Chapter 139
~ NYSSA
I sat in the office, head bent over some documents when someone knocked on the door.
I jumped in surprise, my heart pounding in my chest until I reminded myself that I was in an office and the odds of anyone sneaking in just to hurt me were low.
“Come in,” I mumbled, brows furrowing when Aria walked in. “Is everything okay p>
She had not bothered me since we stepped into the office. There was so much to be done and I was grateful for it because it gave me the chance to focus on the work and nothing else.
Aria nodded. “You have a delivery p>
“Delivery?” I repeated dumbly and she nodded, walking in with a large paper bag. “I didn’t order anything. They must have the wrong person. You should take it back p>
Aria ignored me and placed the table. “Lunch p>
She tore it open and the smell of fresh bread and spices filtered into my nose. My stomach grumbled loudly but I still did not reach for it.
“That’s what I’m telling you, Aria, I didn’t order p>
“Rowan did.” I went silent at her words and she continued. “At least, I think he did. There’s a note but I didn’t look at it. The last thing I want to see is my brother saying something sexual p>
She shivered at the thought and faked a gag.
“Open it,” she urged p>
I stood slowly, peering into the bag and sure enough, there was a small note atop the many bowls of food inside. I reached for it, unfolding it carefully as I read the words—well, word— written on them.
Eat.
A small smile tugged on my lips against my will.
“From that reaction, I’ll assume it’s him,” Aria drawled, lowering herself into the seat opposite me. “Do you know he has never sent me lunch before p>
I turned to her, brows rising in surprise. “Really p>
She nodded. “The best I get is an angry text telling me to get off my ass and fucking eat before I pass out. Then again, I’m just his sister, he doesn’t have to be nice to me all the time p>
She added the last part with a sly wink and my cheeks flushed a bright shade of pink. I reached for the food, stomach growling as I took in the creamy pasta inside. I’d been so focused on trying to forget everything that I had forgotten to tale care of myself.
“You can eat with me if you want,” I told Aria. “There’s far too much in there for me p>
As I shoved a forkful into my mouth, a small moan left my lips. I grabbed my phone and sent a quick thank you message to Rowan.
It was as if he was waiting for that because his response came almost immediately.
Rowan: You don’t have to thank me for lunch, Nyssa.
Me: You didn’t have to send it either, but you did.
Rowan: I’ll pick you up after work.
Me: What? Why?
He read the messages but did not respond.
Unease and worry swirled in my stomach and I could not help but think of the worst case scenarios. Had I done something wrong? Was the lunch his way of buttering me up before delivering devastating news that would end up ruining me?
“Are you okay?” Aria asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. Her lips were pressed into a flat line as she stared down at me. “You don’t look so good and you’re pushing around your food p>
I forced a tight smile on my face as I shook my head. “Nothing, It’s fine p>
It was clear she didn’t believe me, but I was in no mood to discuss my fears and worries with her. If she knew what he wanted to talk about, chances were that she would have already told me.
I forced myself to finish the food in my hands but each bite felt like lead settling in my stomach.
Aria left me alone after lunch and I tried to throw myself back into work but I could not help but think about Rowan’s message. With each minute that passed, my worry only seemed to grow even more until I was sweating in my air conditioned office and I could not bear to sit for a second longer.
I cursed, rising to my feet as I dragged myself out of the office.
I barely made it to the door when Eric rushed up to my side, his brows furrowed in confusion as he matched my steps.
“You don’t have to come with me,” I mumbled under my breath. “I just need air p>
“Right, because the air in the air-conditioned office isn’t enough for you,” he drawled, crossing his arms over his chest. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong or are you going to just keep walking because I guarantee that it is hot as fuck outside p>
I stopped in front of the front doors, my lips turning down into a deep frown. “You’re annoying p>
He grinned. “Are you going to talk or p>
I groaned aloud. “Can we just sit in the car… please p>
“That, I can do p>
We walked in silence towards the car and once I was seated, he locked the door, turning his entire attention to me.
“Are you going to talk about it now or do you want me to keep asking p>
Io chewed on the inside of my cheek, debating whether or not I actually wanted to voice it out.
“Come on, Nyssa, you dragged me away from a perfectly good game. The least you could do is tell me why p>
I exhaled deeply. “I think Rowan is going to call things off p>
He went still, brows furrowed in confusion. “What? Why p>
I showed him the cryptic message. “He hasn’t said shit since. I wouldn’t blame him though, I mean, look at all that has happened since I arrived p>
Eric stared at me for a long minute and then he laughed, the sound echoed through the small space. He slammed his hand against the steering wheel as wheezes forced their way out of his mouth.
“Did you hit your head when you were taken?” he asked, head cocked to the side. “That man is fucking obsessed with you p>
“But the text p>
“The text doesn’t mean shit but it’s okay if you don’t believe me, you can ask him yourself. He just got here p>