On our first meeting, he made a fake proposal and embarrassed me, and made me lose my job, I never expected to meet him again on the same day, and this time he splashed muddy water on me. **** "It's you again? When did I become so unlucky?!" He complained. He wasn't the only unlucky one, I was also unlucky by meeting him for the second time in one day. "Get away from me," I struggled but he didn't let me go. "Where do you think you're going? Want to run away? Not without settlement. You broke my car!" Vanessa and Andre's lives were worlds apart. She was just trying to make ends meet, while he was a wealthy and powerful man who seemed to have everything. Their first meeting was a memorable one as he embarrassed her, made her lose her job, and also almost run her over while splashing water from the road on her. She retaliate by breaking his car which lands her in huge trouble as he constantly threatened to sue her if she fails to pay for the damage. He offers her a job as his assistant with plans to torture her but had no idea how he started to get used to her presence. A spark of connection, a flicker of something more. As they continued to interact, that spark grew into a flame. But with so much standing in their way, could their love survive?
View MoreChapter 1
*Jerk!*
Vanessa's POV.
"Vanessa, take the tray to table no 9," ordered Madam Taylor, the restaurant owner. She was usually short-tempered, irritable, and would charge at anyone for the littlest mistakes, but today she seemed oddly cheerful.
It was the first time I saw her prepare a meal all by herself for anyone, it was always done by Samuel, the chef. I heard from the other waitresses that the guests over there were related to her, and she wanted to leave them extremely satisfied after today.
I wrapped my messy hair into a loose bun, straightened up my collar, and wiped my tired face with my hand. I barely had any sleep last night because I was on a night shift in my second part-time job and had to rush down here as soon as the clock struck 8 Am.
I was about to pick up the tray when she stopped me, "No, no, no. Don't you know anything about hygiene? My son is a picky eater, and he would never taste food from a place where there's no proper hygiene. Wash your hands clean, go." She ordered, sounding pissed off all of a sudden. She looked tensed like had been preparing for this one event for ages.
"Your son?" I asked back.
"Yes," Madam Taylor said with a wide smile, "I get to see him after so many years. He's here today with his friends and I don't want him to ever forget he has a mother again." She said.
"Now go and leave them the tray, everything should be perfect." She said.
I picked up the tray after washing my hands properly and sparing a glance at the chef and at her to get a consenting nod before going to table no 9, not knowing what awaits me.
I walked carefully out of the kitchen until I was in front of the table, a bunch of guys was seated, discussing in the presence of alcohol and cigarettes, not sparing a glance at me.
Madam Taylor never let anyone bring cigarettes to the restaurant, never. Well, maybe her son who she hadn't seen in years was an exception. Now which one was he? I stopped to ask myself for a minute, looking from one face to the other to find any young man with a slight resemblance to her. I didn't find him before hearing a husky voice, "Leave." Said one of the customers at the table no 9.
"Oh... Ok," I managed to say, wanting to turn to leave when one of the guys at the table held my hand in his, he got up to stand in front of me with his towering height. Now that I look at him, he was the most handsome at the table. He has a huge figure, beautiful hazel eyes, a broad nose, straight lips with a neatly shaved face. He was pretty for a guy, and he looked like a prince who'd jumped out from a fairytale book, only that he wore modern-day clothing.
My eyes turned lost in his beautiful eyes as I had to look up to meet him. His touch made me feel like I was melting away, and I didn't realize that he had come so close to me until his lips grazed mine, who was I to reject this celebrity-like guy? Who knew if I'd get this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity ever again?
His lips felt soft on mine and his breath smelt of intoxicating alcohol mixed with bubble gum and somehow, it made butterflies go over my head as I felt a sudden spark between the both of us, just like love at first sight.
"Will you be my girlfriend? He asked with a voice as cool as the beach on a windy day, and it sent some chills down my spine, making me blush uncontrollably. I've never been asked out by a guy, the feeling was tingling.
"... Hmm?" I stuttered.
"I like you," he declares.
"You do?" I asked with a cringed face and sprouted lips, after realizing that it was the first time I saw a man so straightforwardly hitting on me. What would a guy like in me? I never thought of myself as “beautiful”.
