Strawberry Kisses Phavy Prieto (bookstand for reading TXT) 📖

losing sight of my Adonis. Even though I was aware that I would see him every day at the office, I knew it would not be like that weekend where I literally impersonated his future bride. I had a kind of sense of loss about it, as if that magic that enveloped us with complicity could end as soon as I set foot in Madrid. Unfortunately, that's what it felt like in the taxi that brought me to my house and then Damian to his.

"Well, I guess I'll see you at the office tomorrow," I said. I spoke of work for the first time since until then we had talked only about some frivolity.

"Sure," Damian said without much enthusiasm. "See you tomorrow," he added, coming closer to give me a kiss on the corner of the lips, brushing me lightly, and waiting for me to tilt my head to kiss him. But I didn't. For some reason that was beyond me. I was such an idiot not to. I tormented myself for the rest of the night.

For a change, Nerea was not home. I took a long shower right after I unpacked my suitcase and put some clothes in the washing machine and others to soak. I lay down on the sofa and tried to sleep while watching a documentary. I hoped that, at any moment, the phone screen would light up for a goodnight message or whatever, just to take away that feeling that our time together had only been an impromptu unforgettable weekend.

When I opened my eyes it was day already. As I checked the time on the phone, I knew I would be late for work.

"Damn it!" I shouted and cursed with all my heart that I still didn't have my bloody planner. I had a planner for a specific reason: without it I was a complete disaster!

Although Nerea was visibly worried, I paid no attention to her, as I tried to tear off the label of the brand new shirt that I wanted to wear for my first day at the new office. I ran out of the house without breakfast, even without coffee, without fixing my hair, and without wearing makeup.

To hell with it! Who cares about my look?"

When I realized he was going to see me like this I cursed myself. The truth was that I didn’t know if it was preferable to be twenty minutes late that way or an hour late but absolutely impeccable. At least the clothes were decent.

I managed to put on some mascara in the elevator and fix my hair a little bit with my fingers before the doors opened. I got off on the floor where I would work from now on.

"Miss Acosta?" a female voice made me turn around. I looked at a pretty young girl, about my height, with blonde hair and thick-rimmed glasses, who was smiling.

"Yes?" I said looking for a badge with her name on it, but she wasn't wearing any.

"My name is Ingrid. I'll be your secretary. Follow me. I'll show you your office. Later I will introduce you to the whole team."

Ah, that was great! No one would blame me for being late, because I was the manager. Who the hell was going to scold me for being late? Well, Adonis could, now that I think of it.

"I hope you like it," the girl said as we entered.

The office was much larger than the previous one, with a spectacular view and full of natural light.

"It's perfect, thank you," I replied approaching the desk to leave my purse and briefcase which was full of blank papers only, in order to look important. "What is this?" I asked looking at a red package with a ribbon of the same colour that was on the desk.

"Mr. Devoir left it for you."

"Is he in his office?" I asked.

"No, he had to leave immediately. He said he would be away all day."

Good! At least he won't see my pale face and this crazy hair.

"Thanks. Could you bring me a strong coffee?" I asked. My stomach was growling.

"Sure, I'll bring it immediately," she replied, closing the door as she left the office.

I wondered what the package could contain. Another jewel? I doubted it. I had already returned the necklace and the ring to him, even though he had insisted that I kept the latter. Why the hell should I have accepted an engagement ring? To make all the men escape? Maybe it could be useful to keep away ugly peasants like Steven, who luckily seemed to have disappeared at last.

I unwrapped the package. When I saw my black leather planner, my heart almost jumped out of my chest. Oh, my God! It had come back to me. As I opened it, I saw a handwritten note on the first page: "I'm sorry I can't return it to you in person, but as promised, it returns back in your hands, whole and without any damage. It was a pleasure to deal with you, Miss Acosta. P.S.: I took the liberty to book in advance part of your time. I hope you don’t mind."

"To book part of my time?" I whispered before opening it and throwing myself headlong into each page of the following weeks to see what the hell Damian had written in my planner.

Chapter XIII

I saw Damian's name next to Il Divo concert that was going to take place the following Thursday. I remembered that he had invited himself after that disastrous dinner with Steven. I also remembered his proposal for a trip to Italy. Despite having searched all the available weekends until the end of the year, the trip to the country of pizza did not appear anywhere.

Damn it! That trip would mean more thermal pools and bodies immersed in the water.

To my great dismay, I