CHAPTER 41TAYLOR I scurried out of Fernandez’s room after I got a shirt that would look good on Michael. Then I rushed off to the living room where he waited and handed the shirt over to him while I struggled to look anywhere else but his bare body.“Thanks” he said as he collected the shirt and I nodded my head without saying a word before turning around to face my back toward him. I didn't want him teasing me any longer just because I stared at his muscles.“You can turn around now” he said from behind me and slowly, I turned around to face him and u was relieved to see that he'd worn the shirt.“I'll be leaving now but Fernandez will be here in a few hours to stay guard for the night. He told me that you get scared at night and even have nightmares when you're alone” He added and I closed my eyes in embarrassment while I cursed at Fernandez in my head because I never expected him to report even that to Michael.“Yeah. I do have nightmares but they lessened after he started stayi
CHAPTER 42 TAYLOR I saw my grandpa in my dream and when my alarm rang out loud, I'd never been happier to wake up in the morning since the night that Michael bought me. I was smiling and humming happy tunes to myself as I got ready for the day and after purposely putting on a pretty dress just so Michael would see me in it, I curled my hair into small wavy lines and let a few tendrils down my face. Then I tried to apply a little makeup to look prettier and once I was done, I wore my shoes, grabbed my bag and left for the kitchen to see Fernandez on a phone call. He didn't make breakfast and since there was no time for that, I decided to make myself a cup of coffee instead. I could feel his gaze following me as I made my way over to the coffee machine and I knew it was because I looked totally different compared to other days. “Is something happening today that I'm not aware of?” He asked me after he ended the call and I smiled as I shrugged while I took a seat by the kitc
CHAPTER 43TAYLORI took my time to explain everything exactly how it all happened to Michael and when I was done, he looked so angry.“You can um… call Fernandez to confirm all I said. He witnessed a lot of the things she said to me” I said, another attempt to defend myself in case he didn't want to believe me.So he pushed both of his hands into his pockets before fixing a glare on me and it felt like he was about to bore a hole through my forehead so I broke eye contact when I realized he wasn't looking away anytime soon.“Look at me, Taylor” he ordered and with my head bent, I sighed heavily before shutting my eyes tight in embarrassment. I bet he was mad at me for not telling him everything earlier on but I had no idea that it would get this bad.“I… I don't know if I can. I'm so embarrassed” I said, my voice almost non audible and I heard him release a low growl.“Taylor Anya Fitzroy. Look at me this instant” he ordered me once more and this time, his voice was deeper and his wo
CHAPTER 44TAYLOR“You will have to stay away from the company for a few days until the rumors die down. Then you can return afterward” Michael said to me after we returned to his office and I nodded my head before taking a seat on the chair before the desk.“Yeah. I understand” I said while wringing my hands, unsure of what to say after he stood up for me like that in front of the executives. I was sure that I was supposed to thank him though.“You can have more time to bond with your cat though,” he said and I looked up to see him smiling at me. Anyone could tell that he was trying to make me feel better but what he didn't know was that I'd never felt better.“That's true. I'm getting a cat” I smiled back at him and with that, he stood up to come toward me. Then he sat on the chair beside me and turned to face me while I wondered what he was up to.“Talk to me, Taylor. Why do you look down on yourself so much?” he asked me very unexpectedly and I had no idea what to say because I n
CHAPTER 45 TAYLOR I never knew that going to a pet shop with Michael would be so fun. Of course, he didn't touch any of them no matter how much I persuaded him to and after learning how to care for a cat from the pet store owner, I eventually chose a ginger cat. Then we left for my place, the mansion afterward and I couldn't stop smiling to myself as I continually reminded myself that I was now a cat owner. “Are you that happy? You have been grinning since we left the pet shop” he said and my grin grew even wider. “I'm just so happy. You made Cassia pay for what she did, you let me hit her to feel better and also got me a cat. Today is the first best day I'm having since I met you” I said without thinking through my words and I caught his expression faltering a bit before he continued to smile at me. “That's a good thing then. Enjoy your moment” he said and I nodded. Then the rest of the drive went on in silence and when we finally reached the mansion, the car came to a sto
CHAPTER 46TAYLORMorning came faster than I anticipated and right by the foot of my bed was mane. He was awake already and when he saw me get down from the bed, he meowed.Smiling down at him, I reached for his back and gently ruffled his fur and he snuggled closer to my feet while he purred as I did that. So I took note that he liked it when he was touched.With that, I left for the bathroom to clean up and afterward, I slipped into a pair of jeans and a shirt before holding my hair up in a bun. Then I gave Mane a can of his food for breakfast before having coffee and toast.Afterward, I started to pack up my things and thankfully, they weren't too many so quickly, I was done and I called Michael to let him know.The doorbell rang an hour later and I dashed toward the door to get it only to see that Fernandez came along with the moving company and I was delighted to see him.“So you're moving in with the boss huh? You really are taking down his walls, aren't you?” Fernandez began wh
