Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina) novel Chapter 131

How Things Were

It’s been a week.

A week since I’ve seen Jake.

Not even in passing have I caught his gaze. Thankfully, Aiden and Zaid have been with me every day. Keeping me company, distracting me, making me feel loved.

But Jake? He’s been swallowed whole by work. I’ve been thinking about him so much, to the point where I’m thinking of reinstating the phobia chants in my head. Even when I’m laughing with Aiden or tangled up with Zaid, Jake is on my mind.

I miss him.

It’s starting the feel like it did when I forced myself to stay away from him.

The board is pushing him to také legal action against his late CFO’s family. They want repayment. They want blood. But Jake doesn’t. And it’s been draining him to be the only one against it.

Even if he is the founder and owner, he has the board top answer to.

So for the past week, I’ve only received little notes from him. His handwriting is terrible, but I cherish the small apologies scribbled onto the expensive cardstock. Even more so when they are tucked between the petals of the flowers he sends me.

My room is filled with them, vases on my nightstand, my dresser, my windowsill. They’re beautiful.

But I miss him. I want him, not flowers.

I sit on the edge of my bed, staring at the bouquet he sent this morning. I make up my mind there and then that I want to see him. Enough is enough.

I stand up and pull my red dress from the back of my closet. It’s short, silky, and just revealing enough to make a statement. He won’t be able to ignore me, regardless of how much work he has piled up.

I pair it with heels, letting them click against the hardwood floor as I make my way to my

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4:06 pm 11

How Things Were

vanity. A little eyeliner, soft waves in my hair, a hint of gloss on my lips.

Satisfied with how I look, I grab my coat and head for the door.

The moment I step down into the living room, I freeze when I catch Aiden and Zaid walking out of the kitchen with a load of junk food.

Zaid’s body tenses instantly. His dark eyes drag over me, slow and intense, his jaw tightening. He doesn’t say a word, but the way his expression hardens tells me enough.

I shift between my feet, pressing my lips together.

Aiden lets out a low whistle. “Damn, baby,” he drawls, his lips tilting into a smirk. “You look sexy.”

Heat rushes up my neck, and I lower my gaze, suddenly feeling like I’m caught with my hand in the cookie jar.

I smooth my hands over the fabric of my dress. “Do you think Jake will like it?”

Zaid doesn’t respond. Instead, he clenches his jaw, turns on his heel, and walks away. I watch him go, a strange tightness settling in my chest.

Aiden drops what he has in his arms on the couch and makes his way toward me. He grabs my chin and tilts my face up toward him, bringing my gaze to his.

“He’s gonna love it,” he murmurs, brushing his lips over mine in a soft kiss.

My heart is hammering in my chest now, my stomach twisting. “You think so? I haven’t seen him and I miss him. I just want to –”

He tightens his grip on me and forces my gaze right back to his. “He’s going to love it so much that he’ll want to take it off you the second he sees you.”

I roll ‘my eyes, but my stomach flutters at his words.

Aiden grins, grabbing his car keys. “Come on, I’ll drive you.”

He keeps his hand on my thigh as he drives and I pick at his knuckles, nervous to bring up

the next conversation.