Mysterious billionaire

Chapter Fifteen

Martina POV 

“That’s the right thing to do,” Vera says, nodding like she’s just confirmed something important. “Honestly, I didn’t even expect him to try talking to you after what he did five years ago.”

Her tone softens as she leans closer.

“Babe… just forget everything,” she adds gently. “Focus on yourself. Be happy, okay?”

I let out a small smile.

Not a real one.

Just enough to make her stop worrying.

“I just want to freshen up and sleep,” I say, my voice tired now. “Today drained me.”

Vera stares at me like I’ve just said something ridiculous.

“Sleep?” she repeats, narrowing her eyes. “As how?”

I sigh softly.

“Vera—”

“Nope,” she cuts in immediately, shaking her head. “I’m not accepting that. Not today of all days.”

I already know where this is going.

“We haven’t even celebrated your new job,” she continues, her energy suddenly back. “We’re going out tonight.”

I groan, dropping my head back slightly.

“Don’t tell me you want me to follow you clubbing again?” I ask, giving her a look.

She raises a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

“Obviously.”

I shake my head instantly.

“No.”

“Don’t forget,” she adds, pointing at me, “clubbing is literally what got you this job in the first place.”

I let out a disbelieving laugh.

“That was luck, not a lifestyle.”

“Call it whatever you want,” she shrugs. “It still worked.”

I sigh, dragging a hand through my hair.

“Vera, you love clubbing more than you love me,” I say dryly.

She gasps dramatically.

“Excuse me?”

“I’m serious,” I continue, shaking my head. “More than your own life, even.”

She places a hand on her chest like I’ve just insulted her entire existence.

“Wow. The disrespect,” she mutters, then points at me again. “And for your information, I’m doing this for you.”

I raise a brow.

“For me?”

“Yes, for you,” she insists. “You’ve had the most stressful day of your life, and what do you want to do? Lock yourself in and cry about it?”

“I never said I was going to cry,” I mumble.

“You don’t have to say it,” she shoots back. “Your face is already doing it.”

I can’t help it—I laugh.

A real one this time.

Vera sees it immediately.

That tiny crack in my resistance.

And just like that—

She smiles.

Wide and victorious.

“There it is,” she says, pointing at me like she just won something. “That’s the spirit.”

I shake my head, already regretting that laugh.

“Don’t push it,” I warn.

“Oh, I will push it,” she replies without hesitation, grabbing my arm and pulling me up from the bed. “Go freshen up. We’re leaving in one hour.”

“One hour?” I repeat, my eyes widening. “Vera—”

“No arguments,” she cuts in, already walking toward my wardrobe like she owns it. “You need this. Trust me.”

I watch her throw open the wardrobe and start scanning through my clothes like she’s on a mission.

“You barely have anything decent,” she mutters. “We’re definitely fixing that soon.”

I scoff. “Excuse me? Some of us are trying to survive, not impress strangers.”

She waves me off. “Tonight, you’re doing both.”

I roll my eyes but don’t argue again.

Because deep down…

Maybe she’s right.

Maybe I do need a distraction.

Something to pull me out of my head.

“Fine,” I say finally, raising my hands slightly in surrender. “But I’m not staying long.”

Vera pauses, then slowly turns to look at me.

“That’s what you said the last time.”

“And I meant it.”

“And yet…” she trails off, giving me a look.

I groan. “That was different.”

“Everything is always ‘different’ with you,” she teases.

I ignore her and head toward the bathroom.

“Thirty minutes,” I call over my shoulder. “That’s all you’re getting.”

“You have twenty!” she shouts back.

“Vera!”

She laughs.

By the time I step out of the bathroom, dressed and slightly more put together, Vera is already ready—like she’s been born for moments like this.

Her eyes light up the second she sees me.

“Now that’s my girl,” she says, clapping her hands lightly. “You look hot.”

I roll my eyes, grabbing my bag. “Let’s just go before I change my mind.”

“Oh, you won’t,” she says confidently, dragging me toward the door.

The night air greets us as we step outside.

Different from the heaviness of earlier.

As we get into a cab, I lean back slightly, staring out the window again.

Lights blur past.

Music from distant places drifts through the air.

The weight of the day starts to lift.

Vera nudges me lightly.

“Tonight,” she says, smiling, “you’re not thinking about work.”

I raise a brow.

“Or Bruno,” she adds.

My chest tightens slightly at the name—but I push it down.

“Or anything else,” she finishes.

I exhale softly.

“Let’s see how that goes,” I reply.

But as the car speeds toward the club…

A sudden thought crosses my mind, and my steps slow slightly.

What if I run into him again?

Herrick.

The memory of the last time flashes through my head—the unexpected meeting, the tension, the way everything changed after that night.

My stomach tightens.

“I don’t think this is a good idea,” I say, turning slightly to Vera. “What if I see Herrick at the club?”

She doesn’t even hesitate.

“We’re not going to the same club as last time,” she replies confidently, waving off my concern. “Relax.”

I raise a brow, still not convinced.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” she says firmly, giving me a look. “I got a new location. Different crowd, different vibe.”

She leans closer with a small grin.

“And definitely no mysterious billionaire bosses waiting for you this time.”

I let out a small breath, not fully convinced—but slightly reassured.

“Fine…” I mutter.