Janet’s POV
I’m screwed.
I’m screwed.
I AM FUCKING SCREWED!!
If I don’t find a way to escape this situation then I’m finished. Paxton will know my truth and I will be forced to go back to Italy. No, no, I can’t let this happen. I have to do something. I have to protect my secret. No-one should know it, not Paxton, not anyone! But what should I do? Paxton will not leave me. He will take me with him, no matter what! I threw my head against my chair and groaned. The stress giving me an immense headache. I closed my eyes and sighed. A slight frown between my recently threaded brows. I could only get a second of peace that my head was snapped on Paxton who’s just walked out from his cabin. I quickly sit straight and started doing my work. He was a mess, I could bet that today hasn’t been any good to him either. His hair were in jumble and so was his attire. His tie was loosen to his chest and few buttons of his shirt were open with half of his shirt falling out of his pants. One hand holing his blazer and other tugged in his pant’s pocket. He looked fatigued!
“Still not done?” He asked, standing at my desk. I shook my head and my focus was on my work. Few seconds passed and he was still there, watching me intently. I looked at him and asked, “Do you need something, Mr. Grey?”
“Did you eat anything?” He asked in his soft delicate voice. I raised my brows, “Did you eat?” He asked again. His voice melodious. I lightly shook my head, my lips pressed together in a thin line. He scoffed and grabs my hand, “Come with me!” My heart thumped and body went cold. Before I could protest, he was dragging me with him. I looked at our hands. My body turning hot and heart beats increasing. I freed my hand out of his grip and snapped his head at me on an instant.
"I can walk on my own," I said and walked past him towards the elevator. He said nothing and followed me, “Where are we going?” I asked while wearing my seatbelts. My heart beats were now normal but body’s temperature was still hot but hell if I let him see it. He should never know that how much he’s been effecting me.
He replied, “We’re going to restaurant, darling!” I shot my brows up when he called me “darling” He chuckles, “C’mon, you’re working time is over!” I shook my head in amused disbelief and looked out of the window as he took his car out of the parking lot.
Since it’s a month of September, the night was pretty cold. I lay my head on the open window and watched the city in silence. It was all calm and tranquil until I remembered that he’s taking me to “Italy” tomorrow. I glanced at Paxton and fisted my palms to grab some courage. I have to get myself out of this crap. I can’t go to Italy with him, “Mr. Grey?” He hums in response, keeping his focus on the road, “If I... You know? Ahem, say that... I mean, I say that-that I’m-I’m-
He chuckles, “What’s wrong with you?” I let out a low nervous chuckle and looked away, not knowing how to say it, “Janet?” I looked at him in response, “What is it?” His voice was very soft and encouraging. I stared at him, fidgeting with my fingers, something I’ve never done before.
God, what’s wrong with me?
He shot his brows up at me, lifting his hand as well.
“Does Charlie loves Olivia?” It wasn’t what I wanted to say though but it’s something that I wanted to talk about for a long time. So, why not now? He sighs and puts his focus back on the road, “Mr. Grey?”
“Does she love, Lee?” He asked back, his hand was on the steering wheel but eyes were on me.
I frowned, “What do you mean?”
He looks back on the road, “Well, Charlie told me he’s seen her with a guy. He’s not sure though but he’s seen her with that certain someone many times. So?”
“It’s a huge misunderstanding because Liv is not seeing anyone. In fact, she’s been depressed since their break-up!”
“Then why doesn’t she try to get back with him?” He shot me a question.
“I could ask the same question, Paxton. Why doesn’t he try to get back with her?” I snapped.
He shot his brows up at me, “Did you just call me by my name?” I shut my mouth close cause he’s my boss but when I recalled that he also called me “Darling” saying that our working time is over, I threw him a mock smile and said, “Our working time is over, remember?”
He laughed and looks back on the road, “Yeah, right,” I moved my fingers through my long brown hair and brought them to my face to hide the blush, “Anyway, Charlie’s afraid that she’ll reject him!”
“Liv also thinks the same. She doesn’t try to talk to him because she thinks he’ll reject her,” I looked him in his handsome face and said, “After all, he was the one to break-up!” He nodded understandingly, “I think we should do something, Paxton. I mean, we’re the ones who are mostly responsible for their break-up. So, don’t you think we should be the one to fix it too?” He didn’t respond, “Paxton?”
“Bring your friend at Fresh Coffee at Slanted door,” He looks at me and smirked, “I think I know how to fix it!” I smiled back and looked at the road ahead.
_____
As the car stopped outside the restaurant, he stepped out and opened the door for me. I put my hand in his and let him help me out, “Thank you,” I muttered and received a cute smile in return.
