Chapter 40: Chapter 40

Jenny slammed her hand on the table and Vince flinched as he glanced up from his food to stare at her, one of his eyebrows arched.

"What the hell, that was totally unnecessary, you could have just called my name you know".

Jenny glared, the veins on her neck straining against her pale skin. "You lied to me about Lennox. You said he was still the same, grieving over Melissa when he was not" she accused and Vince took a suffering breath before he leaned back on his seat.

"The last time I saw him, he was really down, and he just looked like he was contemplating suicide so I freaked. I wouldn't lie about it, but if you say he's all better now, then we should celebrate".

"Celebrate" she scoffed. "What are we going to celebrate, the fact that he didn't become happy because of me, but some dumb assistance" she bit out, clenching her fist as if it took all her willpower to let the words out of her lips. Vince's eyes widened then narrowed.

"Lennox has an assistant? Why do I find that super hard to believe, are you pulling my legs right now" he asked and Jenny just stared at him until he thought her eyes would grow out daggers and slice him in little chunks. "Ok. Ok, chill will you. I didn't know he had an assistant because he's always replacing one with another, usually in two days max. He does everything himself, you and I know that".

"Except now he doesn't and she's been his assistant for more than a month Vince. I fucking told you to keep an eye on him and you couldn't even do that. You're literally just good for nothing at this point."

Vince winced like he's been slapped. "I'm sorry Jenny. I should have been more watchful but I had some personal stuff to deal with. You don't expect me to forget about my own life and just watch Lennox forever, that's not fair to me" he defended and Jenny just scoffed, giving him a short dismissive wave. "But" he pressed on, already used to her habits. "Since he's all approachable now, why don't you just ask him out." He suggested, trying subtly to veer the conversation in another direction, one that wouldn't involve her mentioning all his failures but hers.

Jenny huffed, dragging her hand through her hair. "He doesn't want to be with me Vince, that too after I shamelessly offered myself like I was a worthless, pride-less, and desperate bitch, then there is the stupid assistant that I've been hearing rumors about, which by the way are exaggerated because Lennox is too classy for that".

"Well, one thing for sure is you and Lennox have been friends for ages so I think you have more chances. I don't think he'd choose a mere assistant over you, and that would be assuming he even likes that girl".

"I'm not blind as you are Vince. Something is definitely going on between them. He's kept her for that long, so it only means he's intrigued by her or interested in her".

Vince pursed his lips. "I could always put in a word on your behalf. Lennox might see you in a new light if I make you out to be a once in a lifetime... " He stopped noticing the glare Jenny leveled at him.

"Don't bother. I don't need your fucking help. You couldn't even get him to stop mourning Melissa, and you think you suddenly have a magical power that'll make him listen. Bitch please" she said, flipping her hair. "I know how to go about getting what I want, and if I have to play dirty, then I will play dirty".

Vince sighed, grabbing his fork even tho his appetite was nonexistent at that point. "Do what you want Jenny, just don't go overboard" he cautioned, and Jenny just smirked.

******

Sophia tossed her leg, fluffed the blanket around her, then turned to find a comfortable position, but everything felt off and she sat off angrily shoving off the blanket as if it was the real reason why she couldn't sleep. It was freaking Lennox!

Sophia stared around the room, her mind wandering back to the image of Jenny's lips on Lennox's cheek. He hadn't even bothered to introduce them as if he didn't consider her relevant enough.

"This is just pathetic at this point. What did I expect, that Lennox would just fall in love with me just because of one kiss" she murmured shaking her head when her phone pinged. She reached for it from the nightstand, tiredly glancing at the message. Her eyes widened when she saw it was from Lennox.

Sophia got out of the bed, pacing her room as she clicked on the message which was a simple 'what are you doing. Sophia stared at it, her heart racing. Was it really simple tho or was it in another context x-rated? What if he meant it like, "what are you doing right now baby" like in a sexy kind of way, or was it a literal question.

Sophia took a deep breath, then typed. "Couldn't sleep cause", cause what, I'm busy thinking about you with the other woman. No thanks, Sophia told herself as she deleted what she had written, then tried again. "Just woke up to go to the toilet..." Sophia quickly canceled it, she didn't want him thinking she had a horrible case of diarrhea, cause why would you want a love interest to think about you in the toilet. "I'm reading a book" lying much. Sophia canceled it, then typed. "The question should be what are you doing? who is Jenny Mark to you". Sophia groaned, deleting the message. Sounding like a possessive freak when you're not even in a relationship yet was too low, even for her. Sophia stared at the message until she thought her brain would explode, then she dropped the phone, becoming angry. "Why am I even considering replying to his messages when he only wants a working relationship. He shouldn't even be texting me at all, what happened to rule 78, no personal texting unrelated to work. Ugh. He couldn't even follow his own rules.

Sophia got back into bed, dragging the once discarded blanket over her body, and exhaling tiredly. She had to force herself to stop glancing at her phone. What was it she hoped for, another text... She was almost sure Lennox sent it in the spur of the moment and was probably regretting it. SO what did that mean? Did he have any feelings for her, and would he pursue her, or was it going to be the new girl that had suddenly shown up in his life, not that new, since they'd been close friends from all the rumors.

And when had wanting to get revenge turned into lying in bed and wishing desperately for him to love her back, choosing her over Jenny and Melissa.

Lennox had so much baggage, but why couldn't she stop wanting him, or wanting to kiss him, or remembering how desperate, how intense the kisses they had shared were.

Was there really not going to be a repeat.