Chapter 15

Vanessa’s POV

My doorbell was ringing and I wondered who it was. It was past eleven in the morning and I wasn’t expecting anyone. I walked to the door slowly, wiping my hands on my dress as I opened it and a  tall man wearing a delivery uniform stood there with a black tablet in his hand.

“Sign here, ma’am,” he said, offering me the tablet with a small smile.

I looked at him, confused. “I never ordered anything.”

“It’s for Nessa Adams,” he said again. “Please sign here.”

I hesitated. “What is it?”

“It’s downstairs. A car.” My heart skipped. “A car?” I asked.

“Yes, ma’am. You just have to sign here to confirm delivery.” I blinked at him. “Are you sure this is not a mistake?”

“No, ma'am, it's for this address. It’s not a mistake.”

I looked around, feeling confused wondering if it was a scam but his uniform looked legit, and his badge even had a logo. After a short pause, I signed the tablet.

“Alright,” I said. “Let’s go see this car.” I locked the door quickly behind me and followed him down. I didn’t like surprises or being caught off guard and wondered if my Dad sent me a car.

We got to the front of the building and I froze. Right there, parked just beside the curb, was a brand new Mercedes. It was shiny black and sparkling. The windows were tinted and it looked spotless but what shocked me most was the person standing next to it, leaning casually against the hood; Elliot.

He smiled the moment he saw me. “What’s going on?” I asked, my voice tight.

He walked over and stretched his arm toward me, holding a pair of car keys. “This is for you.”

I stared at the keys then at him and then at the car.

“What are you doing here and what do you mean this is for me?” I asked, trying to keep my voice as calm as possible.

“I got it for you,” he said. “You’re my secretary and I noticed it’s been hard for you to commute easily. I don’t want you entering strangers’ cars, especially when it rains.”

My jaw clenched at the proud look on his face.

“I never asked you for a car,” I said, my voice cold.

“I know you didn’t ask,” he said quickly. “But I want you to have it; think of it as a package that comes with your position as my secretary, that's all.”

I took a step back clenching my fist tightly.

“Take your car and leave Elliot.” I said through clenched teeth.

He looked surprised maybe because I called him Elliot for the first time or maybe it was the anger in my voice.

“Nessa, I’m just trying to help, you don’t have to be this angry.”

“You don’t get to do this,” I snapped. “You don’t get to show up at my home with a car like I’m some girl you’re trying to impress.”

“It’s not like that.” He frowned, watching me “And what if I’m trying to impress you.”

My eyes widened and my voice dropped lower, “Do you do this for all your secretaries, Elliot? Is this how you run your office? Buy cars for women and hope they…fall at your feet?”

He came closer looking down at me and I stood my ground and for the first time he looked genuinely angry.

“Don’t twist this,this is the least I can do for someone who is  important to me. I’m not throwing money at you. I notice things and I wanted to do something about it.”

I’m important now, back when I needed him he discarded me like trash but now I was important. “Take your car and leave. I won't accept it.” I said turning to leave.

“Look Nessa, maybe I don’t know what I’m doing,” he said softly, holding me back. “I just know you’re important to me, okay? Maybe I’m crazy but I can’t stand the thought of you hitching rides and getting soaked in the rain.”

I stared at him. My blood boiling, so this was about that day I refused to let him drive me home.

He tried to speak again but I snatched my hand away from his.

“Don’t say another word,” I said sharply. “Take your keys, your car and leave. Whoever I decide to hitch a ride with is my business”

“Nessa…”

“No,” I shouted. “I’m trying to be respectful, but you’re pushing me! I don’t want your fucking car, Elliot! I don’t want anything from you. You hear me?”

He looked stunned.

“If you don’t leave right now, I will call the police,” I warned. “You can’t show up at people’s homes uninvited, that's trespassing.”

“I didn’t mean to scare you…” His eyes softened

“Well, you did,” I cut in. “You scared me and I don’t want you around my house ever again.”

He looked down at the car, then back at me.

“I thought this would make things easier for you,” he said quietly.

“It doesn’t,” I snapped. “It makes everything worse.”

He stared at me for a long time. His chest rose and fell like he wanted to say something else, but he didn’t and finally he turned and got into the car and drove off.

I stormed back into the building annoyed.

The elevator doors closed behind me, and I banged my front door shut the second I got inside.

My chest rose and fell fast. My hands were shaking. What the fuck was that?

I wasn’t the same helpless wife that needed him from four years ago. I wasn’t that woman anymore.

I knew Elliot and I knew first hand he was a piece of shit. Living with him had been hell and I couldn’t reconcile that vile man I lived with with this Elliot who was playing saint and pretending to be nice.

I let out a shaky breath, dragging my hand through my hair. I couldn’t stand seeing him again and just being near him made my skin crawl but I couldn’t quit my job.

I still had to achieve my goal before I quit and until I got exactly what I wanted I’ll put on the facade and tolerate him. I'd do anything and everything to hide my identity till then.