~Leo~

I smiled at the jovial and rich environment. Neil's birthday brought everyone close under one roof, and I kept thinking about Felicia. As though my wishes were answered, i caught sight of Felicia standing alone, looking all pretty in her yellow dress. Her stance was suggesting she didn't want to be there. When someone came by to talk, she answered them in small phrases or just a nod. It didnt matter and i was just glad i could see her again.

Even after she moved cities to work online, she came by to engage socially. I didn't think she'd come, but there she was, always doing the right thing and putting others' happiness before her own.

"Leo! Boss!" Maya's voice brought me back to reality. I was stuck in my trance with Felicia. Her gaze followed where I was looking then Maya looked back at me with a polite smile.

"Could you wheel me to the water section, please? I've been calling you."

"S-Sorry. I was distracted." I said and went over to help Maya. She was to be in a wheelchair for approximately a month. I briefly caught Felicia looking my way as I sipped on water. I so desperately wanted to talk to her, but Maya's needs came first. We could talk later.

"What's on your mind, boss? Where are you looking?" Maya suddenly asked. I shook my head and said, "Nowhere. Where do you wanna go next?"

Honestly, it is kinda exhausting to keep wheeling a patient around in your party. But these are part of my duties as their boss. I wanna be able to help them as they are obliged to do the same for me. It kinda sucks.

We were now at the dinner table when I pushed Maya closer to the table and sat down. I was cutting steak for her as she said she felt too weak and tired.

Suddenly, Maya leaned on my shoulder and whispered, "I don't know what I'd do without your help, boss. Thank you for being the best."

"You told me you wanted to enjoy the party. I'm just being a good person." I said and fed a bite sized piece to her. Out of nowhere, the birthday boy stood behind me and suggested,

"Why don't you feed Felicia too? She's been avoiding interaction for a long time. Give her some company, dude. She would appreciate your company." I raised an eyebrow. Suddenly, I felt indifferent and the pain from last night washed over me.

"She'll be fine over there. She was never into social interactions." I said briefly.

"Are you sure, mate? He looks so uncomfortable." Neil argued. I put the knife and fork down and stared up at him.

"If you're that concerned, why don't you go give her company? It's your party she came to. Besides, she's fine with whatever she's doing. She also knows I'm here for Maya because she's injured. It's not a big deal like she's posing it to be." I seethed and turned away.

"I sense animosity from your girlfriend. I swear I'm not trying to get between you two, Leo." Maya got the wrong idea as I was quick to defeat her worries and concerns.

"Felicia is fine. She understands that you need my help." I assured and glanced at Felicia, who now looked irritated. She quickly looked away when she realized I was staring at her.

"I can't stress enough how good of a boss you are, Leo." I pursed my lips into a thin line and pushed the plate to Maya. I shrugged the praise off, I had doubts infiltrating my mind.

The catering reeled us in to sit around the big table as I was pulled to sit beside my PA, Maya. My eyes were searching for Felicia and she was sitting in a dimly lit corner with unknown folks.

My gaze locked with Felicia and her eyes were screaming that she was uncomfortable. But when she noticed me, her look turned into one of annoyance and she huffed before looking away. That made my heart bump with a pang. Why was I feeling guilty for nothing I did?

I was quick to brush it off. It wasn't my fault anyway. But I couldn't help but think about her odd behavior. She was never this incongruous with me. So angry and so hurt, it was as if she wanted to make me feel something for her.

Suddenly, I caught her getting up and excusing herself. Where is she going?

"Maya I'll be right back." Saying, I made my escape and caught Felicia right on time.

"Where are you going? We need to talk." I held her arm and stated assertively. She shook my hand off, her eyes scaring me.

"No, we don't. I'm going back home."

"Your home is with me, Felicia. We built that together."

"That's just a house with walls now, Leo. I— what's the point in explaining?" She shook me off again and tried walking away.

"Hey guys! Is everything alright?" Neil came up behind me and assessed the tension in the air.

"Happy birthday and Goodnight, Neil." Saying, Felicia took her leave and I couldn't do anything about it. Something was holding me back.

"She doesn't look okay to me, Leo. Did you do something?"

