Chapter 14 — The Magic of Deception

The magic of deception often worked on those naïve enough to believe it. Honeyed whispers dripping with tantalizing promises accompanied by sweet kisses to seal it. Lying would have been seen as a form of art if it weren’t dubbed as a sin, for those lips who tell lies seem to speak the undying truth. I shouldn’t have fallen for such an obvious trap—not when Cedric Dixon is the one setting it up. And yet, here I was in his protective arms, basking in the afterglow of his love on a hotel bed. The midnight blue sky littered with stars colored the ceiling-high windows. Auburn City, in all its fine glory, burned bright under the night sky from its skyscrapers to millions of cars driving down the bustling roads intertwining. Definitely a scenery to behold on top of the fanciest hotel Cedric could choose for an important meeting with famous investors. I was in awe of the scenery since it was the only thing I could see while he was fucking me like a rabid beast against the glass moments ago.

I was truly terrified of it breaking and falling to my death.

“Do you like it here?” Naked and emitting body warmth, Cedric caressed my cheek with a soft hum. My arms clung to him and did not budge from Cedric’s waist. My back ached from his powerful thrusts earlier that aimed to make me scream out his name. Soundproof walls were proof of mankind’s intelligence. “If you do, we can always visit. The food earlier was amazing, but its deliciousness was heightened by your company. I’d rather be here with you than any other person.”

Lifting my head slightly, I stared at his long blond lashes before huffing at the cheesy confession. “Where did you learn how to flirt, Cedric? And please tell it was from a decent person or piece of media.” His chest rumbled with a soft chuckle, sending vibrations through my upper body as he tightened his embrace.

“I love watching movies, Reese. You know this—well, used to…” Pity laced his tone, causing me to squirm a bit in his arms. “You may not believe me, but it’s the cheesy flirting that won you over. Yet now it’s strange to hear you criticize it when you used to love it back then.”

“Yes, I find it compelling and hard to believe.”

The sudden shifting of his body caught me off guard as he rose from the mattress and hovered above me. Both of his hands were on either side of my head. A smoldering aura in his eyes along with a dominant disposition rendered me speechless as he observed my face.

“Then let go of your doubts and trust me, Reese,” he whispered, leaning down to press a kiss on my parted lips. The taste of Cedric lingered on my tongue and wouldn’t be disappearing any time soon. We had been fooling around since that day, and it was honestly troublesome. But I didn’t have the heart to stop it, nor did I want to. Cedric had me wrapped around his finger, always having me at his beck and call—and I let him do this to me. Intoxicating me with his affections until I become dependent on it—drowning and drugging me to my high. “Trust me as you did before. You know you can always count on me.”

Even as I nod at his request without uttering a word of protest, there was still the underlying feeling that Cedric Dixon was someone I shouldn’t rely on. There was something he wasn’t telling me. However, I wasn’t going to confess that to him—not with how radiant his smiles are albeit the cocky undertone.

These past few weeks of being Cedric’s private secretary was akin to a dream, but exhausting nonetheless. It was always the same cycle—work, eat, and then sex. Cedric was a man of many needs, and I was there to support him under the guise of his employee. Still, nobody knew we were lovers by night. I fought hard to keep it that way.

I didn’t want people to think they have been right all along when it isn’t the case—Reese McKenzie, the woman without any celebrated accolades or achievements to be working alongside Cedric Dixon, has slept her way to the top. I could hear the snickers and gossip from miles away once it comes out of hiding like a surprise party.

“Sir, you want me to go… where?” I blinked twice at the request handed to me by my superior who sported a confident grin per usual whenever he felt like he has done a feat considered extraordinary. December is fast approaching, meaning the holidays are as well. Plans of spending a quiet dinner at home for the festivity were what I had in mind for this was the first Christmas I would be spending without my parents. And yet, here was Cedric, offering to fly me to Italy for the holiday. A lover’s getaway seemed fine when there wasn’t anything to hide. But in the case of Cedric and me, we were not just lovers.

“You heard me right, Reese. We’re going to Italy in the next two weeks.” Tossing the papers to the side, he placed both of his hands behind his head as he leaned back on his seat. Imitating those relaxing people on sun loungers by the beach on a hot sunny July day. “We’ll go to the riviera and sip champagne by the sea. Doesn’t it sound fun to you?”

