Page 107 of Monsters Wear Crowns
***
The rhythmic clacking of my keyboard filled the office, the soft hum of productivity setting me at ease. Sunlight streamed through the massive windows, pouring over my desk. I glanced over at the clock, noting that it was nearly noon.
Just as I leaned back in my chair, stretching out the tension in my shoulders, a knock sounded at my door before Laura waltzed in.
“Mindy just put in for vacation,” she announced, plopping into the chair across from me. “A whole week.”
I didn’t even hesitate. “Grant it.”
Laura raised a brow. “That was fast.”
“She deserves it,” I said, shrugging. “We’re doing fine right now, and I want people to have a life outside of work.”
Laura smirked. “You are, without a doubt, the best boss ever.”
I huffed a small laugh. “I wouldn’t gothatfar.”
“Well,Iwould,” she said, standing with an approving nod. “Remind me to ask for a raise later.”
I rolled my eyes as she sauntered toward the door, disappearing down the hall with an amused grin. Shaking my head, I leaned back in my chair, pulling my phone from the desk. Without thinking, my fingers hovered over Rafe’s name before I typed out a message.
I want to spend the night at my penthouse tonight.
The response was immediate.
Rafe: No.
I smirked, already expecting the resistance.
I wasn’t asking.
Three dots appeared, then stopped. Then appeared again.
Rafe: Why?
I sighed, rubbing my temple before responding.
I just need some space. I need to keep my independence and clear my head a little. I’m not mad at you or anything; I just want a nightto myself.
Seconds passed. Then, a full minute. Finally, my phone vibrated.
Rafe: I don’t like it.
I could practically hear his frustration and see how his jaw would tick as he debated arguing with me. But he didn’t. Instead, another message came through.
Rafe: Fine. But text me if you have any issues.
I smiled softly, my fingers typing out my final reply.
Always.
***
After a long day at the office, all I wanted was to curl up on the couch, pour myself a glass of wine, and lose myself in a romantic comedy.
Living with Rafe… it felt tense. Not bad, exactly. We were having a lot of sex, andthoroughlyat that, but he was constantly on the phone, always in the middle of some intense conversation with people I didn’t know. And no matter how many times I asked, he wouldn’t tell me much about them.
Here, in my own space, I could breathe again. I could forget about the chaos I’d walked into. Just me, my wine, and the calm of my apartment. My eyes drank in the sparkling city below while I poured my wine. And it was only after I sat down on my plush couch with my fuzzy brown blanket that I allowed my shoulders to relax. Life felt so...fast now. It was like the moment I let this man into it, everything shifted. And I honestly couldn’t tell if it was for better or worse.