Just like my brother would say, I should win an award for short people because I couldn't reach the cupboard for anything without stretching or asking for his help. My hair was always messy because I couldn't afford to go to the salon on weekends, they were so expensive, and I spend all my time in the week switching between two greasy uniforms as my jobs wouldn't let me have breaks, my face always looks swollen, especially at morning with all the freckles. Why would any guy want me?
Before I could comprehend more, he removed the golden ring he was wearing on his finger, lifting my hand and fixing it in, the size didn't match my finger, but he left it on.
"Baby, just say yes, I didn't get you a good ring, but I will after tonight." He added.
The others on the table began chanting "Say yes!" loudly and endlessly which had me confused in making a clear decision. I looked at the stranger's face, he had a genuine look and truthful eyes like he had longed for me forever, but we'd never met. Did he mistake me for someone else?
He went down on one knee, he looked so cute, and I was compelled to accept. "Yes," I muttered softly, I think everyone heard that because the next thing was an outburst of laughter across the room that had the eyes of every other guest at Taylor's Kitchen gawking at me.
He suspended both hands in the air as he surrendered to something, getting up from his kneeling position and turning back to his friends at the table.
"See, I told you any girl would fall for my trick. I am a spec and I know what I am." He boasted with a smirk on his face. "All girls are gold diggers, including my mother." He concluded.
What? He just tricked me??? It got me furious, the thought of me turning into a laughingstock for everyone present here. I picked one glass filled with water, tapped on his shoulder that had him turn back to me. I splattered it on his face and shirt.
"Jerk!!!"
Before he could utter a word, my hand ran across his face, landing him a loud slap.
"Shit," he exclaimed, holding his cheek that must have gotten red from my slap.
"You slapped me?" He asked in realization.
I stood there, my anger still simmering beneath the surface. "Yes, I did," I replied, my voice laced with frustration. "You deserved it."
He stared at me, a mix of surprise and hurt in his eyes, probably still no believing that I hit him.
I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest, waiting for his response while fully prepared.
My anger warred with a flicker of curiosity, he hasn't said anything still,
"Did I give you the right to mess with me?!" I asked back. I was highly ashamed for being used as entertainment for everyone. I always loved staying away from the spotlight as my mother said it would only bring me trouble.
"You bitch..." He uttered to land him another slap from me.
"You're a perverted jerk who doesn't know how to act toward women in public, we do not need people like you here to disrupt the peace here, you and your friends should leave before I decided to call security on you," I ranted. Forgetting that Madam Taylor's son should be one of the six guys at the table. Knowing how posh Madam Taylor was, her son would never be this petty right? He must be sophisticated and classy.
"Get up everyone, leave this place and never come back." I ordered everyone of them at the table, trying to shoo them out of the shop before they cause me trouble.
The jerk seized my hand quickly, twisting it behind my back which had me scream out loud. He was going to dislocate my arms if he didn't stop. His lips moved close to my ear with his hitching breath, "You know, you're going to pay for hitting me with this filthy hand of yours, no? No woman would dare to do what you did just now, how about I break your little fingers pompom, or you settle me?" He asked.
"Get the fuck off me!" I screamed, and it caused Madam Taylor and the head chef to come outside due to the commotion.
"What is going on here?!" She roared. Seeing her here made me gain some sort of confidence, I began to explain myself first.
"Thank God you're here," I exclaimed, removing my hand from his the moment he lost focus.
"This foolish pervert was trying to create a scene here, perhaps for some YouTube subscribers by pranking me, I made sure to teach him a lesson with a hard slap-"
Slap! My ears rang the moment her long fingers landed on my face, "What are you doing with my son Vanessa?!" Wait, son? I stood perplexed for a minute with the sounds still ringing in my ear, wait, son! I asked myself again, but before I could reason clearly, she gave me something hotter this time by throwing hot coffee on my face.
"How dare you insult my son you wretch?!" Her voice had turned hoarse, and she was boiling in anger.
"Taylor, is this why you invited me here? To disgrace me?" The jerk asked her directly.
Madam Taylor looked sad, tears almost dropping from her eyes as she tried to explain herself. He pushed down everything thing from the table with clattering sounds, roaring frustratingly like he was about to transform into something else in the next moment. He was a psycho.
