*Isabella's POV*
Little did I know, Jacob didn't miss me at all. Not even a little. His lips were already occupied—by someone else. I saw Brittany leaning against his desk, her hands sliding over his shoulders, her body practically pressed against him in a way that made my stomach churn.
My heart sank. I couldn't stand to watch any longer. Without thinking, I spun around and bolted out of the office, not wanting to make a fool of myself—the last thing I needed was for him to see me breaking down over some fucking asshole who didn't even care.
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Jacob freaking lost it when he saw Brittany throwing herself at him, trying to seduce him with her damn tempting ways. "What do you think you're doing?" he snapped, pushing her away with a rough shove. That freaking woman was known around the office as the ultimate seductress, always trying to get what she damn well pleased. But Jacob wasn't having it this time, no freaking way.
"Come on, Mr. Lancaster," Brittany purred, her tone dripping with seduction, trying to get under his skin. She practically threw herself at him, her hands trailing along his chest, eyes full of desire. "You know you want it," she said, her voice like damn honey, trying to lure him in. But Jacob's jaw tightened, and he was about to tell her to freaking back off when he heard the unmistakable sound of a door closing sharply.
His eyes flicked towards the hallway, his instincts kicking in, and he muttered under his breath, "What was that?" He quickly pushed past Brittany and rushed out of his office, leaving her damn tempting ways behind. He looked down the corridor and saw her, Isabella, walking away from her desk, her face set in a mix of anger and hurt. Without hesitation, he hurried after her, his long strides closing the distance in seconds.
Just as he reached out to stop her, a hand gently but firmly gripped her wrist, halting her in her tracks. "Isabella," Jacob's voice called softly, but there was an undertone of hesitation, almost pleading. She spun around sharply, her eyes blazing with frustration and hurt. "What?" she snapped, refusing to meet his gaze. Her voice was thick with anger, her fists clenched at her sides. Inside, she felt a storm of betrayal - she couldn't believe she'd been manipulated like this, played for a damn fool.
He took a hesitant step forward, voice gentle but strained. "Were you in my office?" She sneered, her tone sharp and bitter. "Does it matter?" she shot back, her voice trembling with a mixture of defiance and hurt. She didn't want to hear his excuses, didn't want to be part of his damn game anymore. He faltered, then pressed on, desperation lining his words. "Please, let me explain," he pleaded, his tone softening, almost vulnerable. But her walls were already up, and she refused to let him manipulate her again, to buy into whatever damn bullshit he was about to spin."_people are watching, Mr. Lancaster," she said coldly, her voice steady despite the chaos inside her. "And I'm late as it is." Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and headed toward the elevator, her mind racing. But before the doors could slide shut, he was quick - he stepped inside, pushing past her to block the entrance.
The elevator door hissed closed behind him, leaving them alone in the cramped space, the air thick with unspoken words and tension."You didn't need to follow me, Jacob," she said, her voice cold and tired, her eyes fixed on the elevator doors as they began to close. But before the doors could shut completely, he stepped inside, blocking her escape. His face was a mask of calm, but she could see the flicker of guilt in his eyes. "I didn't...she" he started, voice tentative, trying to explain. But she cut him off sharply, "Save it," she said, turning to face him. "I knew it all along. But I had a moment of weakness and let myself fall for your charms," she snapped, her voice trembling with a mixture of anger and hurt.
Her eyes flicked away, but she caught the brief flash of pain crossing his face before she did. "Please, go back upstairs," she added, her tone firm, trying to dismiss the ache in her chest. But he didn't move. "Miss Williams," he said quietly, voice heavy with disappointment. "You're right. I'll stop following you." His eyes darkened with something unspoken - regret, frustration, maybe even remorse. "I was bad for you from the beginning."
He paused, weighing his words carefully. His face remained composed, but she could see the flicker of vulnerability behind his eyes. "You know," he continued, voice softer now, "you had all kinds of prejudices about me and never bothered to talk to me about it. You never tried to get to know me." His gaze lingered on her, full of unspoken longing and frustration. "I cant deal with someone who doesn't trust me. Not anymore."
As Isabella exited the elevator, Jacob's parting words only added to her frustration. "Good luck with your exam, Mrs. Williams," he said, his tone polite but oblivious to the storm brewing inside her. She quickly walked away, trying to put as much distance between herself and Jacob as possible.
Meanwhile, Jacob returned to the office, only to find Brittany still lingering around. "What are you still doing here?" he asked, his anger and frustration evident in his tone. Brittany, however, seemed clueless, or at least, she pretended to be. "Mr. Lancaster..." she began, her voice husky and inviting.
But Jacob wasn't having it. He quickly cut her off, his patience wearing thin. "Listen, Miss..." he started, but Brittany interrupted him, a sly smile spreading across her face. "Martin. Brittany Martin. I work in the Marketing department," she replied, her eyes locked on his.
Jacob's expression turned stern. "Miss Martin, I think you got the wrong impression. This here is never gonna happen," he said, his voice firm and resolute. He walked to the other side of the table, putting distance between them, and added, "Go back to your workplace, Miss Martin."
But Brittany just winked at him, her confidence unwavering. "You know where to find me," she said, her voice dripping with innuendo. "I'll be waiting," she added, before turning and walking out of the office, leaving Jacob feeling annoyed and irritated.