Chapter 4

HAZEL

The next morning, I took my car and left the mansion. It wasn't hard to find Vincent's company since I used G****e Maps. My car pulled in front of his company. I checked my reflection in the rearview mirror before stepping out of the car. I made my way to the entrance and walked inside. The interior design is actually stunning and it looks beautiful. There was a security guard standing just beside the door, so I walked towards him.

“Can you tell me where the CEO office is? I actually have a meeting with him today. It's my first day here.” I told the man and he didn't waste time giving me a reply.

“Just climb the stairs and take the elevator to the 9th floor. You will see a secretary and she will direct you to his office.” The man replied and I quickly offered a thank you before ascending the stairs. I took the elevator with the other staff.

“Did you hear that he just sacked his personal assistant this morning? The girl must have tried to throw herself at him.” One of the staff said and I thought I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I eventually did.

“I am afraid no one is going to apply again. You know how he always behaves whenever anyone is too close to him. I'm just glad I am not on the same floor with him. It would have been a disaster,” another person added and then the elevator stopped. They all got off on the fifth floor.

Now it's clear that they are talking about Vincent. Good. Since he is not interested in ladies, I will just count my luck and pray that this ends quickly. I have a vacation to plan already.

The elevator stopped on the 9th floor and I made my way down the hallway. I eventually spotted the secretary the security guard mentioned. Which means I am on the right floor.

“Hello, Miss. I'm here to see the CEO.” I told the woman and she raised her head to look at me.

“Do you have an appointment with him?” She asked.

“Yes,” I replied.

“Okay. Give me some minutes.” She said and pressed the telephone to her ear

“Hello, Boss. Yes, a woman is here to see you. She said she has an appointment with you….” And then there was a pause before she finally said, “Okay…” she said and ended the call.

“You can go in,” she said and offered a small bow.

I walked towards the entrance and pushed the door open from outside before stepping in. And there she was. He was sitting on the chair busy on his laptop but the moment he looked up and saw me, he closed the laptop and pushed it to one side as if he had been waiting for me all along.

“Welcome, Hazel.” He said and gestured with his hand to the seat in front of him.

I walked towards him, ignoring how he looked ridiculously handsome in those glasses. If I thought this man was handsome last night, then I am here to say he looks even more beautiful now that I'm sitting close to him.

A knot formed in my stomach when he removed those glasses and placed them on the desk. His hand looks big and he has pretty fingernails.

“Do you want me to offer you something?” Vincent asked and I shook my head. I don't think I want to spend another minute with him. His eyes are distracting enough, as if he is trying to look into my soul.

“You told me to come today concerning the cost of the repair,” I said and Vincent nodded thoughtfully.

“Yes. That is the reason why I called you. One of my men took the car for repair and I must say the f*e is actually high.” Vincent said and looked at me when he said the last words. I swallowed, hoping he would at least cut some f*e. I didn't deliberately do that.

He took his tab and held a pen between the middle of his fingers. “There is a scratch close to the panel and it needs repair. There are two scratches and it will cost a lot of money to find the exact material to replace them. Also….” The list went on until he summed up the money and I swallowed.

“It cost fifty-five thousand dollars in total,” Vincent said and my eyes widened in shock.

“What…” I spurted out in shock, realising what I had done. With the way Hazel spends, I doubt she has that amount of money in this black card.

What am I going to do?

“I'm sorry but I don't have up to that amount. I don't think I can repay you now. Maybe we should just…” My voice trailed off when Vincent suddenly cut in.

“You are an Heiress, Hazel. I thought you would be able to afford the money.” Vincent said and it felt as though he was trying to mock me.

Or maybe he is not, because everyone is aware of how the fake Heiress spends lavishly on people.

“No, I can't. I am indeed an heiress but I only deal with art and galleries. The sales aren't much these days. I don't think I can afford the money unless I ask…” I didn't want to complete it. I will have to call my parents if I really want to pay this.

“Okay... how about this,” Vincent said and stood up from his seat. He rounded the desk and walked towards me. He sat down on the desk, right in front of me and he was so close.

So close to the extent that I could breathe in his expensive cologne.

His finger brushed my jaw and my heart skipped a beat. I never expected his touch to be this gentle. He tilted my chin up with his second finger and I craned my neck to look at his dark eyes, which looked as though he was going to devour me right there on the chair.

“How about you marry me instead?” He said, his dark eyelashes glaring at me and I became tongue-tied. I never expected Vincent to actually ask me to marry him.

This is not how it was in the novel.

“What?” I asked in shock and the corner of his lips pulled up to form a smile.

“I have to marry either one of you. How about you be my wife instead and we can forget all about this.” Vincent said and I almost screamed out in joy. At least, in this lifetime, he considered me an option.

“I'm sorry but I can't do this. I can't sell myself to you just because I needed to pay for the car. Just give me two months and I will get the money.” I said even though I wanted to throw myself at him.

How would it be to get married to him? I doubt I will lack anything. I doubt I would be satisfied if he actually got married to him. But I know what happened when Hazel became selfish, so I will have to turn down Vincent.

“Okay, how about this? Go on a dinner date with me. If you can fulfill all my requests, I will forget about the car.” Vincent said and I blinked my eyes. His finger had already left my chin but the place still burned with his touch, which made me press my thighs together.

“Just a dinner date?” I asked and he nodded.

“Yes... Just a dinner date and there will be more I can ask for. If you fulfill all of them, I will let you go free.” Vincent said and I doubt I needed to refuse. This is actually a good offer. At least, he will be the one to pay for them and all I need to do is tag along but my dream got shattered when he suddenly said.

“And you will pay for them. Just consider it my way of paying you back.” Vincent said and colour drained from my face.

“Deal?” He asked and there was no way I was rejecting the good offer.

“Deal,” I said and he stood up from the desk and walked back to his seat.

“I will come to your gallery store to pick you up tomorrow evening,” Vincent said, leaving no room for further arguments.