Chapter 3

“Miss Miller, Master Romero would like to see you.” Albert, Dante’s butler, said, standing at the door of the room I had been given.

Albert was like those stereotype butlers you see in movies. A posh and prim suit clad his thin, tall body. Coupled with his stoic expression and his perfect, poised posture, he looked like he waltzed right out of the Victorian era.

“Oh,” I mumbled, frowning a bit.

‘What does Dante want from me now? One night hasn’t passed, and he’s already making me break my ‘avoid-Dante-Romero’ oath.’

“Could you give me a minute?”

“Yes Madam. I’ll be waiting outside.”

“Thank you.”

He bowed and walked out, closing the white door behind him.

I slipped my phone out of my shorts’ pocket and double-tapped the screen.

‘Sheep! 28 missed calls and 13 texts from Alice! How did I not— oh, my phone is on silent.’

_I’m alright, I’ll explain everything tomorrow._

I typed and hit send, not bothering to read through her messages, and I flopped on the bed.

Was I really alright? Nope. I was not alright. My baby papa threatened to take my sons and forced me to stay in his house.

Sighing, I rolled to my side and stared at my sons snuggled up to one another on the extra-large bed.

It took a lot of coaxing to get them to go to bed, despite their being tired. Stepping into Dante’s house brought more expression from Leon and Michael than from the outside. I don’t blame them, though, the interior was very impressive.

Chandeliers, white and gold schematics, aesthetic design… I couldn’t help gawking along with them. Nathan had slept all through.

They were given a room each, but I insisted they sleep with me at least for the first few days. They had always slept together since they were born, and I didn’t think separating them on their first night in a house this large would be good.

“Goodnight, loves,” I said, giving them a kiss on their heads.

As long as we were together, we’d be alright.

‘Alright, Olly, let’s meet the devil again.’

~

*Knock Knock*

“Miss Miller is here, Master Romero.” Albert said as we stood before a large wooden door.

“Come in.” Dante’s baritone voice boomed from the other side.

Albert turned the door open for me. I took a deep breath and walked into the office.

It was like any room I had seen in his house—fancy and radiating his wealth. The only difference was the monochromatic colour scheme, unlike the white and gold scheme of the rest of the house. I tried not to ogle at the pieces of abstract art littering the wall or the large shelves full of books just calling my name.

My attention was on Dante, who was sitting on his large executive chair like a frickin king.

Though his suit and tie were gone, leaving him in a white button-up shirt with black pants and his hair tousled, he somehow still looked casual and hot. I rubbed my arm, conscious of my shorts, faded tank top, and hair tied in a messy bun.

“Sit,” he said, not looking up from the manila file in his hand.

I sat on the chair opposite him, almost sighing at the comfort.

“I see you already have a job.”

“Yes,” I nodded.

Thanks to Alice. She recommended me to a small restaurant and got me a job as a cook before I came to LA. The pay was small, but enough to take care of me and my sons.

“Send them your resignation letter.”

“What?!” I gasped. “I can’t resign from a job I haven’t even started.”

Dante looked up from the file and dropped it on the table.

“It seems you don’t understand the gravity of the situation you’re in.” He reclined in his chair.

“There is every possibility that as we speak, the press has already dug up information about you. Unless you don’t mind a hoard of paparazzi buzzing around your workplace, I suggest you quit.”

Oh, I minded. I minded a lot. The last experience I had with paparazzi was something I never wanted to happen again.

But still…

“But I need a job. I can’t sit in your house doing nothing.”

“I’ll pay you for looking after my kids.”

“I am their mother, I don’t need payment to take care of them.” I glared at him.

“Fine.” He picked up the file and flipped through it. “Your CV says you graduated culinary school.”

I nodded, not bothered that he had a copy of my CV. At this point, I would be more surprised if he didn’t have my life documented in a file.

“How about you work here as a cook.”

“A cook?” I tilted my head to the side. His lips twitched a little bit.

“That’s what I just said. A cook. My current one is due for retirement. And I think this job is a win-win situation for you. You’ll get to spend more time with my sons, be away from the public till all this blows over, have something to keep you busy while you’re here, and the pay is adequate.”

That wasn’t such a bad idea. His reasons were solid. I was worried about being away from Leon, Michael, and Nathan for too long, but working here will erase that. And he said the pay was adequate… How adequate?

