The Man in the Painting Read Online Flora Ferrari

Categories Genre: Alpha Male, Insta-Love, Romance Tags Authors: Flora Ferrari Advertisement

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“What exactly does that mean, June?” I ask slowly, running my hand down my face.

“It means I will not be accepting your offer for Director of Operations or any other one you make after. I hope you process my letter of resignation by the end of the month as it's due process. It’s been a pleasure working for you.”

“June... What on earth are you doing?” I ask, unable to keep my frustration from seeping into my voice. “You don’t have to go to these lengths.”

“Just let me go, Abe,” June says, her tone softening.

And for the first time in months, I catch a glimpse of my old friend, but the warmth soon seeps out of her eyes, leaving only a scary blankness of the stranger that’s worked diligently for me in the past month.

“I can’t contend with only the part of you that you’re willing to offer me. It’s either all or nothing. Good night, sir.”

And with that, she turns around and walks away without a backward glance. I feel a damper of sadness settle on my soul as I watch her departing figure.

I realize that I love June...just differently. I love her like my family, but I was bad at expressing myself and ended up hurting her in the end.

“Damn!” I growl, lowering my head to my hands.

I just lost a good friend, and the feeling isn’t a good one.

I settle in bed, holding my phone to my face.

I swallow the sigh of disappointment that rises in my throat. It was another long day of hopelessly waiting for him. I just need a little sign that our time together wasn’t just a figment of my imagination.

But it seems like what we had is becoming more of a delusion with each passing day. He left with a promise to be back soon, and suddenly I don’t hear from him and have no way of getting in contact with him.

What does his silence mean?

Is it a silent message to stay away?

What if he never comes back?

I ask myself these questions every night, but I’m met with the stoic silence of my room.

It feels like I’ve been living in a dream, and now I’m back in my crappy reality.

Well, not as crappy as it used to be.

I still work as a cleaner for Summer Homes and take night college classes, but I feel more confident in myself and the relationship that I’ve built with the people of Hudson over the years.

I guess the positive impact he had in my life should be enough for me, but I miss him terribly.

I can’t just let go of our memories and live each day like everything’s fine. I’d rather go back to the time before I met him. That way, I’d be able to avoid this agonizing pain and helplessness.

I don’t know what to think or how to move on.

I’m jaded, Melody.

I’ve only caused heartbreak to the people that loved me.

I clearly warned you, Melody.

And he indeed warned me, but I didn’t listen. Now, his warnings are back to taunt me every night.

I turn and drop my phone on my bedside table with a soft sigh and turn off the table lamp. I turn on my side and close my eyes, unconcerned with the tears sliding onto my pillow.

It’s become a ritual now.

“Melody...Melo....”

I snap my eyes open, and my gaze clashes with familiar blue-green eyes. I sit up quickly with a gasp.

“Is it...Is that...?”

“Yes, baby,” he replies. His deep voice wraps around me like a warm blanket, driving away the chill that’s settled inside of me over the past few weeks.

“How are you here?” I ask in a surprised tone. “Where have you been? God...I missed you so much.”

“Come, here,” he says, his eyes pulling me into their magical depths. He holds his arms to me, and I lean into his embrace.

Suddenly, there’s a loud thudding sound.

I jerk awake, groaning in pain. I glance around in a daze, trying to gather my thoughts through the pain shooting up from my butt to my brain. It takes me a moment to realize I’ve just fallen out of bed.

I don’t know whether to cry or laugh hysterically at my clumsiness. I glance at the clock, and it’s just a little past midnight.

It’s going to be a very, very long night...just like the others.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Melody

I still myself and take in another breath. I push open the door and enter the house.

I close my eyes for a second as memories of our time together assail me.

I shouldn’t have come here today, but Brenda had practically begged me.

According to her, the cleaner that was assigned to this place suddenly had a family emergency and had to leave before getting around to actually cleaning the house.

But with each staggering step I take further into the house, my heart feels like it’s going to burst from unbearable pressure.

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