"Do you think that she is chilling at home with Netflix and trying to forget you ?" I sighed before looking at Ryan's face. Brae didn't come to the office since the last two days and on the first hour of the third day , Ryan came up with his hundred and one potential possibilities behind Brae's absence.

"Or…." His eyes widened like he discovered something, most probably another stupid reason.

"Maybe she is on a boyfriend hunt." I rolled my eyes at him. His stupid cartoon-like expressions weren't helping my increasing annoyance.

"Stop with this nonsense already. There isn't anything like this."

"How do you know? Maybe she is meeting one or more people , going on dates." Now this really did piss me off. I gritted my teeth and glared at him while he only grinned.

"Maybe-"

"Shut up. Will you?" I gritted . His grin only widened, proving that he surely was enjoying it. Just then a knock was heard on my door.

"Come in." I dropped my eyes back to the documents on my table.

"Ryan—" I cut myself off after I looked up and my eyes fell upon that one woman. Brae. She was dressed differently in a blush pink dress, her hair braided in a loose fishtail. The minimal makeup on her face couldn't hide her dark patches under her eyes indicating exhaustion but she looked a lot fresher and happy. As she walked closer, her sweet vanilla smell hit my nostrils.

"Good morning." She looked at Ryan and then me, her lips stretched in a beautiful smile that I hadn't seen in a long time. It made her look much more young and happy.

"Good Morning, Brae." Ryan grinned at her while I only nodded in acknowledgement.

"You were telling me something." I looked at Ryan to see him looking thoughtfully at me.

"Uhm…. Yeah, I was asking if you could-" He cut me off.

"Leave? Gladly. I was going anyway." I clicked my tongue in annoyance. I knew why he did it. He walked out before closing the door behind him.

Brae came forward and placed the tray with a cup of coffee and some cookies alongside. I looked from the tray to her face and raised a brow at her. She just shrugged before speaking.

"I made them. Thought you would like it." She offered a faint smile.

"I don't like anything in the morning other than coffee." I stated.

"But a stomach needs food. Anyway, should I tell you your schedule for today?" I shook my head at her.

"I know it." She nodded.

"Why were you absent for the last two days? You are even late today." I asked, keeping my tone somewhat professional.

"You said you wanted to be alone and I was giving you some time away from me. I thought two days were enough. So I came back." She smiled lightly. I was taken aback by her answer because I never thought that she would address any personal conversation in the office.

"And today I was late because I took time to dress up." My eyes automatically stole a swift glance of her whole body.

"You look different." I acknowledged and brought the cup of coffee to my lips.

"Do you like it?" Hearing her question, I absent-mindedly sipped a lot of the hot drink, burning my tongue. This question was definitely not expected from her. I was dumbfounded at her words. Was she even the same Brae?

"Did you do it for me?" I asked with a blank stare after recovering my shock. I was expecting her to blush or look away, shying , anything but not a shrug and the words that left her mouth.

"Maybe." My heart skipped a beat at her answer. Something was definitely wrong with her. I cleared my throat realising that I was staring wide-eyed at her for some seconds now.

"Do you think you can say this to your boss in the office, Ms. Taylor?" I leaned back in my seat and looked at her. Strangely my voice didn't sound intimidating enough.

"No one's hearing. There's only us in this room, Mr. Lewis." That was it. I was mute. She had no idea how much her flirting was bothering me right then. I squirmed, suddenly uncomfortable in my seat.

"I will leave." She turned and walked out. Even her natural sway of hips was testing my control. Taking a few deep breaths, I thought over our little conversation a while back.

Was this sudden change in her because of that night? My mind asked.

My eyes fell on the plate of cookies and I picked one up. Taking one small bite of it, I smiled to myself as it melted in my mouth.

………………

"Woah ! You look so different!" Austin said, looking at me.

"Different and hot." Cora said with a look of approval right before give me a calculating stare.

"Why?" She asked and I swear I hadn't seen someone change emotions so fast. She looked dead serious while she was smiling a second ago.

"What 'why'?" I asked with a confused face.

"Why this sudden change?" Her arms were folded across her chest.I understood that she was speaking about my countenance.

"I felt like it? Besides, a change is always good." I felt bad lying to my friends but I didn't want anyone to know at least till we are able to reconcile.

"I smell something here. Wha—" She cut herself off , her eyes widening in what seemed like realisation.

"It's Evan Lewis right?" She said it more like a statement.

"Cora, come on!" Austin rolled his eyes.

"What ?" I put up a confused act.

"The reason. It's Evan Lewis?" She narrowed her eyes on me . Before I could come up with an answer , she spoke again.

"Or is it him ?" She was looking at someone behind me. Before I could turn back, that person called himself.

"Brae!" I looked back at Ryan who was gesturing to me to come there.

"One minute." I mouthed him before looking back at Cora who was grinning at me.

"What rubbish! It's nothing like that." I said, my voice earning a few stares. I apologetically looked at them while Cora seemed unfazed. She looked like she was on a mission to have her answers and like she didn't believe me at all.

"We are just extremely good friends." I explained the same thing for the fiftieth time causing her to only shrug.

"People tend to use this excuse a lot." Rolling my eyes at her I was about to walk away when she held my arms and made me face her. She managed to give me her most scrutinizing gaze.

"You can't hide shit from me! I will find out the truth." She dramatically flipped her hair and left like it was the end of a movie shot. Austin chuckled at her antics while I shook my head at the little dramatic puppy.

I walked up to Ryan who was grinning at me.

"Tell me all this you did today morning was to convince Evan right?" He looked hopeful like a little kid, his lower lip drawn into a small pout. I nodded at him.

"Finally! At least someone is on the right track. I am so proud!" His words sounded so dramatic but his eyes showed that he was truly happy.

"I am trying to make him forgive me. I hurt him a lot Ryan and it's only right if he is done with me. Still , I am going to try my best." I sighed. He held me by my shoulder causing me to look up at him.

"No Brae, he isn't done with you nor will he be in the far future. He is just upset and I know you can make it up to him. You can." His voice held much faith.

"I can." I repeated after him, feeling confident.

"In case he acts too stubbornly, just give me a call and I will beat his ass up." I chuckled before hugging him.

"I know you are always there, Ry." I mumbled on his shoulder.

"I am." He sealed it.