“How much are we talking about?”

“20,000$ a month, obviously minus feeding, housing, and bills.”

My eyes widened. 20,000$ a month! That was… That was…

“Deal,” I grinned, trying not to sound too excited.

“Not so fast,” Dante said, rolling his eyes.

I guess I sounded too excited, oops.

“I’m still going to have to test you.”

“Test me?” My smile deflated.

“Do you have problems hearing, or do you just like me repeating myself?” He clicked his tongue and sighed like I was the most annoying being in the world.

“Yes, I’m going to test you. Did you really think I was going to hire you without knowing your capability?”

Umm… Yes? I honestly thought I had banged a job. But if he wanted to test me, fine. Cooking was what I was best at, and I was more than willing to show him.

“Fine. When will this test be?”

“Next tomorrow or the day after.” He shrugged. “I’ll squeeze in a time in my schedule.”

“Ok.”

Fine by me. It would give me time to familiarise myself with the house without having anything particular to do other than watch the boys.

Minutes ticked by, and Dante sat in his intimidating chair, staring—no, glaring—at me. A wave of unease washed over me, and I squirmed in my spot.

His gaze affected me in so many ways. It was like he was digging deep into my skin, searching my soul. I hated how mousey I reacted.

“May I go now?” My gentle whisper cut through the silence.

“What’s your gain?” His voice was cold.

Gain?!

“Sorry, I don’t understand what you mean.” I replied.

Dante stood up and strode over to me. In a split second, his hand was around my arm, yanking me from my seat and pulling me close to him.

“Dante?! What ar–“

“Tell me, dear Olivia,” the spiteful emphasis he placed on my name made me shiver. “How much did they pay—are they paying you to bug my life?”

‘Is that what this is all about?’ I steadied my already panicked breathing. This issue again.

“I’ve told you a thousand times, no one was or is using me to get to you.”

“Do you take me for a fool?” He growled, and I flinched.

“So you’re telling me it’s a mere coincidence that you happen to find yourself in my bed in my room at the hotel you worked? Or that a photo of you circulated the net the day you arrived in LA. It’s simply too convenient, don’t you think?”

“It’s weird to me too, but I promise I didn’t plan anything against you with anyone.” My lips trembled, and I tried not to cry. I always hated being accused of something I didn’t do. And the look he gave me made me feel worse.

Dante’s silence sent dread creeping through me. His eyes stared into mine, like he wanted to read my mind through them.

He placed his broad hand on my face, and I recoiled at the heat of his palm.

“Cute, feminine, and soft.” He murmured and stroked my cheek. I was torn between melting at his gentle touch and slapping it away in disgust.

“Your façade is a nice honey pot to snare a man, but I will not be fooled. Your petty little words don’t change anything, you gold-digging seductress.”

‘Gold digging seductress?! Did he just call me a fricken gold-digger and fricken seductress?!’ Anger pumped through my blood, and I wanted to punch his pretty nose.

‘Why the heck am I so worried about what this pompous a-hole thinks? I didn’t need to prove anything to him. It’s clear that whatever I say will only pass through one ear and go out the other. If he doesn’t want to believe me, fine.’

“You know what? You’re free to not believe. You can assume what you want about me. I don’t care because they aren’t true.”

A quick flash of surprise crossed Dante’s face when I hit his hand away from my cheek and pulled my arm from his grip.

“And if you’re so sure I was sent, why did you offer that I live with you? You could have just filed a lawsuit for your sons like you threatened and kept your distance from me.”

“Are you suggesting I do that?” His voice was low, almost threatening.

My confidence faltered a bit.

“No, I’m just saying.”

Dante closed the gap between us, and I backed away until my butt hit the table behind me.

He bent to my level and placed his finger under my jaw, lifting my face. His breath fanned against my skin, his handsome face became more prominent, and I willed myself not to blush. For someone who didn’t like me, he sure loved getting into my personal space.

“Listen well, Olivia. When I find out what you’re planning, it’s not going to end well for you. I’m going to make you a public spectacle and make sure you never have anything to do with my children.” Dante growled, his blue eyes narrowing at me.

My timidity melted like snow, and I glared back at him with equal intensity, not backing down. I had nothing to fear because I was guilty of nothing.

“If you want to go on a wild goose chase, Dante, please be my guest.”