The Rules We Break

e year. Snowflakes drifted down onto the streets,

ment were dressed to the nines, their faces lit up with relaxed, joyful smiles. After

ed to catch a breather from the heavy

couldn't d

ything to drink?" Anna

e of Chloe'

wall and shook her head.

p you sit down or somethi

worry about me-go have fun." Chloe

rtainty in Chloe's voice, didn't p

a little bummed. She'd had a sudden stomach ache around noon, and

attending-and as the marketing manager, she didn't want to kill the

was holding champagne glasses, chatting

look

as making his w

llowed by excited squeals laced wi

our boss is

y came to this party ju

UNREAL-right

wanna know what th

nking about it

y. A couple of drinks in, they clearly didn't feel the need to hold back, openl

er of the stage, cleared his thr

s this past year. Our performance ha

s deep, stea

he kind of voice that drew people in. No wonder

lights illuminated his towering figure. E

hiding the way she

moments she could openl

d she gaze up at the brightest light o

he was just the marketing manager. A typical boss-subord

ped down, and the night's entertainment official

nced at h

e room heating up, she slipped away unnoticed. She made her way to the

razy. Still, she got lucky-only had to w

the freshly fallen snow. She walked carefully

d from the cold by the

to thaw her frozen fingers. Snowflakes tapped gently against t

she pulled out her phone to check t

as the call connected, Teresa

it? My friend's little broth

h

e matchma

oe had already brushed it off once, but Teresa was persis

ent you his picture jus

nce to look at it yet. She hu

e?" Teresa's voice shot up with exci

ybe somet

nd of the year-your company doesn't have any major projec

got totally hooked-he r

bridge of her nose, already

eresa encouraged, then added with a suggestive tone, "He's an at

efinite

ing about the importance of

uld agree to this... well, Chl

but it wasn't like s

uch as Teresa s

off, Chloe finally caved. It was ju

m free ne

eresa practically squealed

d an unread message on her scr

you? Don'

omach

st a string

knew it

yped back. "O

came almos

ere in twen