“But Sir, don’t you want to spend Christmas with your parents?” I did my research last time, discovering his parents were still alive and well. They live on the outskirts of West Greece and had been staying there for two years ago. I didn’t bother asking him why they were there and not here in Auburn City, seeing it as a private matter itself. Even so, it didn’t hurt to bring them up since holidays such as Christmas was always spent together with family. It was tradition. But Cedric perhaps did not like the idea, judging his impassive expression.

“No. I’ve spent my Christmas with them plenty of times. It gets tiring.” That was all he said, rising from his seat to view the city below through the glass. Cedric’s face is hidden from my sight. “Don’t you want to spend the holidays with me?” Then, he spun to face me with an understanding smile. “But we’ve been joint to the hip since day one, so I know you’re itching to be alone. It’s all right, you don’t have to celebrate with me.”

I-is he sad? Disappointed?

“Sir, I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s just that… Back then, I’ve been celebrating the festive season with my family. This is the first time I’m doing it without them…” Fiddling with my fingers, I sighed. “Having fun all on my own is kind of an insult to them.”

Cedric walked up to me in silence. I watched in trepidation, trying to read his expression until he stood in front of me. “Your parents will be happy if you have fun instead of looking all gloomy. I’m sure they’ll agree to my proposition if they were still around.”

“How would you know?” I mumbled, averting my attention to the desk behind him. Afraid that if I looked into his eyes for too long, my decision shall waver. “They were never around much to tell me they were lonely, but I know they appreciated whenever I was around. Even in death, I don’t want them to feel sad.”

A gasp escaped my lips at the unexpected hug from Cedric, his nose burying into the crook of my neck. We stood there, frozen and breathing in each other’s scents. It was an embrace that may have lasted forever if we weren’t at work. I instantly pulled away after a few seconds, blushing like a schoolgirl as I cleared my throat.

“A-anyway, let me think about it. I can’t give you a reply right now.”

Thankfully, he left it at that.

Cedric and I then went back to the usual norm on a busy Monday. It was consisted of attending meetings and arranging parties for the upcoming holidays. Dozens of calls came, inviting Cedric to attend these parties from different people all over the city. Socialites and foreign oil magnates were flooding the phone, asking for Cedric’s presence. I had a fear that this would continue until the day Christmas is here.

“Reese, it’s time to go.”

Glancing at the time, my exhausted eyes brightened to see that office hours were over. It was time to go home. Placing the papers and pen down, I stretched my legs under the desk and smiled widely at the thought of sleeping early. Lower back aching at having been seated for long, I took the chance to get up from my seat and giggled to myself. This attracted Cedric’s attention, his blue irises widening at the sound before chuckling.

“Are you that excited to go?”

“Yeah, definitely.”

“Does that mean… you don’t enjoy being with me?”

The teasing tone in his voice made me laugh. “Really? Is that all you’re worried about? Not the quality of my work?” When he didn’t respond, I shook my head before gathering my stuff. Ready to bid the man farewell, I stopped short upon seeing him walk towards me. “What? What’s wrong?”

“I’ll take you home.”

“You don’t have to take me home every single time. I want to stop by the mall once I’m out.”

He laughed. “I can still take you there and to your house. What’s wrong with stopping by the mall? I can accompany you there, it’s no big deal.” He reached out his hand to take my bag until I waved at him dismissively. Taking a step back, I tightened my hold on the handle accompanied by a reassuring grin.

“No, no. Don’t be unreasonable, Cedric. I know how tired you are.” Making sure that he wouldn’t butt in with many more reasons to take me home, I said my farewells and left the office. I didn’t bother looking back and made my way towards the elevator. He could take care of his own and I shall do the same.

“Good evening, Miss.” The guard bowed his head once I left the building, bidding me goodbye and all the other employees leaving. Wrapping the coat around me tighter, the freezing air bit my exposed skin as I briskly strolled in the direction of the mall when a hand grasped me by the wrists, halting me on my tracks. Stunned, my heart was racing out of my chest when I spun around to see who grabbed me.

“Who—”

“Miss McKenzie, it’s me!” The waitress I met three weeks ago smiled up at me in a calming manner, reassuring me that she wasn’t a thief. Despite the smile, it did not do anything to quiet down my pounding heart. “Don’t be afraid. It’s only me. Quick, we must get away from this building unless he catches us together. Follow me!”