The strong aroma of coffee invaded my nostrils as the hot liquid dripped down my bare arms, leaving a burning trail behind and staining my dress.
I couldn’t help but hiss in pain. I had barely glanced at my arm, but it was impossible to miss the red patch that was quickly forming.
I looked down at the coffee mug that was shattered on the ground, liquid spilling from it.
"Evelyn, are you alright?" I could hear Rhys beside , his voice laced with concern.
I lifted my eyes to et his worried gaze. "Yeah, I’m okay. It’s not a big deal."
"Not a big deal? Look at your arm. It’s all red now." His eyes were fixed on the woman standing not too far away from .
I didn’t recognise her. Sleek blonde hair that fell over her shoulders, sharp green eyes, and a knowing look etched across her face as she wiped at her arm and dress. She must be from another departnt.
"How could you be so careless, Sara?" He snapped at her, and whatever remaining hint of a triumphant look on her face faltered imdiately.
Her eyes grew wide as she waved her arms frantically. "It wasn’t on purpose, I swear. I didn’t see her standing there..." her soft voice trailed off for a while.
"You an to say you didn’t see a whole woman standing in front of you?"
"I’m hurt too, you know?" She continued with a tiny pout, but Rhys looked like he couldn’t care less.
His eyes raked over her body in one quick second. "I don’t see any burns on you," he pointed out bluntly.
"I—" Sara opened her mouth to argue, but Rhys didn’t give her a chance.
"I heard enough of your excuses. You are fired.
A gasp bubbled out of the woman as her brows pulled together into a frown. "What? Because I accidentally spilled coffee on her?"
"Mr. Carson," I quickly interjected. "This is just an accident. You don’t have to fire her."
I’m not planning on making an enemy on my second day of work. Besides, I would hate to escalate this situation and be the hot topic on everyone’s tongue the next day. What would the people say if they found out their boss fired soone for spilling coffee on ? I was certain it would be nothing nice.
Rhys looked over at with a frown. I knew he didn’t agree. But he didn’t fight back either. "Fine," he grumbled. "Your burn is more important. Let’s go."
I could hear the woman let out a huff before I lowered my head and quietly followed him out of the office.
His fingers wrapped around my arm gently, as if he were careful not to hurt . Cold water ran down my arm as we stood by the sink in the pantry.
I could already feel a few pairs of eyes on us the mont we walked out. And now that we were both standing here while he was tending to my injury, soft murmurs began to rise from so of them.
I pulled my hand away from him, trying my best to maintain distance between us. "Thank you for your help, but I don’t think this is appropriate. People are going to—"
"Does it look like I care?" He reclaid my arm. "Just let help you."
"I...sure."
I stared at him as he ran the water down my arm, and felt like I was transported back to years ago when this was normal. Whenever I was hurt or sick, he was always the first to run to my side and take care of until I was fully recovered. I didn’t realise it till now, but I really did miss his gentleness that was solely reserved for .
"Are you done staring at yet?" His voice jolted back to the present. I t his eyes, an amused look glinting in those dark eyes.
Fuck. What was I even thinking?
"I...I..." I tripped over my own words like an idiot. Ugh. I wanted nothing more than to dig a hole and bury myself in it. I cleared my throat, heat creeping up my neck. "I wasn’t staring."
He let out a soft hum. "If you say so."
He would be the death of . How was I supposed to work and plot my revenge on my scumbag husband and sister if my ex was constantly flirting with at work?
***
Rhys had insisted that I get a new dress for the dinner with the client later. I didn’t argue or protest. After all, spending the entire workday in a stained dress was not exactly ideal.
However, what I didn’t expect was for Rhys to tag along. My boss was tagging along on my shopping trip! If what happened in the pantry earlier wasn’t ’scandalous’ enough, this would for sure be it. Was he not afraid that soone would report us and he would lose his job?
"Are you done yet?" I could hear Rhys’ voice from outside the dressing room. Soone’s real patient, ain’t he?
I pushed open the door to the dressing room, a tiny frown between my brows as my eyes landed on him. He was sprawled across the armchair, leaning back with a casual expression. Nothing like the scary, an boss I t the first day.
"If I hadn’t mistaken, you insisted on coming with when I told you I could settle this myself."
He pressed his lips together as he considered his next words. "So, is this going to be the one?" He asked instead, swiftly changing the subject.
Of course, he would.
I stifled a laugh as I turned to look at myself in the full-length mirror in front of . I let my eyes wander down the deep brown dress. The soft, silky fabric pooled at my ankles, flowing down from my waist. It had a similar cut to the dress I had on previously, except it had delicate lace peeking through the neckline.
"I think I like it."
"Like? I’m not spending money on a dress you just ’like’."
"Okay, fine," I huffed. "I love it. Is that better?"
The corners of his lips twitched slightly. "Better."
"And didn’t I tell you I’m buying it myself?"
"Did you?"
I clearly rember telling him multiple tis, by the way.
I gaped at him, but it only widened the smirk plastered across his face. "I’m changing out of this." I marched back into the dressing room, closing the door behind .
I let out a breath and tugged at the zipper on my back. My arm was twisted at the weirdest angle as I tried to reach for it. I had only managed to pull it down a little when all of a sudden, it wouldn’t budge.
Great. I’m stuck now.
I swore these back zippers must have so personal beef with . I contemplated shouting for Rhys, but having my ex, who was also my boss, co back here to pull a zipper down my back was a no-go.
I sucked in another deep breath, my arm trying hard as I struggled to reach and pull at it. But just like before, it didn’t move an inch.
I heard so shuffling outside the door, and almost instantly, relief washed over . The sales assistant must be back. "Excuse ," my voice ca out soft. "The zipper on my dress is stuck. Could you please help ?"
"Sure, open the door."
The smile on my face faltered when I heard the voice co from the other side of the door. It wasn’t the sales assistant.
"I’m not opening the door for you."
"Why not? I can help you."
"I’m not...this is wildly inappropriate."
"The sales assistant isn’t here. I don’t know where she is."
"Fuck," I muttered under my breath. I pressed my lips tight, contemplating my options. But it seed like my only option was standing outside the door right now.
"So are you letting in or what?"
"Fine, but don’t look," I warned.
"I won’t," he assured, but I could practically hear the smirk in his voice.
I carefully pushed the door open, peeking out through the small gap. "Co in."
I quickly turned around, having my back to him, and I heard the door click shut behind .
Fuck. I am in the sa dressing room as my ex.
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