Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina) novel Chapter 132

Trying To Kill Me

The moment I step into the building, my breath catches in my throat. For as long as I’ve been dating Aiden, I’ve been here once, and yet it’s like I’m seeing it for the first time all over again.

The place is huge. High ceilings, sleek glass walls and clean, white marble floors that make my heels clack loud. The sound echoes and I grimace. Apart from me, it’s so quiet.

Most of the lights have been dimmed, and the only people I see are a single receptionist behind a massive desk and a few security guards stationed by the elevators.

It’s late, after office hours, but Jake is still working. Actually, the empty office might make

this a little easier on my nerves.

I square my shoulders, ignoring the nervous flutter in my stomach, and approach the receptionist. She barely glances up from the book in her perfectly manicured hands and fixes me with a bored, unimpressed look.

She looks me up and down and plasters the fakest smile on her face, setting her book facedown on the desk.

“We’re closed for the day. There’s no reason for you to be here.” Her tone is clipped,

almost mean.

I falter slightly, my fingers curling around the sleeves of my coat. “I’m just here to see

Jake.”

At that, she raises an eyebrow, her lips twisting into a sneer. “Mr. Matthews is a very busy man. He doesn’t have any appointments at this time.”

My chest aches at how condescending she sounds. I shift on my heels, biting my lip. “I don’t have an appointment. I just… I’m just going to go up to his office, okay?”

She laughs, shaking her head as she leans back in her chair. “Good luck with that. No one gets past them without clearance.”

She nods towards the guards that stand beside the doors. I purse my lips; none of them would recognize me. I glance at the reception as I pull out my phone. This wasn’t how I imagined this going.

1/4

Trying To Kill Me

I wanted to surprise Jake, show up at his door without him knowing I was heading his way. Instead, here I am typing out a message to him.

A: I’m in the lobby. The receptionist won’t let me up. I wanted this to be a surprise…

I barely have time to lock my screen and put it back in my pocket before the receptionist’s desk phone rings. She sighs dramatically and answers it with a roll of her eyes, but the moment she hears the voice on the other end, her posture stiffens.

“Yes, sir,” she says quickly, eyes flicking to me. “Of course, sir. I—yes. Understood.”

She hangs up, her expression shifting to one of forced politeness. “I apologize for the inconvenience, Miss.”

Secondhand embarrassment floods through me. “No worries.”

She refused to meet my eyes and nods toward the security guards. “Please let her up to Mr. Matthews‘ office.”

I can tell she’s struggling to keep it together, probably having been reprimanded just now. The thought makes me smirk a little as I walk past her toward the elevators, my heart racing with anticipation.

The elevator ride up feels endless. My heart pounds in anticipation, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my dress. I smooth out the fabric, suddenly nervous despite my

determination to see Jake.

At the last second, I decide to remove my coat so that he can see me in the dress instead.

It only makes my stomach flutter that much more fiercely. I’ve missed him so much it

aches.

When the doors slide open, I step out into a sleek hallway. I make my way toward his office, my heels clicking softly against the polished floor. There’s an empty desk outside. his doors and I’m sure it’s for his secretary.

My fingers tremble slightly as I push open the heavy door.

Jake is behind his desk, his sleeves rolled up, his tie slightly loosened, his focus locked on

And he freezes.

His gaze rakes over me, slow and deliberate, drinking in every inch of me. The red dress hugs my body perfectly, the heels adding a confident sway to my step. By the way his jaw tightens and his eyes hood over, I can tell he appreciates it.

A slow, hungry smile tugs at his lips, and he drags his hand down his face.

“Alina.” His voice is almost like a growl. He leans back in his chair, eyes full of hunger. “You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you, baby?”

I bite back a smile, walking toward him, setting my coat on the small couch. “You’ve been so busy,” I breathe.

His chair rolls back as he stands, closing the distance between us in two strides. Before I can take a full breath, his hands are on my waist, his warmth burning through the thin fabric of my dress.