35

"Mhm... I don't think so," I reply.

Still, she reminds me of someone, not because of her attitude, but... her gaze. There's something about her. A perfect smile takes over her lips, and I can't help but feel a bit intimidated. I don't understand why I feel this way when she seems friendly...

"I guess we were never properly introduced," she extends her hand to me.

"I'm...

"What are you doing here?"

A third voice interrupts the conversation, and for some strange reason, my heartbeat accelerates when I see his blue eyes and his imposing appearance wrapped in that three-piece suit.

Nicholas Hills.

"Hello, darling."

The woman smiles and approaches him to kiss him on the cheek. I pale instantly.

Are they...?

"You didn't answer my question."

Mr. Hills looks at her.

"And you didn't return my greeting," he complains. "You look perfect, you just need a little adjustment here..."

He adjusts his tie.

"When did

you come back?"

"Two days ago."

Suddenly, they both fall silent, and their gazes fall upon me.

"Miss Miller."

The way he pronounces my last name sends shivers down my spine.

"Mr. Hills," I mutter.

"I was just talking to her," the woman speaks. "Is she your secretary?"

"Yes."

"She seems like a very beautiful and friendly woman, not like that bitch Camille. You two would make a great couple, just look at the woman in front of you..."

My cheeks flush, and I look away. She's too honest.

"Mom," Mr. Hills scolds her, and she laughs.

Mom?

"I'm just being honest. Camille is suffocating," she rolls her eyes before looking at me. "In contrast, she seems to have more class," she clears her throat. "I'm sorry, I couldn't introduce myself properly because Nicholas sometimes forgets the manners I taught him," she extends her hand to shake mine. "I'm Leanne Hills, better known as Leanne Vitali, pleased to meet you..."

Leanne Vitali. The famous woman Carol told me about. She was right when she described her; she is truly beautiful. Her beauty astonishes me.

"Eva Miller," I add and accept her handshake.

"Eva Miller? She inspects me with her gaze. It's impossible... Are you here? Richard Miller's daughter?

Her question disarms me. Sweat runs down my neck as I remember everything that happened.

"You're talking too much," Mr. Hills intervenes.

"And you're being stubborn. I was just saying, you seem to have the right woman in front of you." He puts his hand on my boss's shoulder. "I'll go with your father, I have unfinished business with him. Have a good night. It was a pleasure meeting you, Eva."

"The feeling is mutual."

He gestures at us before leaving.

As soon as he's gone, silence settles between us, and I feel more uncomfortable than usual.

"Let's go," my boss says. We start walking toward a specific place, and after a few minutes, we approach a group of men. "I hope he behaves."

I don't understand what he means until we get closer to the group of men in suits, and I understand. Fabrizio D'Agostino, the man who kissed me in Los Angeles, is here. As we approach, he doesn't take his eyes off me.

"I already told him that I..." I try to protest, but he silences me with his gaze.

We stop in front of the group of suited men. Mr. Hills greets everyone with a handshake, and I do the same until it's my turn to greet Fabrizio, who smiles playfully.

"Il dolce segretario é arrivato," he says something in Italian that I don't understand at all, but he says it with a mocking tone and a mischievous smile.

I immediately move away from that man, and Mr. Hills keeps his gaze on me as well. We proceed to have a conversation, and then we take our seats. The lights gradually dim until a video starts playing on the projector.

By inertia, I pick up a glass of champagne and bring it to my lips, noticing Fabrizio's persistent gaze on me. Several minutes later, the video ends, and everyone engages in conversation until we stand up. As soon as this happens, I head to the restroom and lock myself in there.

I take a few steps toward the sink and position myself in front of the mirror. The words of Nicholas's mother still echo in my head.

"Are you her? Richard Miller's daughter?"

I don't want to be his daughter. It embarrasses me to know that I have a family that turned their backs on me and made me feel guilty for a situation that wasn't in my hands, something I couldn't control. I spent years believing that I was to blame for what happened, years in which I thought that maybe I provoked Jonas that night because, yes, I was drunk and didn't know what I was doing. They made a sixteen-year-old girl believe that she asked to be raped, that she made it all up and was at fault.

All those nights I cried and thought about that event. I believed I was to blame. They repeated it to me so many times that when I was left with nothing, I believed it.

I run my hands through my hair. Thinking about this won't solve anything. Jonas ruined my relationship with my family, and not only that, but he also ruined a teenager who had dreams and goals ahead of her.

