Chapter 13 - Confused

JULIANA'S POV

I woke up with a literal smile of my face. I hadn't had such a good night sleep in ages.

And it was all because of one person: Tyberias.

Just saying his name made me blush.

Normally, I was grump when I woke up but today, I couldn't stop smiling as I got ready for work and went downstairs.

"Good Morning, Miss" I heard someone say as I walked into he kitchen to get some water.

I looked over to see a cute chubby lady who looked to be around 50 years old. She had an Italian accent like Tyberias but her's was much thicker.

"Good morning. I don't believe we've met before" I smiled.

"I am Maria. I looked after Tyberias when he was a child and now I am his housekeeper" she said.

"I'm Juliana. Tyberias'... friend." I said. I didn't quite know what we were.

She chuckled. "I would say you two were more than friends by what I saw yesterday. Don't worry, I stopped watching as soon as I realised what you were both getting up to" 

I instantly blushed. "How come I haven't seen you before?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"I was on a vacation visiting my sister for the last month". She said

I nodded. "Well, I'm going to head to work. It was nice meeting you Maria."

"No. No. Come sit. You haven't had breakfast."

"I don't usually eat breakfast"

"Nonsense. Tyberias told me to make sure the pretty lady eats something before she leave" 

My cheeks instantly heated up. "He said that?" I smiled shyly.

She nodded and made me sit down as she put a couple pancakes on my plate.

"Thank you, Maria. These were delicious." I said as I went up to wash my dishes.

"Let me wash these up. You will be late for work." She said and took the plate of me and headed to the sink.

"Okay, see you later." I said as I walked out and headed to the car Tyberias gave me.

•-• •-• •-•

As per usual, I managed to complete half the stack of paperwork on my desk before lunchtime before I headed into the cafeteria and got a tray of food. 

I looked around the busy room and tried to figure out where to sit. I nodded and began to walk towards the small table at the back where I would always eat lunch alone. 

Friends were overrated anyways.

I was halfway through finishing my sandwich where I saw a shadow loom over me. I looked up to see a reasonably attractive man with light brown hair. 

"Hey, I'm Matt. Do you mind if I sit with you?" He said. 

I was hesitant at first but then slowly nodded as he sat down next to me.

"I'm Juliana" I said and wiped my hand on my skirt before reaching out to shake his.

"I don't remember seeing you here before, Juliana"

"I've only been working here for a couple months" I said and he nodded.

"Which department do you work in" he asked

"I'm Mr Michaels' secretary."

"Secretary? I sympathize for you. I heard he can be a real pain in the áss." He jokes and I laughed lightly.

"Trust me, he is." I said 

He waited a moment before speaking, as if he was contemplating whether or not to say what he was thinking. "I know this is slightly off topic, but I want to get to know you better. Would you maybe like to go to the cinema with me sometime?" He said and gave me a crooked smile.

Cráp. Now I had to think to reject him lightly without hurting his feelings. Don't get me wrong, he seemed like a nice guy but he didn't excite me in any way. Besides, it would be unfair to lead him on, knowing I have feeling for Tyberias.

"I would but I have a lot on my plate at the moment. I'm sorry" I said and gave him an apologetic smile.

He nodded and smiled. "I understand, but let me at least give you my number. In case you change your mind."

I hesitantly nodded and handed him my phone and he began typing his number in. I felt guilty knowing I probably wouldn't use it. 

"Well, I had better get going, my break is almost up. It was nice meeting you Matt" I said and slowly got up to put my tray away.

"You too. I hope to see you again soon" he said and I smiled and began to walk away.

-_- -_- -_-

I rolled my sleeves up as I began helping Maria make dinner. She insisted I didn't need to help her but I felt bad making her do everything.

"Tyberias said he has lots of work to do so can you take this plate of food to him." She asked and handed me a plate of rice and chicken.

I nodded and began walking towards his home office. I got nervous, knowing e haven't spoken since the kisses we shared yesterday.

How would he react?

I lightly knocked on his door.

"Come in." I heard him grumble and I saw him sat at his big desk resting a pen in between his teeth.

"I came to bring you your food" I said and placed it in front of him.

He didn't even look up from his work. "Thank you, Juliana" he said and I just stood there baffled.

That's it? Was he not even going to discuss what happened yesterday?

"You can leave now. If that's all" he said and finally looked up at me.

"What's wrong?" I instantly questioned.

"Nothing"

"Then why are you acting weird around me" I crossed my arms across my chest.

He sighed and lightly rubbed his stubble. "I don't think it's a good idea to continue this."

And with that I felt my heart break a little.

"Continue what?" I calmly asked. 

Keep it together. Don't let him see how hurt you are.

"This. Us" he said while moving his hand between us.

Don't cry in front of him. Stay strong 

"I wasn't aware there was an 'us'." I said. It took everything in me not to let my voice crack.

"Good. I just wanted to clear that up. I'll still keep you safe but it would be a bad idea to get involved romantically with each other" he nodded.

I nodded. "Okay, well if that's all.... I'll be on my way." I said and when I saw him nod I got up and left his office.

As soon as I walked through the door I practically ran to my room. I couldn't stop the river of tears than flooded through my heart.

Why did it always have to be me? Why was it when I finally thought I was going to be happy, something ruins it.

Maybe some people were just meant to be alone.

I jumped on my bed and hid under the covers, trying to silence my cries. I quickly wiped them away when I heard a knock on the door.

Was it him? Did he regret what he said.

"Come in" I said when I thought I looked presentable.

"Juliana, you forgot to eat dinner" I head Maria say as she walked in with my own plate of rice and chicken.

"Thank you, but I'm not hungry" I said

"Oh Juliana, what's wrong" she said when she saw my probably red eyes. She walked up to me, put the plate on the night stand and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Nothing, I've just got something in my eye" I said, remembering the exact same thing I said to Estella, the first time Tyberias made me cry.

"Tyberias said something didn't he?" She said and saw right through my lie.

With the mention of his name, I broke down again and Maria instantly wrapped her arms around my shoulders and comfortingly played with my hair.

"I'm... I'm sorry, I dont know why I'm cryin-"I hiccuped but she quickly stopped me

"Shhh, just let it out. It's okay."

After about 10 minutes, I had finally stopped crying and now I was embarrassed that Maria saw me at such a vulnerable state. I had hardly ever let my guard down around anyone before.

"You'll get through this Juliana. It's his loss not yours, remember that. And I know you think the pain won't stop but it will. You're stronger than you think." She said

She was right. I was strong.

This was the second time I was crying because of Tyberias. 

And I'll be damned if I let it happen again.