Chapter 48 - 48

I woke up early the next morning after a restless night's sleep and began primping and pressing. I pulled on the sexy new outfit Lizzie helped me pick out and matched it with a pair of stiletto heels that I couldn't believe I'd let the girls at 'Divine servitude' talk me into. I soaked my hair down with a crapload of product to get it to defrizz and I actually put on some makeup.

I turned and looked in the mirror several times trying to draw my courage up just to be able to walk out the door. Just to brace myself for the walk to work, I grabbed a long jacket that I was embarrassed to say actually covered up everything down to my calves. I knotted the tie around my waist and took off towards work. The building was only about five blocks away if you took the back alleys. Still halfway there, I cursed the heels and my own stupidity for actually wearing them. I had almost fallen for the ninth time when I finally reached the sidewalk outside of work.

I stopped for a second to catch my breath, and my balance and had started to go in when I saw a car pull up out front and Reed popped out. When he saw me, he stopped dead in his tracks and stared at me. Our eyes connected and I saw his eyes widen for a moment seemingly shocked, then the next instant they darkened with heat as they swept down my body and I realized my coat had come undone revealing the new outfit that I'd worn 'for him'.

My feet must have grown a mind of their own because they started walking towards the invitation in his eyes. Only to have them stop when I saw 'Madam Witch' pop out of the other side of the car and hurry towards Reed. She was smiling up at him in such a familiar way that it caused jealousy to rise inside me and when her hand touched his arm as if she had every right to do so I saw red.

Promptly turning around, I took a deep breath to compose myself again. Come on, Mia. What did you think was going to happen? He was going to drop to his knees and profess his undying love for you? I asked myself as I straightened my clothes. He can just stay with his heartless witch of a wife. I was through playing as his little toy.

The Rat Bastard!

"Mia, what are you doing down here?" his voice came from behind me.

I noted with a bit of sadistic glee that there was worry in his tone. Well, good he should be. I wheeled around and aimed a cool, contemptuous stare at him. 'Madam Witch' standing by his side, with her hand wrapped around his arm as if it belonged there and would always be there. I saw a bright, sparkling diamond on her finger, and my stomach clench. Wow, the possibility that I had misread him that badly made me nauseous. I used all of my control to keep it off my face. Leaving it as bland and cool as I could.

"Good morning, Mr. Callaghan," I said.

I promptly dismissed them both by turning and walking into the building with my head held high. I heard a low growl behind me and knew I had pissed him off, but I didn't give a damn. As of right now, he was blacklisted, and he could just freaking deal with it.

I walked into Lizzie's office with as much grace and flair as I could manage. I felt a glow of pride as I saw her mouth popped open in shock and saw an appreciative light pop on in Jordan's eyes as they both took in my outfit. In the back of my mind, I realized I had forgotten to lace my coat up like I had planned on. Although the look on their faces made it worthwhile. After all, it wasn't often that I was able to shock Lizzie. Suddenly Jordan looked behind me and then gave a careless shrug. I didn't need to look back to know who Jordan was looking at. I could practically feel his body heat as if he was pressing it against mine.

Curiosity overwhelmed me, so I looked back and saw Reed was glaring at Jordan. If he had been a dog, he would have had his hackles up and his teeth bared. As it was, I couldn't promise he didn't.

Once again, I dismissed him as I heard him rustle like he was starting to continue on his way, so I stopped in front of Lizzie's desk and proceeded to take off my jacket giving him a full view of the outfit before he left.

I saw out of the corner of my eye that Reed had stopped dead in his tracks once again. This time, however, it caused 'Madam Witch' to run straight into his back. She made an irritated sound and brushing her clothing off and straightening them. When she looked up and noticed Reed's eyes, she grabbed his arm trying to get his attention.

"Reed, honey, are you coming?" said her sickly-sweet voice filled with annoyance and disgust. "Come on, it's not the first time you've seen a woman dressed like a whore."

I had to grab Lizzie's arm as she rounded the desk and set her sights on Nina.

"Lizzie don-"

I was interrupted by a squeak of fear. I looked back in time to see Reed had turned on Nina with almost a murderous look on his face.

"You will apologize, now," I heard him demand.

His voice was low and steady which meant he was pissed and almost pushed beyond his control. Nina obviously knew this because she backed away from him and seemed to shrink into herself.

"I'm sorry," she said, though the look in her eyes told of her true animosity to me.

In that instant, Lizzie stood beside me and Jordan didn't hesitate to join her. I felt warmth travel through me realizing they both were showing me that I wasn't alone.. Knowing that so many people had my back made it easier to give the witch a much more confident smile.