Chapter 7

PRESENT

*****

Each click of Tatiana’s heels echoed in the silence of the boardroom. Her chin was lifted, shoulders back, and a sweet smile rested on her face—the way her father had taught her in childhood. 'A woman from a good family never looked intimidated. She owned every step, even when she wanted nothing more than to turn and run.'

The green silk dress hugged her body perfectly, a thin belt cinching her waist. Her dark and wavy hair was carefully brushed, falling against her back like a flowing shadow.

Her makeup was barely noticeable, lending her an air of composure that belied the rapid pounding of her heart.

The boardroom was colder than she had expected. Not in temperature, but in the way every gaze lifted, fixed on her, and refused to look away. She could feel the weight of their scrutiny pressing against her skin when she entered.

“Alexander,” Jacob began as Tatiana drew near, “allow me to introduce Miss Tatiana Richardson, the only child of the Richardson family. You may also call her—”

“Tiana." Xander's voice echoed.

The single word cut clean through the air.

His voice was low, almost casual, but it landed like a gavel strike. The old man as taken aback. His yes were full of questions Xander had no time to answer.

Xander's eyes—dark, sharp, cold—were fixed solely on Tatiana.

Tatiana's smile slowly waned and her throat begun to tightened. The eyes widened in shock as recognition set in.

Her legs felt burdened to carry her weight and she stumbled backwards. For a heartbeat, the entire world seemed to shrink to the space between her and Xander.

She noticed the flicker in his eyes—the recognition, the disbelief and the sharp twist of his mouth into a smirk

Tatiana became motionless. Every fiber in her body tensed. Her mind betrayed her, pulling her back to the hazy memories of the previous night: Tony’s furious yelling behind her as she desperately tried to flee; the desperate choice to don a discarded escort’s low-cut dress found in the hotel room to slip by unnoticed. And the fact that she’d run—straight into Xander's suite. Into his arms and into his bed.

Her body trembled under the scrutiny of everyone's eyes. Surprise etched on their faces.

In the worst moment, her legs cruelly threatened to give out, urging her to stand upright or else they will abandon her.

Xander leaned back in his chair, one arm resting on the table, his expression unreadable. The faintest shadow of a smirk lingered but there was no amusement in his eyes.

"We meet again... Miss Tatiana." his voice dripped with ice, dragging Tatiana's name out as though it were poison on his tongue. "If I had known you were coming to the company, I would have waited for you to finish your beauty sleep and drive you here..."

Tatiana felt her chest heavy. Electric charges were coursing through her body mercilessly.

Murmurs were flaring to every corner of the room.

She was holding onto her dress for support while Xander was barely holding himself. He seethed with rage suppressing himself with a gritted teeth as his eyes meet his grandfather's

"Do ... you two... know eachother?" Jacob stuttered the words out in confusion.

He narrowed his eyes at Xander, who sat staring at Tatiana as if she were an exhibit meant for scrutiny.

Xander locked eyes with Tatiana, his jaw tightening, the smallest twitch in his cheek silently commanding her to speak.

The boardroom fell into a suffocating hush. Pens Every gaze was fixed on her, waiting for the explanation.

Tatiana’s grip tightened. She had walked into the room thinking it was nothing more than a formal arrangement, a meeting to bind her future to Mr Alexander Michelle. Never—never—had she imagined that “Alexander” would turn out to be him, her one-night stand, the one who thought she was an escort.

Now, he sits, staring at her across the table, his eyes cold and unreadable.

How could she possibly redeem herself?

“So… sorry, do I know you?” The words slipped out before she could stop them. Cusses! Tatiana bit her lip in regret.

She wanted to snatch them back and swallow them whole, however, Xander’s gaze sharpened—amusement, disbelief and disgust.

“You haven't forgotten,” he sneered, “No one forgets a night like that—.”

Tatiana was forcing herself to maintain her smile. Curse her luck! Everything was going wrong. And worse, she lied.

Jacob placed a grip on her shoulder—perhaps for comfort , strength or apologize for his grandson's behavior—but the old had no idea. Xander wasn't lying, they have met before.

Tiana straightened her shoulders and lifting her chin nevertheless. There was no going back.

“I... I believe you must be mistaken Mr Michelle. Perhaps you’re confusing me with someone else?

a boisterous laughter of rage and frustration rippled through the air. "You are good... I will give you that...." Then, he replaced it with a grin.

The room was tensed. A mixture of emotion spiral through the atmosphere. But who dares to question?

Except the old man, the rest were just spectators.

“Alexander Michelle," Jacob attempted to rescue Tatiana, " what is this? Everyone know you lack manners, but at least show the lady respect, boy!"

“Respected?” Xander was done playing nice, “I used to think you were sharp and vigilant, Jacob Michelle. But clearly, someone else outsmarted you. It seems this... Miss Tatiana Richardson... is far cleverer than you.”

His eyes were observing every once of Tatiana. He could clearly she her shivering, something the rest of them

Xander's gaze didn’t waver instead stayed rooted on Tatiana, dissecting her.

“ Miss Tatiana, why don't you tell us about your night escapades!"

Eyes widened in shock. Hands found their way to cuff mouths. Tatiana was vehemently shaking within. Wishing the earth will swallow her from their scrutiny.

"What nonsense are you talking about?!"

" You don't even know who she is?" Then a pause came, followed by a gritted teeth, and then finally a disgusted look, " She ...." he let his head do the pointing than his hand, "... is an escort, Jacob! An es--cort!”

Xander dropped the bomb.

Tatiana eyes welled with tears but it was better not to let it fall. It was better to maintain the little dignity left of hers in front of the Michelles.

Jacob’s face turned crimson. His voice shook. “Tiana—”

With that her core crushed. The shaking of her body was now visible to the disdainful glares of the whole Michelle family including David whose mind was questioning when Xander had met her.

Meanwhile, Xander stood from his chair, straighten his suit and then delivered the verdict.

He spoke, softly, precisely.

“I would rather marry a beggar on the street than a woman like you Tataiana Richardson!”

Tatiana’s chest constricted, tears burning at the corners of her eyes. Her world collapsed inward, every eye burning holes through her, every whisper suffocating her.

How was she going to escape the prison of her house, with Xander already hating her existence?