Together, as we walked into the restaurant, I realized that it was all vacant, “Why is this place empty?” I asked. He pulls a chair for me and gestures me to sit. I sit down, “Thank you,” He smiled and takes his seat opposite me, “You didn’t answer me!” I said, snapping his head at me.
He slightly frowns, “I don’t like crowd,” I wasn’t convinced with his answer though but nodded anyway. A waiter then comes to us and asks for our orders. I just ordered a Caprese Pasta Salad and Paxton ordered Meatloaf and maple syrup on a platter, Grilled steaks, Fried Steak & Eggs with Sausage Gravy then at last, he ordered a bottle a yellow wine. The waiter took our orders and left. I grabbed my phone and text my brother to check on him.
Charlotte- What’re you doing?
Within seconds, his reply comes.
Lucas- Working. What about you?
Charlotte- Nothing. Out for dinner with my boss.
Lucas- Your boss?
Charlotte- Yes, my boss.
Lucas- Why has he took you out to dinner? Are you dating him?
That question skipped my heartbeat. I glanced at Paxton and found him already looking at me... Uncertainly. My cheeks turned hot and red under his unwavering gaze. I lifted my shoulders, "What?"
“What’re you doing?”
“Um, t-talking with my br- Uhm, friend!”
“Friend?” He repeats. His tone had a slight shade of mock. He looked offended. I nodded, “Darling, if you wanna talk then talk to me!” He smiles, but it wasn’t a genuine one. I opened my mouth to reply but couldn’t when my brother’s text came and snapped my attention towards it.
Lucas- Charlotte William, if you’re dating him then STOP. You know you will only get him killed by your sweet fiancé if he learns about it.
My heart sank in my stomach reading it. I’m not dating Paxton though but the statement somehow disturbed me.
Charlotte- I am not dating him or anybody, Lucas. He’s bought me here for a casual dinner. Nothing else!
Meanwhile, the waiter returns with two glasses and a bottle of yellow wine and places them on our table as per Paxton’s request. After he was gone, Paxton poured some wine in his glass and then offered me but I refused by shaking my head. He retreated the bottle to himself and put it on the wooden table with a thud. A sweet gesture of showing annoyance.
Lucas- Okay, but are you sure that it’s the same from him?
I looked back at Paxton and he was glaring me with tight jaw. I threw him a weak small smile and mumbled, “Just a second” before bringing my attention back on my phone.
Charlotte- Positive.
“Janet Reyes?” I looked at him in response, my fingers hovering over the screen, “Please put the phone aside?” This time his tone was harsh. I pressed my lips in a thin line and quietly put it aside, “Good,” He shook his head in disbelief before bringing his focus on the Menu. I combed my fingers through my hair and looked around. The restaurant was lavishly decorated with tasteful artwork and beautiful canvas. Low lighting and soft classical music was creating a romantic atmosphere. All the tables were covered with white silk cloth and had fresh roses in the center but my one had candles too. Suddenly, my brother’s words repeats in my head. I narrowed my eyes at him suspiciously.
Is it really a casual dinner night?
Soon, the waiter comes back with our ordered meals and placed them on our table and leaves. The round table was full already.
“Can you seriously eat all of this?” I asked him with a tiny smile. A slight frown between my brows.
“Who said I’m eating it all by myself!” He picks up the plate of meatloaf and slides it towards me. My smile almost vanished, “You will help me finish it!” Now, it was completely gone.
“I’m not a foody person, Paxton!” He raised his brows when I called by his name... again, “Our working time is over!” I remined him quickly.
He laughs, “Yes, it is,” I bit my lower lip and looks down at my plate. It looked delicious. Paxton picks up his cutlery and gestured me to begin. I threw him a small smile and then we started eating in silence. I had so much going on in my head but I stayed normal from the outside.
“What are your future plans, Janet?” He suddenly asked, snapping my eyes at him, “I mean, you’re not going to work for me forever, are you?”
“Uh, well... I haven’t really thought about it yet!” I shrugged. He nodded and looked down at his plate as he cut a slice of meatloaf, “What about you?”
He chuckles, “My plans are simple. I’m gonna expand my father’s business as much as I can and marry the girl I will fall in love with!” His lovely brown eyes shined on the last line.
“Cool,” I took the glass of water and drank it, “So, you’re waiting for her?” I asked after I put the glass back on the table. He sighs with a small smile and I chuckled, “What?”
“I don’t know how to answer that!” He lets out a sigh chuckle, “I mean, I’m not sure if I’m waiting for her anymore.”
“You mean you think found her?” I raised my brows at him.
“Like I said, I’m not sure,” He sighs again and continues to eat. I nodded, “What about you?” He asked, taking a slice of grilled steak in his mouth as he gazes at me amusingly.
I slightly frowned, “What do you mean?” My voice comes out quite as I had food in my mouth.
