Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 129687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
And he missed her, too, goddammit, but how could he be with her, knowing that its inevitable end was to see her ruined?
His phone had gone silent, but only a few moments had passed before it started ringing again.
It was Pippi, not giving up on him when she should never even have given him the time of the day.
Amelia's words that night had never left him, and every time he closed his eyes, the nightmares that came to him were one and the same. He would dream of the times Amelia had played him like a fool, and somehow the scene would change, and it would be Acheron making a fool of Pippi. He would dream of Millicent Longbourn, alone and broken because of him, and somehow Millicent, too, would transform into Pippi.
Maybe it was just paranoia, but what if it wasn't?
He had seen how being with him had made such a fucking mess of Millie's life, and he had never forgiven himself for it.
His phone started ringing for the third time, and Acheron drove his fist into the wall in a futile attempt to distract himself with the pain.
Why had he made himself forget about what happened to Millie?
Why had he convinced himself that things would be different with Pippi?
The phone rang for the fourth time, and Acheron could no longer help himself.
"Pippi."
Pippi nearly collapsed in relief even as the hollow tone of his voice made her feel cold. "Are you at the hotel?"
"Ne." Yes.
"Can I...can I come over?" She was expecting either a 'yes' or 'no', but instead she heard him curse under his breath, and it hurt. It just hurt so much she could barely think, and somehow all the words came tumbling out.
"It's Amelia, isn't it? She t-told you something."
"Pippi—-"
"She likes you, can't you see that? And that's why she's going to say whatever it takes—-"
"Stop it," Acheron cut in furiously. "You don't know anything about her, so don't speak as if you do." Amelia had been batting for her, dammit, and here she was, accusing Amelia of sabotaging their relationship.
Pippi breathed hard, doing her best not to cry. "Acheron, please." She wasn't exactly sure what she was begging him for, but when she heard him speak -
"I'm sorry," Acheron said tautly.
It seemed he knew, and now that she heard his words, she realized what it was she had been asking.
Please love me.
And he might as well have said he couldn't.
Twenty-Four
SHE HAD BEEN WORKING like she was on auto-pilot for several days now, Gareth mused. And while as an employer, he had no cause for complaint - her work remained as flawless as always - he couldn't help feeling slightly concerned at the way she seemed to be pushing herself a little too hard.
It was as if she was running away from something, and work had become her panacea. That was no doubt good news for the company, but if she continued as she were, Ms. Jones would eventually run herself ragged and end up in the E.R. sometime soon.
A while later, he saw her rise from her seat and start swaying on her feet -
Gareth made up his mind at that.
"Ms. Jones?"
She snapped to attention, her back automatically straightening. "Yes, Mr. Evans?" Blank blue eyes gazed back at him.
"What the fuck happened to you?"
Pippi blinked. "I'm sorry, Mr. Evans. I'm afraid I don't quite understand." But she was lying, and they both knew it. The truth was, she was still in shock, but it wasn't like she could tell him that. He would ask why if she did, and what was there to say?
I'm in shock because I think Acheron Simonides had low-key dumped me over the phone? She hadn't even realized that kind of breakup could exist until she had personally experienced it, and even now a part of her remained reeling. Things couldn't be over between them. It just couldn't. Right?
"That's it."
Pippi jerked in shock at her boss' curt tone, and her cheeks colored when his frowning gaze made her realize she had spaced out on him. "I'm s-sorry, Mr. Evans—-" The impatient shake of Gareth's head silenced her even as Pippi's embarrassment grew. Lud, lud, lud. Why did she always end up acting unprofessional in this man's presence?
"You're not yourself," Gareth stated calmly. "That much is obvious—-" He saw her start to protest and shut her up with a warning look. "Don't bother denying it, Ms. Jones. Right now, the only thing I've to figure out is why." His gaze turned thoughtful as he considered her pale face and the dark circles under her eyes. "You had a fight with your boyfriend perhaps?"
Ex, Pippi thought numbly. Make that ex-boyfriend, Mr. Evans.
Gareth's gaze narrowed. "Did he dump you?" The flash of pain in Pippi's blue eyes was answer enough, and he winced, realizing he could've afforded to be a bit more tactful. "I apologize, Ms. Jones. I know I could've worded that better."