"Except for helping my employee, I didn't do anything against her wish. She'll be fine. Let's go back." Urging us back in, I pulled my phone out and texted Felicia,

-Let's talk after. But lemme know when you reached home. I'm concerned-

When I hit the button to send, I scowled to see the single grey tick. Her profile picture wasn't visible to me either. My mood was ruined when I realized she'd blocked my number.

~Felicia~

I reached back home and went to sleep right away. I applied for leave today and hoped some rest would revive me. As soon as I woke up, I checked my formal emails and responded to one of them. Meanwhile, our Company's group chat was buzzing in the background which kinda distracted me. I decided to check it out.

Most of the pictures and texts were from Maya, of course. I rolled my eyes and tried to get to the recent messages. But her pictures got my attention because she was posing with Leo in every. single. one of them.

My heart sank to my stomach as I fell back onto the headboard. There he was, flaunting his gentleman's behavior as he held the door open for her. I recognised the porch, it was Maya's house.

-Feels so safe when Boss Leo drops me back to my house. He goes to such lengths for me~-

That wasn't even the worst part. Yet.

The grip on my phone was tightened when I read the comments that followed,

-That's such a cute photo!-

-Yes but i like the 1 where he's adjusting her hair! They look so cutesy!-

-ikr! Like a real couple! They'd make such a power couple in our company!-

My chest tightened uncomfortably and teats threatened to dampen my cheeks. It looked like Maya and Leo were the new hot couple in town. They didn't even consider my presence in the group chat. As if I was invisible!

That didn't stop there. The pictures and following comments were a mile long in the chat. All were Maya flaunting poses and scenarios with Leo and he seemed so comfortable and unbothered in every single one of them.

I toughened myself up and decided to distract myself with TV. The news channel flashed breaking news, "BEST CEO OF THE YEAR WAS SEEN ESCAPING THE CONFERENCE TODAY TO TRAVEL TO MICHIGAN OUT OF THE BLUE! WHAT IS THIS NEW IMPROMPTU BEHAVIOR FROM THE BEST CEO?"

Michigan? That's where I was! As if to knock me back into my senses, there was a knock on the door. I feared who it might be.

"Err...yeah?" I looked at the pizza delivery and he smiled brightly.

"This is a gift pizza from an ADMIRER." I tilted my head to the side. I wanted to reject it but I could skip lunch with this. I took it and closed the door. Wondering who my admirer was, I opened the pizza. On the lid was a note attached,

-My love, we need to talk. Please forgive me. I've delivered your favorites. XOXO-

When I looked down at the veggie-filled pizza, I lost my cool. I hate vegetables on my simple Margherita pizza. But guess who else loved veggies on their pizza because they're health conscious? Maya.

Almost immediately after, the furious knocks on my door made my bones jump out! I looked through the peephole, upset to find Leo standing there. He was drenched in the rain and had his top buttons undone, sleeves rolled up.

"Why? Why can't you just leave me alone?!" I yelled.

"I wasn't taught to severe bonds, Felicia. I only how to make them!" He retorted.

"That's very nice of you but you gotta leave."

"That's not happening unless you're coming with me." His eyes briefly glanced inside my house, "Look at the way you're living. Please come home, Felicia. You're making this harder for me!"

"No, Leo. You're making this harder for yourself. His shoulders relaxed as he breathed out.

"At least apologize to Neil and Maya. They were hurt because of your actions last night." I jumped my eyebrows in the air.

"Apologize?" I asked increduloudky.

"Yes. They're coming here for a dinner."

"Why...why would you always put others before me?" My lips wobbled and I saw his eyes flash with concern. Just for a jiffy. Then it was gone, wiped away.

"I- I have to get rest. I'm too tired for anything related to you. Go home, Leo."

"I can't. I already booked the private cabin at WonderLeaf. Come by at 8pm sharp. I don't want any excuses or I'll keep knocking at your door. And i won't leave Michigan back to NYC."

"Are you freaking kidding me!? You're threatening me, Leo!"

"I'm fully aware of that. Bye. See you there." Saying, he looked at my apartment with disgust once again and turned to leave.

"Whatever. FINE I'M COMING!" i yelled into the corridor...and he didn't even turn back to acknowledge me. I pretended to be strong and tough superficially but deep down I was crippling with emotional agony.

