Chapter 22 Chapter 22
Selena
He should have repeated himself, but he didn't. Instead, he stood up, and walked towards me, his step taunting and then he walked past me to sit on the couch.
There was something different about him. Like he was exhausted, and it didn't look like it was physical exhaustion.
He confirmed this by rubbing his head backward. Just for a second, his facade flickered, a frown appeared on his face, and then it was gone like it was never there.
Now he turned to me. His gaze was lifeless, and lazy just like always.
A mask.
But why? Why does someone like him have to pretend, and hide his feelings?
“You should know. After all, you were in a relationship with him.”
“What! I mean..yes..but..”
How did he know that? I wasn't being stalked now right?
“How…do you know of this?” I stuttered.
“He came to me, wanting you to be fired. He said you weren't fit for the job.”
I clenched my fingers and bit hard on my lips. Why would Noah come to Theodore asking for me to be fired?
Flicker of hot fury lit my face. My eyes burning from anger. It's ironic how Noah was once my haven, but now it seemed he had do anything just to make me crumble.
I inhaled sharply. “I’m sorry, I don't know why he did that.”
“What are you two?”
I looked up at him at his questions.
“Noah and I are no longer together so I don't know why he said that.”
“Hmm.”
A strong need to defend myself engulfed me. “I’m being truthful. Noah and I broke up before I started working here.”
“Why?” His voice lowered.
I shifted my weight to my other foot.
Is it okay to tell him? It was something private. But looking at him, it seemed he had known I'd lie.
What if Noah had told him? Though I was doubtful
as Noah was too prideful for that.
I smiled instead. “Noah and I fell out naturally.” I nodded, hoping he had let go.
Theodore stood up from the couch. “I believe you should only be truthful, Selena. Because your little boyfriend is ready to do anything to get you fired.”
He came to a stop in front of me, and my legs shivered.
The smell of his body floods my senses.
I suddenly felt little under his towering height as he stared down on me. Those eyes watching, evaluating.
I swallowed.
“I can only save you if you tell me everything, Selena.” His voice was luring, deep, and inviting to speak up.
“He cheated.” I let it out.
But what I didn't expect was that my feelings surged out the moment I opened my mouth. My act of being tough crumbling.
My throat suddenly felt tight as I looked down at his well-polished shoe.
Just when was I going to get past feeling bad for Noah’s deals? He was the bad person. He should feel bad.
I blinked my eyes, pushing down my feelings then looked up and met his eyes. They were lazy, emotionless as always, but they weren't judging.
“That day, I got fired from work, and went to his place for comfort. Then I found him.” I licked my lips, breaking into a smile.
“He said he was with me because he pitied me. He said it wasn't his first time cheating,” I tilted my head to the side.
I was breaking, Something tightening in my chest, my eyes hurting, aching
I shouldn't cry. I shouldn't when in front of me was Theodore Mateo. The last person to be compassionate. .
Yet, I couldn't help the tear that dropped from my left eye.
I wiped my cheeks immediately.
“What's wrong with me?” I laughed awkwardly, avoiding his gaze.
Somehow, I didn't feel ashamed or embarrassed. I should be. But I wasn't. Maybe it was because of his emotionless face.
“What did you do to him after?”
I shrugged. “What can I do to him? I should be grateful instead.”
I looked at him this time, his gaze had deepened, its intensity burning.
He took another step closer to me, leaving just a little space.
What was he doing? My breath froze as he leaned down to my height, then his fingers met my cheek, wiping away my tears.
God, he was breathtaking. From his sharp jawline, to his nose and then his lips, my legs trembled.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts and stepped back.
“Thank you,” I murmured.
I doubt he heard it because he didn't say anything, instead, he moved back to his seat. An awkward silence stretched.
I picked at my fingers, wondering if I should leave now.
“Don’t you want to pay back?”
My gaze furrowed in question at him. He picked up his pen, opening a document.
“For wasting your time for seven years, cheating on you, wanting you back shamelessly, and lastly, messing with your boss to fire you.” He looked up now.
I took in every word.
I’ve never thought of seeking revenge. Though Noah cheated, he was the biggest person in my life who had treated me well, so I couldn't bring myself to hate him.
So, I shook my head. “He may have cheated, but I’m grateful. And besides he only cheated. There is no use for revenge. We are no longer together now.”
He scoffed, and my eyes widened. It was the first time I was seeing that.
“He won’t leave, Selena. Someone like him is ready to do everything to get you back. Even going against his wish to join his family’s company.”
“He didn't do that for me, I–”
“Do you really think so?” I’m cut off.
Was it true? Did Noah go back because of me?
Now that I think about it, it was indeed strange. The Noah of then had sworn never to return after suspicion of his father’s deals, but now the same Noah was back to the company, and he even met with Theodore.
The type of person he hated most.
Was he really ready to go such miles? If it were true, I should be worried, but why does my heart feel light at it?
“From your face, I assume you didn't think of the possibility. So Selena, what do you think about such a man? He disrespected you, cheated, and now wants you fired. He wants you to be helpless, helpless enough to control you.”
Now that he listed everything, Noah did seem more awful than I thought. But what can I do?
“What can you do?” He was back at my front again, a step away to blend with me, his words reflecting my mind.
“Such men don't leave you because he knows you have no other options. To him. You are weak.” His voice lowered, yet his words deadly, drifting into my soul, and his face—enticing.
“I’ll help you.”
“What?” I didn't hear well, right? Was I hearing things?
“Date me, Selena.”
My eyes widened.
His lips curled into a smile, a deadly one. One that speaks of evil, yet I was drowning in it. My brain finding it hard to process his words.
“What..what do you mean?”
I must have heard wrong right. Date him? It wasn't possible. But…
That's what he said.
“The only way for him to leave you, is you being with someone stronger. Someone out of his reach, a stronger protection. I’ll do that for you.”
But why?
I swallowed. Will that truly stop Noah?
But….
“Why?” I asked softly.
My breath turned shallow as his gaze moved over my features. His eyes went down to my lips, and then my eyes again.
“Why do you want to help me?”