and there he is—standing by the window, a coffee mug in hand. He sips from it slowly, his eyes fixed on us like he’s waiting for a reaction.
“Now this…” Elisa drawls, her lips twitching into a mischievous smile. “I want to watch how it unfolds.”
I follow her line of sight and realize she’s watching Eddie and me like we’re the most entertaining drama she’s ever seen.
“I guess I can go home then,” I mutter, dragging my attention back to her.
