Alexander grinned at the camera somewhat tightly. He hated these things--absolutely despised them, but they were important.

"So, Alexander. Do you have a special lady in your life?"

And here came the dreaded romance questions. His smile tightened as he leaned back in the uncomfortable firm chair. he thought it was intentional, how uncomfortable the chair was, like psychological torture.

"I'm much too busy for anything like that these days. I'm married to the business," he offered.

"Well with such success it makes sense. How does it feel to have a fortune 500 company at only 40 years old?"

Alexander shifted. Fuck he was getting old.

"I don't know about just," he chuckled awkwardly. It didn't come across as awkward as he felt, though. All anyone could see were those gorgeous eyes, that smile, a dimple forming on his cheek, his dark hair swept back. "But I am honored to be in the position I am. Truly...blessed."

"What would you say--"

Audrey turned off the TV, and sighed. She looked down at the unsent congratulations card in her hand. Why hadn't she sent it? Why had she bought it? It was just a lame card with only the word congrats on the inside.

Her curly hair surrounded her, contrasting the white sheets as she held the card up to the ceiling pensively. Though they hadn't spoken much, neither had completely abandoned one another. He was there at the back at her college graduation, though he didn't approach her. He'd given her a nod and smile, staying the whole time, and depositing a hefty amount in her account.

The next week she got an offer from a prestigious company. His doing, no doubt. And she sent a card for every birthday, with nothing but a happy birthday and her name.

She showed up to a few of his award ceremonies, sitting in the back, silently cheering him on. But those moments were few and far between over the last 5 years.

It had been 5 years.

Was there even a need to uphold this charade of closeness anymore? She heaved a sigh, her arm falling by her hand, the card slipping from her fingers onto the bed. Why couldn't she just forget him?

Audrey sat up, turning on the TV.

"I know we keep coming back to this, but Alexander: You're handsome, you're rich. And...single?"

Alexander shifted. "I...am. I'm single, but I do have someone I care about."

The interviewer sat forward with raised brows and grinned. "Ohhh, what's her name?"

Alexander glanced away. "I don't want to put her on the spot, she'd kill me. She knows who she is."He looked at the camera and grinned. "That's all I'll say on that."

She picked up the phone and dialed a familiar number.

"You're account isn't in the red," he started.

She rolled her eyes. "I saw your interview. Congrats."

"You usually send a card," he mumbled.

Audrey sighed and went quiet.

"You're doing well," he asked a beat, steeping his fingers and smiling ever so softly.

"You asking or telling, Steel?"

Alexander's lips turned up into a infectious smile. Audrey did the same as they sat on the line in silence, neither knowing exactly what to say, but reveling in the silence.

"So who was the lucky lady?" She asked gently.

Alexander's smile fell. "My fiancé."

Audrey swallowed and sat up, looking at the phone for a moment to see if she'd understood correctly. Fiancé? She just blanched. Was that all it took? Mister no commitment, mister I can't love? And now he was just engaged to someone else some random, no name, faceless woman. Who was this myth, this legend—this goddess who managed to ensure the uncatchable Alexander Remington?

And what made her better than Audrey? She instantly began imagining her. She was probably rich, poised, graceful. Whole.

White.

Everything she wasn't.

"Audrey?"

"Congratulations," she closed her eyes, her voice breaking at the whisper. "Who's the lucky lady?"

"It's a business arrangement," he mumbled. "I don't...I don't love her."

"Does she know that?" She asked softly, her voice something accusatory like a dagger.

"Yes," he whispered back earnestly.

"But you still fuck her, don't you?" She shot.

He went quiet.

Audrey scoffed, and looked away. Of fucking course he does. That was Alexander Remington, and she should've expected anything less. That was the man he was the man she—

Well. It didn't matter now. It was mistake. It was a horrible mistake to call him. To hear his honeyed voice crackle over the silence in the line. Like a taste of poison sluicing down her skin, familiar and just as deadly. That rasp. She could imagine the lines by his eyes as he closed them, regretting to tell her the truth, letting his silence be his answer.

"I shouldn't have called you," she whispered. "I thought..."

"That I was talking about you," he finished. "I know. I'm...sorry, Audrey I..." he cleared his throat. "It's nice to hear from you."

"Will I get an invite to the wedding," she mused, the hurt in her voice betraying her.

"...Good night, Audrey."