CHAPTER 47TAYLOR The next day, Michael was gone when I woke up. He didn't have breakfast and the dinner I made was still there in the kitchen untouched.Feeling dejected and angry, I heated it all up in the microwave and before I fetched myself a little to have for breakfast, I gave Mane his breakfast first. Then I took my bath and grabbed a book from the little collection I had and began to read while keeping an eye on Mane who kept on scurrying back and forth in the huge penthouse.Thoughts about the previous night kept on invading my thoughts though. It made it difficult for me to focus on the book I was trying so hard to read and when I couldn't take it anymore, I snapped the book shut and tossed it aside.Then I stormed over to the kitchen to look at the pot of dish I made again and I got even angrier as I remembered how I took my time to make it just so Michael would like it.If only I knew the night was going to end up becoming a disaster, I wouldn't have stressed too much o
CHAPTER 48TAYLOR “I should give the food out right? I mean, He yelled at me despite how I took my time to clean his wound for him. He didn't even tell me thank you. Can you imagine that?” I ranted nonstop to Mane who was busy with his lunch and I sighed as I rested my head on my knees. I'd never felt so helplessly angry and I wished there was a way I could let my frustration out.Sighing again, I ran my fingers through my rough hair, hoping it would help me calm down but it did nothing. All I felt was restlessness and I groaned out in even more frustration. Then I grabbed my phone and began to scroll through it endlessly while wondering what I could do to pass time until Fernandez would arrive and right then, I heard the door beep repeatedly.So I rushed out to see him and I stopped when I saw it was Michael. I stood by the passageway while he stood by the door and we both just stared at each other for a moment.“Aren't you acting too excited just to see Fernandez?” He finally spo
CHAPTER 76TAYLOR Deflated, I placed the schedule on Michael's desk before I left his office and walked back to my desk. Then I packed up my things to leave for the day and reaching the elevator, I saw Fernandez waiting.“Didn't you leave for a job?” I asked, surprised to see him.“I was told to take you home” he replied and I adjusted my bag on my shoulder. “Alright then. Let's go” I said and with that, we both got into the elevator and stood in silence as it went down to the parking lot.“What about your boss? Any idea where he rushed off to?” I asked and I felt his gaze on me while I stared ahead.“He left for an event. He was in a hurry because he's part of the hosts and he has to be there before it begins” he explained and I nodded as little of the hurt I was feeling started to go away once I knew why he ran out so fast like that.We arrived at the parking lot and Fernandez led me over to the car before he got the door to the backseat for me and I thanked him before getting in.
CHAPTER 75TAYLORMonday morning came fast and I woke up with a heavy heart.I didn't want to leave my bed. In fact, I wanted to lock my door and keep to myself for the day along with Mane but I knew I couldn't do that.Selene was leaving and we were driving her back to the airport. It was going to be just me in that large penthouse again because even with Michael around, it made no difference… I was still lonely.With a sigh, I slowly pushed myself off my bed. Then I left for the bathroom where I brushed my teeth, took a shower and dressed up in a pair of flare pants along with a shirt which I had tucked in.Then I held my hair up in a loose ponytail before I applied a little makeup and once I was done, I wore my shoes, grabbed my bag and left for the living room to see Michael and Selene sharing a hug.Confused, I walked closer until they noticed me and I forgot myself when I made eye contact with Michael who was also looking at me.I didn't miss the way his eyes raked over my body
CHAPTER 74MICHAEL I walked into the penthouse only to be welcomed with a dark living room and I figured that everyone must be asleep already.With a sigh, I made my way toward my room to rest for the night. Then I began to hear shuffling in the kitchen.There was suddenly a loud clang as a cup fell on the floor and I paused as I heard a voice mutter in the dark. Immediately, my defenses were awakened and I wondered if my house had been broken into as I pulled a gun out from beneath my shirt and slowly made my way to the kitchen.I held the gun out before me to attack if I had to. Then I reached for the switch to turn the light off and immediately I did, I saw it was Taylor and she had never looked so pale and frozen as she stared at the gun I had in her face with pure fear in her eyes.Quickly, I returned the gun into my pocket before I could reach for her shoulders to see if she was okay but she quickly took a step back as I held my hands out and there was suddenly a cold tension b
