He didn’t say more. Instead, he leaned against the doorframe as I jumped off the counter and then turned round to face the mirror so I could fix my hair.
“I have to go, or else I’ll be late,” he told me.
I turned around so he could give me a goodbye kiss. His hands went to my neck, and he tugged at the necklace holding my engagement ring as if he needed to ensure it was there.
“Give Celest my regards.”
“Will do… I’ll see you at home.”
It had been two years, and I still got that same warm feeling whenever he said that. Our home was the same apartment he bought me, but it wouldn’t be for much longer. My dad had already hinted at looking at properties near the house so we could be closer.
“Oh, and, Lou?” Neo shot back before leaving my office. “Make sure you have your notifications on when you’re out with Marie.”
This made my brows scrunch in confusion.
“Happy anniversary,” was all he offered as he closed the door to my office.
I let it go since I had most of my morning tasks to catch up on.
Neo may be the COO, but my dad made it clear who would take over the company. So, in addition to managing my branches, I shadowed my father. Everything was much easier now that the board had been wiped clean and new blood had filled it.
By lunchtime, I had forgotten all about Neo’s cryptic parting message. Leave it to Clove to be the bearer of the best news. Park Technologies were undergoing a hostile takeover. No wonder Neo mentioned that he went to see our broker.
Life had been good to me, and I had forgotten all about Tatum. He was not someone in my social circles, so I didn’t give him any thought.
“You okay, Lou?” Marie asked.
“I’m great,” I told her, feeling melancholy.
I still missed my mami. Time didn’t lessen the effect, just the pain. But that was life: we lost, we grieved, and we moved on. Life was all about adapting.
Given the chance, an enemy could turn into your biggest ally.