"Thank you," paying up for the cab, I looked at the grand restaurant. I was totally aware I was late, but didn't bother because I wanted the dinner to get cancelled. But i was convinced that Leo wouldn't let that happen. He was stubborn to make this work, as if it was to fix everything between us.

I caught myself staring at the lift's mirror. My simple maroon bodycon hug me like my second skin. I felt pretty after a long time. Despite my body looking decent and sexy, my face looked deprived of life. Eye bags due to sleepless nights, stress lines and a balding patch in my scalp. I turned away from my reflection, sighing.

The outcome expected of this dinner was unclear to me. What were Leo's intentions with dragging me out on a dinner like this? This was more than me apologizing to Neil and Maya - which I wouldn't be doing anyway. As I exit the lift, I found my head held high. Because I didn't want them to get off analysing my sadness.

"Private cabin E-8, please. It's under Leo Herring."

"Oh, Leo Herring!" The receptionist was a little too excited and showed me to the cabin herself. Pointing to the cabin, she smiled and took her leave. I walked past, closing in on the door when I heard their familiar voices conversing.

"If there was anyone better suited for my best friend, it should be you, Maya." My hand stopped at the doorknob. It was Neil's voice.

Neil was poise and didn't slur, meaning he meant what he said without even thinking that someone could walk in at any moment. He was speaking the truth consciously.

I left a shaky breath as I let anger consume me, but sadness quickly replaced it. I shouldn't put myself through this and walk away with pride intact. But something stopped me to listen.

"You've been by Leo's side for as long as I can remember. You know him inside out. And he definitely smiles a lot when he's around you." Neil continued, I could see his hand resting over her knee.

"I get it, Neil. But he's in a relationship with her. I don't want to be a homewrecker." Maya was more rational than Neil, it was pissing me off.

"You're kidding!" Neil let out a laugh, "You're not coming between them. You always were a part of Leo's life! Because he still has you in your heart, Maya. He never let you go."

I felt my whole world shatter. Leo still had feelings for her? That meant they were together in the past. Tears threatened to fall and my feet were ready to run. But I fought the urge and stood there to be insulted more.

"I don't know where I'm supposed to be, Neil." Her words didn't match her tone, she was dishonest with herself. "Felicia's a good girl. She's a nice match for him. I mean...Leo and I were THE couple back then but it's over."

"You really think Leo is capable of severing bonds? He only knows how to make them." Planting that seed in both of our heads, Neil took pride in his words and continued,

"She's not as successful as you, not prettier than you and She's got no connections. On a professional level, you're the perfect match for Leo! You'd be the power couple again, Maya. Think about it." My throat went dry as the words haunted me. Not as successful, not as pretty, no connections...

Neil was rubbing my wound with salt and other spices altogether wasn't he?

Maya remained quiet, assuming that was the truth. I leaned closer, anticipating what she'd say to Neil.

"I mean...Leo is an amazing guy, i can't forget about us. And maybe...you're right. Maybe we were meant for each other and she was just a standby. It was fate."

Standby...

Standby...

I felt used and betrayed. Maya's voice was so deceptively sweet that a third person would think Im the villain in their relationship.

"I know what I speak, Maya. I can guarantee no one knows Leo as much as I do. That man is still in love with you and I can prove it. He's done a mistake by jumping into a relationship with Felicia. We all make mistakes. Hard to believe the perfectionist Leo did one too."

And that mistake...was me. He chose me to be his standby and that was Leo's first and biggest mistake. I get it, Neil. Real smooth at insults you are.

"I know it sounds complicated, but Leo's gotta accept the truth. That he loves you truly and Felicia, only superficially." That was enough confirmation to let tears run down my cheeks. I couldn't take the humiliation anymore, it was breaking my heart. Out of all other reasons, it had to be that I was his MISTAKE.

"Ah!" While running back, I bumped into a well built chest and gazed up. It was Leo!

"Why are you cr- Felicia!" He called after me but I spitefully turned around and spat,

"Why!? Why didn't you tell me you couldn't stay with me!? You still have feelings for her!" I shouted. Leo stood flabbergasted, but his silence was what baffled me the most. It took everything in me to not punch him, make a commotion.

When he wasn't able to utter ever a single word, it was my cue to believe the truth and run away with my heart forced bare in my hands.