Chapter 105 Pretty face
Melissa's POV
I stood in front of the full-length mirror in Gavin’s bedroom, smoothing down the front of my navy blue pencil skirt. The matching blazer fit perfectly.
My internship at the Titans arena was almost over. Two more weeks. The hockey tournament is the last major event I had in this place. And then I’ll go back to school for my final semester.
The thought made my chest tight.
Final semester meant leaving this penthouse every day. It meant having less time with Gavin.
I loved photography. I loved my program. But the idea of leaving Gavin even for classes made something ache deep in my ribs.
“You’re overthinking,” Gavin said from the doorway.
I turned to find him leaning against the frame, already dressed in one of his perfectly tailored suits. He wore a dark gray suit today, with a white shirt and no tie. He looked unfairly handsome.
“I’m not overthinking,” I said.
“You are. I can see it on your face.” He crossed the room and pulled me against his chest. “What’s wrong, piccola?”
I breathed in his scent…feeling much calmer. “School starts again soon.”
“I know.”
“Which means I won’t be here as much. I’ll have classes and projects and…”
“And I’ll still be here when you come home.” His hand came up to cup my face. “This doesn’t change anything between us.”
“I know. I just…” I looked up at him. “I like being here. With you.”
His thumb stroked my cheekbone. “I like having you here.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” He leaned down and kissed me softly. “Now finish getting ready. You’re going to be late.”
“Aren’t you driving me?”
“I have something I need to take care of this morning. Marcus will drive you.” He must have seen something in my expression because he added, “Lets watch your favourite movie this evening.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
I kissed him one more time, then grabbed my bag and headed downstairs.
Marcus was waiting by the car, his expression professionally neutral as always.
“Morning, Miss Hayes.”
“Morning, Marcus.” I slid into the back seat. “Gavin said you’re my chauffeur today.”
“Indeed.” He pulled away from the curb smoothly. “Mr. Cross had an early meeting.”
I looked out the window as the city slid past. The tournament was in two days. The final game of the season. Gavin’s team had been training relentlessly.
After that, everything would shift again. And I’ll have to pretend I was okay. But I wasn't anymore.I was in love with a man twice my age. A man engaged to my mother. A man who I know is more dangerous than anyone I know.
And I wouldn’t change any of it.
Marcus pulled up in front of the Titan arena building right on time.
“Thank you, Marcus.”
I walked through the lobby, nodding at the security guard who smiled wildly at me . The elevator was just closing when I reached it.
“Hold the door!” I called out.
A hand shot out, stopping the doors from closing. I slipped inside with a grateful smile.
“Thank you so…”
An elbow slammed hard into my side, before I could complete my statement.
I stumbled against the elevator wall, my bag falling from my shoulder.
“Excuse me,” I said, frowning as I straightened.
“I was right, it's you, the office slut. So You aren’t with Gavin today, you little slut.”
My head snapped up.
The woman was maybe thirty, with perfectly styled blonde hair and a designer suit that looked really well done. Her lips were twisted into something ugly that might have been a smile.
“Excuse me?” I said, my voice dropping several degrees.
“You heard me!” Her voice rose, loud enough that I noticed other people in the elevator turning to look. “You think I don’t know people like you? You seduced the big boss so you could go straight to his office. You aren’t even ashamed of yourself!”
My jaw clenched. Heat crept up my neck.
“If not for your pretty face, you have nothing to offer a man like Gavin.” She stepped closer, emboldened by the audience now openly staring. “And your pussy will soon no longer be enough.”
Silence fell in the elevator. Everyone was watching now. Waiting to see what I would do.
The woman’s confidence grew with the attention. She walked right up to me, so close I could smell her expensive perfume.
“You better not tell Gavin about this,” she hissed. “Or we’ll make your life miserable. All of us. We know girls like you don’t last.”
The elevator dinged, when we got to my floor:
I looked at her. I could see the jealousy burning in her eyes. The bitterness. The certainty that she was right about me.
Then I smiled.
“Oh, I will definitely not be telling Gavin.”
She looked smug. Like she’d won something.
I stepped out of the elevator but turned back before the doors could close. Placed my hand on the sensor to keep them open.
Then I walked back inside.Right up to her, deciding to give her a piece of my mind.
“If I tell Gavin,” I said calmly, “he will fire you. Immediately. Without question. Because that’s what happens to people who disrespect me.”
Her smug expression faltered.
“But I don’t want that.” I stepped closer. Close enough that she had to tilt her head back to maintain eye contact with me. “I don’t want you fired. I want to make your life miserable.”
The color drained from her face.
Everyone else in the elevator had gone completely still. Not even breathing.
I reached up and cupped her face between my palms. Almost tenderly.
Then I leaned in and whispered directly into her ear.
“Gavin loves me. He would give me this whole empire if I asked him. So you better not mess with me when I’m in a good mood.”
I felt her entire body go rigid.
“Now.” I pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. Made sure she could see exactly how serious I was. “If you don’t want Gavin to find out about this little encounter, you better smile and do good work today.”
She tried to step back. But could not because the elevator wall was right behind her.
“And if you ever think about coming after me again?” I let my smile widen. “I’ll make sure you never work anywhere again. Not just here. Anywhere. I’ll personally see to it that every door in this industry closes in your face.”
I released her face and stepped back.
Then I looked at everyone else in the elevator. Everyone looked very shocked.I smiled at them too.
“Have a wonderful day, everyone.”
I stepped out of the elevator. Letting the doors close behind me.
I reached my office and pushed open the door. Closed it behind me and leaned against it.
A knock came almost immediately.
“Come in.”
Marcus walked in, closing the door quietly behind him.
“Don’t tell Gavin,” I said before he could speak.
Marcus looked at me for a long moment. Then his lips twitched. Into a smile.
“Yes, ma’am.”