25

Chapter 25

Brittany's POV

Four hours gone, sitting here, is that how Darcy takes me now... Less important.

"Don't worry Bri. when you get married to him,he would change," I had said these words to calm my nerves. I hoped for the future.

Mark finally called me into Darcy’s office, the first thing I noticed was that he wasn’t there.

The room was immaculate—dark wood, leather, the faint scent of his expensive cologne stuck the air in his office but empty.

“Mr. Rodrigo apologizes,” Mark said, his neutral tone hiding everything. “He’s tied up in an urgent conference call. He asks if you’d wait.”

Wait. As if I had a choice. After four hours in the reception, watching employees drift past and enduring curious glances and whispered speculation, waiting felt like punishment.

“Of course,” I said smoothly, sliding back into the chair Mark pointed to. “I’ll wait as long as necessary.”

And I did. Four hours became five. The employees started leaving the office for the night one after the other, the office slowly emptied and the sunset faded to orange. Night was approaching but I waited.

I was frustrated, of course. Being made to wait like some desperate supplicant was humiliating—a power move Darcy knew exactly how to execute. But I didn’t show it. I didn’t complain that I've been kept for long or make a scene because I'm dramatic with attitude, and didn't give Mark anything to report. Calm, poised, in control—that was the message I wanted to send.

Because the truth? I didn’t really mind. Not when my goal was finally making sense. As long as Mark was here apologizing and giving me info of where he is. Then I am good. At least finally I'm getting face-to-face with Darcy, reminding him of what we had, and showing him what we could have again.

Five hours was nothing compared to the lifetime I planned.

When Mark finally returned to lead me in, my pulse sped up.

My chance to remind him of our chemistry to make him feel me again, to plant the seeds that would grow into desire has come.

Darcy sat behind his massive desk, the picture of a powerful CEO of his company. He loosened his tie, his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, of course work was closed already.

When he looked at me, I saw a quick flash of feeling crossed his face before he masked it.

Interest. Curiosity. Appreciation. The reaction of a man who knows that the woman is dressed to attract him.

We still had chemistry. His body reacted to mine even if his mind tried to resist. That was enough. I could work with that. Build it into something bigger.

I didn’t wait for an invitation or for him to wave his hands on one of the seats and ask me to sit like I was his client.

Heading straight to his desk right next to him and perched on the edge, close enough for my perfume to reach him, close enough to make him look up. Close enough to see my cleavage.

At least he’d remember how he'd enjoyed all of this in the past.

His jaw tightened slightly.

He remained very focused. He didn’t tell me to move or call security. He simply regarded me with those dark, unreadable eyes.

“Is that how you greet your future wife?” I asked, echoing something I had teased him with earlier, and watched confusion cross his features.

“What did you just say?” His tone was controlled, but I heard the edge beneath.

I smiled, letting the silence stretch. I wasn’t answering—not yet. Let him wonder. Let him puzzle over it until our fathers explained it themselves. Anticipation was a weapon I wielded well.

Finally, I softened my voice. “Hello, Darcy. It’s been too long.”

“Brittany.” He leaned back, creating distance despite my deliberate invasion of his space. “What do you want?”

“Do you miss me?” I asked softly. “Do you ever think about what we had?”

His face darkened. “I don’t miss a woman who cheated on her fiancé on our vacation night with her bestie. That was what you called him right?

His sharp words were deep, they cut like blades, not because I regretted the sex I and Thomas had that night, but because it showed he hadn’t forgiven me. I’d expected it. Prepared for it.

“Fiancé,” I said gently, emphasizing the word. “And that was three years ago, Darcy. We were different people then. Young. Stupid. Making mistakes we didn’t understand.”

“You understood exactly what you were doing.”

“Maybe,” I admitted, tilting my head as I studied him. “But people change. Don’t you think we grow? Can’t you at least consider that?”

“What do you want?” he asked again, clipped, precise.

Good. I could see the irritation beneath his controlled exterior. The tension radiated off him. At least I was making him feel something.

“We’ve moved past that,” I said dismissively. “The past is gone. What matters is the present, Darcy. And the present is us.”

I crossed my legs, so my dress came up slightly so he could see through. He didn’t look down, but his jaw tightened.

“How’s Pink?” I asked, smiling, “It's been a long time since I saw her. She must have grown so much.”

Deliberately changed the topic so he won't get pissed off then my time if waiting becomes wasted.

Mentioning his daughter changed his expression subtly—wariness, maybe protectiveness. “She’s fine.”

“Just fine?” I leaned closer, letting him see the gold flecks in his dark eyes. “Come on, Darcy, tell me more than that. I care about her too, you know. As always.”

Not entirely a lie. I did care about Pink—she was supposed to be my stepdaughter, after all, the piece that completed the family I envisioned. But I could see he didn’t trust my concern. Smart man. Not smart enough to see the ways I was steering this conversation.

“She’s not your concern,” he said flatly.

“She could be,” I said, letting the words hang. “She should be.”

“Brittany…”

“I want you.” Bold, unapologetic, just as I planned. “Your body and soul, Darcy. I want what we had before I destroyed it. I want a second chance to prove I can be the woman you need.”

His expression hardened. “I’m not interested in…”

“My darling,” I interrupted deliberately, “I’m here to stay in your life. That won’t change.”

Arrogance radiated from him, the kind that assumed control. But arrogance could be eroded, given the right persistence.

I stood slowly, making sure he noticed every movement. Then I bend closer to him, enough to feel his breath, inches from his lips.

I kissed him. A light kiss to show him how much I want him and to remind him I could reach him despite the high walls he’d built.

His face flickered showing his feelings so fast I almost missed them—first anger, hot and immediate. Then disgust, like I’d offended him with my kiss. Then something else, suppressed almost instantly, leaving his expression blank.

Blankness was worse than anger. He was unreadable

I couldn’t tell what he was thinking or feeling.

But I’d made my move.

I turned slowly so he could see my back curves, the way my hips sway, my legs.

I’d practiced this carefully to leave a lasting impression.

When I faced him again, I smiled—knowing, confident, almost predatory.

He was speechless.

“Darcy I'll come back,” I said with certainty, “you won't be able to resist me. We have a future together. Remember that.”

I didn’t wait for a reply. Didn’t give him a chance to argue or throw me out of his office. I walked out myself, head high, heels tapping on the polished floor, showing how confident I am and a woman who gets what she wants.

Mark waited outside. I gave him a warm smile. “Thank you for your patience tonight. Tell Mr. Rodrigo I'm expect his reply”

The elevator ride down felt like triumph. I’d done it. Satisfaction filled me that I did well today. I was close enough to touch him. I wasn’t leaving. Our future was already moving forward, shaped by forces neither of us controlled.

Yes, he had been cold. Yes, he resisted. But that was expected. He doesn't forgive easily, doesn't trust people quickly or let people back in his life after betrayal.

I had time. Resources. Our parents’ support. A merger tying our families together, whether he liked it or not.

And most importantly, I had determination. I’d let him slip once because I was foolish and impulsive. That mistake wouldn’t happen again.

This time, I was playing for keeps. And I always got what I wanted.