Chapter 209: Chapter 209

Violet

So my senses weren’t deceiving me. Rain felt it too.

I wasn’t just sure what to do about it. He was being exactly like I wanted him to be- cold, distant and aloof.

Yet, now I was supposed to report to him, supposed to work for him. Why would he want me working so close to him everyday if he didn’t give a fuck about the game he and Nicole played with me?

I fished for the mobile in my purse. There were still no replies or calls from Dane.

My head hurt as I grabbed my stuff and reached the parking lot to see that it was empty except for my car. Elijah had truly left after just forcing me to work for him.

I received a call from Mom and knew she would bite my head off if I didn’t pick it up so put it on speaker.

“Its been a long day. I am driving home and will explain how everything went, just wait for me.”

She noticed my exhausted voice and mumbled. “Okay, it's quite late so I was checking on you. Come soon.”

“Yes mom” I replied and mentally prepared myself for a question and answer session with her.

I exhaled slowly, resting my forehead against the steering wheel for just a second longer than necessary before pushing myself upright.

The city had quieted down so it should have felt peaceful but it didn’t.

Not when my mind kept circling back to him.

Why did it feel… wrong?

I told myself to focus, to stop replaying everything, but the thoughts came anyway, sharp and insistent.

If he truly didn’t care, why bring me into his world again?

Why place me right in front of him every single day?

Suddenly, a pair of headlights appeared in my rearview mirror.

My eyes flickered back to the mirror, watching as the black car maintained a steady distance behind me and a familiar unease crept up my spine.

Of course it would be him.

Who else would play such a ridiculous game?

A bitter breath left me as I pressed down on the accelerator and the engine hummed louder.

“Seriously?” I muttered under my breath, irritation sparking through the exhaustion.

What exactly was he trying to prove now?

If this was his idea of keeping an eye on me, then he was doing a terrible job of being subtle.

I scoffed softly, shaking my head as I slowed down near the turn leading to my pack’s gates.

As I crossed the gate, I glanced at the mirror one last time and the black car drove past just like every other night.

My brows drew together as I watched it disappear down the road, the taillights fading into the distance as if it had never been there for me at all.

I let out a quiet breath, shaking my head as I parked the car.

“Violet?” Mom’s voice came from the living room almost immediately.

“Yes, I’m home” I called out, slipping off my shoes and dropping my bag onto the couch before sinking down beside it for a second, letting my shoulders relax.

“Well?” she asked, unable to hold back any longer. “How did it go? Was the gala as grand as they said? Did people like the designs? Did you…”

“Mom,” I cut in gently, a tired smile tugging at my lips. “Breathe.”

She huffed but didn’t deny it, crossing her arms as she waited.

I leaned back slightly, rubbing my temple before answering, choosing my words carefully. “It went well. Better than expected, actually.”

Her eyes lit up immediately. “I knew it! I told you all your hard work would pay off. So? What happened? Did you meet important clients?”

“I got an offer,” I said, cutting in before she could build ten different scenarios in her head.

She blinked. “An offer?”

I nodded slowly. “From Lockwood Enterprises.”

For a brief second, something flickered across her face. It was gone so quickly that I almost thought I imagined it.

“And?” she prompted, her voice a little more measured now.

“And… I’m not just working under someone,” I continued, watching her carefully this time. “He offered me the position of Director. Design head, technically.”

“What?” she exclaimed, her entire face lighting up, pride and disbelief mixing together as she stepped closer. “Director? Violet, that’s… that’s huge!”

I let out a small laugh, though it felt a little hollow. “Yeah. Apparently he liked my designs.”

“Of course he did,” she said immediately, as if there had never been any doubt. “You’ve always been talented, you just never had the right platform.”

I studied her for a moment, waiting for her to warn me to stay away from him but it didn’t come.

Instead, she just smiled, her eyes soft with relief and happiness, already talking about how this could change everything, how proud Dad would be, how this was the opportunity of a lifetime.

I tilted my head slightly. “You’re not going to say anything else?”

She paused mid-sentence. “Like what?”

I shrugged lightly, trying to sound casual. “Nothing. Just… asking.”

She waved it off almost immediately. “What is there to say? You got a good opportunity. Focus on your work, that’s what matters.”

It looked like mom didn’t want to push my buttons by mentioning him and asking me to stay away from him after seeing how I had experienced it firsthand. Maybe she knew her daughter wasn’t stupid enough to make the same mistake twice?

I couldn’t focus on that thought because the exhaustion dragging at my body dulled every other thought.

I leaned back again, letting out a slow breath. “By the way, is Dane’s grandfather really that unwell?”

Her expression shifted, just slightly.

“Yes,” she said after a moment. “That’s what I heard.”

“Hmm.” I nodded, watching her. “He hasn’t been answering calls. I thought maybe he would be mad at me for leaving at such a crucial time”

“You don’t need to worry about that,” she cut in gently, though there was a firmness beneath it that hadn’t been there before. “You have enough on your plate already. Focus on your job.”

I blinked, a little taken aback.

“That’s… not like you,” I said slowly.

She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes this time. “It is when my daughter finally gets something she deserves. I don’t want you getting distracted. And I know this time you won’t.”

Hmm, just like I thought then.

“Fine,” I murmured instead, pushing myself up. “I’ve gotta report tomorrow at eight and I’m hungry.”

“Good,” she said, her tone softening again as she reached out to brush a strand of hair away from my face. “Go freshen up. I’ll get you something to eat.”

I nodded, offering a faint smile before heading toward my room.