Teasing Phoenix novel Chapter 23

PART II - Chasing Princess

Three months Post-Phoenix…

“Babe, text me before you go down the lobby, okay?” Tyler says.

Yes, you hear it right. After seeing that photo of Phoenix with Gabrielle all over the gossips sites and tabloids, I don’t need an explanation. It was cleared that he cheated on me.

Amy, Maya, and Garrett tried hard to explain that I should hear it from Phoenix, himself, but it was obvious that they were back together.

I was expecting to see him at Garrett and Maya’s wedding, but he didn’t show up—he just sent a gift for them. I changed my phone number and I quitted my job at the coffee shop the same day I found out his betrayal.

We didn’t talk at all or bothered to contact each other in any way possible. That was it, after our night together in the hotel that night, it ended there. I am brokenhearted again.

Tyler proved that he was better than before. My friends, of course, didn’t take it easy, especially Mom. I understood them though because it was Tyler we were talking about—the guy who cheated me.

The man that they liked for me, who they thought was best for me, broke my heart instead.

After a month of wooing me, I took Tyler back.

As I was planning, we moved to New York last month, and he was very supportive of my decisions.

Mom was furious when I told her—she didn’t like Tyler and the idea of moving with him in the same apartment as we were obviously living in together.

We got the same job in New York. He works as an assistant at Finance Department at Rexwell Financial Holdings, and I got a job at Rowen and Gilbert Publishing as a junior assistant editor.

“I’ll text you. And you’ve been reminding me since we woke up.” I kiss his lips one last time and open the car door.

He holds my arm to stop me, and I stop and look at him.

“I love you, Sam,” he tells me, and I can see the sincerity in his eyes.

I use my killer smile. “I love you too, Ty.”

He let go of my arm and smiles back at me.

I start turning on my desktop when one of my officemates peeks from my cubicle.

“Did you hear the news?” Sandy whispers at me, tucking her auburn hair behind her ear. Her brown eyes are slightly growing big.

I crease my forehead. “What news?”

This office is too small not to pick up gossips. Even just your hair tangled with the wind, they think you have a quickie in your car on your way to work.

“Someone wants to buy the share of Mr. Gilbert since his son is not interested in the publishing business. Mr. Gilbert will go back to London after a few months,” she answers.

I raise my brows. “Mr. Gilbert loves this publishing like how he loves his own son. He won’t sell his share. Then Rowen and what?”

“Your right, but that’s what I heard. Anyway, I don’t really care as long as they keep our job, right?” She looks worried though.

I nod and smile tightly at her.

She sits back to her cubicle. I start my work and push back the thought of who’s the new co-owner of this publishing.

The last job I had has a new owner, and this time again? I shake away that thought.

I can’t lose this job, I just started working here last month, and I don’t have enough savings. I spent most of my savings in our new apartment. My car still in the shop. I can’t let Tyler spend his money on me.

I brew coffee in the latest coffee machine in our cafeteria. I drum my fingers on the countertop while waiting for the coffee. Someone clear a throat at my back.

“Ben, want a cup of coffee?” I offer.

Ben is cute—has a face and has a body like a ramp model, six-foot and one-inch tall and who always wears a three-piece suit.

“Yup. Thanks!” He moves closer to me.

”We’re planning on going to the newly opened bar at downtown tonight, wanna join us? Bring someone with you,” he says.

I can’t remember the last time I went to a bar. ”Can I call for a rain check?”

“Sure. I’ll send you the address if you ever plan on going.”

I smile back, and something pops up in my mind. “Can I bring my boyfriend?”

His eyes grow wide, and his mouth formed an O shape. He comes even closer to me, then Ben whispers, “Is he hot?”

My brows furrow. “Are you? Omigod!” I cover my mouth instantly.

“Oh, yeah!” he admits and playfully slaps my arm.

I inspect him from head to toe. If Amy is only here right now, she might try making him straight again because he’s definitely a big loss to every single woman out there.

I turn off my desktop after updating the social media account for our upcoming events.

I’m done sending e-mails to our two new possible authors who I suggested them to my boss after reading their manuscripts; one of them was a rom-com, and the other was an urban fantasy.

I enter the elevator five minutes after sending a text to Tyler.

My phone buzzes in my bag.

“Ty!” I answer lively.

“Babe, I’m sorry. I was trying to call you an hour ago, but I couldn’t just leave my boss,” he says, sounding still busy.

It’s ten minutes after five.

“Okay. So, what’s the problem, Ty?” I ask quickly.

“I can’t pick you up now, babe. I’m really sorry. I have to go with him to meet a new client. He doesn’t usually ask me to come with him—”

I cut him off. “Ty, it’s okay. I’ll take a cab.” I tell him with sincerity.

“Babe, order some food because I don’t think I can join you for dinner.”

I couldn’t complain about how he treated me these past few months when we got back together. He was always thoughtful, caring, and loving.

Our relationship was near perfect. We never fought. We had a little discussion on how he watched TV with high volume while I was reading a book, but that was it—we ended up apologizing to each other and had make-up sex.

“Don’t worry about me. And oh, since it’s Friday, my office mate invited me for a few drinks, and it’s been ages since I went out to a bar. So, if you can join us after your meeting, that would be fun.”

“Babe, I will let you know if we wrap up early, okay? Go ahead and have some fun. I’m really a terrible boyfriend that I didn’t even take you to grab some drinks.”

I laugh. “Ty, you are not a terrible boyfriend. You’ve been amazing these few months. We went to dinner, watched movies many times, and I think our way of spending together is way different than other couples, but I’ve no complaints.” I feel guilty for him because he’s been good to me. So good.

“I’ll take you to a bar next time. I promise, Sam.”

I roll my eyes and smile widely. “Silly, you don’t have to do that.”

“I want to drink and dance with you, babe. So, you better be ready for it.”

The night I spent with Phoenix flashes back like a slap in my face.

I thought that night was amazing, and we were both turned on, but we managed to control our urges despite how hard it was.

I wanted to kiss him pretty badly that night. Just his smell was dizzying me.

“Babe, you still there?”