“I’m not escaping anything. I’m not a coward!” My eyes burned as I defended myself.

“No? But you’re behaving like one.” As soon as he said that, regret flashed over his features. “Emerald, I didn’t mean…”

“You know what, Achilles Valencian? Go to hell!” Sending him a glare of wrath, I turned around and stormed away.

Watching the whole city from the balcony helped me cool my nerves. When I found this balcony empty, I decided to take a breath in the fresh air. But his words kept echoing in my head.

Though Ace’s words stung, he was telling the truth. I was running from someone, him. I was a coward. I just didn’t have the courage to be around him more than I could handle. More than my heart could handle.

But now that a challenge was thrown in my path by him and my fate, was I ready to accept it?

My phone beeped.

Ace: I’m sorry.

I glared at my phone as if I glared at him instead.

Sorry my foot! He did it on purpose. To hurt me. He knew it was a sore subject for me. Though he never mentioned it, I knew, somehow deep down, he knew of my feelings for him.

That was years ago! Yes, years ago. I reminded myself.

I didn’t know what changed, and why he was after me. But whatever he wanted, he wouldn’t get it.

Gripping the phone tight into my fist, I typed.

Whatever you’re trying to do, you won’t succeed in it. I won’t let it happen. Just three months, and I will be free of this contract soon. You can’t make me stay here forever.

Yes, I decided to face it. It was high time to face my fears. I didn’t even have any choice. Maybe, just maybe, I could finally move on facing my fears? Who knew? And in these three months, I could stay with my family. Plus, Tess’s wedding was approaching. So, in a way, there were a lot of positive sides if I stayed back and worked here.

It was just a matter of three months, anyway. I could do it.

After spending some time on the couch, I went back inside and found Caleb’s assistant, Liza.

Once she gave me a tour and explained my job here, we stopped at the management department. With dozens of cubicles, dozens of people were working tirelessly on their given tasks.

“So, Liza? Where will I work from?” I turned to the tall blonde.

“Your office is on the forty-eighth floor.”

My eyes narrowed. “Office? Shouldn’t I get a cubicle like the others? I mean, I’m just a new employee, assisting the head designers.”

“You’re right. But the boss has given you an office so you don’t have any kind of discomfort. And trust me, you will love it.” She smiled.