Chapter Thirty-One

Alina’s POV

“Tell me what?” Sebastian’s voice ran behind me like a tidal wave.

He got up to me and leaned forward to kiss me like we were on good terms. “Is he bothering you?” he asked, looking at Victor’s red face.

“He is.” I I agreed.

“Leave now.” Sebastian growled.

The redness faded from Victor’s face slowly and he backed away as though afraid of him or something.

“Look, Alina and I are only trying to catch up, give us some space.” Victor tried again. This time his eyes had gone back to their usual cocky state and I wasn't scared anymore.

Maybe because Sebastian was there, maybe not.

“Leave now. She's my wife and clearly she doesn't want to speak to you.” Sebastian said with finality.

Victor scowled and walked away, muttering under his breath about how much of a prick he was. The two of us were both breathing deeply

“Shall we go in?” He asked.

Now that Victor was gone, I could drop the act “What are you doing here?” I asked, turning to look at him. I still couldn't believe he was here.

Sebastian grinned. “You left without breakfast, here.” He handed me a paper bag. “It's hotcakes and coffee.”

“I don't want it.” I told him.

“You don't call the shots Alina, take the damn bag.” He growled.

I sighed and took the bag anyway. It was warm and smelled delicious. “Thank you.”

“Better,” he said approvingly. He left me there and began to make his way to the car.

I stared at his retreating figure until Clara cleared her throat behind me.

“I hope someday I can look at the man of my dreams like that.” She remarked and I turned to her.

“Be careful what you wish for.” I warned her.

She rolled her eyes at me and I laughed. We continued our walk inside.

“Any call from Mr Roberts?” I asked as we passed through reception.

Clara shook her head and then looked worried. “No,” I wasn't surprised.

I didn't say anything, just kept walking, knowing all too well the length that Sebastian’s father would go to find me if he thought it might make me angry. Angry enough to want to leave his son. That wasn't an option. Even if I did think I should do that, I knew Logan wouldn't let me go.

“Fix all meetings that were canceled the previous day for today.” I ordered. Clara nodded obediently and started typing into her computer.

“Ma'am you have a package” One of the guards announced into the room.

“From who?” I wondered out loud.

“There is no name on it ma.” the guard told me.

I frowned and made my way to the front desk where the guard was standing. “Do you know who it is?”

“No Ma’am.” He answered simply, handing over the roses to me.

I stared at them for a while wondering if Sebastian had sent them and why? A blush crawled up my face quickly, Maybe he wasn't that bad.

Who was I kidding?

The meetings went on for hours, anything to get this company back on track, anything to prove to my grandfather that I was worth investing in. Anything to stop my thoughts drifting to the handsome dark haired CEO of the third biggest corporation in New York City whose father wanted nothing to do with me.

By the time I got home, I was drenched in exhaustion. I showered quickly, hoping to avoid any interruptions, even from Sebastian.

But again he showed up a few minutes after I had settled in.

“Nice roses.” He commented.

I glanced down at the bouquet and sighed heavily. “Sebastian, please. Can't we just…” I sighed once again. There was no use in prolonging the inevitable. “Can’t we be normal? Just for a bit?”

“Why?” He asked as if it was a boring subject.

“You sent the roses yet you act like it's something new.” I mumbled.

He stared at me and then burst into laughter , surprising the hell out of me. “Are you serious? Why would I send you flowers?”

I shrugged. “I don't know. Maybe to impress me?” I was joking, but somehow it felt real.

Sebastian looked at me again and burst into another round of humorless laughter, the kind that was meant to hide a lot of feelings rather than express them.

“You're funny, really funny.” He told me with obvious sincerity. “I didn't send you flowers, I have no reason to.” His words slapped me against the face hard enough to knock out all my remaining bravado.

I watched in silence while he sat next to me and picked up one of the roses and inspected it carefully.

“I guess one of my numerous men thought I deserved it.” I countered in a cheery tone. I was hurt and wanted to hurt him too and guess it worked because he dropped the rose suddenly like it had burned him.

He stood abruptly and said, “What did you just say?” He charged at me.

“Why? Does it bother you that someone else thinks I deserve roses when you think otherwise?” I yelled back at him, anger filling my lungs like liquid nitrogen.

“Shut the fuck up. What did you just say?” He grabbed my arm tightly in a bruising grip.

“What does it matter? Let go of me you sick fuck.” I snapped, pushing against his hand.

His other hand snaked around my waist and pulled me close. The smell of his expensive cologne invaded my senses causing me to gasp slightly. I struggled briefly and then he shoved me against the wall, gently.

“Don't fucking speak to me in that manner or you'll be punished” His voice was husky and low.

His face loomed close to mine so close I could feel his warm breath on my lips and the warmth spreading inside me.

“Or what? You gonna hit me?” I challenged. The words came out harsher than I intended, but it didn't matter anyway because it seemed like everything mattered except what he was saying.

His face moved closer to mine till he was mere centimeters away.

“No…” his lips brushed my ear “but it won't be hard for you to keep quiet.” He whispered.