“I mean, why don’t you have a boyfriend?” I choked on my food after hearing it, “Oh, my god!” He immediately grabs a glass of water and helps me drink it while rubbing his other hand on my back. I drank some water and put it back in place, “You okay?” He asked, the amount of worry could be sensed in his tone. I nodded, not looking at him. He stops rubbing my back and takes his seat back, “I didn’t know people could choke on pasta!” He smiles, picking up his wine glass.
“Frankly, I myself didn’t know until now,” I murmured. He laughs and takes a sip of his yellow wine. Well, the pasta didn’t choke me really. It was Paxton’s surprising and unexpected question. I wasn’t prepared.
“So, where were we?”
“At the digging to my date life,” I pick my cutlery and dig myself a small bite of fried steaks as I speak, “So, I don’t have a boyfriend because I don’t want one yet!”
“Why not?” He was quick to ask. I replied, “My wish!”
“What do you mean your wish? There must be a reason. Are you into other stuff?” He raised his brows at me on the last line. I twisted my face in confusion, “Other stuff as in?”
“You know?” He shrugged, “The open relationship and hook up stuff.”
“No,” I grimaced as if I was disgusted, “I’m not into that stuff either. I just like to stay single. It’s, you know, peaceful!”
“Peaceful?” He repeated in a barely audible tone. I nodded, “Are you lying to me?”
“No!!” I was quick to reply, though I was lying indeed. I don’t do relationships because of my lovely fiancé.
“You sure, Ms. Reyes? I mean, your face says otherwise,” He narrows his eyes at me. I avoided his gaze and sliced another piece of meatloaf, “You’re afraid!” That statement snapped my head at him immediately. He smiles, his head cocked slightly to one side, “But the question is what are you afraid of?”
Whoa! Can he really read my mind?
“What are you talking about? I’m-I’m not afraid of anything!”
“Yes, you are, Janet Reyes!” He argues, “You don’t do relationship because you are afraid of something!”
I lifted my shoulders, “What could I be possibly afraid of?” Valentino D’Amelio!
“I don’t know, rejection, I guess!”
“No!”
“Then what’s the reason?”
“Why are you so interested?”
“I am not interested, Janet Reyes. I’m just curious!” He corrected me with a face of fact. I gave him a flat look, “Fine, don’t tell me if you are not comfortable!” I let out a scoff and drops my cutlery in my plate. His eyes become happy as he regarded me inquisitively.
“Well, people I love has a tendency to either leave me or die on me,” His eyes dropped the mirth, “So, yeah, you can say that I am afraid of being left!”
“Did you just say die?” He questioned, a frown between his brows. I gave him a nod, “I’m sorry,” I shrugged and picked up my cutlery to continue eating, “But I must say that you shouldn’t refrain yourself from loving someone,” The statement snapped my eyes at him, “Every day, many people loses their precious ones, but none of them push people away!”
“Well, I don’t push them!”
“But you don’t let them in either!” I fall mute, “I know how painful it is when the one you loved with your whole heart leaves you. But Janet refraining yourself from love just because you think that he’ll leave you too is not good!” He puts his hand on mine and give it a light squeez, “Let people in. If he stays, let him and if he leaves... Don’t stop him and go for another!” I chuckled at his last word. He chuckled too.
“I’ll try,” That was all I said before retreating my hand from his grip. He grinned and takes his hand back to himself.
Paxton’s words of wisdom hit me hard. After I lost Ethan, I realized that I was the threat. So, the only way I could protect my loved ones was by keeping myself away from them. Now, it’s been more than two years and no-one has died because of me. But I didn’t realize that I’ve become insecure also. I thought I was avoiding guys and keeping a good boundary because of Valentino but NO, I was afraid, afraid of losing people again and this was also the reason why I never got over close with Vero and Olivia.
“You never told me about your family,” His voice snaps me out of my trance. I raised my brows, “Your family. Tell me about them!” He demands.
“Uh, in my family, it’s me, my dad and a younger brother but I’m not in touch with them for years. So, this is it!”
“Why aren’t you in touch them?” He was quick to ask. A big frown between his brows. I kept my mouth closed which was enough for him to realize that I don’t wanna talk about it. He grabs the glass of wine and gulps down the remaining wine at once. I grabbed my empty glass and slides it towards Paxton. He smiles and pours some for me. I smiled back and lifted my glass to my lips to drink.
“Ms. William?” My hand froze and heart lurched into my mouth when I heard my real name once again but from an unfamiliar voice. Paxton raised his brows at him and looks at me. His hand of glass also in the air. I drank my wine all at once and puts the glass on the table before I finally turned my head to the person. His face glowed in contentment and a huge smile appears on his lips when he saw my face properly, ”Ma sei veramente tu!" he beamed and quickly bowed to me, widening not just mine but Paxton's eyes too.
Fuck, I'm DEAD!!
