I couldn’t tell him my doubts. Arthur was a very reputable man in the office. I couldn’t just bluff anything without solid proof. It was just my intuition that he shouldn’t be trusted.

He nodded. “Yeah, due to ill health, she took a few days off. But don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll get better soon. I’ll let you know if I hear anything from her.”

I smiled. “Please do. Anyway, I’ll see you later. Got some work to do.”

Again nodding, he went inside his office.

I tried to call her last night, but she didn’t pick up. She even ignored my messages and emails. It wouldn’t bother me this much if I didn’t see her with Arthur. And seeing tears in her eyes at both times I found her around him didn’t sit well with me.

She looked scared.

What was going on?

I let out a breath. I wished she would tell me.

Shaking my head as I pushed the door of my office open and padded inside, a gasp slipped through my lips. My eyes widened.

I was running away from the devil, and here he was waiting for me in my own cave. With one hand in his pocket, he stood before my desk, touching a picture of me and Tobias. Putting the frame in its previous place, he turned around. Dark, stormy gray eyes fell on me.

“W-what are you doing here?”

His head tilted to the side. “Did you really think you could escape me for that long? In my own office?”

THIRTY-ONE: TIME TO MAKE A DECISION

“What are you talking about? I’m not escaping you,” I said, not meeting his eyes.

“Really? Then what was that at the lobby?” Gaze hard.

Surprise lit inside me. He saw me?

Damn! I knew I’d gained weight. My fat ass couldn’t even run faster!

“W-what was what? What did I do now?” I feigned innocence.

His lips pressed together in annoyance. “You ran away seeing me.”

I shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was already late for the office. A lot of work was piled up. I was busy. You’re mistaken.”

“Busy talking to my employee?” he asked, nostrils flaring.

My eyes widened. How did he know I was talking to Matt? Was he keeping an eye on me now? Could this man be any weirder?

“You don’t have time for me, but you have time to talk to another man?” I staggered back as he took slow steps towards me, like a predator approaching his prey. “How many times do I have to tell you I don’t like seeing you with other men? You seem to be fond of him too much.” A muscle of his jaw ticked, hands curled into fists.