CHAPTER 012: The Tour
As I approach the table, I make a point of keeping my eyes on Ryan By out of the comer of my eye you, of age. can’t help but notice Julie’s blouse, it’s been torture keping my eyes our of the undone buttons Focas Luke. Don’t even go there.
“So, Ryan,” I say, clearing my throat. I’d love to get a tour of Paragon dewalt sometime See where the magic happens.”
Ryan’s face lights up, clearly thrilled by the idea. “Absolutely I’d love to show you around. We could sen that up right now, actually.”
Julie is silent beside him, her eyes fixed on the table as if she’s trying to disappear. She’s still funning but Ryan’s too busy playing host to notice.
“Would you like to come along, Julie?” I ask, the question innocent enough, but the tension between us is palpable, I’m giving her an out–she can decline, stay away from me for the rest of the day. Or she can come and we’ll be forced to play this game a little longer.
Julie looks up, her eyes meeting mine for the briefest moment before she turns to Ryan “So, about my guest. He cancelled,” she says, her voice calm, controlled, “We’ll have to reschedule.
Ryan blinks, surprised. “Oh? I totally forgot about that. Great news. That means you’re coming along right?”
Julie nods. “Sure.”
As we stand to leave, I can’t help but steal another glance at Julie. Her expression is unreadable, but Il know she’s still pissed.
I just have to figure out how to fix this before everything blows up in our faces.
As we leave the restaurant, with everyone heading for their cars, I stare at Julie. She sides into her car without a word, not even a glance in my direction. I’m tempted to follow her, comer her, and force her to talk to me, but I know better.
Pushing her right now would be like poking a bear with a stick
Instead, I head to my car, checking my phone for missed calls, for anything that could distract me from the pit in my stomach. Julie’s voice is still ringing in my ears from our earlier argument, and that feeling- the one where I know I’ve messed up but can’t quite figure out how to fix it-is clawing at me. What am I doing?
We arrive at Paragon Jewels within minutes, and Ryan’s already there, practically bouncing on his heels, excited to show off his kingdom. Julie, however, is all business, her face set in a professional mask as she steps out of her car. No trace of the woman who had just chewed me out over the phone. She’s good at this–compartmentalizing. I thought I was the expert, but she’s giving me a run for my money today.
“Ready for the grand tour?” Ryan beams, throwing an arm around Julie’s shoulders like they’re the perfect power couple.
His touch lingers on her a second too long, and I catch the faintest flinch from her. Not that Ryan notices. He’s already marching ahead, leading us into the building.
CHAPTER 012 The Tour
I follow, feeling like an outsider in a story I’m supposed to be a part of
“Paragon’s been family–owned for generations,” Ryan says, his voice dripping with pride Wooned the reasons we’re so successful. We keep things close–knit, just like a family business should be
Ryan continues his enthusiastic tour, walking us through the gleaming hallways of the Pregn headquarters.
“So, Luke,” Ryan says, pausing in front of a display case featuring a massive diamond necklace. “What so you think? I bet Couture Collective can’t wait to get their hands on this kind of craftermansking”
I nod, not really paying attention to the jewelry. My eyes flicker toward Julie, who’s standing a few fes away, staring at the diamonds but clearly lost in thought. Her shoulders are stiff, her lips pressed into a thin line.
Before I can say anything, a woman’s voice cuts through the air,
“Ryan!”
We all turn to see a blonde–haired lady striding toward us with a bright smile. The type of woman who
knows she’s attractive and uses it like a weapon. She saunters up to Ryan and wraps he
him in a way that’s too intimate for a staff,
This must be Emily.
around
This is the woman who started the entire mess with Julie’s marriage. The woman Ryan cheated on Julie with. The reason Julie’s here, trapped in this fake relationship with me.
Julie’s face is pale, her fists clenched at her sides. She’s trying so hard to stay composed, but I can see the cracks in her facade. I can see how much this is costing her.
“Emily, what’s going on?” Ryan asks, smiling as if there’s nothing inappropriate about this public display.
“There’s been an emergency,” Emily says, still holding on to him, her fingers lightly tracing his arm. “We need you upstairs. Something about the new shipment.”
Ryan’s face falls, torn between playing the charming host and rushing off to deal with whatever crisis is unfolding upstairs. He glances at Julie, then at me.
“Luke, I’m so sorry,” Ryan says, his eyes full of regret. “I’ll have to cut this short, but Julie can take over from here. She knows the company inside out. You’ll be in good hands.”
Julie’s eyes widen for the briefest second, and I can feel her silent scream from across the room. The last thing she wants is to be left alone with me right now. Not after everything that’s happened.
“Of course,” I say. “I’m sure Julie will give me the grand tour.”
Ryan flashes me an apologetic smile before leaning in to kiss Julie on the cheek. She stands there, frozen, her eyes darting between him and me
“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Ryan promises, already halfway out the door with Emily clinging to his side.
As they leave, I hear Emily’s voice echo down the hallway. “Wait, Ryan–was that Lucas Martinez? The CEO of Couture Collective?”
CHAPTER 012: The Tour
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Ryan’s response is lost in the distance, but I don’t need to hear it to know what he’s saying.
It’s just Julie and me now, standing in the middle of Paragon Jewels like two actors left alone on a stage after the audience has gone home. The silence between us is thick.
Julie turns on her heel, her expression locked into professional mode. “Shall we continue?”
I follow her through the maze of displays, past glittering diamonds and precious gemstones. I can’t stop thinking about the look on her face when Emily showed up. The way her whole body tensed. I knew this fake relationship drama wasn’t real for me, but I’d somehow forgotten that for Julie, it was personal. Painfully so.
This isn’t just a game to her. It’s her life. And right now, I’m one of the people messing with it.
As we pass by a supply closet, I glance around. The hallway is empty. No one’s around.
I don’t think. I just act.
Without warning, I reach out and grab Julie’s arm, pulling her into the supply closet. She gasps, startled, and spins around to face me as I close the door behind us.
“What the hell, Luke?” she hisses, her voice low but furious. “What do you think you’re doing?”
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