Chapter Three

*LUCY'S POV*

“Good afternoon, Father.”

I tried to sound normal as I entered the office.

He looked up from his desk.

“Good afternoon, Lucy. How was your trip? Did you come straight from the cemetery?”

“Yes, Father.”

I sat in the chair opposite him. “I stayed there for a long time. I’m tired.”

He studied my face. “You look exhausted.”

“I’m fine.” I gave him a small smile.

“Next time, I’ll go with you,” he said.

“Alright, Father.”

His eyes moved to the paper bag in my hand. “Did you eat anything?”

I shook my head. “I bought something on the way here.”

“Good. You should eat.”

I nodded.

He picked up a document from his desk, but before he could say anything else, the intercom beeped. He pressed the button.

“Yes?”

“Sir, the financial files from last week’s audit still need your signatures,” the caller said.

He glanced at the papers on his desk. “Have Brian bring the files up.”

“Right away, sir.”

The intercom clicked off.

I froze.

The name he mentioned immediately caught my attention.

He returned to his documents, unaware of my reaction. I kept my expression neutral.

Brian was coming upstairs. He was only delivering files. That was all.

After a moment, he looked up. “You seem distracted.”

I straightened. “I’m just tired.”

“You should rest when we get home.”

“Yes, Father.”

He set the document aside. “There’s something else I want to discuss with you.”

I looked at him. “What is it?”

“Your plans about furthering your education.”

I already knew what was coming.

“HEC Paris,” he said. “We discussed it before. I still think it’s the right choice for you.”

I remained quiet. I had always known my father expected me to study at HEC Paris. Normally, the thought of attending one of the world's best business schools would have excited me.

Now, something else stood in the way of that excitement.

Brian.

If I went to Paris, I would leave him behind. I might never see him again.

The thought unsettled me more than it should have. Why was I already worrying about leaving him when I hadn't even made a decision?

I lowered my eyes. I needed to get control of myself.

“Do I have to decide now?”

“No. But I want you to think seriously about it.”

“Alright.”

He returned to his work.

I sat quietly, but my thoughts remained on Brian. If I left for Paris, I would no longer see him at the company. The idea bothered me.

I pressed my fingers together beneath the desk. Why did the thought of leaving him behind feel so difficult? I barely knew what he thought of me.

To Brian, I was probably just his boss' daughter. Nothing more.

A knock sounded at the door.

I looked up. My heart raced.

He glanced toward the entrance. “Who?”

A voice came from the other side. “Brian, sir.”

I went still.

“Come in,” he replied.

The door opened. Brian stepped inside with a folder in his hand. His eyes went to him first. Then they moved to me.

For a brief moment, our eyes met. I quickly looked away.

Brian walked toward the desk and held out the folder. “The files you requested, sir.”

He took them. “Thank you.”

Brian nodded.

He pointed toward the side table. “Put the remaining files there.”

“Yes, sir.”

Brian crossed the room and placed the files where he had indicated.

I kept my eyes lowered, afraid that watching him too closely would give me away.

He opened the folder. “After this, check with accounting. I need the updated figures before the end of the day.”

“Yes, sir.”

Brian nodded.

I glanced at him. He looked completely at ease. Nothing in his expression suggested that he knew what was happening inside me.

He didn't know. I had never told him. I had never even given him a reason to suspect it.

Brian finished arranging the files and turned toward him. “Anything else, sir?”

“No. You can go.”

“Alright.”

He started toward the door while I watched him from the corner of my eye.

Just before he stepped out, he glanced at me. Our eyes met for one brief second.

Then he left.

The door closed behind him. I stared at it.

He had already returned to his work. He hadn't noticed anything.

I lowered my gaze. My father had already mapped out the future he wanted for me.

HEC Paris for my education and Julian Vance as the man he wanted me to marry. He had been pushing the Vance family toward my direction for months, and I had planned to confront him one day and ask him the exact reason he chose Julian for me.

I couldn't imagine building a life with a man I didn't love.

My thoughts returned to Brian. That was the problem. Brian wasn't part of his plans. And I couldn't seem to stop wanting him anyway.

If I go to Paris, I might never see him again. The thought hurt.

I knew my feelings were dangerous. If he ever discovered that his daughter had fallen for a sales employee, he would never accept it. Worse, I feared he would use his power to make Brian pay for something he hadn't even known was happening.

I swallowed. I couldn't let him find out. Not yet.

I had tried to convince myself that what I felt was only a passing attraction. I no longer believed that.

I was obsessed with him. And if my father ever discovered the truth, I knew exactly who would pay the price.