chapter 39.

DIANA

Oh my God.

The woman stared with parted lips, Jerome glared hard at her, her eyes widened when she realized she’d been looking too long for comfort before averting her eyes.

“Oh! Oh My god, I’m sorry sir!” She blurted out turning and slammed the door behind her as she fled.

Oh my God.

How did I not hear her??

It seemed I was the only one having an internal breakdown.

This man went back to kissing my neck like we weren’t just caught.

“Just stop.” I pursed my lips, staring to the side in embarrassment. I just needed a hole to fall in right now…

“Are you sure?” He smirked at me.

“Y-yes.” I responded, my voice quivering.

He stepped away from me, a smirk still playing on his face.

God, he was handsome.

But that wasn’t what was important right now!!

“Now she’ll tell everyone that she saw me shoving my tongue down the CEO’s throat!” I huffed as I took a step back, my back leaning on the sink.

“Well, She's not wrong.” He chuckled, his hands sliding into his pockets as he watched me.

“This is serious!” I frowned at him. “-Now the ‘rumor’ would become set in stone, that I actually did sleep with you to get this deal!”

“She won’t tell a single soul.” He waved me off, the smirk still etched on his face as he stared at me in amusement.

“And how can you be so sure?”

“She would end up in jail.” He stated pointedly, his head cocking to the side.

“Jail?” I stared at him in shock. “For spreading a rumor?”

“It would be a breach of the contract she signed.”

“Contract?” My brows furrowed even further.

“She’s my assistant, She’s bound to encounter… shocking situations, it was a precautionary measure.” He only shrugged, like what he said was completely normal.

“So you don’t trust her?” I raised a brow.

He scoffed, “Blind trust is the only luxury I cannot afford.”

“So why did you hire her if you didn’t trust her? Isn’t that risky?” I questioned. Not exactly an ideal choice for a businessman of his caliber.

“In this business-” He turned to me. “-it’s inevitable to be surrounded by people who would sink their claws into you, if given the chance.” His tone darkened, something grim flashing in his eyes as he spoke.

“Then you'll never stop looking over your shoulder.” I mumbled out before I could stop myself. He stared at me, far from convinced.

“That is the only risk I’m unwilling to take.” He shook his head slightly.

“You’d have to trust someone at least.” I stared up at him, trying to decipher the look in his eyes.

“I do,” He smiled gently at me. “- and he’s the only one I can trust with my life.”

“No one else?” I raised a brow, half expecting what I knew wouldn’t be said.

“No.” Was his only response. I wonder why I still felt disappointed.

“Good to know.” I smiled, dimly.

“It goes both ways, princess.” He chuckled at my attitude.

“I never said I didn’t trust you.” I argued, my lips in a thin line.

“You don’t have to say it, you’ve done an excellent job showing it.” He stared at me, deeper this time, something flashing in his blue-grey orbs before he turned to leave.

His hand was about reaching for the handle when I spoke up, stopping him.

“Isn’t it lonely?” He turned to me, a brow raised. “With these walls you've built around yourself?”

He was quiet for a moment- just a moment, before speaking.

“I should be asking you that.” He said.

“Me?” I scoffed, surprised by his response.

“You don’t let anyone in.” He turned to me, his words sounding more like fact than accusation.

“That’s not true.” I tried to laugh, make his words less painful, but I wasn’t fooling anyone.

“I see when you smile at people… it’s hollow.” His brows twitched, eyes narrowing slightly.

“I smile because I’m being polite.” I let out a breath. “-doesn’t mean anything else.”

“You smile because it’s easier.” I didn’t like the way his voice softened, like he pitied me.

“Isn’t it better to smile than cry??”

“At what cost?” He walked closer to me. “You talk about trust and yet, you can’t even trust yourself.”

“Don’t act like you know anything about me or what I've been through.” My voice was sharper than a knife.

He couldn’t understand what I had been through. No one could, unless they have been burned like I have.

Anger began to flow through my veins, but it faded with his next words.

“I do… I’d know better than anyone what it’s like” he whispered out, his eyes darkening.

My lips parted then, opening and closing like an absolute fool, I wanted to say something, anything, but no words came out. Jerome shook his head, his brows furrowing before turning and walking out of the bathroom, the door shutting quietly after him.

I stared at the door, my thoughts jumbling into the other.

What did he mean when he said he did?

Wha-

I swallowed, my brows knitting together as I breathed in, my chest rising and falling slowly as I inhaled and exhaled.

What did he mean by that?

I felt my lips go dry as I recounted our time together.

Had he seen-?

No.

I staggered to the sink. My vision going dark as I stared at my reflection. No.

Calm down, Diana.

I shut my eyes, focusing on my breath.

There was no way he’d seen it.

He didn’t.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

In, out,

In, out.

I opened my eyes, my reflection staring back at me. I pressed my lips together, spreading my lipstick more evenly as I stood straighter.

Just focus on today.

Just focus on this event.

On this event.

I walked out the bathroom, adjusting my dress as I walked back to the hall, my eyes shifted to the stage, almost on impulse as I joined the crowd.

Jerome was already in the stage, giving his speech with the coolness and confidence only repetition could bring.

He stared round as he spoke, his movements slowing as he eyes met mine, before turning and continuing. It barely even lasted two seconds, I was sure no one noticed. Still it felt like time had paused, just for that moment.

“-in celebration of the anniversary of Leota Groups today-” He continued with the crowd, “-we’ll be revealing the art piece, formed by our dedicated designers to commemorate this day-”

He turned slightly to the drapes next to him, and I felt my heart nearly pop out of my chest.

This was it.

I stared at the curtains parted for the veiled piece.

Here we go.