Chapter 20 Chapter Twenty
When I opened my eyes, a searing headache met me.
I clutched my head as I sat up slowly, blinking several times before adjusting to the light. I was in my room, but how did I get here? I didn't remember taking a cab home.
I pulled the covers off, and as I stood, I realized I was still in my work clothes. An ice bag sat on the small table beside my bed. On the other side of the room, I saw my bag, with some of the files scattered beside it.
Files?
Then everything started coming back.
Zed had tried to choke me, then slapped me. I touched my cheek and flinched at the ache. Then Devin had shown up and somehow managed to get me home.
I was so grateful for that. I knew I owed him an explanation, maybe this was the moment he finally learned about my past.
I owe it to him.
After changing into something simple, I went to the mirror in the bathroom. I stared in horror as I examined my face. There was a red mark on my cheek and my hair looked like I was fighting with a dog. I brushed my teeth and washed my face before leaving the room to go and find Devin.
I went downstairs and into the kitchen as I heard a sound coming from there. He was sitting at the table, eating breakfast while typing away on his phone. I noticed an extra plate on the opposite side and hesitated for a moment before sliding into the chair.
"Morning," I said, trying to sound casual as I looked at him, my mind already wondering what he was thinking.
He looked up from his phone and stared at me. He didn't answer. He kept looking at me as if he was trying to read my mind.
He didn't look angry or confused. He didn't look anything. His expression was unreadable.
"Why were you at Mordechai's penthouse so late?" he asked.
I took a bite of the French toast. I was seriously starving as I didn't eat anything last night.
"I...," was the only thing that came from my mouth. I didn't know if I should tell him exactly what happened or just get straight to why I was at his house.
"And I want the truth," he said tilting his head. I sighed before averting my eyes from his.
"He despises me. He looks down on me because I'm not as high as him. He said things that hurt me and... I broke down. After that I left the office and went to the park to clear my head. There was a meeting that I had to go to and I didn't because I just didn't feel like it. He was pissed at me and said I should be punished," I told him. I gripped the fork tighter in my hand.
"You know what he did?" I asked, meeting his eyes. He remained quiet, signalling me to continue.
"He took me to his penthouse and commanded me to finish all those documents you see in the bags, alone. He didn't even ask some of the assistants at the office to do some, he left everything to me and told me that I should be done by friday!"
I took a few breaths before calming myself down and continued eating.
"That wasn't right. Files should be split between the assistants and you may be his personal assistant, but you don't deserve such a harsh punishment. Even though it was his fault as to why you didn't attend the meeting. But what I'm mainly upset about was that he didn't drop you off!"
Devin was just as upset and angry as I was. Atleast he believed in fairness and equality. Afterall, he's black and people of his racial background have a hard time fitting in.
Sometimes I wish the world was equal and people don't have to hide who they really are or have to be looking over their shoulders for rich or racist people.
"You could've gotten raped or even worst if I wasn't there in time. And it was all Mordechai's fault. I think I need to have a word with him," Devin said as his face twisted in many different emotions.
My mind was blank. I was glad that he didn't find anything suspicious. I would've had to tell him who Zed was and why he wanted me back.
Things would only get harder from now on because Devin had punched Zed, and he was the leader of a gang. This could get ugly real fast.
I rubbed my head as a wave of stress washed over me. I stood up, clutching my head, when I heard a chair move and felt Devin's hand on me.
"Hey, don't stress too much okay? I need to go out for a while, so when I get back we can talk some more," he said as I nodded, and he left the kitchen.
I went back to my room and lay down.
I checked my phone and saw seven missed calls from Franco, one from Devin - from last night, and two from Mordechai.
He must be throwing a fit noticing that I won't be showing up for work today. He can have Tif get his coffee for him and attend his meetings.
I checked my texts and saw three from Franco. One was a 'how are you?', the next was 'why aren't you picking my calls? and the last was ' I'm coming to see you'.
My eyes stayed fixated on the last text because I'm sure he meant it. The message was sent a couple of hours ago so maybe he forgot that he even sent it. Perhaps but I was too stressed to think about it.
I sighed before putting my phone down and turned onto my side. I closed my eyes and before I knew it, I fell into a deep slumber.
I was awoken by loud knocking on the front door.
I didn't know who it was but I wasn't changing my clothes. I was in a pair of shorts and an oversized blouse.
I left the room as I tried to get my hair from out of my face. Once downstairs, I was about to open the door then I remembered the bruise on my cheek.
I hurriedly used my fingers to comb my hair to the side so my cheek wouldn't show. Once finished, I opened the door and saw Franco, dressed in his best as always.
He wore a black suit with a striped tie, and a gold brooch gleamed on his pocket. His car was parked outside, surrounded by four bodyguards.
"Miss Collins, I didn't think you sleep until this late in the morning. I stopped by your work place but an assistant told me you weren't there," he said calmly.
I nodded slowly.
His eyes went to my legs then back up to my bust, before they met my face. This must be something I should get used to because last time we met, he did the same thing.
It was like he was devouring me with his eyes.
"Would you like to come in?" I asked, and his face lit up.
He snapped his fingers then I saw the guards enter the car and closed the doors. I stepped aside so he could enter and when he did I closed the door.
I watched as he took a seat on one of the couches and continued to stare at me.
I went and sat on the couch but I left a long distance between us.
"So, why didn't you go to work today?" he asked, scooting closer to me.
"I took a day off," I replied.
I turned and looked at him. His expression was unreadable as I continued looking into his eyes. What were his intentions? What was I to him? Why did he have such an interest in me? Why did he came to see me?
So many unanswered questions.
"You're a very beautiful woman Vanessa, I bet you don't see that for yourself," he said softly. I turned my gaze away and let out a small laugh.
I wasn't beautiful.
I was ugly both on the outside and deeper on the inside. He didn't know how dirty my past was. He didn't know anything about me.
"What do you want from me Franco? Be a man and stop beating around the bush and say what's on your mind," I said to him blandly.
He seemed taken aback by my sudden change of mood but I had to say it. I needed to know what his intentions were. He was about to say something but he stopped and instead he came so close to me that our bodies were touching.
"I think you know my intentions already but, there's more to it than just that. There's something about you Vanessa, something-
KNOCK! KNOCK!
I stood up quickly and walked frantically to the door.
My mind was in a haze as I tried to catch my breath. I didn't have feelings for him so why did his body affected mine?
Was it because of how handsome he was and how good he dressed?
Or was it because I haven't been touched in years?
I groaned before opening the door, only to come face to face with a pissed-off Mordechai. I swallowed hard and gripped the doorknob for support.
Just great.