Chapter 8
Alethrisha POV
It was a calm evening. I stood in my office, looking at the city view while sipping my basil tea.
My phone rang. It was William.
I answered calmly. He began, "Miss Reinhafer, I'm deeply sorry, but can we move the dinner to next week? I have a client meeting that will last a week. Can we set another date?"
I spoke slowly, measured, precise: "William, a dinner is a courtesy, not a negotiable clause. My time and my patience does not extend indefinitely."
I ended the call. A feeling of disappointment lingered, but I rolled my eyes at myself. Apparently, some people need lessons in punctuality… At least my tea never cancels.
I told myself it was nothing. I went through the rest of my day exactly as planned: meetings, calls, decisions. Everything worked the way it always did. Still, there was a small, unnecessary part of me that had expected to hear his voice in person, to sit across from him, to notice the familiar scent that lingered when he spoke. The thought irritated me. I reminded myself that interest did not mean attachment, and anticipation was not something I indulged in. The reminder was sensible. It just wasn't entirely convincing.