After I chewed and swallowed the pancake, Kev put it in my mouth, "But you can't avoid it forever."

"Mar, can we just drop it for now?" a hint of frustration creeping into his voice.

I kept aside breakfast. "No, Kev, we can't keep avoiding this. I think we should talk about it."

Kev started to get irritated, but he managed to calm himself by taking a few deep breaths. "Mar, I swear I am dying to talk about it but trust me, I am not ready to have this conversation."

I exhaled while looking at him. "How much time do you need to get yourself ready for this conversation?

Kev threw his head back at the headboard. He closed his eyes. "Please, Mar, before I lose my shit can we talk about something else?"

I stood up and started picking up my clothes. "You can't brush things under the carpet and think everything is fine."

Kev also stood up and snarled. "This is the problem: you don't know how to respect someone's decision. If I am telling you I am not ready so you should understand rather than forcing me to do it."

I told him. "First, I do respect your decision but you also need to keep in mind that you can't make excuses forever; one day you have to talk."

Kev was slumping his shoulders. "You think I don't know this?

While I was picking up my belongings. "My opinion is that we should be honest to each other."

Kev reluctantly nodded, but I knew he wouldn't say anything, so I continued. "I want you to understand that without clearing the past, I can't move forward with open arms and a clear heart."

I slipped into my clothes and stormed out of his room. The moment I stepped out of his place, tears started to run down my cheeks.

I found myself lost in my mind regarding an argument with Kev a few hours ago as I walked into the office. I begin to feel remorse for seeking solace in his arms, given that he remains unchanged. I feel like a burden on my shoulders; frustration runs through me. I hate myself for surrendering my emotions to him rather than making him talk.

I needed to distract myself, so the moment I spotted Blaine, I walked up to him. Blaine was brewing coffee. He didn't know I was standing on his back. I cleared my throat to let him know about my presence. "Blaine, how long do I have to wait for the final photos?" my anger, frustration, and regret were visible in my tone.

Blaine looked around and had a sip of his coffee, then he looked at me. "A very good morning, Margot Parker. I will send you the photos as soon as I reach my table."

I understood his sarcastic tone and smile, but I narrowed my eyes because I didn't want to greet anyone.  

"You know, it would be nice if you started your conversations in the morning with greetings like that," he added, lifting his coffee mug.

My jaw clenched in frustration as Blaine's response echoed in my mind. "Who gave you the world's most bizarre advice?" Once again, my tone reflects my anger.

Blaine had another sip of coffee, then kept a finger on his chin. "Let me think who gave me this advice."

I opened my mouth, but he snapped at me. "Yeah, it was you, Mar."

I gave him a stare, but he smirked. I moved forward and grabbed his mug, dismissing his protest. Before turning around, I reminded him that it was "Photos," and then I headed towards my office. I had a few sips before firing up my laptop. I promised myself not to suffocate myself over Kev's behavior.

The moment I turned on my laptop, I looked at the deadlines. I vowed not to mix my personal life with my professional life, and then I channeled my anger, frustration, and regret into motivation to complete the task at hand as soon as possible.

As I was engulfed in my work, my eyes landed on Carter. I didn't bother to call Gretchen to send him in; instead, I screamed his name, causing everyone in the office to turn and look back at me. Ignoring their curious gazes, I shook my head in frustration.

Carter looked around, a puzzled expression on his face, before walking over to my office and standing in the doorway. I always left my glass door open, a habit that often led to impromptu interruptions.

"Do you want me in your office?" The way I called Carter reflects today's temper.

I smiled to hide my anger for the time being. "Not at all, Mr. Carter. Why would I want you in my office? I wanted Alyssa."

Carter was standing at my door and failed to understand my fsarcastic smile. He was confused. "Then why have you called me?"

I snarled. "You, dumbo. I called your name so of course I wanted you in my office."

Before I made Carter cry, Gretchen walked into my office and stood across my table. I looked at her."What the hell do you want now?"

