Ruined By My Brother's Best Friend (by Silverwriter) novel Chapter 13

He’s Pissed

ABELLA’S POV

I’d never been a fan of parties.

Not because I didn’t enjoy having fun, but because I hated feeling overstimulated and suffocated by crowds. There was always too much noise, too many people, and music so loud you could barely hear the person sitting next to you.

I was reminded of that dislike yet again as I sat in a VIP booth, squeezed between my best friend and a coworker I’d never spoken to in my life, surrounded by people dancing, talking, and laughing.

The only difference was that everyone here worked at the same company as me. Which somehow made the whole thing even weirder.

I let out an annoyed sigh. “When do we get to go home?” I asked Sierra.

She swirled the tumbler in her hand, which undoubtedly contained nothing but apple juice. “I don’t know, girl,” she said dramatically. “I’m drunk.”

I threw my head back and laughed so hard my eyes watered. “You’re ridiculous.” I glanced at her. “You’ve been drinking apple juice since we got here. The same apple juice I’ve been drinking. So how exactly are you drunk?”

She closed her eyes and smirked. “It’s all in the mindset.” Wiggling her fingers mysteriously, she added, “Everything is a mindset.”

“I genuinely can’t deal with you right now.” Shaking my head, I leaned back against the not–so–comfortable booth and closed my eyes.

I heard movement beside me. The person sitting next to me stood up, shuffled around, and sat back down again, but I was too exhausted to bother looking.

“You look exquisite in that dress.” The voice came from right beside my ear.

I yelped and nearly jumped out of my skin. My eyes flew open and I turned to my side. Instead of the random coworker who’d been sitting beside me earlier, Christian was now there, wearing a flirtatious smile.

Instinctively, I tried to scoot away. But unfortunately, the booth was so cramped that I nearly crushed Sierra in the process.

“T–thank you,” I mumbled.

Along with the invitations, Sierra and I had each received a silk maxi dress in the boxes Leah delivered.

I’d chosen the champagne–colored one, while Sierra went with black. The measurements had been noticeably off, and both dresses were far too big. I was almost certain that had been intentional.

The company had our measurements from our internship days when they issued uniforms, so there was no reason for the sizing to be wrong. Still, we made it work. I knew how to sew, and I had a sewing machine at home.

Christian frowned slightly. “I haven’t seen you on the dance floor all night.”

I blinked. “Um…”

“And you never came over to my side.”

The senior staff section?” I asked.

In true corporate fashion, the booths had been divided. The executives and senior employees occupied the far end of the

venue, while the rest of us were seated where I currently was. I hadn’t bothered looking in that direction all evening re always welcome there,” he said softly.

I couldn’t even force a polite smile. Instead, I secretly pinched Sierra, hoping she’d join the conversation or interrupt somehow. The sneaky bitch ignored me completely.

Christian was nice. Very nice, actually, but I wasn’t interested in his attention or how openly he was pursuing the. Work was complicated enough already. The last thing I wanted was office drama.

And honestly, a relationship was the last thing on my mind.

Before I could excuse myself, he leaned forward and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear again.

I immediately stood. “Um, sorry. I need a drink.” I said then practically sprinted toward the bar.

Relief should’ve washed over me when I reached it. Instead, my pulse sped up.

Because sitting calmly on one of the stools was the intimidating Russian–British man who had been turning my life upside down. Alvise.

His blue eyes met mine and I shifted uncomfortably as I took in the sight of him. His white dress shirt was rolled up at the sleeves, exposing his forearms, and he wore black suit pants that somehow made him look even more intimidating.

His gaze moved past me. Following it, I realized he was looking at Christian. That meant he’d seen us sitting together in the booth… He’d seen Christian leaning close.

My stomach twisted uncomfortably but I shook my head. It doesn’t matter, I told myself. He doesn’t care.

But if I was going to deal with Christian all night, I figured I needed something stronger.

His gaze narrowed. “Watch your fucking tone.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but one look at his face made me think better of it. His eyes darkened in warning. Reluctantly, I stayed quiet.

He nudged me back toward the stool until I sat down.

Ignoring the tingles his touch sent through me, I reached for my wine, but he grabbed it first.

I stared in disbelief as he finished the remaining wine in a single swallow. Then he set the empty glass down, returned his attention to his phone, and acted as though nothing had happened.

As though I wasn’t even there.

“Why did you stop me?” I asked after a while. No answer, again.

I let out a frustrated breath and without another word, I hopped off the stool and attempted to leave again.

This time, he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me back instantly.

“Look,” I snapped, my heart racing with irritation, “I have actual people waiting for me who respond when I talk to them, so let me go.”

“Hmm. I see. His voice was smooth. Dangerously smooth.

His breath brushed my neck, and his scent filled my senses, then he pointed toward Christian. “Like him?”

I immediately tried to pull away. “No!” I said, confused. “I meant my friend, I…”

Before I could finish, he tightened his arm around my waist and pulled me back again until I was standing directly between his legs.

My stomach fluttered and the anger drained away, replaced by sudden awareness of how close we were. Far too close.

He leaned forward. Close enough that I could feel his cool breath against my skin.

“Are you fucking him?”