Loving The Better Brother novel Chapter 20

WILLOW

I was preparing to get some coffee with Rocco. The heavens knew how much I needed it after the meeting with Tristan.

He had insisted–politely but firmly–that he be the one to get it for me.

However, I couldn’t do that!

“I am more than capable,” I told him, already standing up from my chair and grabbing my phone. “It’s just coffee, not a royal decree.”

Rocco smiled in defeat. “Very well, Miss Willow. I will not argue with you.”

“Good.” I said. “Because I would win.”

He chuckled, shaking his head as he walked out of the office. “I’ll be waiting in the

car.”

I nodded and grabbed my belongings before walking out of the office myself.

The hallway felt different today. Yesterday, I was overwhelmed by how massive everything was. Today, I was more aware of the people and how they looked at me when I passed by.

They knew–not my real identity, of course–but they knew I was someone they knew.

As I walked toward the main entrance, my bladder decided to make its aggressively known.

Great.

Timing was truly not my friend.

presence

I turned toward the restroom instead. The hallway to the women’s bathroom was quieter, tucked away from the main offices and meeting rooms.

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Chapter 30 Gull & Target

Finished

I went inside a cubicle and did my business. Then, I heard voices coming from the outside. It definitely wasn’t a big deal. However, they were talking behind someone’s back, specifically–mine.

“Have you heard of the new secretary of Miss Florence?” a woman’s voice asked.

My movements slowed as I zipped up my slacks.

“Wasn’t Miss Florence the one who was escorted yesterday?” another voice replied. “I didn’t get to see her. I want to make sure to get on her good side.”

My stomach tightened.

“I’ve been wanting to get a promotion,” the first voice continued. “It was hard to get close to Mr. William, but his daughter might be an easier target.”

Easier target.

I stayed inside the cubicle despite having done my business already.

“Who is the secretary, though?” the second woman asked. “She should have come from one of the existing staff–not a new face.”

“The salary is good as a secretary, and I know a lot of us want to be promoted to that position.”

“They gave it to someone without any background of the company.”

There was a pause before laughter filled the comfort room.

“Must be a nobody,” the first woman said.

“She must have sucked someone’s dick to get there,” the second woman added.

They giggled.

“Probably Rocco,” the first one said. “I wouldn’t be surprised.”

The sound of their laughter echoed too loudly in the tiled room.

Rocco was a married man! I would have pretended not to hear such words, but I

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couldn’t do so for Rocco’s sake.

I stepped out of the stall area and into full view.

The laughter stopped instantly. Both women turned toward me.

I met their eyes, my jaw clenched tightly. I glanced down at their name tags without shame.

Millie.

Samantha.

Good. Now I knew who they were.

Finished

For a second, I thought they might apologize or, at least, have the decency to look embarrassed.

Instead, they just giggled again.

“It’s you?” Millie said, smiling unapologetically.

“So,” Samantha added lightly, “you heard.”

“There’s no need to sugarcoat it then,” Millie continued. “People in Fiorane are competent.”

She crossed her arms. “I don’t know how you got this position, but just know, incompetent people are bound to fall from their grace.”

Samantha leaned slightly closer, lowering her voice. “Watch your back.”

She winked. Then they walked out.

I stood there, my eyes still narrowed, trying not to explode from frustration. Even as a secretary, I had a bounty on my head.

I let out a slow, shaky breath and walked toward the sink. I turned on the water and stared at my reflection.

My cheeks were flushed and red. I splashed cold water on my hands, then pressed

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my palms lightly against them.

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