Chapter 39
Chapter 39
Joanna's POV
I sat on the edge of the massive bed, morning light filtering through the heavy curtains of my room. My fingers unconsciously drifted to my lips, still sensitive from last night's unexpected storm.
That kiss.
God, it had been so sudden, so demanding.
"Joanna, what the hell are you thinking?" I whispered to myself, my voice sounding foreign in the pristine silence. "Weren't you trying to get away from him?"
I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to make sense of the chaos in my mind.
What did he mean when he said he'd take care of me? Was it just another form of control, or was there something else?
Rising from the bed, I padded across the plush carpet to the full-length mirror in the corner. The pale, uncertain woman staring back at me looked like a stranger.
"Look at you," I murmured. "Living in this frozen palace like some caged bird." I closed my eyes, exhaling slowly. "Sebastian, you've built these walls around me, but why did that kiss feel like the first real warmth I've felt in ages?"
---
When I entered the dining room, Sebastian was already seated at the head of the long table, impeccably dressed in a charcoal suit that accentuated his broad shoulders. He didn't even look up from the newspaper he was reading.
"Sit." Just one word, cold and commanding.
My stomach tightened as I silently took my place at the table, several seats away from him. Even after that kiss, nothing had changed. He was still the king of his frozen empire, and I was just... what? A possession? A placeholder?
'So much for thinking last night meant anything', I thought bitterly.
Peter served breakfast with practiced precision. I kept my eyes on my plate, pushing the food around more than eating it.
The silence was suffocating, broken only by the occasional rustle of Sebastian's newspaper.
Suddenly, he set the paper down. I felt his gaze sweep over me but didn't dare look up.
"Did you sleep well?" His deep voice carried across the table.
The unexpected question made me lift my head, meeting those intense eyes. My heart skipped traitorously.
"Fine," I managed, my voice smaller than I intended.
He merely nodded, his expression unreadable.
Peter approached with a glass of milk, placing it before me. Before I could reach for it, Sebastian's voice cut through the air.
"She has stomach issues. Warm the milk first."
I froze, fork suspended midway to my mouth. How did he know about my chronic gastritis? I'd never mentioned it to him. Peter mumbled an apology and promptly retrieved the glass.
Sebastian rose from his chair, straightening his already perfect cuffs. "You're coming to the office with me today," he stated, no room for discussion in his tone. "Don't wander off."
I nodded, still processing his knowledge of my condition.
---
Sebastian's driver held the car door open as I slid into the backseat of the sleek black sedan. Sebastian followed, maintaining a careful distance between us.
The silence stretched between us like a living thing.
I stole a glance at his profile—strong jaw, straight nose, those impossibly long eyelashes. He had his eyes closed, head resting against the seat. Even in repose, tension radiated from him.
The car hit a pothole, and I lurched sideways, nearly colliding with the window. Before I could right myself, Sebastian's hand shot out, gripping my shoulder to steady me. His touch sent electricity through my thin blouse.
"Sit properly," he said, his voice low but firm.
His hand lingered a moment longer than necessary before he withdrew it, resuming his position without opening his eyes. My skin burned where he'd touched me, and I felt a flush creep up my neck.
I turned toward the window, watching the city blur past, trying to ignore how my heart raced from that brief contact.
---
At the company, I settled into my routine, grateful for the familiar tasks that didn't require much thought. My mind was still a jumble of confusion from the morning's interactions with Sebastian.
"Joanna, good morning!"
I looked up to see Zayne stepping out of the elevator, his trademark smile lighting up his handsome face. Unlike Sebastian's dark intensity, Zayne radiated warmth in his perfectly tailored navy suit.
"How did things go with Sebastian last night?" he asked, leaning casually against my desk. "You look... different today. No arguments, I hope?"
Heat rushed to my face as memories of Sebastian's lips on mine flashed through my mind. "No, we didn't argue," I stammered, shuffling papers unnecessarily. "We just... came to an understanding."
Zayne's eyebrow arched slightly, his smile never wavering. "An understanding? With my brother? That's rare." He chuckled softly. "Well, I'm glad. He's been particularly tense lately with everything going on at the company."
I looked up at that. "What do you mean?"
Zayne shrugged, his expression turning thoughtful. "Oh, just the usual corporate stress. Though between you and me, he seems more on edge than normal. Probably nothing."
I nodded, unsure what to say. Zayne checked his watch and straightened up.
"Hey, I'm grabbing coffee at the break room. Want to join me for a minute? You look like you could use a break."
---
The break room was mercifully empty. Zayne handed me a cup of coffee, and we sat by the window overlooking the Manhattan skyline. I wrapped my hands around the warm mug, trying to quiet my racing thoughts.
"Joanna," Zayne's voice dropped to a concerned whisper, "I probably shouldn't say this, but as Sebastian's brother and your friend, I feel I should warn you."
My stomach clenched. "Warn me about what?"
He hesitated, glancing around as if checking for eavesdroppers. "I overheard something disturbing in a meeting yesterday. Sebastian is pushing through some business plan with... questionable funding sources."
"What do you mean, questionable?" I asked, my grip tightening on the mug.
"I don't have all the details," Zayne sighed, looking genuinely troubled. "I just happened to hear him on the phone with someone. The conversation didn't sound legal, Joanna." He leaned closer. "I'm not saying he's definitely doing something wrong, but... just be careful. Don't get involved in anything that seems off."
He stood abruptly, his usual smile returning. "I should go. Got a meeting in five. Don't worry too much, okay? I just thought you should know."
As he walked away, I stared into my coffee, the dark liquid swirling like my thoughts.
Sebastian with questionable business dealings? It seemed impossible for someone so meticulous, so controlled.
But then again, how well did I really know him? His world was filled with secrets I couldn't begin to comprehend.