Chapter 2
I'd got male friends too.
As long as everyone knew their boundaries and nobody stepped out of line, I was totally chill with it.
But Sophie was way beyond what I'd ever call just a regular friend. Our idea of an opposite-sex friendship couldn't be more different.
I kept a cold look on my face, refusing to budge.
Seeing this, Alexander tried to coax me, his voice going all soft.
"Josie, if you're not happy, we won't hang out with them anymore..."
But before he could finish, Sophie cut him off with a mocking laugh.
"Oh, Josie, you're still throwing a fit," she sneered.
Sophie had somehow ended up behind us.
Now, she was holding a cigarette between her fingers.
She sashayed right up between us, her hips swaying.
Her gaze landed on me, and I instantly felt uneasy.
She said, "Ms. Carter, we're just not on the same wavelength.
"You don't like me, and I can't stand your whole fake-good-girl vibe."
With that, she shot Alexander a sly, teasing look.
"Come on, are you guys still playing it safe in bed? No kinky stuff at all?" she laughed.
"Ah!" Her shrill laughter cut off abruptly.
Sophie covered her head and screamed.
I yanked her hair back as hard as I could.
I was naturally strong.
Sophie was totally caught off guard.
She lost her balance, stumbled back several steps, and fell flat on her ass.
She burst into tears, covering her face as she sobbed.
"Alexander, you jerk! So you get yourself a girlfriend and just forget about me, huh? You're just going to let her bully me?" Sophie cried.
Alexander helped her up.
He shot me a cold glare, his voice downright frosty. "Josephine, that was way out of line!"
I let out a cold laugh.
"Oh, do you think that's bad? Want to see what else I can do?"
Alexander looked even more pissed.
I flashed him a cool little smile.
I said, "You know I'm not someone to mess with, Alexander.
"If she gets on my nerves again, I'll make her regret it."
After that night totally blew up, Alexander and I pretty much stopped talking to each other.
I didn't see him again until three days later.
He was waiting for me right outside my company building.
I tried to walk right past him, pretending he wasn't even there.
But he hurried after me and blocked my way.
His striking eyes were brimming with concern. "Josie!
"Josie, I was wrong.
"I've been mulling it over for the past few days. They really crossed the line that night. I promise it won't happen again, okay?"
As he spoke, Alexander gave my shirt a little pleading tug.
He was totally trying to win me over.
He showed that pleading, vulnerable side.
We'd been together for two years, and whenever we argued, seeing him like this always made me forgive him on the spot.
But this time was different.
I coldly brushed his hand away.
I shot him a cold smile. "Alexander, do you even get what a line is?"
His face froze.
Fidgeting with my fingers, I scoffed, "Honestly, I just don't get it.
"If you're so close to Sophie, why do you even need a girlfriend? Why not just be with her—oh, wait, why don't you all just move in together?
"Am I just supposed to be another pawn in whatever twisted game you guys are playing?"
Alexander's face went bright red as he snapped back, "There's nothing going on between me and Sophie.
"I swear, she's always just been one of the buddies to me!"
With that, he frowned.
He started acting all pitiful again.
He pleaded, "Josie, we love each other so much. Can you really just walk away from me?
"We're happy together, and we just fit, right?"
I turned away from him.
I didn't even look at him.
Alexander was actually right about that.
These past two years with him, I really did enjoy loving him.
He was handsome, knew how to make me feel special, and could always make me laugh.
Honestly, if Sophie hadn't been such a huge red flag, I'd have actually wanted a future with him.
While I was lost in thought, Alexander took the chance to close the gap between us.
He looked at me with those puppy-dog eyes, practically begging, "Can you just forgive me this once, please?
"You love eating my cooking, right? I made your favorite soup and all your favorite dishes back at home. Come on, won't you stop by and have a bite?"
I just couldn't help staring at his handsome face for a moment.
Honestly, I started to melt just a bit.
Well, sharing a meal with him wouldn't hurt.
Anyway, I was leaving this city in two weeks.
I was just temporarily stationed here for work.
Thanks to Alexander, I wound up sticking around more than a year longer than I planned.
But now, it was finally time for me to head back to the headquarters.
After what went down three days ago, I decided to go back without hesitation.
Dating Alexander was never something I'd planned on.
There was no point in turning things nasty between us.
It was kind of our breakup dinner tonight.
At least, we ended things without any drama.
But what really caught me off guard was that even during a simple dinner, Sophie still managed to get under my skin.