Paige narrates:
I feel very anxious to get these weeks over with, it means I will be able to start focusing on my business and my life. Although I also feel sad that it will end my life next to Mason, most likely when divorce time comes, I won't see him as a friend anymore, I don't think that woman he is in love with will let me be a part of his life anymore. As much as I deny it, I am in love with Mason, it is something I have not wanted to admit, however, there is no point in lying to myself anymore.
I realized it some time ago, I just kept thinking I was just confused and surprise I'm not, I'm always in love with him. I have thought about refusing and looking for an excuse to avoid that trip at all costs. I am pretty sure if we do it, I will end up worse off by the time I get there from being alone with him three weeks.
One week later...
Can you believe I find myself counting down the days until the supposed trip. I just can't with myself, I really can't. He has me too sensitive in my feelings, my heart feels something more every day when he has attentive behaviors with me, needless to say that these last days he has been the perfect guy.
After work he just comes home, sometimes he cooks for me and takes care of me as if I were his real wife, the woman he is in love with.
For my part I treat him better than before, no affectionate nicknames and nothing like that. I am just attentive to his things; I support him when he brings work home and he does the same for me.
Ethan asked me to see him in his office, I'm on my way to see him right now, I'm nervous about what he might say to me. Since that day I drove Mason home drunk our friendship has never been the same. We treat each other like we always have, but it's not the same. I think you've had that feeling that when something changes it's never the same again it's something you know, you just know.
I knock on the door and wait for her to give me permission to enter.
"Come in," she says from inside her office, and I open the door.
"You wanted to see me?" I ask as I close the door behind me.
"Yes, please have a seat," she says, serious, and I start feeling nervous.
"Wow, such seriousness..." I say, laughing nervously.
"Nah, you know I like to pretend to be serious," she replies, laughing.
"You really scared me then," I respond, smiling.
"No worries. I called you here to let you know that your time at this company is ending. Your evaluation is excellent, more than excellent, actually. I already sent it to the university a few hours ago. So, there's no need for you to finish the remaining weeks here. You can start taking care of your own company in a few days when you receive the notification from the university. And lastly, congratulations! You have the highest score. It's an honor for me to have been your evaluator during your internship. You'll be an excellent CEO for your family's company, and I'm proud to be your friend," she says, and I feel like I might burst into tears at any moment from her words.
"Thank you for your kind words. I truly value your friendship and what you've said. I can only say that I learned from the best. You helped me a lot when I first arrived here, and you were patient with me when I didn't know how to do everything you asked. Yet, I never saw a frown or heard a scolding from you. Not everyone can do that," I respond, smiling.
"Well, I couldn't scold you. Mason threatened me when you started working here," she says, laughing.
"He really did?!" I ask, amazed.
"Yes, but I didn't pay any attention to him. If I didn't scold you, it's because it wasn't necessary. You're very intelligent and you learned quickly what you needed to do," she comments.
"I have no words to thank you for everything you've done for me during this time and for your friendship. Even if you deny that something is wrong or that nothing has changed, I know that it is. I won't force you to say what it is if you don't want to. I just want you to know that whatever it is, it will never affect the friendship I offer you because it's genuine and from the heart. And regardless of what happens in the future, you can always count on me for anything," I say, expressing my feelings, something I rarely do.
"What did you do with Paige?" she asks, smiling, because I'm not usually this open with anyone other than the girls.
But I can't help but think about the future and remember that in a year, I won't be Mason's wife anymore. For that reason, I want her to know that whatever happens, she'll always have me as a friend.
"Well, you know, sometimes I have my cheesy moments, like now. And I'm very loyal to my friends. Besides, you're not getting rid of me in your life. Sarah is my best friend," I remind her, winking.
"Now I understand how you managed to captivate my friend. Your cheesy side is quite overwhelming," she says, laughing.
Upon hearing those words, I stop laughing. I wish it were true that Mason fell in love with me. I wish it were true, but Ethan doesn't know anything about the contract and everything else.
"Yes, you know my cheesy side can captivate anyone. Be careful, you might fall victim to it," I say, laughing, trying to push away sad thoughts.
"I'm immune to it. Sarah has me blind to any other woman," she replies.
I can see the love she has for Sarah in her eyes, and I feel happy for her. I love seeing how they reciprocate each other's feelings. It reassures me that they will be happily together forever.
Then we say goodbye. I'm glad to know that there's less time left, but it also has its downside because it means more time with Mason, learning about my company.