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Novel Catalog
Chapter 89
Cordy sat at her desk, the hum of activity in the office around her doing little to quell the unease she felt. She had tried her best to focus on the business at hand, pouring her energy into the launch of Starstream’s autumn collection. The team had worked tirelessly, and Zoe York had thrown herself into the promotional effort wholeheartedly. But even as Cordy reviewed the figures and success of their campaign, her thoughts kept drifting back to John.
His silence since their last conversation weighed heavily on her. Had she made herself clear? Did he understand her hesitation? Cordy wasn’t sure. She had done her best to communicate her feelings, to set boundaries without being too harsh, but in the end, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted between them.
John’s words, his actions, and the way he had treated her—it all made sense now. She knew he was used to women throwing themselves at him, but that wasn’t the problem. The problem was how he seemed to navigate those relationships and how she felt caught in the middle. She wasn’t sure if he had truly understood the significance of what she had said, or if it even mattered to him.
As she sifted through her thoughts, Cordy’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and saw that it was a message from Randy.
“Ms. Sachs, the press is calling in for a statement on Zoe’s success with the brand. They’re eager to hear your thoughts on the autumn collection’s performance and her work as the ambassador. Should I arrange a press conference?”
Cordy sighed, tapping her finger on the desk. She could feel the pressure mounting. This was a pivotal moment for the brand, and everything had to go perfectly. It wasn’t just about the clothes, the photoshoots, or the media buzz. It was about Starstream establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with in the fashion world.
But what about John? And Zoe?
She shook her head, forcing herself to focus. No time for distractions, Cordy.
Before she could reply, a knock on her office door pulled her from her thoughts. She looked up to see one of her assistants standing there.
“Ms. Sachs, there’s someone here to see you. They said it’s urgent.”
Cordy raised an eyebrow. “Who is it?”
The assistant hesitated for a moment, then spoke carefully. “It’s Mr. Levine.”
Cordy’s heart skipped a beat. She wasn’t sure whether to feel surprised or annoyed. Hadn’t he gotten the message when she’d walked away from him so abruptly earlier? Clearly, he hadn’t given up.
“Send him in,” she said, her voice steady despite the sudden rush of emotions.
A moment later, John walked in, looking as composed as ever but with a slight furrow in his brow that Cordy couldn’t ignore. He closed the door behind him, and for a second, the room felt too quiet, too small.
“I know this is unexpected,” John began, his voice low. “But I wanted to talk, Cordy. About what happened.”
Cordy met his gaze, her heart racing. “I thought we already talked, John. Didn’t I make myself clear?”
John’s expression softened, and he took a step closer to her desk, leaning against it with an air of quiet resolve. “You did. But I didn’t understand then. I wasn’t… I wasn’t listening properly.”
Cordy stared at him, struggling to keep her composure. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to hear his response, especially after everything that had happened.
“I don’t want to keep making the same mistakes,” John continued, his voice sincere. “I know I’ve done things that made you feel uncomfortable, and I’m sorry. But I need you to know… it’s you I’m interested in. Not the fame, not the media, not Zoe. You.”
Cordy felt a surge of conflicting emotions—relief, frustration, confusion—but she kept her voice steady. “It’s not just about you, John. It’s about what you do. How you act. And how it makes me feel.”
John nodded, clearly understanding the weight of her words. “I know. And I’ll do better, Cordy. I’ll prove it. I want to be someone you can trust, someone you can count on.”
She glanced away, her mind racing. Could she trust him? Could she really believe that he was willing to change? And if so, what would that mean for them? For her?
“John…” she started, but the words got caught in her throat.
John reached out, gently placing a hand on the edge of her desk. “I’m not asking you for anything right now. I just need you to know that I’m serious about this. About you.”
Cordy let out a slow breath, her heart still uncertain but her emotions raw. She needed time. She needed space to think.
“I’m not ready to make any decisions,” she finally said, looking up at him. “But I’ll listen. That’s all I can promise right now.”
John gave a small nod, accepting her response without pushing further. “I can wait.”
And with that, he turned and walked out, leaving Cordy alone with her swirling thoughts.
As the door clicked shut behind him, Cordy leaned back in her chair, the weight of the moment settling in. She wasn’t sure where this would lead, but she knew one thing for sure—she had to be careful with her heart.