Chapter 55

SEND GIFT

Chapter 55

Paula

I continue to work for another hour, stretching my arms in my chair when I’m done. It’s then Mr. Winter returns with two steaming hot cups of coffee from Starbucks.

“Need a shot of caffeine?” he asks, stepping into the room.

Since I’m tired and coffee is just what I need, I don’t hesitate to hand him a smile. “I would love some coffee.”

He hands me the cup and I take a tentative sip, letting the warm liquid seep through my body, melting away the day’s tiredness.

“Thank you, Mr. Winter,” I say softly.

“You’re welcome.”

He drinks from his own coffee, his purple eyes fixed on mine. There’s a silence that stretches between us, giving me time to check him out. He is attractive, and although I should call him “Mr. Winter,” my mind keeps calling him “Henrik” in my thoughts. And that probably isn’t good….

“So,” Henrik finally breaks the silence. “Did you manage to get everything done?”

I nod, taking another long sip from my cup. “Yes. All contracts are reviewed, and I also made all the necessary changes”

“Good work, Paula.”

Surprisingly, warmth fills me when he praises me. Timothy never praises me for anything. He takes me for granted, and although I shouldn’t compare my boss to my boyfriend. I can’t help it. Henrik seems like a nicer person.……..

My eyes widen, and I hastily set down my cup–1 shouldn’t have these thoughts about my boss! I quickly gather my belongings into my bag and stand up from my chair.

“Well then,” I say hurriedly. “Shall we go?”

Henrik arches an eyebrow. “You’re not going to fight me on this?”

“I’m too tired to argue.”

“Really?”

“Yes, now can we please leave?”

“Sure.”

Even with his back turned to me as he steps towards the door, I can see Henrik’s shoulders shake with barely suppressed laughter.

It makes my cheeks turn pink. What would my life be like if I were dating Henrik and not Timothy?

I shake my head to dispel the image. It’s silly, but a part of me can’t help but picture it: dinner dates at fancy restaurants, wild nights in his arms, and lazy mornings with Henrik kissing me.

His lips are probably incredibly soft

I frown at the sudden onslaught of feelings, not quite resenting them but not fully welcoming them either.

11:36 Sat, 27 Apr M ti

Chapter 55

“Paula, are you coming?” His voice jolts me out of my reverie.

“Yes, yes,” I stammer, snapping back to reality. My mind chastises me for having such thoughts about a man who is not just my boss but also a dragon.

As we walk towards his bright red sports car parked in the empty lot, I hear him chuckle softly. “You look very tired.”

“I am.”

“Should I carry you the rest of the way?”

1 suppress a blush that wants to creep onto my cheeks. “No, I can walk on my own just fine.”

The drive back to my house is unexpectedly peaceful, with only the gentle purr of the car engine and some music on low volume for the company. The quiet is comfortable and not at all awkward, unlike those moments with Timothy when he constantly stares at his phone and barely acknowledges my presence.

“This is your apartment, right?” Henrik’s melodic voice brings me back from my train of thought, and as I look up, I see him smiling at me with his dimples on full display.

“Oh..yes.” I flounder for words as I unbuckle my seatbelt. “Thank you for the ride and…everything else.”

He shrugs nonchalantly, though his eyes seem to say something else–something warmer. “Goodnight, Paula.”

The door shuts behind me with a thud that echoes through the silent street. As I watch Henrik drive off into the night, an unusual sense of longing wraps around me.

I don’t want him to leave. Even though I was trying to convince myself I hated our earlier banter, I had…fun when he was. messing with me.

Damn, am I already falling for him without realizing it myself?

Shaking my head, I try to focus on the fact that he is my boss, but it’s impossible to turn off the sensations that wash over me when I’m near him. Sighing deeply, I walk up the stairs and into my apartment, only to find Timothy and his friends absolutely wasted.

The sight perks up the discontentment inside me, pushing it out into full view. I stand frozen in the doorway, watching as the grown men drunkenly stumble over each other and laugh at their own nonsensical jokes–a stark contrast to the calm orderliness of my evening with Henrik.

“Paula, babe!” Timothy slurs, almost tripping over his own feet as he stumbles towards me. He reeks of alcohol and leaves a trail of mess in his wake, which matches the state of our once pristine living room, now littered with beer cans and takeout boxes.

Ignoring his outstretched arms, I step aside, letting him collapse onto the floor. He lets out a wheezy chuckle, completely unbothered that his girlfriend just let him fall flat on his face. Instead, he rolls onto his back and continues to laugh at the ceiling.

“Hey Paula,” one of Timothy’s friends calls from the couch, raising his beer can in a mocking toast. “Glad for the party.

you could join us

1 tighten my grip on my bag, anger boiling up inside me. But beneath that anger is disappointment–and regret. I do not regret leaving Henrik’s car or coming home to this mess, but I regret that I ever let myself be stuck in this dumpster apartment with Timothy for so long.

Shaking my head and biting back a nasty retort, I navigate through the rowdy crowd towards our bedroom and lock the door behind me.

11:36 Sat,

Chapter 55

Apr M

“Paula?” Timothy calls my name, but I ignore it even though it probably isn’t wise. Tomorrow, he will remember and beat me to a bloody pulp for locking him out of our bedroom.

Just like he has done so many times before.

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