Just Before My Wedding: Trapped By My Ruthless Boss novel Chapter 114

Chapter 114

KISAREL.

I couldn’t get over the text I received from Oceans last night.

“I have a surprise planned out for you tonight. Be prepared.”

It was stupid how many times I had read it.

Even stupider that I had fallen asleep with my phone in my hand and woken up smiling at the screen like a girl with no memory of pain.

I read it eleven times last night. Then three more times this morning, standing in Jace’s kitchen with a cup of coffee growing cold in my hands.

A sheepish grin kept threatening to expose me as I walked into SSC that morning. I tried to push it down before anyone noticed, but it kept coming back, soft and foolish and completely beyond my control.

I desperately looked forward to it all night. At least, it made up for the argument we had before he sent that text about two hours later.

Oceans had ordered me to leave Jace’s house. I wanted to. I swear, I did. But Jace… He cares about my health and safety. He had been firm about me staying with him until we understood what had happened at Luna Park.

And maybe I was scared enough to let him be firm.

Someone wanted to harm me. And the thought of it scared me more than anything.

Although I promised to think about it, I knew Jace would never let me leave just yet.

Nessa had told me we needed to go to the police.

For once, I had agreed without overthinking it.

We went yesterday, and I told them everything I could remember. Luna Park. The sting. The hospital. The strange feeling of being watched before all of this started. Even the stalker from that night.

Everything was now “under investigation,” which sounded official and useless at the same time.

Still, it was something.

“Good morning,” Chris greeted me the moment I stepped into reception.

I smiled and waved at him, heading toward the elevators, already thinking about Oceans‘ message again and hating myself

for it.

Then the elevator doors opened.

I stopped.

For a second, my mind refused to accept what my eyes were showing me.

I couldn’t even hide my

shock.

Ooh, Hello, there.” A cheerful voice greeted me, walking toward me.

Jorinda.

D

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Chapter 111

She was wearing a cream blouse and tailored trousers, her hair freshly done, and her smile wide and bright and absolutely certain of itself, as if the building had missed her personally and was grateful for her return.

What the hell was she doing here? I thought Oceans let her go?

My fingers tightened around the strap of my bag.

“Don’t be too shocked.” She stopped a few steps away, then glanced down at the space between us and smiled wider.

“Oh. Don’t take it to heart.” She pointed at the distance between us. “I’ll keep my distance.” She lifted both hands slightly “The last time I came too close to you, I lost my job.”

I blinked away the surprise and finally found my voice. “What are you doing here?”

“I work here.” She glanced around the lobby. “Again.”

“What?” I couldn’t stop myself.

Her eyes gleamed. She had been waiting for this exact moment.

I stared at her, waiting for the correction or for someone to come up behind her and explain that she was here for clearance paperwork, or a final document related to her dismissal.

But no one did. It seemed real.

Didn’t they say Oceans never let anyone in after letting them go?

So why was she standing in front of me with an access badge clipped to her blazer?

No. There must be a mistake somewhere.

This was out of character for Oceans, and the thought of it lit up my curiosity.

Jorinda leaned a little closer, lowering her voice like she was sharing gossip.

“And you won’t believe the best part.”

I didn’t have the words to reply.

“He even sent me on a trip to France with his wife–to–be.” Her smile turned bright enough to cut. “For the dress fitting. Moonie said he felt terrible about the whole mix–up.” She grinned happily, and a hot wave of shame moved up my neck, but I forced my face to stay still.

“Congratulations,” I said.

“Thank you,” she said. “I know this must feel a little strange for you.”

I adjusted my grip on my bag. “Why should I?”

“Oh, come on.” She gave a small laugh and looked me over. “You don’t have to pretend with me. I’d be shocked too if I were you. I mean… I was sent away just because of you. I know you felt really important when that happened.”

“I’m not cut out for this now. I’m running late for…”

“You know,” Jorinda cut me off, tilted her head, letting her smile soften into something almost pitying, “he told me something interesting when he called to tell Moonie how much he missed her two nights ago. He said he realized he’d been letting the wrong people influence his judgment.” Her eyes flicked over my face. “I think he was talking about you.”

Two nights ago? After he fucked me into oblivion? Could it be when he told me he needed to use the bathroom? Was that

11:28 Sat, May 30 MM.

Chapter 114

when he snuck out to call her and tell her he missed her?

My heart skipped a loud beat it had no right to skip.

But I kept my expression blank.

“Well.” Her voice dropped again, sound sweet and poisonous at the same time. “He does whatever Moonie asks. And that’s why I’m back. He is a good listener, I’ve noticed. I guess that’s what happens when a man is serious about the woman he’s marrying.”

The words landed exactly where she meant them to, even though I didn’t want to believe them.

She tilted her head, her smile brightening like she had only just remembered something. “Anyway, don’t worry. I learned my lesson. From now on, I’ll be very professional around you.” Her eyes flicked to my access card. “Especially since I wouldn’t want you to lose your job just yet. Moonie says he’d get Oceans to relieve you of your duties here. I wouldn’t want to be the one to hasten that process up.”

By now, I could swear Jorinda already heard the war drums my heart was playing, and the restless flutter of my pulse point.

“Mr. Stark would never… He’d never hand me a sack letter unless I decide to leave his company.” I tried to sound as calm as could, doing my best to steady my voice.

“Have a good day, Kisarel,” she said lightly, ignoring all I just said as she stepped past me. “And don’t stress yourself too much. Big week ahead for the future Mrs. Stark.”

She walked away before I could ask what she meant by “big week ahead.”

I shrugged it off and moved immediately. Oceans needed to answer some questions.

When I entered my office, I glanced toward his.

Oceans was on a call.

Even through the glass, I could tell the conversation was not going well. His face was set in a tight frown, his brows were pulled together, one hand gripping the edge of his desk while the other held the phone to his ear.

Usually, seeing him like that would have made me pause.

Today, I didn’t care.

All I cared about was finding out if what Jorinda had said was true.

I dropped my bag on my chair, but I didn’t sit. My body felt too restless and too hot beneath my skin. I kept hearing Jorinda’s voice in my head:

‘Moonie asked, and he listened.’

The words had no right to hurt that much.

He was

scrolling through his phone after he dropped the first call when I pushed into his office. He hadn’t looked up at me. It stung, but I didn’t care.

“I saw Jorinda.” I started.

His thumb stopped for half a second, then he kept scrolling again.

“I know

D

GR

O

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Chapter 114

“You told her to come back?”

He glanced up at me for half a second before returning to what he was scrolling through.

“Yes.”

My throat tightened, but I forced my voice to stay steady. “I thought you didn’t take people back,” I said.

Oceans‘ gaze moved to me again, this time slower.

“What?” Oceans finally looked up.

“That’s what everyone says, isn’t it?” I heard the thinness in my voice and hated it. “That once you let someone go, they stay gone.”

His jaw shifted a little. “Most times, yes.”

“Most times.”.

“Kiss-”

“No, I’m asking.” I moved closer to his desk. “What made her different?”

He held my gaze for a second too long as he leaned back in his chair.

“Moonie asked,” he said. “And I couldn’t say no.”