Chapter 33 33

Chapter 33 33
Karin's POV
I sat in the café at the bench seat by the window and stared at the limo waiting outside Vale Communications from across the street. It had been a long week, and today had been especially flat.

It was Thursday—massage day.

I got a vision of Adrien oiled up on the table and another woman roaming her hands over his body; my stomach clenched as I pictured it so clearly. My mind was playing evil games with me and showing me the worst reality‑porn scenario in history.

Rien… being touched by another woman.

Was she dressed while she massaged him? Did they talk? Did they laugh like we did?

I needed to stop this; it was so destructive. I wanted a man who didn’t even exist.

The driver opened the front door of the building, and I watched in slow motion as Adrien Vale walked out—navy suit, perfect posture, dark hair… emanating power.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and watched him get into the back of the limo. His driver shut the door, and it slowly pulled out and disappeared down the street.

I stared back at my ham‑and‑cheese toasted sandwich in front of me—my dinner. Deflation filled me. I had just lost my appetite.

I hit the keys on my computer with force. Twat, twat… fucking twat. So much for my years of university study. My parents must have been so proud. When they had offered me the chance to do this, I had thought it was going to be exciting and a chance to prove my worth. Maybe not?

“Down the end,” I heard someone say. I glanced up to see a man with a big brown paper bag.

“Uber Eats for Karin Ellis.”

“What?” I looked around, embarrassed. “I didn’t order anything.”

He read the docket. “It says here that…” He paused as he read and frowned as if confused. “It says here that this Uber Eats delivery is quality controlled and safe for human consumption.”

I stared at him and took the bag from his hands.

He squinted as he continued to read the docket. “This doesn’t make sense…”

“What doesn’t?”

“Sugar to sweeten you up.”

I opened the bag to find a huge passion fruit cheesecake in its entirety, and I looked up at the camera and smirked. Was he kidding?

“Who sent this?” I asked.

“It says here, the sender is a Mr. Nice Guy.”

I stared at him deadpan. “Mr. Nice Guy?”
“Yeah, weird, huh?”

“Thank you.” I tried my hardest not to smile. I knew he was watching.

Eva and Maël peered into the bag.
“Score,” Maël screeched. “I’ll get the plates.”

He took off to our staff kitchen.

“Thank God for cheesecake,” Eva sang in excitement.

Okay… he had made the first move. What did I do?

I took out my phone and texted him.

Dear Mr. Nice Guy

Thank you.

Although, I should have you know

I’m already sweet enough.

I hit send and waited. A reply bounced back.

I have no doubt. Can I take you out to dinner tonight?

I sat back in my chair, surprised by his request. This was a no‑win situation. He wanted a fuck buddy to join his harem, and I wanted him all to myself. I wrote back.

I think we both said all we needed to on Sunday morning.

God… why couldn’t he just be normal? A reply bounced back.

I have a proposal for you.

I stared at the message but didn’t reply. A proposal? What, did he want me to be his new masseuse?

I felt my anger bubble at the mere thought of her. Ten minutes later, another text came in.

Hear me out, please.

Please. He had said please. Ugh, okay. I replied.

Fine.

I waited.

I’ll pick you up at seven.

“Here you go,” Maël said as he passed me a plate with the biggest slice of cheesecake I’d ever seen. He passed Eva hers and then took a seat with his.

“This is fucking delicious,” Eva mumbled with her mouth full.

Maël moaned in appreciation. “Oh my fuck, foodgasm.”

I took a bite as I concentrated hard on not smiling too much—just in case he was watching.

Well played, Mr. Vale… well played.