Chapter 56 Vince, And Vince Only
The ride home was a blur of streetlights and silence but my heart was overflowing with tranquility. Vince’s presence with me was no less than a blessing.
I failed to realize how powerful his presence was. He probably had no idea how much of a relief it was.
I was exhausted, my head resting on Vince’s shoulder as his arm remained draped protectively around me.
For the first time all night, I felt the tension in my spine begin to uncoil. Closing my eyes, my weight was firmly against his.
I was indulging in my peace. But then, the vibration happened.
It was short, sharp, the buzz of a phone on a hard surface. Vince’s work phone was sitting in the console between us.
He didn't move to grab it immediately, his thumb continuing to stroke my arm in a hypnotic motion.
“Aren’t you going to check?”
“Hmm? No, ignore it,” He hummed but I was curious, fueled by the lingering adrenaline of the night, got the better of me.
‘Why didn't he react? I would panic if I got a call from anywhere at midnight.’
I glanced down. The screen flared to life, pushing a notification on the screen.
Unknown: Just a million? Cheaper than a divorce, no? Clock's ticking, Mr. Savior.
What was happening? My heart started beating at an uneven pace. I pulled away from him, my eyes wide, clutching his shirt firmly.
“Vince?” I called hesitantly, gesturing towards the screen, “What is that? Who is that?”
Vince didn't flinch. He didn't even blink. He reached out with an effortless grace and picked up the phone, swiping the notification away.
His eyes shifted to me, furrowing his brows with a strange playfulness, catching a stray strand of my hair.
“I didn’t know you are such a curious cat, Alyssa,” He commented gently, a feeble smirk
“Why would someone call at midnight? That itself is disturbing. I couldn’t help myself,” I mumbled.
Though deep down I was a curious one. I couldn’t handle secrets or have patience.
Returning a worried look, I placed my hand over his heart, “Why did the text mention ‘divorce’, Vince?”
“Alyssa,” he sighed, a sound full of heavy disappointment, “I didn't want you to see that. Not tonight.”
“It said… it said a million dollars,” I stammered, my mind racing through a thousand dark possibilities. My biggest fear was- ‘Is Vince weary of me?’
“Vince, It mentioned marriage. Are you in trouble? Is someone hurting you?”
He took both of my hands in his, his grip firm and grounding, enough to dispel my concern. He looked directly into my eyes, and for a second, I felt like the only person in the world, only for him.
“It’s a corporate extortionist, Alyssa,” He started in a low, melodious tone, “When you are at my level of success, people try to find any crack to exploit. They know you are my only weakness.”
My gaze twinkled when he accepted me as his weakness. The cold billionaire had a weakness. Me. It was enough to make me feel on cloud-nine.
“So, they invent lies and methods to.. Hurt you and your work, hoping I will pay just to keep their filth away from your ears.” He reached up, cupping my face, his thumb tracing my lower lip.
“And I didn’t want to trouble you so… I paid them.”
My mouth gaped in disbelief, “You paid someone a million dollars just to… secure my company’s future?”
“I don’t want your father to degrade you more than he already did,” He confessed, kissing my hands with an apologetic look.
Having no idea how much respect in my heart for him had enhanced. They used dramatic words because they knew I was sensitive and weak.
“Who is it?” My jaw clenched, hating the person without knowing, who dared to meddle in my finally stabilising life.
“You don’t have to know. It’s okay. I will handle it.” He gave my hand a reassuring squeeze but I was highly perturbed.
“No, Vince. Which asshole from my past has refused to let me go? Who is it?”
"No one. Forget it."
“And besides, I just saw it today…”
I glanced at Vince, the phone in his hand. Sensing how rapidly my heart was pounding as my body loosened with a tear pricking in the corner.
“Who knows how many more times you might be doing this?”
Silence.
Vince averted his gaze, forming his lips in a thin line as I genuinely wondered how many times this man protected me in the shadows.
The lack of his words doubled the admiration, I was left to stare in mesmerization. My soul found a shore I never fathomed to receive.
“Oh, Vince,” whispering weakly, my hand placed gradually on his cheek, forcing him to lock eyes with me sincerely.
My fingers caressing him. The second I think to manage myself, his shield appears before me with a message-
‘As long as I am here, you are protected. There is nothing to worry about.’
“What is in me? I doubt I deserve it,” I chuckled weakly, which made him utterly serious. His palm was under mine, kissing my wrist with a dark intensity.
“You are worth it. Worth every effort.” He murmured, refusing to let me go. His eyes were steady, filled with nothing but protective warmth.
He looked like a man burdened by the weight of the world, a man who was only trying to shield me from the ugliness of this world.
The fear that had flared up moments ago began to transform into a deep, burning guilt.
How could I have doubted him, even for a second? After he saved me from Ken? After he stood up to his own parents for me?
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, leaning back into his chest. “I shouldn't have questioned you. I just… I am sorry, Vince,”
“It’s alright. My everything is yours, including my phone. Check whenever, whatever you want. I don't mind,” he smiled, kissing the top of my head. I didn't see him turn the phone off and slip it into his pocket before pulling me into his embrace.
“As long as you trust me, they have no power. Do you trust me?”
“With my life,” I grinned, kissing his cheek, curled in his arm to find all my reasons to move forward and relax with him.
The car pulled into our driveway, and as Vince led me inside, I felt a strange sense of relief, eyes locked on him.
The world was full of monsters and liars- Ken, the blackmailers, his mother- the only honest and sincere one was Vince, and Vince only.