CHAPTER 73TAYLORI couldn't meet Selene's teasing stare. She would stop smiling while looking at me and I knew what she was thinking already. I just didn't want to talk about it but I knew Selene. She was the sort of person who never took no for an answer and eventually had her way all the time.“So tell me… what was with the heated mood this morning? What happened between you and Michael while I was puking my insides out last night?” She asked, that same knowing smile still plastered to her face and I sighed as I zipped the first aid box open and took out the aspirin tablets there.I took two out of the packet. One for each of us and handed her one.“Michael told me to take care of us, so here. It'll take the headache away” I ignored her question and she narrowed her eyes at me before she took the tablet from my hand and swallowed after I handed her a glass of water too. Then she stood up and walked over to where I was to stand by my side and I sighed again. Couldn't she just let
CHAPTER 72MICHAEL “Woah! Slow down, Alan. I haven't told you everything yet so don't ask me that question. It's too early” I quickly told him off and he gave me a knowing look.“Or are you just scared to own up to what you feel and admit to it by answering me?” He asked and I sighed.“Just listen to what I have to say first, Alan” I insisted and he leaned back in his chair.“Alright then. Go ahead” he said and I took a sip from my drink before I went ahead to explain myself.“I had no plans of taking things further with Taylor when I met her because she reminded me too much of Blair. I only bought her from that auction to get back at Blair and Carlos and I'm glad it worked” I scoffed and Alan chuckled. “But then… I don't know how it happened, Alan but I found myself getting along with her more than I anticipated and in the process, she fell for me”“How do you know that?” He asked and I looked at him.“She confessed to me while she was drunk yesterday” “Oh shit! She did?” he aske
CHAPTER 71MICHAEL The guards standing by the door bowed their heads to me as I approached them and I nodded back at them in acknowledgement.“Is your boss in? I'm here to see him” I asked guard number one and he nodded his head.“He's inside and waiting for you, Mr Rover” he replied.Then he pushed open the door for me and I walked into the mansion which belonged to my long time friend and business partner, Alan Gustave. Taking a look around while I followed the butler who led me to where he was, I took note of the few changes he'd made in his living room and when we both reached the wine bar, the butler stopped.“Mr Gustave is in the wine bar, Mr Rover” the butler said before bowing his head and walking away and I entered the bar to see Alan seated by the island and drinking from a glass of wine.“Hey buddy. I see you're having a nice time by yourself. You're getting old already, huh” I teased him while walking toward him and taking a seat beside him and he scoffed at me as a smal
CHAPTER 70MICHAEL Leaving my cup of coffee on the island, I stood up and straightened my shirt while Selene's question still hung in the air. I didn't plan on answering her to be honest and even though it was a Sunday, I needed to leave the house.I didn't trust myself enough to share the same space with Taylor too considering what happened between us the previous night. So I was taking my space elsewhere for a moment.“You guys aren't saying anything… That's suspicious” Selene said while she still held onto Taylor's arm as I walked toward them and I eyed her.“Take your medication, Selene. I'm sure your head hurts” I told her dismissively before walking out of the kitchen and I grabbed a car key while I headed toward the door.Then I heard her scoff loudly. “I'll make Taylor tell me everything!” She yelled before wincing while grabbing her head and Taylor held onto her tighter before we made eye contact again.“Take care of yourselves” I said to her and with that, I walked out of
CHAPTER 69TAYLOR“You look like a mess, Taylor” was the first thing he said to me and I hiccuped. I was too shocked, embarrassed and scared to give a sensible reaction. “Are you okay? You look pale like you just saw a ghost” he looked me over with worry and I released a shaky breath this time before I began to wring my hands as I broke eye contact with him.“I'm… I'm fine” I lied even though my head felt like it was about to fall off my shoulders and he took a step closer to me, causing me to stiffen as he closed the small distance left between us.Raising a hand up, he pressed it against my forehead and I closed my eyes upon the contact. I couldn't for the life of me understand why he was acting so cool about last night when I literally pressed my lips against his.Then he pulled his hand away from my head and we looked at each other.“You're burning up. You need to take something to make you feel better” he noted and I wouldn't stop wringing my hands.It felt like he had an ulteri
CHAPTER 68TAYLOROur bodies molded against each other while we devoured each other's mouths. Then we finally pulled away to catch our breaths and when we looked at each other, I could see the hunger in his eyes but I told myself I was only hallucinating because Michael Rover would never look at me like that.Quickly, my senses snapped me back to reality and I gasped as my eyes widened while I covered my mouth in absolute shock.“I… I didn't mean to…” I began but I was starting to feel tipsy and found it hard to stand straight.So Michael reached for my hand to hold me steady and Fernandez walked into the living room at that moment.“I've put Miss Selene to bed, boss. Can I leave now?” He asked and Michael dismissed him before he fixed his attention back on me after Fernandez was gone.“You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, Taylor” I heard him say, more like he was speaking to himself and with that, he picked me up again and carried me over to my room where he gently