Chapter 15
Chapter 15
He had no idea that the real reason her room was always a mess was because it was overflowing with his things.
Seth was a complete workaholic. As his chief assistant, Noreen had to be on call for him twenty–four hours a day.
Her desk was stacked high with all kinds of files and documents he might need at a
moment’s notice.
The walls were covered in his schedules, memos, and color–coded charts.
Her closet was packed with his formal suits and tuxedos for business dinners.
Even the floor space was crowded with the gifts he’d bought for clients–bottles of wine, gourmet baskets, and branded keepsakes.
That cramped little apartment she rented had basically become her second office.
In the entire room, the only thing that belonged solely to her was the narrow twin bed in the corner.
Not that Seth ever appreciated it. He’d once complained that her bed was too small, and after that night, he’d never set foot in her place again.
Before heading out, Noreen called the moving company, asking them to send someone over that weekend to help sort through the mess.
It was time to clear out everything that wasn’t hers.
***
Johnson had picked a trendy new French restaurant that had just opened downtown–Luna Eclipse Dining. It was apparently all the rage these days.
He must have remembered her mentioning over the phone that her stomach wasn’t great, because he’d ordered a selection of mild, comforting dishes–delicate soups, soft breads, light salads. Thoughtful of him.
People who care never need to be taught how.
She’d always convinced herself that Seth just cared too much about work to notice the little things in life. So she’d taught herself not to mind, and to accept him as he
was.
But today, she learned something new: Seth would specially take Bianca out for a nourishing broth at Bone & Broth when she was on her period.
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So, he could be thoughtful. Just not with her.
Tonight, Noreen looked nothing like her usual self. Gone was the severe business suit she seemed to have welded on; her long, dark hair was finally loose. The pale dress she wore made her already porcelain skin seem to glow.
When Johnson arrived, he nearly walked right past her.
It was Noreen who greeted him first, “Mr. Johnson, sorry to keep you waiting.”
He stared at her, wide–eyed, practically gaping. “Secretary Gilmore? Is that really you? I almost didn’t recognize you!”
As she sat down, a strand of hair slipped off her shoulder. She brushed it back casually.
“Secretary Gilmore, can I ask you something?” Johnson couldn’t help himself.
“Go ahead,” Noreen replied with easy confidence.
“Does your company have some weird rule or something?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”
“Like making attractive women dress down on purpose.”
Noreen laughed, amused. “I’ll take that as a compliment, Mr. Johnson.”
“I wasn’t complimenting you. I’m just very good at telling the truth!”
Johnson’s quick wit and charm made the atmosphere warm and relaxed in just a few words–no wonder he was one of the city’s top headhunters.
Jude emerged from one of the private dining rooms just then, and immediately spotted Noreen sitting by the window.
At first, he was simply struck by her beauty.
She’d chosen her seat well; the evening sun was pouring through the floor–to–ceiling windows, bathing her in golden light. She looked almost ethereal, aglow with a kind
of divine radiance.
Jude was transfixed, moving toward her almost without thinking.
At that moment, Noreen happened to glance his way.
He froze in his tracks, stunned, hardly able to believe it. That was… Noreen?
She looked like her, but then again, she didn’t.
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Chapter 15 ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ.net
In his mind, Noreen was always dressed like an antique–overly prim, hopelessly old–fashioned, with not a hint of femininity. He used to secretly wonder what Seth was thinking, choosing her over the many gorgeous women around him.
Now, looking at her tonight, Jude realized just how wrong he’d been.
Seth had been enjoying a feast these past few years, and everyone else had been
blind to it.