Chapter 40

Chapter 40


Lena’s POV 

I heard heavy footsteps echoing across the tiled floor.
“Mr. Vincent, you have to take it easy,” an unfamiliar voice said, laced with tension. “You can’t keep lashing out just because of that pathetic human—”

Mr. Vincent? My ears perked up. Why was he talking about him here? Is he here?

Suddenly, before my brain could process, a loud snapping sound filled the air like someone being slammed hard against the wall.

“Don’t you dare call her pathetic!” Vincent’s voice roared like a stroming wave, filled with fury.

I could feel the threat in his tone even from behind the closed stall. Whoever he was yelling at had to be shaking in his boots.

“The only one allowed to call her names is me and no one else!” he growled.

“I… I’m sorry, sir!” the man stammered, his voice shaky, like he was struggling to breathe.

“You should be sorry for yourself when—”
Then he stopped. Silence fell into that makes the hair on my skin stand. Even the other man’s gasps ceased. 

The next sound I heard was the fading thump of retreating footsteps.

It felt like they had sensed someone nearby or maybe someone was coming in. Whatever the case might be, it was never my business.

The affairs of the rich had nothing to do with me. My relationship with Mr. Vincent was strictly business, and I intended to keep it that way.

I waited a few more minutes, making sure the coast was clear. Then, slowly, I stepped out of the stall and headed for the exit. 

But just as I reached for the doorknob a hand grabbed my wrist out of nowhere and slammed me against the wall.

“Where’s the recording tape?” a deep voice growled but then he froze when his eyes met  mine. 

An unsettling  smile spread across  lips as he uttered “ So, it's you?”

Suddenly my heart pounded. It was Mr. Vincent.

He didn’t back away. Instead, he obviously pressed his body against mine. 

His cold breath fanned my face as my breath hitched.  What the hell is he doing?

“Wh-what are you doing?” I stammered, panic rising in my throat. 

I could’ve sworn I was alone when I stepped out. There was no one here a moment ago.

“What?” he replied with a sly smirk tugging at the corner of lips and leaned more closer, eyes gleaming with mischief.
“You can’t resist, can you?” he whispered, his breath brushing against my neck, making me flinch. I tried to push him away, but for some strange reason, my body froze like a branch weighed down by heat. Instead of moving, I found myself rooted to the spot, helplessly drawn to him.
His long fingers brushed from my shoulders down to my hands, sending a chill down my spine. He chuckled when he noticed the alarm in my eyes.
“I see the sparks still get to you,” he murmured, tilting my head up with a single finger. His gaze locked onto mine, intense and unreadable.
“Do you know how long I’ve waited for this moment?” he asked.
I blinked, confused.
Then he leaned in closer and whispered into my ear, “How long I’ve waited to make your life miserable.”
My eyes widened. His tone was cold and firm, carrying a threat I couldn’t ignore. But what scared me more was my silence. I couldn’t even bring myself to speak. I just stood there, stunned.
He stepped back, releasing me, and looked me over from head to toe. His hands were in his pockets now, as if nothing had happened.
“Tomorrow, I expect you in my office. And dress well,” he said before turning on his heel and walking away.
Only when the door slammed shut did I finally exhale the breath I’d been holding. My heart was pounding, and I ran a shaky hand through my hair. What just happened? Why didn’t I fight back? Why couldn’t I speak up?
I stayed in the restroom for a few more minutes, brushing my hair back and trying to calm myself before stepping out.
When I reached the floor where James was waiting, I grabbed my handbag without looking at him.
“Let’s go,” I said, walking ahead.
James caught up, giving me puzzled looks. I knew he wanted to ask what happened, but I didn’t say a word the entire drive home.
When we pulled up in front of my house, I forced a smile and said, “Thanks for today.”
He gave me a small nod and a thumbs-up, but just as I reached my gate, he called out to me.
“C–can we spend time like this again?”
I paused, turned back with a faint smile, and nodded before heading inside.
Once inside my apartment, I shut the door behind me and leaned against it, my mind replaying the moment in the restroom. I could still feel his fingers on my skin, the way his touch lingered tender, intense, confusing. I bit my lower lip and closed my eyes, letting the memory wash over me.
His whisper echoed in my head, and I could still see the way his eyes locked onto mine like he wanted to wrap me in his arms and never let go. I didn’t understand what was happening to me, but I didn’t want it to stop either. My hand trailed slowly down my body, brushing over my breasts. A soft moan escaped my lips as the sensation intensified, his touch still vivid in my mind.
“Are you fucking yourself?!”
A voice snapped me out of it, and my eyes flew open in shock.