Chapter 17

NEIL

“Just because they’re from a royal family, they think everyone can take their shit,” Austin scoffed as he sipped his Bourbon. He was pissed off that his British client was being a stick in his ass. It was funny but I wouldn’t dare laugh because I knew he was pissed off.

Being a lawyer meant he had to encounter people who wouldn’t mind if their pride would get them being bars for more than ten years. People like me.

“Honestly, I don’t care if he rots in jail. Who the fuck rapes a girl and then forces her to abort the child?” he snapped and downed the rest of his drink with one go.

“The duke’s cousin,” I stated and he glared at me, making me chuckle. “You what another whiskey or vodka?” I asked and he scoffed.

He was about to say something when his eyes caught something behind me and a smile pulled on his lips. I narrowed my eyes at him, “What?”

“She knows how to capture every man’s attention without even trying,” he said with a chuckle and, somehow, I already knew who he was referring to. Someone walked past me and the familiar scent of Vanilla and Jasmine filled my nose making me inhale deeply, fighting the urge to close my eyes.

She stood in front of us and then my eyes fell on her. She was dressed in a light green dress that did more than enough justice to her creamy skin. She had her hair down, and I wouldn’t lie, I preferred it this way over her usual ponytail.

“Good morning, Austin,” she smiled at my best friend and then turned to me, “good morning, sir.” I wanted to tell her to drop the formalities but I nodded instead.

Austin decided to do the talking, “You look lovely, Vera. Take a seat.” She smiled in appreciation and took a seat in front of us, directly opposite me, giving me a perfect view. Fuck, she was attractive.

The sundress had thin straps, showing her unblemished smooth skin. And I found it hard to take my eyes off her. She raised her eyes to look at me and quickly averted them to the menu on the table.

“What would you like to order?” Austin asked her as he flagged a waiter. I picked up my menu, my eyes flickering over Vera as she bit her lower lip. I clenched my jaw as different thoughts flooded my head. She looked so innocent as she tapped her chin with her index finger.

Remembering how sweet she tasted, I had the sudden urge to kiss her.

“I don’t know,” she mumbled softly with a small pout because she couldn’t choose. Austin turned to me and I looked at him.

“What about you, man?”

“A croissant and a sliced baguette with coffee,” I said to the waiter that was standing beside me. He nodded, writing it down and then looking at Vera. I felt my anger tick when I saw a flash in his eyes. He was attracted to her, but Vera wouldn’t notice.

“She will be having the same thing,” I stated before he could utter a word to her. Both of them snapped their attention to me and I looked at her, daring her to object. She blinked and nodded before offering a kind smile to the waiter.

“I guess I’ll have the same,” she said with a underlying sarcasm and I nearly scoffed. Austin made his order and the annoying waiter walked away. From the corner of my eye, I could see Vera glaring at me. She could be mad at me for all I care, but I wasn’t going to let that boy make a move on her, not in front of me.

“How are you feeling now, Vera?” Austin asked, trying to clear the tension in the air. Vera seemed grateful and spoke.

“I feel better than before. Thank you very much for yesterday,” she said and then turned to me. I shrugged.

“Remember to rest,” I reminded her and she sighed, rolling her eyes big I could see a small smile playing on her lips.

I spent the next few minutes listening to them converse over something until they brought our food.

Today was going to be a long day.

The atmosphere was surprisingly not as awkward as I had expected, apart from Vera’s occasional shifts in her seat. But still, I couldn’t stop myself from glancing at her very chance I got.

“We’re going to the beach later in the afternoon, would you like to join us?” Austin asked her as we walked out of the restaurant. I didn’t even bother to look at them as I headed towards my car.

Knowing him, he’d convince her if she tried to turn down the offer. Having a relationship with a colleague will never end well. I made that mistake once and I will never make it again. But Austin didn’t understand that.

Whenever he realizes there’s an attraction between a girl and I, he automatically starts to act like he’s cupid. It was irritating.

I told myself, never again. No more distractions, no more complications. And hey, here Vera was, making me question every damn rule o had made for myself.

“That’s great! I need to go somewhere where—Neil!” I turned to see Austin calling my name. I raised a brow as I watched him walk over to me with Vera.

“I need to meet with Ben. Please take Vera back. I would have done it, but you know…” he said with a big smile and I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

There was no Ben. He was going to walk back into that restaurant and find a few girls to flirt with.

I nodded and looked at Vera. She was looking at anywhere but me, it annoyed me most of the times.

“Bye, guys,” he said with a grin and waved, turning around.

I walked over to the passenger seat and opened the door. Her eyes snapped to me and I could see a light trace of blush on her cheeks as she blinked, her lashes fluttering in an innocent but alluring way.

Damn you, Austin!

“Thank you,” she said with a small smile as she approached me and got in the car. I closed the door and inhaled deeply. There were still traced of her vanilla scent in the air and oddly, it calmed my nerves.

I walked to the other side and got in the driver’s seat. I ignited the engine and began to drive.