Chapter 45Vanessa's POVThe cold morning air brushed against my cheeks as I stepped outside the Garcias’ mansion, slamming the heavy door behind me. My heart pounded, anger and hurt brewing in my chest as his words still echoed in my mind."You’re so clumsy, clueless, and dumb."I’d always known he hated me, but knowing that whatever happened last night wasn’t my fault—and yet he blamed me relentlessly—it stung.I wrapped my arms tighter around myself as I marched down the driveway, refusing to let the tears that blurred my vision fall. I didn’t have a plan—only one thought played on repeat in my mind: I’m done. I’m not going back. He can do as he pleases.---The next day felt utterly different from what my usual mornings were like, and so were the days after.For the first time in what felt like years, I wasn’t rushing to meet Andre Garcia’s impossible deadlines or trying to keep up with his mood swings. My mornings were slow, with me struggling to get my ass out of bed. Claire was
Chapter 46Vanessa’s POVI covered my ears with my pillow the moment I heard a knock on the door. My head throbbed, a dull reminder of last night’s disaster. I rolled onto my side, groaning. Every muscle in my body felt stiff, like I had spent the night wrestling with my own thoughts—which, in a way, I had.I didn’t want to get up. Not yet. Not when the memory of that man's touch still lingered on my skin like something I couldn’t scrub off. I wrapped my arms around myself, shuddering in disgust. The way he had looked at me with a smug smile as he shoved the crumpled bill into my chest like I was nothing more than a toy for his amusement—it made my stomach turn. I had promised myself I would never be put in that position again. Never.Another knock came, more insistent this time.“Vanessa, open up!”Claire's voice, slightly annoyed.I sighed and pushed myself off the mattress, my bare feet hitting the cold floor as I walked to the door. Rubbing my eyes, I unlocked it.Claire stepped i
Chapter 47Andre’s POVIt’s been over a week.She still hasn’t returned to work.At first, I thought she was just bluffing—a dramatic exit fueled by frustration. She’d storm off, cool down, and come crawling back. But days passed, and my clumsy assistant was nowhere to be found.Something about that fact doesn’t sit well with me.“Maybe she finally realized you’re a horrible person—unchangeable,” Ethan says dryly, lounging in the seat across from me.I shoot him a glare. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”“Immensely. I was waiting for the day she'd quit working with a stubborn ass like you. Only Stanley can put up with your tantrum.”“Then why are you with me?" I sneered."I realized that our fates are tied together. Your jerk attitude? I'm used to all that."“You sure are.”I sigh, running a hand through my hair. It’s not like I care—not really. She was just an employee. A frustrating, stubborn, unteachable little girl with a sharp tongue.But still…“She didn’t even say goodbye,” I
Chapter 48Andre’s POV:I find her at Savory Bites, her back turned to me as she balances a tray in one hand and takes an order with the other. Her voice is light, casual. She laughs at something a customer says.She looks... different.Not physically, but there’s something about her movements—the ease, the way her smile lingers just a second longer than necessary. It twists something inside me.She’s happy.Without me.And I can’t stand it.I push open the door. The moment she spots me, she freezes, her fingers tightening around the tray.Her eyes lock onto mine, cold and sharp, and I could guess what she might be thinking in that little head of hers, (What the hell are you doing here?!)I don’t answer. I don’t even acknowledge her glare. Instead, I slide into a seat by the window, pick up the menu, and pretend to be interested in the overly designed fonts and tacky graphics while waiting for her.She doesn’t come to take my order.Instead, she points another girl to the table, telli
Chapter 49Andre's POV:By nightfall, I turned uneasy—almost crazy—at the fact that she rejected my offer. I can't even threaten her because, for some reason, my heart doesn't want that. My thoughts are all over the place.An hour later, I found myself standing in front of her home. I took a deep breath, thinking about what I would say to her when I saw her.I wasn’t supposed to be here.I had promised myself that I would leave her alone, that I wouldn’t chase after someone who clearly wanted nothing to do with me—someone who's only good at working as a waitress. But the truth was, I couldn’t stop myself. As incompetent as she was on the job, I still wanted her by my side.It was late evening, the weather cooling down, a gentle breeze swiveling my hair as I stood in front of her house.I expected her mother to answer the door like last time, to glare at me with suspicion for coming a second time, probably telling me she was on a night shift. But when the door creaked open, it wasn’t V
Chapter 50*Under the Rain*Vanessa’s POV:My heart was still hammering against my chest as I stepped outside, the cold floor biting at my bare feet.Everything felt surreal.I had just run out of Mr. Garcia’s penthouse, my body still trembling—not from fear, but from something I didn’t understand. The moment his lips had touched mine back in that art room, my entire world had tilted off its axis.I stood there, my breath shaky, wrapping my arms around myself, but it did nothing to calm the tension within me.Why did he kiss me?I had always thought Andre disliked me—no, hated me. He had tormented me for months, belittled me, pushed me past my limits. And tonight… tonight, he kissed me. I could laugh at myself for vouching for him a few days back, insisting that he didn't see me the way other guys would. That he didn’t see me as a girl—just a torture thing.My face burned at the thought, heat creeping down my neck.It was my first kiss.And the worst part?It had felt nothing like I i