He turned to me and I almost flinched from the spot because of the dark expression on his face, "Don't let me set eyes on you ever again, I swear the next time I do, you'd be roasted for real."
"I guess my father was right, I never needed to see you, TAYLOR. I should be fine without you."
He turned to his friends at the table, "Let's go." He ordered, they all got up and left. I watch them leave before realizing I was roasted for real. I got pulled by my ear down to the kitchen.
。◕‿◕。。◕‿◕。。◕‿◕。
Chapter 67Vanessa's POV:I woke up with swollen eyes and a pounding headache.My pillow was damp, a map of my tears and questions I had no answers to. I hadn’t slept properly, not even for an hour. My body ached, and my mind felt like it had run a marathon through every version of last night—except the one where I said yes.I said no.And I ran.I am grateful he isn't in the room now. I cannot bear the shame of looking at him after what happened last night. Thousands of thoughts flooded my mind. Why would he fall for me of all people? He had been a bully for as long as I can remember—always taunting and making sure I had a miserable time. Or was this advanced manipulation?But I found no answers to any of my questions, including the reason why I had been crying so foolishly.I figured he wouldn't come to the room since he didn't return last night, and I packed our luggage, including the teddy, which for some reason I had gotten attached to, and then got prepared for our trip back.An
Chapter 66Vanessa's POV:Inside were luxury bags and shoes, dresses... Two Hermès Birkin bags. One beige, one red. I heard they cost a fortune, and I couldn't help but think why he'd get them for me.The shoes looked like they were made from diamonds and angel feathers. Shiny bracelets and matching earrings, and then designer dresses with the softest fabrics I had ever felt.I blinked. “No… no, I can’t take these. I haven’t done anything to deserve this.”Andre leaned forward, voice stretched, and I could swear I sensed his irritation there. “It’s rude to reject a gift, Vanessa.”“But—”“Vanessa,” he cut me off softly. “Just accept them. Please...”I stared at the bags. At the perfect bows. My fingers trembled. All my life, I'd never gotten anything for free from strangers. If he was giving this much, clearly he'd want something in return, and I had none—nothing to give back.When I looked up again, he was no longer seated.He had walked around the table, picked up a single red rose
Chapter 65Vanessa's POV:It was Sunday. The last day here. The day before we’d fly back to our normal lives, back to work, stress, and the chaos that followed. And perhaps, he'd go back to his former asshole, bossy, jerk self which I kinda miss.I woke up late—so late that I thought I had somehow slept through half the day. The curtains were partly drawn, allowing thin slivers of gold morning sunlight to pierce through. But what jolted me wasn’t the time. It was the absence.His absence.The bed beside me was empty. Cold, like he'd left for hours. His coat, which he had tossed over the chair last night, was gone. No sign of him. I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, my hair tangled and puffed from the pillow. I blinked at the emptiness, trying to ask too much questions on his whereabouts. Maybe he just went out. Maybe he had a meeting.I shook the thought away quickly. There was a knock on the door. Room service.“Miss Williams,” a female voice chirped politely. “You’re schedule
Chapter 64Third POV:Rain came without warning that afternoon. The skies, once clear and blue, turned a soft, moody grey. The clouds hung low over the rooftops, and a light drizzle began to tap on cobblestones and storefront awnings. It wasn’t long before the drizzle turned into steady rain, soaking the city with its gentle persistence.Vanessa hadn’t expected the sudden change. She stood at the corner of a quiet street, just outside a vintage bookstore, her arms tucked close to her body as the chill from the rain crept under her cardigan. Droplets of water speckled her hair and eyelashes. She didn’t complain, just stood there, uncertain what to do next.And then, as if he had been watching all along, Andre appeared beside her. Tall, composed, and striking in a dark overcoat that didn’t seem to mind the rain.He said nothing at first. Instead, he removed his coat without hesitation and draped it over her shoulders, the warmth and scent of it instantly wrapping her like a quiet embrac
