At the bar…


    Leah, Pam, Caleb, and Fane are sampling drinks in a good mood.


    After who knows how many cocktails, Leah excused herself. "I need to usedies'' room."


    "Do you needpany?", Pam offered.


    Leah waved that it''s not needed. "No, I am fine. I will be back in a minute."


    The cocktails are served in small doses, and both Lean and Pam are slightly tipsy, but still having good control over their limbs and presence of mind.


    On the way out of thedies'' room, Leah was surprised to see Isabe in the hallway. Was she waiting for her? It looks like it.


    "Can we talk?", Isabe asked while gesturing to the door on the side which is for the staff to reach the kitchen and service elevator.


    As soon as Isabe''s voice reached her, Leah''s body stiffened, and she felt that all her tipsiness and good mood disappeared in an instant.


    "If you have something to say, say it here.", Leah responded coldly.


    Isabe nervously nced down the hallway. "Please?"


    Leah sighed. She realized that Isabe is set on talking to her and that she will not give up easily. Well, at least they should get some things out of the way. "Make it quick."


    "What do you want?", Leah asked when the door closed behind them.


    "Did you really… move on?", Isabe answered with a question.


    Leah knows that many people saw her and Pam kissing on the dancefloor, and she guessed that is how Isabe knows that Leah found someone else.


    Leah frowned while thinking how after several months of not seeing each other, Isabe''s first question is about Leah finding someone else. This rubbed Leah the wrong way. Why didn''t she ask her how she is doing? Why didn''t she ask how her life is since they parted ways? But Isabe was always self-centered, so Leah should see iting.


    "Did you think that my life in on pause while I hope that you wille around? Don''t tell me that is why you called me here."


    Isabe can see that Leah is upset and she decided to defuse the situation. But how can she do that? "No… Uhm… Are you happy?"


    Leah smiled sadly. "If you asked me that question six months ago, I would be happy."


    "I am sorry for neglecting you and putting you in front of my selfish needs."


    Leah was surprised to hear this. Isabe never acknowledged that she is selfish or that she noticed Leah''s unhappiness. Every time Leah brought it up, Isabe would brush it off like something that is not important. "Why are you telling me that?"


    Isabe balled her hands into fists and took a deep breath before answering: "Because you are the first person I think of in the morning and your face is thest one I see before I fall asleep. I dream about you, and I can feel your touch, and hear yourughter. You are all around me in everything I do. Even after all this time, your presence lingers in my apartment..."


    "Stop!", Leah interrupted Isabe. "Stop saying that! I am with someone else, and so are you."


    Isabe reached to hold Leah''s hand, but Leah stepped back and avoided her.


    Isabe looked at Leah dejectedly. "I need you Leah, more than I need the air. You can''t love someone else, you love me."


    Leah could not believe her ears. "Brandon Craig. Is he mistreating you? Are you with him out of your own free will, or just to appease your father?"


    Isabe frowned. Why is Leah mentioning him? And how does she know his name? Brandon obviously didn''t recognize Leah as Isabe''s ex-assistant. "Why does he matter?"


    "Because he visited our… I mean, YOUR apartment three times while I stayed in my room after serving you snacks and beverages. Do you know how I felt while yourughter reached me through the closed door?", Leah saw that Isabe is confused and continued: "Don''t tell me that you need me. Don''t tell me that you think about me, because I needed you to think about me then. But you didn''t. I spent a lot of time hiding in that room while you thought of making your father happy and your business partners and guys like Brandon. You treated me like a thing, like one of your toys which you can hide in the drawer and use it when no one is watching. I am not a toy, and I refuse to hide in your drawer and wait when it''s convenient for you to use me."


    Isabe looked at Leah with a troubled expression. She didn''t see it that way. Why is Leah exaggerating? Even if she is, that is how Leah feels. And Leah refuses to return to that Isabe… "What if I change? I will break up with Brandon and tell my father about us and quit thepany. We can travel together, and I will focus on my art and on you…"


    Leah wondered, is Isabe lying to her or to herself? That story about them traveling and Isabe working on her art was their n when the two of them got together… and then it was<em> ''just few weeks at thepany and then we can travel''</em>… before it turned into <em>''we can travel when I take vacations''</em>. And then there were no vacations either, only business trips where Isabe is mingling with others while Leah watches from the side.


    Knowing Isabe, she probably believes in those words, but as soon as things are settled she will return to her behavior where she ispromising and pleasing everyone. Maybe Isabe can manage such a life, but Leah is not willing to sacrifice her happiness and her dreams in order to please (for her) random people.


    "Isi, what we had is damaged beyond repair. I am not angry at you. I pity you. And pity is not a reason strong enough for me to be with someone. I hope that you find your happiness."


    Leah walked out without turning back. She didn''t want to turn back because no matter what Isabe''s appearance is, she is unable tofort her. Her heart ached, but she felt a relief as well.


    Leah returned to the bar and found Pamughing hysterically. "Did I miss a good joke?"


    Pam''s eyes lit up when she saw Leah. "Caleb and Fane have a proposition for us.", Pam said yfully and winked.


    "Oh?", Leah was interested.


    "They want… the four of us… together…", Pam looked at Leah suggestively.


    "Oh…", Leah understood right away. "What did you say?"


    "Nothing. I want to hear what you have to say to their… generous proposal."


    "Hmm…", Leah turned to Caleb and Fane who looked at Leah expectantly. "That depends… what do you have to offer?"


    Caleb and Fane exchanged confused looks and fidgeted ufortably. This is the first time they asked twodies for a foursome, but they are quite sure that it should not sound like they are at the job interview.


    "Can you rify your question?", Fane asked.


    Leah smiled and looked at both of them lecherously while speaking: "Are you interested in watching, or you want to get in the action as well? How long can youst? How big is…"


    "Are all those necessary questions?", Caleb grimaced and interrupted Leah.


    "Yes. Because if you can''tst at least one hour without breaks, there is no point in starting anything."


    Caleb was not sure he heard her right. "One hour? No breaks?"


    Leah confirmed with a hum. "Mhm… You see… Girls don''t need breaks."


    Fane swallowed hard. "Can we watch?"


    Leah and Pamughed seeing that Caleb''s and Fane''s confidence plunged from offering their services boldly to <em>''can we watch''</em>.


    Well, teasing them is one thing, but deciding on something like this is another.


    Pam looked at Leah. "What do you think?"


    "I don''t know.", Leah responded honestly. "I never considered anything like that, but I am always interested in trying new things. I will leave it to you."


    "That is mean… leaving it up to me…", Pam pouted while trying to hide the fact that her heart is pounding like crazy. "How about this? Let''s drink some more, the night is still young…"


    She was not sure if she is dying rejecting Caleb and Fane, or she hopes that few more drinks will loosen her up enough to agree to it. Normally, she would not consider such an offer, but this is with Leah… Pam could not deny that at this point her answer is <em>''maybe''</em>.


    Leah heard Pam mention more drinks and she remembered her talk with Isabe... she definitely needs a drink. Or two... She summoned the bartender. "Give us something hard... whiskey. Leave the bottle here..."


    ---


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