Chapter 15: A fractured Bond

Vanessa POV

The body guards won’t let me out of their sight, so I pleaded for 20 minutes of space before they came looking for me again. Daniel had given me the address to his company earlier, so I planned to confront him there.

When I got to the entrance, the site of the company label boldly written over the high rise roof came to view.

“Westborne Inc.” I said the name, walking into what felt like another world. The interior looked very modern, sleek and exotic. Everything shined like it was just newly polished and it made the ambience more appealing.

I adjusted the hem of my pink dress, letting the soft silk press against my skin. It’s part of the dresses I bought on the afternoon of the accident. The corset waist held me firmly, extenuating my curves. I paired it with nude heels that caused the marble floors to click as I made my way to the receptionist.

Earlier, I pulled my red hair into a slick back low bun. I was finally able to style my hair again after the head bandages were taken off yesterday.

I felt so nervous, I haven’t done this before. The chaos surging in me won’t let me remain calm and wait for him to come back. I had to at least make a move. Even if there was uncertainty about his involvement in the incident.

“How May I help you?” The receptionist asked me, smiling warmly like she had seen me before.

“I’d like to see the CEO, Mr West. Is he on seat?” I asked curiously, hoping he would be around.

“Do you have an appointment ma’am? What’s the name?” She adjusted the glasses on the bridge of her nose, checking the computer for appointments.”

“No I don’t , tell him it’s Vanessa Coleman.” I muttered dryly. Maybe this was a mistake. When she looked into the screen and back at me she smiled instantly again.

“Oh Miss Coleman! It’s very nice to see you. Your name is already on the list. Mr West mentioned you would come by.”

Feeling surprised, I blinked quickly. It wasn’t a dream, good.

“He knew?”

“Yes Miss. His office is on the top floor, please go straight up.”

My mind raced the entire time I spent in the elevator, even if it was quick. How did Daniel know that I would show up? Is it just a chance he had expected ? Regardless of that my instincts couldn’t shake the feeling I was going into an atmosphere I wasn’t prepared for.

Stepping into the extravagant suite, I was greeted warmly by a young woman who appeared to be his assistant. She announced my arrival and stepped aside for Me to go into the office, surrounded by heavy doors.

My stomach turned, forming a knot. I walked in and Daniel’s eyes met with mine. His jaw tightened, then became soft shortly after.

He looked up from his desk, leaning back in his chair as he wore an unreadable expression on his face.

“Thanks Lily. You can go now.” He said, giving the assistant an order with a nod. The guarded looks in his eyes retuned, him and I were left alone. The doors closed behind me.

The room suddenly felt small, my heart racing becoming hypersensitive to every movement, every breath…

Daniel stood up, moving round his desk.

“Vanessa” he called to me, his tone came off as neutral. But deeper beneath it, came a flicker of relief.

“Hi Daniel.” I spoke softly, my voice barely a whisper across the room.

“Come sit down.” He gestured for me to sit on a couch near the window. I shook my head in response, needing to keep a distance so I could do what I came here for.

“I had to see you.” I said to him nervously, my hands firmly clasped together to prevent me from shaking. “I know you’re upset, but you don’t have to ignore me and —“

“What? Upset?” His voice rough and low as he interrupted. “I’m beyond upset Vanessa. I feel hurt, used and betrayed. Do you know what it felt like to discover about Liam the way I did?”

“I didn’t want you to find out like that.” I said to him, my voice trembling.

“Then when were you planning to tell me Vanessa? Was it after Edward Waltzed back into your life? Is it after he makes you cut me off completely? When?” He asked, his voice rising with demand.

“That’s not fair Daniel” I protested, moving a few steps closer. “This is not about Edward. I was trying to protect my son, trying to protect myself”

“And what about me huh?” Daniel’s voice breaking as he asked. “Vanessa, did you ever think about how I would feel? Or the way I would react?

Did I mean nothing to you? Was I just a distraction for you until Edward made up his mind to want you back?”

His accusations dawned on me like a slap on the cheek. I couldn’t hold it anymore, tears stung my eyes, already on the verge of coming out.

“Don’t talk like this please. You know these things aren’t true.” I replied my voice already shaking.

Daniel laughed in a bittersweet tone, his hands running through his hair.

“Do I really mean anything to you? Because right now it feels like all I’m doing is fooling myself.”

His voice came out rawly, I could feel the pain emitting from him. It shattered something inside me. All I could think of was closing the gap between us.

“Daniel please.” I whispered, reaching for his arm. “I’m really sorry, It was never my intention to hurt you.”

His eyes were heavily fixed on mine, a rush of different emotions, moving in depths. A sense of longing, anger, sadness. And for a moment, none of us seemed to move. The gravity of unsaid words loomed in the air between us.

And then Daniel Kissed me.

In one single moment, it felt like he was pouring every bit of his frustration, Love and his hurt.

His hands pulled me closer to him as they found my waist, while his lips moved softly against mine with an intense desire that left me breathless.

I needed him to do that. I couldn’t help it. Everything around us seemed to fade away, leaving us to the fast beat of my heart and the heat of his touches.

Finally, we broke apart. He rested his forehead on mine, both of us breathing heavily.

“I can’t continue to do this. Vanessa.” He said deeply, his voice cracking yet still audible. “I don’t want to feel like I’m fighting a lost battle.”

“But you aren’t.” My trembled voice echoed. “I care about you so much Daniel. But right now, everything is very complicated for me. All I need is time to figure things out.”

I felt his hands tighten around my waist as he pulled back to look me in the eyes.

“Fine. Make sure you take all the necessary time you need. But all I ask is that you don’t shut me out. Not this time.”

“Yes, I won’t.” I replied my voice trailing off. I hope I don’t push him away again.

Daniel sighed, running his hands through his chestnut brown hair.

“I have something for you.” He said, acting like he forgot as we walked over to his desk. He opened the top drawer and removes a cute little black box from it.

“I wasn’t ready to give this to you yet.” He confessed in a soft tone as he approached me. “But I’d like for you to have it now. Let it remind you that you mean a lot to me than you think.”

The box flew open, revealing a silver delicate bracelet decorated with tiny emerald stones that sparkled in the sunlight.

“Oh Daniel,” I took a deep breath, feeling touched by the gesture.

Gently, he took my hand and fixed the bracelet unto my left wrist.

“This is about you Princess. Not Liam or Edward or anyone else.” He said to me, his voice reassuring me. “I’m here for you, no matter what happens.”

My heart felt warm and full. This man was so sweet and thoughtful. I looked down at the bracelet, it was so pretty. “Thank you Daniel.” My voice came out with emotion as I whispered.

Silently, we stood there. I walked closer and embraced him some more. The unspoken words built up the tension. It felt like I would reach my breaking point at any moment.

“Go home and rest princess. I need to make sure you are fully recovered. I’ll call you later this evening.”

“Okay.” I nodded in response as I left his office, watching the bracelet as it sat perfectly on my wrist.

Deep down in my heart, I knew I had ignited a foreign feeling. I crossed a thin line and I could never undo it.

But whatever happens, however it may turn out, it wasn’t something I could ever regret.

A/N

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