Jonas made me realize that we never truly know people, no matter how many years we spend by their side. There are things we'll never know, secrets that will remain hidden perfectly.

I push the thoughts aside and decide to leave the restroom, but...

A shriek escapes my lips, muffled by a hand that covers my mouth to silence me. I'm cornered against

the wall, and I know it's a male figure from the strength he possesses.

"Non gridarmi, prezioso."

I recognize his voice and his accent.

"Fabrizio?" I step back, but he grabs me again. "What are you doing? Let me go."

"I just can't stop thinking about you..."

"Think about what you're doing, reconsider!" I exclaim. "Mr. Hills will get angry... This will end badly, please. Don't do something you'll regret later."

"Your boss won't find out."

"Let me go!"

I slap him, turning his face when he tries to pull me closer to him by my waist.

"How pathetic you are."

My whole body freezes when I hear that masculine voice.

"He'll be angry with me." It's the only thing I can think of.

"Aren't you tired?" he insists on provoking him.

"Mr. Hills..." Fabrizio pushes me away, his fear evident as he tries to speak.

Then, I see him.

Nicholas Hills is calmer than ever, leaning against the wall with an air of greatness and disheveled hair.

"Go away, Fabrizio."

"Sir... it's not what you think, I swear."

"No?"

Fabrizio opens his mouth to speak, but he can't when Mr. Hills pins him against the wall with enough force.

"It's over. Go to Hills Corporation, collect your things, and leave," he demands.

"She tried to seduce me! She's a whore!" the Italian man moves, desperate. "Lei è una puttana!"

"I won't repeat it, Fabrizio. Gather your things and leave," Mr. Hills responds in impeccable Italian. Hearing his voice wrapped in that delightful accent leaves me astonished for a couple of seconds.

Fabrizio manages to break free from his grip and leaves, not without giving me a threatening look. I lean my hands against the wall behind me as we are left alone.

"Sir, I..."

"Don't say anything," he interrupts me.

I take a breath. I'm starting to lose patience.

"I hope you don't dare to believe that I..."

"I don't believe anything," he interrupts me again. "But I warned you."

"Excuse me?" I take a step towards him. "Are you insinuating that it was my fault? I was just coming out of the bathroom when he attacked me. Don't you dare say or even suggest that it was my fault!"

I try not to raise my voice, but it seems impossible because his attitude infuriates me.

"I never said that."

He turns around, and I grab his arm to confront him.

"Are you going to behave like this?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You're insinuating that it was my fault!"

"You're mistaken." He releases himself from my grip. "I never claimed it was your fault. I even fired him. I'm just reminding you how I warned you. Not everyone in this place is innocent, and I know them very well. Now, set aside your insolent attitude and consider yourself fortunate that I noticed your absence and Fabrizio's."

"Consider myself fortunate?"

He nods, and everything starts to consume me. His rotten attitude, his unattainable ego, his shitty proposal—everything starts to bother me! I don't even know how it happens; I just know that I lose control and slap him. I'm blinded by the resentment I carry with me, yet remorse overwhelms me because... I shouldn't have, I shouldn't have done that. I stand still, waiting for the anger I've just unleashed on him, but it doesn't happen because a smile spreads across his lips, and it leaves me astonished.

"Do you find it amusing?"

"What?" I mumble, embarrassed.

"Slapping me."

The mockery in his tone is evident. I admit I didn't expect that.

"You deserved it..."

I fall silent.

When I thought I couldn't mess up any further, I open my mouth and prove to myself that sometimes my stupidity knows no bounds.

Now I'm going to gather my things from the office.

"How lovely."

I sigh. This isn't worth it. Ready to leave, I try to take a step forward, but the grip on my wrist prevents me from doing so.

"Do you think you can just leave as if nothing happened after the stupidity you just pulled?"

"No, I..."

"Where is all that bravery you have when slapping me, huh? Seems like it doesn't last long with me." He takes hold of my chin. "There are so many things I could do to you..."

"Stay away from me."

"You can't bear the consequences of your actions?" His voice becomes increasingly husky. "Is that it? Or is it that you can't stay away from me even if you want to?"

I suppress the gasp that wants to escape my lips when he presses his erection against my abdomen. I try to turn my face away, but he grabs me and forces me to open my mouth to receive his tongue skillfully exploring it. He pins me against the wall, his right hand holding my leg wrapped around his waist. I feel flushed, and...

Our bubble bursts when loud buzzing sounds are heard. Mr. Hills separates from me, and I freeze upon hearing what seems to be...

Gunshots.