Waking up to a handsome face staring at me was unusual, and somehow it brought a smile to my lips. Even with his bruised lips, it still didn’t stop the temptation I was trying hard to suppress.

“How long have you been awake?” I asked, my voice still heavy with sleep as I tried distracting myself from my inappropriate thoughts.

Richard shrugged casually. “A while ago. Don’t blame a man for staring too much. We don’t get to see such beauty every morning.”

I chuckled softly, amused by his flirtatious words. It was almost like he could read my thoughts. He moved closer, gently took my left wrist, and placed a soft kiss on it.

I watched him with amusement while trying to hide the strange feelings he stirred inside me. Then I slowly withdrew my hand and headed toward the bathroom.

Usually, I only spent about fifteen minutes getting ready, but knowing someone was waiting for me in my room made me take my time.

About forty-five minutes later, I stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in a white towel, only to realize the room was empty. He was gone but a note rested neatly on my bed.

I picked it up and read:

“I had an amazing experience with a beautiful lady, and I would love to experience it again.”

I bit my lower lip and smiled. He really knew how to flirt.

Not wanting to arrive late at the office, I carefully kept the note inside my drawer and quickly got dressed.

*******************

Later that day, after making the necessary calls to prepare everything for our clients houses, I sat quietly in my office and reflected on how quickly I had grown close to a complete stranger.

He had seen me break down, stayed beside me, helped clean my office, and even assisted me with work like some kind of angel. Though honestly, he was far from one. He was more like a beautiful devil trying to seduce me.

A smile crept onto my lips, but it disappeared immediately when someone suddenly barged into my office.

Damnit.

I really had too many rude people around me. Austin’s presence was commanding, but not in the same way as Richard’s. Even his cologne wasn’t as captivating as Richard’s.

Damn.

What was wrong with me? I was already comparing them.

My personal assistant, Dave, stood there shaking nervously because I had already warned him that nobody should walk into my office unannounced again. But honestly, I knew Dave couldn’t stop Austin even if he tried, and judging from his appearance, he definitely had tried.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Lana,” he apologized quickly, but I dismissed him with a nod before he could continue.

Then I turned my attention to Austin’s bruised face. Looks like Richard really did a number on him.

“Let me guess,” I said coldly. “You’re here to apologize.”

He shook his head.

Of course. I expected nothing less from a proud man like him.

“This happened yesterday,” he said sadly, pointing at his bruised face.

“Should I apologize for it? In case you suddenly forgot, you disrespected me in my own house,” I snapped angrily. “How dare you?”

“I’m sorry. I was hurt,” he muttered.

I chuckled bitterly. Obviously, he wasn’t truly sorry.

Still, I remained silent, and he took it as permission to continue talking.

“Do you like him that much?” he asked, his voice carrying traces of jealousy. “You have no idea who you’re involving yourself with.”

“Imagine what I thought about you after you used my past against me,” I fired back.

He immediately looked remorse and opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off immediately.

“You know less than two percent of what I went through, and you will never know more than that. For the record, I didn’t wake up one morning and choose to become this person. Hell, there were times I wished I was never born, but somehow I’m still here, trying to build an empire I once thought I could never have.”

My voice cracked as tears gathered in my eyes. Austin took a step toward me, but I immediately stepped backward.

At that point, I was exhausted by his presence.

“Leave. Right now,” I ordered firmly.

Austin slowly shook his head.

“I know it was wrong to say those hurtful things, but imagine how I felt seeing that you already replaced me. I’m sorry,” he pleaded softly but his chance was already gone. 

I walked to the door and held it open for him. Without another word, he finally left.

Then, I forced my stubborn tears back. Seconds later, as I was about to shut my office door, I noticed Dave’s seat was empty.

On cue, he appeared in a hurry from the opposite direction of the restroom, and trying to zip up his trousers properly. 

Wow! He was focusing on his sex life during working hours.

The moment he sat down, our eyes met, and his entire face turned red with embarrassment.

“Care to explain?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

Thank you for reading ❤️ 

Continue Lana’s story in chapter ten.