Chapter 17: Chapter 17

The next day, after spending the rest of the night unable to stop thinking about Joshua and his kiss, the alarm clock rang promptly at six in the morning, announcing the beginning of a new day. Slowly, I opened my eyes and stretched, still half asleep, but knowing that I needed to get up soon so as not to be late for work.

As soon as I got up, I headed to the bathroom and took a quick shower. While getting dressed, I carefully chose my clothes for the day, making sure they were appropriate for the company environment.

And every time I closed my eyes, the image of Joshua kissing me appeared in my mind, and no matter what I did, my mind seemed to be stuck on him.

That's when I realized that maybe I was falling in love. I didn't want to admit it, but that's what was happening. I was attracted to his intelligence, his beauty, and his strong personality.

But at the same time, I felt afraid. Afraid of giving too much, afraid of getting hurt, afraid of being used. I was afraid that it was all just a joke, a game for him. After all, he had a reputation as a womanizer, and I didn't want to be just another conquest on his list.

We all know that type of man. The type that flirts with any woman who crosses his path, who seduces without caring about the other person's feelings. And I knew that Joshua had the reputation of being exactly like that.

However, something inside me told me that he was different, that I should trust him and give him a chance, that maybe he could be sincere in his feelings for me, but the fear of being just another conquest haunted me.

Should I really believe what he said to me? Or should I just ignore it, and if necessary, take advantage of it too? After all, who hasn't been afraid to give themselves to someone with a questionable history?

And these were the questions that kept me thinking about him at night, trying to understand what I was feeling and if I was really willing to take the risk.

After finishing getting ready, I went to the kitchen for breakfast. Mrs. Taylor hadn't arrived yet, and it seemed Joshua had gone out to exercise, so I prepared a cup of strong coffee and a slice of whole wheat bread with butter. While eating, I checked the day's news on my phone and responded to some messages I had received during the night from Zoe, who still tormented me about the 'unknown' person who had gotten into a fight at Joe's bar.

And I don't think I should tell her that the unknown person was Joshua.

I finished my breakfast and grabbed my purse on the counter and my coat behind the door of the house. I walked out and made my way to the huge gates of the building, meeting the house driver along the way.

"Good morning, Miss Collins," Mr. Taylor greeted me.

"Good morning, sir. You're early today."

"Actually, Mr. Scott asked me to take you to the company today."

"He won't need you?"

"No, no. He's already at the company. He went earlier than usual today."

Oh my goodness! Did something happen?

"Did something happen?"

"He said he had to take care of some things first, but said everything was fine. Can we go?"

I nodded my head and followed the driver.

***

During the ride, I admired London more than usual, as if it were the first time I had traveled that route. For some reason, the fresh morning air made me feel refreshed and ready to face another day at work, it didn't even seem like I had slept little the night before.

Upon arriving at the company, I bid farewell to Mr. Taylor and make my way inside the building. A few minutes later, after taking the elevator, I arrive at the office, greet Samantha, and start working immediately. At the desk next to mine, I notice Samantha can't stop looking at me.

"Is everything alright?" I ask her. The young woman looks at me with a mischievous smile.

"Answer me, you seem more radiant than usual," Samantha comments, and I feel my cheeks immediately flush.

"Did you see the blue bird from Snow White?" she says without hiding her curiosity and malice. Soon, the image of Joshua comes to my mind, and I feel my heart beating even faster. I try to push those thoughts away, but I can't resist my boss's charms. It's as if a greater force is pulling me closer to him. I knew I needed to be cautious, but at the same time, I couldn't control my feelings, which I still didn't know well.

"Who's the guy?" she leans over the desk, looking at me attentively and waiting for my answer.

"He doesn't have a face..." I stumble.

"So, it's a girl? Even better..." she teases.

"No, I mean, there's no one involved..." I clarify.

"Then what is it?" she leans back in her chair, looking a bit disappointed. "Unless you've won the lottery, no excuse will be good enough."

"Okay..." I take a deep breath. "There is a guy involved..."

"I knew it!" she exclaims.

"But I can't say who he is," I say.

"Is he married?" she asks, shocked. "You little minx..."

"What? No! He's not married! I just can't say who he is because... I'm not sure what he feels for me," I explain.

"Why don't you ask him?" she suggests.

"Well..." I look down at my fingers on the desk. "He said he felt something for me, but I don't know if I should trust him... He has a reputation as a playboy."

"Oh my goodness! Then... You'd better stay away. Playboys are not good for a serious relationship, they're only good for having fun," Samantha advises.

"I know... And that crossed my mind, just for fun," I say.

"Then... Enjoy it," she shrugs. "If he doesn't want anything serious with you, at least have an adventure."

Thinking about Samantha's advice, I consider following her advice.

"Just an adventure," I murmur.

***

The hours pass, and I continue to think about Samantha's advice while trying to focus on the day's tasks. For a moment, I also caught myself thinking about him, imagining what he might be doing now, if he was thinking about me as I was thinking about him. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, a mixture of fear, anxiety, and passion. Was I being foolish?

