Proof & Pretenses

Roman’s POV***

Levi and I exchanged a glance as muffled laughter trickled out from my dad’s room. A wave of surprise washed over both of us; it was rare, almost unheard of, to hear my dad laugh in the years I had come to know him.

As I stepped inside, my breath caught at the sight of Sera Quinn, her laughter ringing out as she conversed with Dad. “What is she doing here?” slipped from my lips, laden with confusion.

To anyone else, I might have sounded angry, but beneath it all, I was grappling with the complexity of my thoughts, and her unexpected presence stirred a whirlwind of emotions.

“Hello, Sir Roman,” Sera greeted, her tone almost too cheery. “I was just going over some plans with Mr. Lucien, he’s quite charming, by the way, about how we can reduce media gossip.” She spoke as if her presence was the most natural thing in the world.

I couldn’t wrap my head around the change in her. She seemed completely transformed, back to the professional Sera I knew from the office.

I studied her closely, hoping to catch a flicker of inconsistency, but her expression remained steady.

“I see you’ve met our new PR specialist, Dad,” I said, trying to keep my cool and act like this was just another day.

Levi walked closer to her, placing his hands on her shoulders as if to signify that she was off-limits. I wondered if he had a clue about the tension that was brewing.

“She’s excellent at her job, sir. You wouldn’t believe the recommendations she’s received,” Levi chimed in, clearly proud of his choice.

“Glad to see you reeling in a big catch,” Dad remarked, nodding at Levi. “And it looks like you’ve made your choice.” His eyes danced between Levi and Sera, evaluating them in a way that made me uneasy.

My father had always held traditional views on relationships. He didn’t believe in dating, picking the right woman was all there was to it. It explained why he never approved of my relationship with Zara, and looking back, he had his reasons.

“If only Roman would bring someone home,” he added, the remark hanging heavily in the air.

A thick silence settled.

Then Sera broke in, her smile brightening the moment. “I think we should let Mr. Lucien get some rest,” she suggested gently.

“Your company is far more valuable than any rest,” Dad replied, an unexpected warmth lighting up his face.

I almost couldn’t believe it. This was a side of him I’d never seen.

“I’ll be just outside,” I said, though I knew my words wouldn’t elicit a response.

**Zara’s POV**

After the surprising encounter with Roman's father, Lucien, I began plotting a new angle to fortify my plans. If I could earn his father’s trust, Roman would remain oblivious to my real motives.

“What better strategy is there?” I muttered as I drove home, exhaustion weighing on me after the day’s unexpected twists.

Lucien was set to be discharged the following day, heading into a full bed rest with a nurse in tow. My team had to get involved to create a good story for the media.

Then it hit me—the kiss. I could feel Roman’s confusion swirling around the moment he stepped into his father’s room. My stomach knotted as I saw him enter the space; the sight of both him and Levi together didn’t help ease the tension at all. But above all else, I had a mission: revenge.

My phone buzzed, snapping me from my thoughts. It was Ms. Sylvia. I answered it on the second ring.

“Hello, dear,” she said, her voice a soft but steady presence amidst my turbulent thoughts. In the background, I could hear Leo and Aria giggling, a reminder of what I held dear.

“Hi,” I replied, my voice laced with fatigue.

“You sound worn out. How was your day?” she asked gently.

I considered sharing the events with Lucien, but decided against it. I knew Sylvia wouldn’t be pleased with any hiccups in her plans.

“Just remember your goal…” I heard her say, her words echoing with a sense of urgency.

“Yeah, how are the kids?” I asked, shifting the topic.

“They’re wonderful! I get to spend more time with them nowadays, but I know they miss you,” she replied, warmth mixing with longing in her voice.

“I might be able to come home tomorrow; I miss them so much,” I said, the thought of my little ones tugging at my heart. Imagining life without them felt unbearable. I could still remember the doctor’s incredulous face when he revealed I was carrying twins, and while it was overwhelming, it had turned out better than I anticipated.

“Do that, and we’ll catch up soon,” she replied.

“Send my love to Leo and Aria,” I said, letting out a long, slow sigh as I hung up, enveloped in a bittersweet silence.

I woke up that morning earlier than usual, a buzz of anticipation running through me. Today felt important.

We had just wrapped up the discharge of Mr. Lucien and his billionaire son, and I sensed I was headed for something big.

As I glanced at my phone for updates, the stats seemed to be climbing, a small thrill flickering in my chest. “Let’s see how this goes,” I muttered to myself as I looked into the mirror.

I quickly got dressed, choosing a vivid shade of red for my lipstick that made me feel bold. I snatched up my keys and the flask I had prepared, then headed out the door, excitement buzzing in my veins.

As I rolled up to the gates of the Vales mansion, my heart skipped a beat. The sight felt both comforting and nerve-racking, memories flooding back.

I caught a look at myself in the rearview mirror, grinning. “You got this,” I told myself, feeling a little more grounded.

The silence between Roman and me from the previous day loomed large in my mind. After that near-kiss, there hadn’t been a chance to talk, and I could sense he was keeping his distance.

Passing through security, I spotted Mr. Lucien through the window by his study. An older gentleman came to the door, his gaze holding a flicker of recognition, but he stayed quiet. I didn’t mind; my goal was clear.

Mr. Lucien sat in his wheelchair, his presence still commanding. “Morning, sir! How’s my favorite client doing today?” I asked, moving closer to give him a light peck on the cheek.

He smiled back, though his eyes carried a weight.

“Stuck in a wheelchair,” he replied, his tone tinged with dry humor.

“I brought a little something to brighten your day,” I told him, holding up the flask with a playful glint in my eye. “Just hope you haven’t eaten yet!”

“I prefer homemade food,” he said, a subtle way of turning down my offer.

“And this was made by me,” I replied, wheeling him away from the study with a grin. “Just show me where the kitchen and dining areas are, and I’ll take care of the rest.”

He munched away silently, and my mind drifted back to our first meeting when he wouldn’t even shake my hand, his gaze passing right over me.

 Roman had told me things would get better, but I always felt the ghosts of that first encounter lurking.

“I could hire you as my chef,” he said, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his mouth.

“Happy to accept!” I replied, keeping the smile on my face. “I could even be your chauffeur today,” I added, hoping to keep the banter going.

His smile was still there, but he didn’t say much. That gave me an opening.

“I left my phone in my car; I'd better go grab it. Don't want to miss any important team updates, right?” I said casually. “Enjoy your meal; I’ll be back in a flash,” I promised, and he nodded.

Once I wandered off to the far wing of the mansion where Roman’s study was, my heart pounded a little harder. Thankfully, the door was slightly ajar, but I had kept a spare key on me just in case.

Ms. Sylvia had collected my belongings about a month ago, and that key was among my recovered items. I knew what I was after, the files with my signature from three years back.

Approaching the study, I could hear water still running from the shower. I began to rummage through the shelves, my fingers gliding across various folders, but nothing jumped out at me.

“Where are you?” I whispered, lost in my search, completely absorbed in the task and oblivious to the sound of water ceasing or the presence of someone entering the room.

Then suddenly, just as I was rifling through a stack, a voice shattered my focus. “How the hell did you get in here?” Roman’s voice cut through the air, pulling me out of my thoughts.

In an instant, I felt the adrenaline kick in; I was in trouble, and I had to think quickly.