Crisises

As I'm about to rest, my phone rings, and when I look at the ID, my parents are the ones calling. That's a rare occasion. Is someone dying?

I answer the phone, and it takes a while to hear a voice. "Monique, it's your sister's dress shopping Sunday, so you're expected to be there." in public, with them? "Dress shopping? For what? She has tons of clothes." I frown at the insignificant call.

"For a wedding dress! Aren't you keeping track of the family group? She's getting engaged officially next week!" The phone disconnects and hangs up, but I didn't really care to know more anyway. It's none of my business.

But the fact that my sister is getting married has caught me off guard, leaving me with a mix of emotions. I can't help but feel sorry for the unfortunate guy who is about to enter into this marital union with her. He must be quite wealthy, and knowing Isabelle, she intends to suck him dry, much like the vampire she is.

It's disheartening to witness this side of my family, who are skilled at using people and resorting to underhanded tactics just to satisfy their desires. It makes me question their moral compass and selflessness, or rather, the lack thereof. It's unfortunate that they prioritize personal gains over genuine connections and fair play.

In the public's eyes, there are only three members in the Smith family. Why? Because, according to my parents, an adopted child will bring the Smith's name down. As a child growing up, I thought nothing of it until my teenage years, when I started understanding that that was only one of the reasons. But as far as a wedding is concerned, me being invited is beyond surprising.

A ding from my phone catches my attention, and it's the one and only vampire to roam this planet.

Isabelle: I'm still waiting. Tick tock.

I quickly wired almost the last of my account to her. I can't afford to be sent back to England, not when I'm hiding from my toxic ex, and I've finally built a life for myself here.

I scan through whatever little information I find in the family group, doing my own little investigation. Whoever this guy is, his mom fell victim to my sister's charms and made a last wish for her son and Isabelle to get together.

Poor woman. I sigh, exiting the group and lingering in the chat of my boss.

'I didn't mean to...' Right, just boss and employee.

I have always had a feeling that he liked me, from the way he looked at me to the times I caught him staring deeply at me, and definitely from the things he did for me. However, I dismissed those thoughts. Now, I realize and appreciate the very reason why I did so, because now I am heartbroken over a man who clearly does not want me.

It seems foolish to be heartbroken over something that never even existed, but I have had a crush on my boss for quite some time now. The memory of his soft, pink lips moving desperately with mine replays over and over again, and my fingers find their way to my own lips.

It certainly did not seem like he did not want it, but when he looked at me with guilty eyes, I did not bother to push it. I now truly appreciate the signs that were always there. I had felt an urge to pull him back into a longer, more mind-blowing kiss, but after that look, I felt like burying my head in sand like a wounded ostrich.

I lower my hand and squeeze my fingers. It is time to move on and accept the truth, no matter how painful it may be. Besides, I'm a Smith—well, partially. Ryan's made it clear over and over how much he dislikes the family, and it's only a blessing that I have to keep my relation to the Smith's a secret—the main reason I applied for this job with my real name.

It still doesn't make me less of a Smith, and just that alone terminates any minute chance I had with him.

I sigh, getting comfortable under the sheets. There's nothing wrong with being the family's black sheep when it comes to being married off for money or fame, not love. I'm quite content, if I'm being honest.

With that and the thought of the earlier mistaken kiss, I fade into dreamland.

The next day, I wake up to terrible cramps, so I throw myself back into the pillow. First, I'm having an emotional crisis; next, I'm having a money-hungry sister crisis; next, I'm having a kiss-your-hot-boss crisis; and now I'm having a period crisis.

Why?

I drag myself out of bed quickly, as much as the pain allows, and reach 10 minutes late.

It takes another 5 minutes to get an elevator, and by the time I step into the office room nervously, two almond-blue eyes are glaring into my own, but the anger in them is something I've never seen before.

Isn't today my lucky day?

"You're late, Ms. Moore," he says, returning his focus to his screen, and I internally scoff at him. I'm the one who got my period, not him. "I apologize, sir, but I had a few issues with my health." I straighten out my pencil skirt and play with my ID necklace.

"I don't care; your punctuality in this company is more important, and this will be the last time I'm talking about this again." My eyes slightly widen for a quick second at his harshness, but I don't budge in my expression. "I understand, sir," I bow, and he nods, focusing back on the paperwork before him, and I take my assigned pile to my office, bumping into the doorknob with my stomach. Oh.

My files fall, and I crouch down, caressing the area, forgetting two things. 1. Ryan has an optional view of my cabin. 2. My office door is open.

I flinch when I feel someone touch my shoulder. "Hey, are you okay?" A masculine voice speaks up, and I turn to see my co-worker, James. We're not exactly best friends, but we cover for each other from time to time.

"Yeah," I groan as he helps me up and into my seat. "Do you need anything?" He asks once he's done, picking up the papers on the floor. "No, thank you." I could see the urge to persist in his blue eyes, but he decides against it and just nods.

I thank him before he leaves with a promise of a favor and get straight to work.