A fool for thinking about him, a fool for thinking he just wanted to play with me, and a fool for wanting something fleeting with him. I must confess, I felt an immense urge to ask Samantha for advice, but deep down I knew that in the end, only I could decide what to do. And that was exactly what I had to do, make a decision and acknowledge what I truly wanted. Whether I should take a risk or let it go, but the only thing I couldn't do was live with the feeling of never having tried. So I decided that the right thing to do was to open up to him, to know what his true intentions were with me, if it was something fleeting or not.

At the end of the day, I decided it was time to talk to him. I needed to know if he felt the same way I did and if he was willing to take a risk together. It was an important step, but I knew it was the only way to move forward and find out what the future held for us.

With that in mind, I stood up from my seat and walked to my boss's office. As I approached his door, I saw that it was slightly ajar. And just before knocking, I heard voices from inside.

"I thought you didn't want to..." said a female voice.

"And I don't. But what did you expect me to do?" he replied shortly.

"You can't deny that you still love me."

"That's not love, Madelyn. It's just a good deed."

I immediately widen my eyes realizing that the woman inside was the same one who had appeared in Joshua's apartment the other day. When did she come in here? It must have been when I went to the bathroom...

"Are you sure about that?" she asked.

Through the small gap in the door, I could see the woman slowly approaching Joshua, touching the tips of her fingers on his chest.

"I know you still want me," she said with a sexy voice.

"Yes. You're right," he replied simply. "And my biggest desire is for you to stay away from me."

Joshua abruptly took the girl's hand off his chest.

"What's gotten into you? Why are you rejecting me?"

"Maybe it's because we no longer have anything with each other."

I leaned a little more towards the door to see better what was going on inside, but I leaned too much and opened it, revealing that I was there. The girl's gaze met mine, noticing my presence. Joshua had his back to me, so he couldn't tell that I was there.

"I love you, Joshua! When will you understand that I can't stop loving you?"

"I'm sorry. But I can't reciprocate anymore."

"I know you're punishing me for what I did. But I've changed! And I also know that you've returned to your teenage obsession."

"What are you talking about?"

"About you getting interested in the girls who worked at your parents' house to try to forget me. But, love..." she touched his face. "I'm here. You don't need to repress your feelings."

I feel my heart tighten. Was that really true?

"Please, Madelyn. You're embarrassing yourself," Joshua said as he was about to turn around, but the girl threw herself into his arms, kissing him.

I automatically cover my mouth with my hands, stunned. I turn my back and close my eyes so I don't have to see the scene. But why did I care? Why did it hurt so much? Maybe it was because I had heard him say he liked me a few hours ago, and now I see him kissing someone else.

I don't know what happened between them, but seconds later, I hear Joshua calling my name.

"Alice?"

I shake my head and take a deep breath.

"This is the girl you decided to have fun with? I should have known, I suspected when I saw you living together," Madelyn explored.

Joshua ignored her and approached me. He touched my arm, but I recoiled.

"I know what you might be thinking. But it's not true. None of what she said," he said.

I turn to him, stupefied.

"Why did you do that?" I ask, and he looks confused. "Kiss me?"

His face is surprised, but he quickly responds, "Because I feel something for you, Alice."

"And you don't know what it is. But I do. You just want someone to have fun with," I say.

He takes a deep breath and then gives me an answer I didn't expect at that moment.

"Alice, can we talk later?"

His words leave me shocked, and I confess, a little irritated.

Joshua's phone rings, interrupting him. He answers and seems to receive some shocking news.

"I'm already on my way," he ends the call. "We'll talk later," he says briefly and walks hurriedly toward the elevator.

I hear the sound of heels hitting the floor, echoing through the office. I look up and see Madelyn walking towards me, arms crossed and a mocking smile on her lips.

"Let me see if I got this right..." she giggles, as if analyzing the scene that had just happened. "You and Joshua... kissed? Jesus!"

I sigh and try to ignore her.

"You're pretty stupid, you know that?" she mocks, letting out another chuckle. "A guy like him doesn't come along every day, so he's not for just anyone. I could list numerous amazing things about him." She begins to take a few steps around the room. "He's a very sexy guy. Kind. Romantic. Intelligent. And my favorite... He's excellent in bed." She gives a sly smile and stops walking next to me. "But I guess you haven't experienced that last one."

I squint my eyes, analyzing her attitude. Was she trying to provoke me? I wet my lips and decide not to pay attention to her provocations. I try to leave, but she stops me. Madelyn holds my arm tightly.

"You're hurting me," I emphasize.

"That's the intention."

I look perplexed at the diabolical expression forming on her face.

" I hope that kiss that happened between you two was just a slip-up on his part, because if it happens again... I'll have to take proper measures. "

I raise my eyebrows, staring at her.

"Are you threatening me?"

"Me? Never. I just want you to be honest with yourself and realize that you're not good enough for him," she tightens her grip on my arm. "If I find out you're messing around with him, you'll see my worst possible side."

She moves closer to me, leaving an inscrutable smile on her lips as she looks at me with a vacant expression.

"Stay out of my way, Alice."