Gretchen shook her head. "I don't want anything but I can tell someone has woken up on the wrong side of bed."

Once again, I faked smiling. "No, everything is fine. Just another day in heaven. I am on cloud nine."

Gretchen shook her head. "You need to get laid girl."

I am sorry Gretchen but getting laid is the reason for my frustration.

I refrained to respond her instead I asked Carter. "What about the venue for the launch party?"

Carter chinned up. "Yeah I am waiting for all the bids and it will be done by next week."

I waved him in a sense to dismiss. "Alright."

I was about to go back to my laptop but feeling Gretchen's lingering presence in my doorway, I arched an eyebrow and tilted my head slightly, silently questioning her reason for still standing there. Her crossed arms and determined expression hinted at her reluctance to leave without addressing whatever was on her mind.

Gretchen asked. "Are you sure there's nothing you'd like to talk about?"

I shook my head. "No Gretchen, I have nothing exciting to talk about."

Gretchen raised her hands in the air. "If you think you can hide your inner turmoil by throwing fits, it's a bad idea."

Gretchen is excellent at hitting someone with the truth. I began to shake my leg under the table in an attempt to maintain my composure.

I turned from frustrated to defensive mode. "I don't understand. What are you trying to say?"

Gretchen narrowed her brows, as she was not convinced by my lie. "Mar, I have known you for years. It's all over you right now that the reason for your anger is in the office. It's useless to deny."

I tried another trick to shut her mouth and sent her out of my office. "I don't know why, but if you think my personal life is of any concern to you, then you are absolutely wrong."

Gretchen pointed at me. "Don't you dare try this fucking trick on me. I know what I am doing and it's not about your personal life that I am worried about. I am actually concerned for your mental health. There is something eating you inside so rather than bottling up your anger, I suggest you talk about it."

I felt exposed. Gretchen just showed me in the mirror how wrong I have been acting. I looked away and whined. "I just don't know what to do and what not to do to maintain my sanity."

Gretchen kept her hand on my shoulder to make sure of her presence during my hard times. "I think it would be better to go to that particular person and talk about it because hiding behind your anger is not a good option for your personal and professional life. If not, pin the matter for a while."

I didn't tell her that the person she was asking me to go to and talk to was not willing to talk about it. But the way she talked to me and suggested, I felt valued and loved. I smiled and looked at her. "Thanks, Gretchen; I really appreciate the way you comfort me by telling the truth."

Gretchen smiled and turned around. "I am glad you are feeling better now."

When Gretchen walked out of my office, I leaned back and closed my eyes for a while. Her words reverberated in my mind. She actually has some skills to see through everyone. She is right if I can't talk to Kev so it would be better to put this matter on hold. I took a few deep breaths and opened my eyes with a smile on my face.

It was possible that Gretchen would say Kev's name again in the future, even though she hadn't done so this time. It scared me to think that she might talk about my problems with Kev in front of everyone.

I shook my head to try to get rid of the worry that was about to take over my life. When it came to privacy, I trusted Gretchen like all of my other friends. She wouldn't do anything on purpose to make me feel bad or let other people see how weak I was.

With a firm determination, I reminded myself to be careful, to keep my emotions in check, and to ensure that nothing could catch me off guard. In the future, I should be careful not to throw fits at my friends because of my inner turmoil. Also, I should be more private and not reveal my anger to the whole world. I immediately drew my attention to the work in hand. I received a notification from my email account appeared on my computer, diverting my focus away from what I was doing.

It was sent by Dane Moller, and the subject line mentioned that there will be a charity event at South Shore shortly. While I was reading through the details, I was amazed at the beginning of an email, as the company is sending me to represent Moller Holdings at this prestigious event but as soon as I reached the end, my heart kind of stopped because Kev would accompany me during the event for three days.

As soon as I shut off my laptop, the seriousness of the situation began to sink on me. The mere mention of Kev's name caused me to feel a gnawing anxiety that I was unable to escape. A feeling of dread came over me when I think about spending three days with him.