Chapter 37 Perfect timing...

Chapter 37 Perfect timing...
Chapter 37

Victoria's POV

"Who is going to Italy?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

The moment I spoke, Marcus jolted, surprise etched across his face as he turned to look at me.

"What are you doing here?" he questioned, his brow furrowing slightly.

"You haven't answered my question. Who is going to Italy?" I pressed, refusing to let the matter drop.

"And... why did you want to know that?" He crossed his arms defensively, a hint of suspicion in his tone.

"Is it Julian? When is he going?" I shot back.

He scoffed, his expression turning icy. "I should tell you where he's going so you can drug him and try to rape him again? And don’t think I won't tell him what you did to him yesterday."

"So... what's stopping you? I thought you would have told him by now," I replied, feigning indifference but feeling afraid.

He must not tell Julian, but I should behave like I don't care.

"I will. It's just that I haven't seen him today," he admitted, frustration creeping into his voice.

I took a step closer, my fingers brushing against his jawline, feeling a rush of power as he shivered at my touch. It was clear to me that he hadn’t changed; he still had feelings for me.

"Well... please do tell him, and I’ll be sure to tell him how you used to sleep with his ex-fiancée," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

"What?! That was then," he retorted, defensiveness creeping into his tone.

I removed my hand from his face, but not without pulling him closer by his tie, relishing his discomfort. "Really? Is it? Then... will he be happy to learn that you used to?"

"You forced me, then," he replied, his voice low.

"Did I?" I mused, placing my hand on my chin as if deep in thought. "Maybe I did, but you could have just left."

"You threatened me," he shot back, his eyes narrowing.

"Okay, no problem. Go ahead and tell him everything. I’ll make sure to share my side of the story too," I said, pivoting to walk away, feeling a rush of triumph.

"What do you want me to do?" he called after me, his voice tinged with frustration.

I turned back, a sly smile curving my lips. "It's simple—he probably won't remember anything from yesterday, except for when he came to me and what I told him. Just let him know I left him in the room, and he got drunk on his own and called you to pick him up."

"Okay, but what if he recollects his memory and realizes I lied...?" His voice trailed off, uncertainty hanging in the air.

"He won't ever, not in this world. He won't remember anything about yesterday," I assured him, my confidence unwavering.

"Okay," he conceded, turning as if to leave.

"Well... I am not done," I said, my voice sharp as I turned him back to face me, my hand still resting on his shoulder. "When is Julian going to Italy, and when is he coming back?"

"Ehhm... he should be going anytime soon. But I don’t know when he’ll be back," he replied, avoiding my gaze.

I searched his eyes, trying to discern if he was being truthful or weaving a web of lies. In that moment, I saw sincerity, a flicker of honesty.

"Alright... I don’t want you to betray your boss by asking you to work with me, but if you don’t want anyone, especially your boss, to know what transpired between us years ago, you have to let me know when he’s coming back to New York," I said, my voice steady and commanding.

"Ahh... but this is also betraying him," he argued, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Giving his information to his enemy."

"I am not his enemy; there's just a little misunderstanding between us. I care about him," I insisted, softening my tone just a fraction, though my resolve remained firm.

"Okay... I will let you know. Can I go now?" he asked, a mix of relief and hesitation in his eyes.

I studied him for a moment, weighing my options. "Yes, but remember—this conversation stays between us. If you breathe a word of it to anyone, I will make sure you regret it."

With that, I released him, watching as he stepped back and turned to leave.

\---

I arrived home, the door clicking shut behind me. I kicked off my shoes, feeling the soft carpet beneath my feet, and headed straight for the bathroom.

In the sanctuary of my tub, I peeled off my clothes, letting them fall to the floor in a forgotten heap. As the warm water enveloped me, I sank deeper, the steam rising around me like a comforting fog. I closed my eyes and leaned back, allowing the heat to seep into my muscles, easing the tension that had built up over the day.

I submerged myself in the warm water, allowing it to wash away not just the grime of the day but the last failed mission. The soothing embrace of the bath helped me focus on my plan: Julian’s upcoming trip to Italy was my opportunity, my chance to regain control over the situation. I could send Sophie away and claim him forever.

As I emerged from the water, droplets cascading down my shoulders, I reached for my phone and dialled Jaxon’s number.

"Where are you? Get right here, now," I commanded, my tone leaving no room for argument. I hung up, feeling the adrenaline surge through me. I quickly dried off and slipped into an exposed, sexy short red gown that clung to my curves, accentuating my figure in all the right places.

The fabric was smooth against my skin, hugging my waist and flaring slightly at the hem, allowing just enough movement to keep it playful. The neckline dipped daringly, hinting at the allure beneath while the bold color radiated confidence. As I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, I couldn't help but smirk. My hair fell in soft waves around my shoulders, framing my face perfectly.

I applied my makeup with precision, enhancing my features to make myself even more appealing. A touch of mascara, a hint of blush, and a bold lip color transformed my look, adding to the magnetic aura I exuded. I looked at my reflection once again, and a satisfied smile spread across my face. No wonder men tripped over themselves for me.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, I headed to the living room, my heels clicking against the floor.

I found Jaxon waiting, his two hands twisted together before him, a sign of nervous anticipation. His eyes widened slightly as they landed on me. I could see the respect and admiration in his gaze, which only fueled my confidence further.

"Inform Jenkins that I will be needing him soon," I instructed, my voice steady and authoritative. "And tell Alex that the time has come for the plan, but I will call him shortly."

"Yes, ma," Jaxon replied, his tone obedient as he nodded, ready to execute my orders.

Once he left, I felt the weight of my thoughts settle around me like a cloak.

The plan was so close to reality. I could almost taste the victory. I envisioned how I would weave my way back into Julian's life. It was like God is finally on my side because I didn't expect the right timing to come so fast.

I grabbed a glass of wine from the bar and took a long sip, letting the rich flavour wash over my tongue. I needed to be sharp and focused. This was not just about reclaiming Julian; it was about sending a message to Sophie that I was not to be underestimated.