Chapter 42While speaking with the guest, Andre’s instincts flared like a warning siren. Something felt off. He scanned the crowd, searching for Vanessa. She wasn’t at the bar front where he’d last seen her, and a knot of unease tightened in his chest. He spotted Louisa slipping back into the ballroom, her expression far too smug. His eyes narrowed. She was up to something. He returned to the guest and excused himself with a small smile. "I'll be back." “Where is Vanessa?” he demanded, striding toward Louisa. Louisa feigned surprise. “What's that?” "My assistant isn't where I left her. Where is she?" She frowned at him. "How should I know? She's a grown up and very sly, she could've gone anywhere. And secondly, I can't be seen with someone who humiliated me in front of the crowd." Andre’s jaw clenched. He didn’t believe her for a second, but he had nothing against her. "Forget it, it's no use speaking with you," he said, turned, and stormed off to begin a search for her.
Chapter 43Vanessa stirred in Andre's arms as he carried her to his room on the top floor. Her fingers clutched weakly at his shirt, and she mumbled his name, her voice barely coherent."Stay still," he instructed, setting her down on the bed.She giggled, her words slurred. "You're so bossy."Andre sighed, running a hand through his hair. Whatever they had given her was making her loopy. She wouldn't stop squirming, her clumsy attempts to assist herself is only making things worse."Williams, lie down," he said firmly."But I don't want to," she pouted, her lips forming a stubborn curve."Too bad," he muttered, gently pressing her back against the pillows.For a brief moment, her expression softened. Her gaze locked onto his, filled with such raw vulnerability that it caught him off guard."Why are you so mean to me?" she whispered, her voice trembling.Andre froze. He hadn't expected that, but he answered anyway, "I don't know.""Do you hate me?" she continued, her eyes glistening w
Chapter 44"Shhh... It's morning," she whispered, blinking dramatically. "And if I don't prepare, that jerk is going to punish me by making me redo all the work, Claire.""What's Claire?" He twitched."Don't ask that." She fanned him off, wobbling. "You know him. The jerk with the Ferrari."Andre’s lips pressed together. "Jerk with the Ferrari?" That was what she thought of him?"I just want to work, but he won't let me. Maybe we should strangle him for real this time, Claire." She clapped her hands, giggling, hopping in place.Andre had had enough.He grabbed her and pulled her with him onto the bed."C'mon, to bed now." His voice was firm.For once, she didn’t fight him.She was too tired.Her eyelids fluttered shut, her breathing evening out as sleep finally claimed her.Andre was about to switch off the lamp when something caught his attention.Her lips.Pouted, soft, slightly parted.For a while, he noticed just how beautiful she looked tonight. Maybe it was the makeup, maybe it
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 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
Chapter 58Vanessa's POV:He smelt of cigarettes. Sounded like the “something important” was smoking. My lungs were a bit relieved that he was considerate enough to do it outside.He paused in the doorway, expression unreadable, staring with lazy eyes, and in a nonchalant voice said, “What are you doing?”“Sleeping,” I said, fluffing a pillow.He let out a dry laugh. “Get up.”“I’m fine here.”His voice sharpened. “You're not allowed to do that here. We're sharing the bed, and that's final.”He did look serious. I swallowed. There was no room for argument. Slowly, I stood.I climbed into the bed, keeping as much distance as humanly possible from the other side. He disappeared into the bathroom. The sound of the running shower lasted minutes before the door clicked open again.I couldn't help myself. My eyes flickered over to him, despite my best intentions to look anywhere else. And there he was—standing shirtless, with a towel tucked loosely around his waist and another in his hand,
Chapter 57Vanessa’s POV:The moment I stepped onto the plane, I knew something was wrong.Or, more accurately, something was too right.First-class? I had mentally prepared myself for the stiff seats, the cramped legroom, and the congested space. But here I was, standing in front of a seat so luxurious I almost didn’t want to touch it. Plush cream-colored seats, ample space, and an actual menu? This wasn’t just an upgrade. This was a full-blown Cinderella moment—except my fairy godmother was a sadistic CEO who got a kick out of seeing me squirm.I turned sharply to face Mr. Garcia, who was already settling into the seat beside mine like he owned the entire plane. Which, knowing him, he probably did.“You didn’t tell me we were flying first-class,” I asked, arms crossed.He gave me a slow, lazy smirk. “Would it have made you come willingly if I did?”I clenched my jaw. He didn't tell me he was kidnapping me in luxury.“This is unnecessary,” I muttered, gripping the armrest like it mig