Chapter 13
~ Octavia ~
Since the moment I saw that photo, a toxic mixture of sadness and anger had taken root in my chest. I kept telling myself I had no right to feel this way. I have no emotional attachment to Franklin; we are strangers bound by a legal document. Yet, the sting was real.
Did I have the right to confront him? No. So, I did the only thing I could: I pretended I never saw it. I ignored Victoria's messages and tried to focus on my purpose within the Flemington estate.
Breakfast that morning had been a cold affair. Franklin offered no warmth, and I offered no conversation. When he demanded I join him in the limo to "play the part" for the public, I refused at first then reluctantly joined him because of the contract—and his sheer arrogance—forced my hand.
The moment I stepped into the office at JeffTech, Victoria was waiting. She didn't even let me reach my desk before dragging me into the hallway, her face twisted in a scowl.
"Jeez, Vic! You could have asked to talk instead of manhandling me," I snapped, crossing my arms.
"Didn't you get my text? The photo?" she demanded, ignoring my protest.
"Yes, I did. And?" I sighed, trying to look bored.
"And? Octavia, I saw your fiancé hugging another woman! And not just any woman, it's Bella Washington. It wasn't friendly; it looked intimate. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
I had to play it cool, even though I was screaming on the inside.
"Of course it matters, Vic. But I have to respect Franklin's boundaries."
"Respect his boundaries while he's spotted with her in public?" Victoria adjusted her glasses, her frown deepening.
"What were you even doing at the clubhouse, anyway?" I asked
"I was meeting my uncle for lunch," she explained. "He's a member there. I saw them together by the pool. Have you even confronted Franklin about this? He better have a damn good explanation."
"I did," I lied. The words tasted like ash, but they kept coming. "He explained that Bella is his ex. Since we're getting married, he wanted to make peace with his past. He apologized for not telling me. I told him I understood, and we moved on."
I watched her closely.
To my relief, she seemed to buy it. My performance was apparently better than I thought.
"Look," Victoria said, her voice softening as she pulled me into a hug. "I just don't want you to get hurt. Women in this city would kill to be in your position because Franklin is… well, he's a chick magnet. You have to protect your territory, Octavia. Married or not, those vultures won't stop circling."
"I know, Vic. Thank you. I'll… I'll keep an eye on him," I murmured into her shoulder.
"Everyone! Gather in the main hub. Now!" Miranda's voice boomed from the office door, cutting our conversation short.
We hurried back inside. Miranda stood at the head of the room, her expression more serious than I had ever seen it.
"Listen up! Today isn't just a presentation; it's the final litmus test for JeffTech. The Flemington Group isn't just looking for a game to publish; they are looking for a reason to keep our lights on."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
"I've just been informed that the Board has authorized a 'Lead Developer' promotion for whoever's project Franklin Flemington selects today," Miranda continued. "That means a massive raise and a seat at the executive table. However, if we fail to impress, the merger terms will be 'restructured'—which we all know is corporate speak for layoffs. Professionalism is the only currency in this room today. Godspeed."
The office erupted into nervous chatter. My gaze drifted across the room to Bella. She was laughing with a group of colleagues, looking entirely unbothered.
Why did it hurt so much to know he loved her and not me?
Bella caught my eye. She didn't look away. Instead, she flashed that sickening, triumphant smirk before turning back to her friends. My throat went dry. I moved to the water dispenser, my hands trembling slightly as I took a sip.
Suddenly, a colleague burst through the doors.
"They're here! Mr. Flemington and his team are in the conference room right now!"
The atmosphere shifted instantly. The hum of anxiety became a roar. I set my cup down, trying to find my professional mask. I had worked my butt off on this project. I had poured every ounce of energy into this code. I didn't need Franklin to love me; I needed him to recognize my talent.
Miranda stepped out of her office one last time. "The Board just called. It's time. Conference room, now. Let's go."
I took a deep breath, grabbed my laptop, and followed the line of developers. My heart was drumming a frantic rhythm against my ribs.
Here we go.