He rolls his eyes. “Whatever. You’re attending his press conference in two weeks, aren’t you?”
“Of course, I am,” I say, but worry suddenly floods my mind. “Wait, but what if he thinks that it’s weird? I mean, won’t he start thinking I’m stalking him or something?”
“You think too much.”
“Andyounot nearly enough.”
Bellami circles around the desk and gestures for me to get up. “I know I asked you to be here and learn how to take over the rains but maybe you should go home.”
I push the chair back and shrug. “Nah, I’ve got nothing better to do, and working isn’t the worst way to keep myself busy until tonight.”
“Then let me word it differently.” He smiles, swallowing back whatever comment he wants to make. “Go home because you’re giving me a headache with your constant fawning. Feels like I have a teenage sister rather than an adult brother.”
I snort, unable to contradict him. I’m happy and I think he’s content for me even though he roasts me for it.
“IfIhave to go home thenyoushould get back to your wife. She must be pissed that you’re more into your job than her. Poor Francesca, forced to share her husband with his company.”
“Shut the fuck up. Francesca is the most important being in my life. The only damn reason I’m still in this office is to teach my stupid brother how to rule over an empire.”
“Well, aren’t you quite the sweet brother,” I mock.
He rolls his eyes, but I see the corner of his lips curl up in the mist of a smile.
In truth, he’s not wrong. I should go home or do something productive, but other than seeing Aoi, there isn’t much I want to do.
“Why don’t you go see that friend of yours?”
“You mean Olivia?” I hadn’t even thought about calling her. She’s known about my feelings for Aoi since I was fifteen. If someone can hear me ramble about him, it’s definitely her. “You’re not so useless after all.”
Before he can throw his stapler at my head, I run out of the office and make my way to Liv’s place. She doesn’t need me to tell her in advance about me coming over since she’s always at home.
That woman only ever leaves her room to get drunk or head to work and uni. Talk about antisocial.
I ring her doorbell at least seven times before she finally speaks through the megaphone. “Why the hell are you ringing the damn door so often? It’s fucking Saturday morning, you rascal.”
“Liv, open up! I need to talk to you.”
That’s all it takes for her to buzz me in. I push the heavy door open and rush up the three flights of stairs.
I knock on her front door like Anna fromFrozen, and wait impatiently while she unlocks the security chain. “You seem awfully enthusiastic. What happened?”
“A lot actually.” I step inside, making myself at home on her couch as usual. “You’re never gonna believe me. The craziest shit happened to me.”
She goes back to making herself coffee with her messy blonde hair in a bun on top of her head. “Spill. It better be important for youto bother me before lunch. And why the hell weren’t you in class these past two days?”
I watch her walk up to me barefoot, a mug in her hand and leftover mascara smudged under her eyes. “It’s about Aoi.”
“Wait, Aoi?” She looks up at the ceiling and frowns. “Wasn’t the last time you saw him like eight years ago?”
“Yes, but that’s not important right now.” I flick my fingers in front of her face to grab her attention. “So much happened and I just don’t know where to start.”
“The beginning, please. Thanks.” She sips on her coffee, staring at me with tired eyes. “I’ve got the whole day ahead.”
I grimace at how dark the liquid in her black mug is and shake my head. “I met Aoi again by coincidence at a party at the Grand Air hotel. Bellami had gotten invited, but he asked me to go in his stead since he was on his honeymoon, and then,bam! I ran into him,” I explain, stumbling over my words. “Oh, and we hooked up.”
She goes into a fit of coughing, and I tap her back slowly with a random slipper, waiting for her to nag me once she’s done dying.
“Cute slipper by the way.”