Chapter 51*A Line We Can’t Cross*Vanessa’s POV:"Babe, sorry I couldn't come again last night."Claire's voice pulled me from my thoughts, and I barely registered her standing in my doorway. I was grateful she hadn’t been around. She would’ve made a big scene, demanding details I wasn’t ready to give.She flopped onto my bed with a sigh. "These days, the workload is insane. Another person quit at the bar."I hummed in response, barely hearing her. My mind was elsewhere.Days had passed, yet the ghost of André Garcia's lips lingered on mine.I was exhausted. The dark circles under my eyes were proof of my sleepless nights. Every time I closed my eyes, I felt the warmth of his hands on my face, the intensity of his gaze before he closed the distance—a continual replay of that moment.I hated it.I hated how my mind refused to let it go."Can you hear me?"Claire’s voice cut through my daze, and I blinked."Hmm?"Her brows furrowed. "You look like you haven't rested in ages. What's wro
Chapter 52Vanessa’s POVThe car rolled to a smooth stop in front of the company building. Mr. Garcia stepped out first, not even glancing in my direction. He walked ahead, his long strides confident with his expression unreadable.I stayed seated for a moment, gripping the strap of my bag tightly. I inhaled. Exhaled. I could do this. I had spent the last few weeks away from here, so much so that I almost didn't remember what it was like to work in this kind of setting.After my small mental prep, I finally stepped out—only to meet his gaze, pinning me in place."Scared of going in?"I shook my head quickly and got out of the car. His warm hand found mine, his fingers slowly pressing against my cold ones. "Let's go."The air around me shifted. Everything felt blurry as I tried to understand why he was holding my hand, walking beside me so naturally. But I found no reason.The moment we stepped into the lobby, everything seemed to pause. Conversations lowered to whispers, eyes turned t
Chapter 70Vanessa's POV:Grace was sitting at her desk, typing away like the world wasn’t tilting. She looked up the moment I approached."Hi Grace, Mr. Garcia asked me to give this to you,” I said, handing her the note.She glanced at it and gave a short nod. "Ah, yes. He mentioned it. One sec."She stood up and disappeared into the file room, returning moments later with a thick stack of folders that looked like they were meant for an entire department. I barely managed to balance them in my arms."Does he plan on working on them today? It's already late," she said with a small shrug."You know how he can be. I'll leave now," I replied."Good luck."I forced a smile. "Thanks. I’ll need it."I turned to leave, but I didn’t even take three steps before I bumped into someone—hard."Whoa!"The files exploded from my hands like confetti, scattering across the floor in every direction."Oh no!" I gasped, dropping to my knees instantly."I am so sorry! Let me help—" the voice said quickly
Chapter 69Vanessa's POVAfter my day off, I returned to work. I tried to keep busy, and buried myself in files and schedules and pointless emails. Anything to stop myself from thinking about his proposal, his voice when he asked me to be his, the look on his face when I said no. I hadn’t slept properly since. And yet, here I was, pretending everything was normal.He didn’t mention it. Not once. He acted like it never happened. But something had changed.Mr. Garcia started assigning me to every meeting, even the ones that didn’t need my presence. I had to sit beside him in the boardroom, beside him on client calls, beside him during lunch briefings. It was like he couldn’t breathe unless I was within arm’s reach. At first, I thought it was a coincidence. Then I noticed the looks. The tension. The way he’d glare if I so much as chuckled at someone else’s joke.Especially Matt Davenport’s. His disapproval of Matt was turning into something personal.Matt was ecstatic when he saw me by
Chapter 68Andre's POV:I dropped Vanessa off without saying much. I didn’t trust my voice—what if it gave away how terrible I felt after she rejected me?More than anything, my ego was bruised. My hands were still gripping the steering wheel long after she stepped out. There was something about the way she walked away—a kind of finality in her steps that made my chest feel like it was caving in. I couldn't decide whether to sit there like a heartbroken teen or actually do something to win her back.The voice in my head kept calling me a fool for letting my guard down, so low that I had to fall for her of all people. But the one in my chest—louder, more desperate—wanted to push through, go all in until she accepted my feelings.The pool house was buzzing with music and laughter when I arrived. My boys were already there, lounging on the sleek leather couches with bottles of expensive liquor in their hands. Ethan gave me a nod, and I returned it wordlessly before heading straight to th
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