Chapter 63Vanessa's POV:I don’t know how long I stayed in the gazebo, but it was the only place I could find that gave me even a little bit of cover. The shadows clung to me, hiding my flushed face and jittery hands. The kiss had happened so fast, and yet it lingered on my lips like some kind of invisible mark. I could still feel the weight of his touch, the heat of his palm on my back. My heart hadn’t stopped racing.I didn’t want him to find me, but at the same time, I wanted him to. It didn’t make sense.The sounds of the violins echoed. I was stuck in a bubble that had popped and scattered everything I thought I knew about Mr. Garcia—about myself. What he meant by all these.Then I heard footsteps. Slow, steady, like someone who knew exactly where I was. I didn’t have to look to know it was him.“Hiding from me?” his voice came, soft and teasing.I looked up, and there he was, holding a huge, French-dressed fluffy teddy bear almost half his size. It had a red bow and sleepy butt
Chapter 62Vanessa's POV:I've barely been to parties all my life, but nothing… absolutely nothing could’ve prepared me for Genevieve Laurent’s party.From the second we stepped out of the car, I felt swallowed by a whole different world. Like I had walked straight into a dream... or a movie. Everything glittered. The lights, the dresses, the jewelry—even the champagne shimmered in its glass. The mansion itself looked like it was carved from gold and secrets—tall ceilings, grand staircases, chandeliers that sparkled like falling stars. Every corner buzzed with laughter, clinking glasses, French accents, and perfume that smelled like money.I froze at the entrance. Just stood there like a misplaced child in a palace. I wore a nude silk dress Mr. Garcia had sent earlier—tight in places I wasn’t used to. I wasn’t dressed wrong, but I felt wrong. Like everyone here had grown up sipping champagne while I was still figuring out how to pay rent on time.Mr. Garcia stood beside me like I belo
Chapter 61Vanessa's POV:When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was the absence of weight in the air.No subtle scent of woodsy cologne. No sound of faint typing or movement. No silent, looming presence behind me.Just… silence.The kind that made me blink rapidly as I sat up slowly, my body sinking into something softer than the firm couch cushion I had laid on the night before. That’s when it hit me.I wasn’t on the couch anymore.I ran my fingers over the sheets, confused and dazed. My head turned quickly toward the now neatly folded couch blanket resting in a corner, as if someone had gently peeled it off me in the middle of the night.Andre Garcia.It had to be him. He must’ve carried me to the bed while I slept. The idea of his hands under me, lifting me—his scent barely clinging to the pillow beside me—sent a confusing rush straight to my chest.Why would he do that?I rubbed my face and flung my legs over the edge of the bed, taking in the empty room. The tall, sheer curta
Chapter 60Vanessa's POV:I sat stiffly at the round table, the heavy silverware shining under the warm glow of the restaurant’s chandeliers. The conversation between Mr. Garcia and his business partners flowed smoothly, but I felt like a decorative piece—smiling when expected, nodding politely, and pretending that I belonged here.I tried to stay invisible, focusing on the perfectly cooked steak on my plate and avoiding too much eye contact. But of course, things never stayed simple around him.As I reached for my glass of water, Mr. Garcia leaned forward slightly, a playful look in his eyes as he assisted, passing the water to me.“Ah, young love,” Mr. Laurent mused, smiling as if he’d just discovered our biggest secret.I nearly choked.I set my glass down quickly and glanced at my boss, hoping—begging—he’d correct the misunderstanding.Genevieve chuckled softly and placed her hand over her husband’s. “It’s lovely to see Andre with someone who makes him… human. You bring a softness
Chapter 59Vanessa's POV:Later that night, back at the hotel, I tried to keep my distance. But he was everywhere, partially suffocating my space.I was barely out of the shower when there was a knock at the door. I wrapped the robe tighter around me before opening it slightly, only to find him standing there, hands in his pockets.“Did you forget about the dinner?” he asked, his eyes scanning me briefly before stepping inside without invitation. “You need to get dressed.”I gestured to the dress I had already picked out. “I’m wearing this.”The dress I had chosen was a simple black one—elegant but modest.He gave it one look and dismissed it with a shake of his head. “No.”Frustration bubbled. “What’s wrong with it?”Instead of answering, he lifted the shopping bags with him. I blinked. He had lots of bags, and I wondered if he picked half the store."I got more than five dresses. Try them on.”“You expect me to try all of these?" He didn't respond, so I started opening the bags and
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