CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER THREE

The moment I drove into our compound, I knew I was finished.

The front door swung open before I could even step out of my dad’s Mazda MX-5.

“Lara!” my mother exclaimed, rushing outside. “Where are you coming from?”

But my father pushed past her immediately.

“My car.” His eyes narrowed suspiciously as he circled the vehicle. “Why does it smell like alcohol?”

I blinked rapidly. Great.

“I—”

“And why is there dirt on the tire?” he added, crouching slightly. “Did you drive recklessly?”

Seriously?

I almost got kidnapped last night and this man was worried about his tires.

“Good morning to you too, Dad,” I muttered under my breath.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

My mother crossed her arms. “Where did you even sleep?”

“At Sadie’s place,” I lied quickly.

I needed my freedom so badly

Dad checked the side mirror dramatically like he was inspecting a crime scene.

“Hmm. At least you didn’t scratch it.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

“That’s your concern?”

“Do you know how expensive this car is to maintain?” he snapped.

I almost laughed.

Not because it was funny—but because my life was ridiculous.

“I’m tired,” I said weakly. “Can I go inside now?”

My mother sighed and waved me off. “Go and freshen up.”

Dad pointed at me immediately. “And no taking my car again without permission.”

I walked past them before my irritation exploded.

The moment I entered my room, I shut the door dramatically and collapsed against it.

“What a family,” I groaned.

My head still hurt slightly from last night.

Actually…

Everything from last night felt unreal.

The club.

Alfonso.

The stranger.

The insanely handsome stranger.

I quickly shook the thought away.

Nope.

I was never seeing him again.

I took a quick shower and changed into an oversized shirt and shorts before sitting on my bed.

Then I remembered my phone.

Chris.

I grabbed my purse from the table and searched inside for it.

But my hand brushed against something unfamiliar.

A card.

I frowned and pulled it out.

It was black.

Plain.

Elegant.

The only thing written on it was:

Adrian Romano.

CEO — Blackstone Conglomerate

My jaw slowly dropped.

“No way…”

My heart skipped violently.

Blackstone Conglomerate?

THE Blackstone Conglomerate?

The company I interviewed for yesterday?

I immediately grabbed my phone and searched his name online.

And there he was.

Pictures after pictures flooded my screen.

Business magazines.

Forbes covers.

Articles.

Youngest billionaire in Europe.

The ruthless CEO behind Blackstone.

The man feared by competitors.

Even online, he looked intimidating.

Cold green eyes.

Sharp jawline.

Expensive suits.

Power practically radiated through the screen.

“Oh my God.”

That man…

That man was Adrian Romano?

The CEO?

I covered my mouth in shock.

And suddenly, last night replayed in my head.

You should go home, Lara Finn.

The way he said my name sent strange butterflies into my stomach again.

“Nope,” I said aloud. “Absolutely not.”

I had a boyfriend.

A sweet boyfriend.

A loving boyfriend.

A boyfriend who definitely did not look like a walking temptation sent from hell.

My phone vibrated suddenly, pulling me out of my thoughts.

An email notification.

I opened it casually—

Then screamed.

“AHHHHHHH!”

My mother burst into the room immediately.

“What happened?!”

“I GOT THE JOB!”

“What?”

“I GOT THE JOB!” I screamed again, jumping on the bed.

My mother’s eyes widened in shock.

Dad appeared behind her instantly.

“What job?”

“Blackstone Conglomerate!”

Silence.

Even Dad looked impressed.

“As what?” he asked suspiciously.

I looked back at my phone.

Then my eyes widened again.

“Operations manager…”

“What?!” my mother shrieked.

I started laughing like a mad person.

“Oh my God. Oh my God!”

After six years.

Six whole years.

I finally had a job.

Tears blurred my vision before I could stop them.

My mother hugged me tightly while Dad awkwardly patted my shoulder.

“See?” my mum said proudly. “I told you your time would come.”

Dad cleared his throat.

“So… what’s the salary?”

“MUM!” I gasped while she burst into laughter.

The first person I called was Sadie.

She screamed so loudly I had to pull the phone away from my ear.

“I KNEW IT!” she yelled. “I literally knew it!”

“I got the job!” I laughed excitedly, pacing around my room. “Sadie, I’m officially employed!”

“At BLACKSTONE?” she shrieked again.

“Yes!”

“Oh my God. No, we’re celebrating immediately. Get dressed.”

I blinked. “Now?”

“Yes, now. I’m not letting my best friend become an operations manager without taking her out. Meet me at Café Lumière in an hour.”

Before I could protest, she hung up.

Chris was the second person I called.

“Baby, I got the job!” I said excitedly.

There was silence for a moment.

“Oh,” he finally said.

My smile faltered slightly.

“Oh?”

“That’s good.”

Good?

Just good?

“It’s Blackstone Conglomerate,” I added softly.

“Operations manager.”

Another pause.

“Wow,” he said flatly. “That’s… surprising.”

Surprising?

Something about his tone stung.

“What does that mean?”

“Nothing,” he replied quickly. “I’m just shocked they’d give such a huge role to someone without experience.”

My excitement dimmed instantly.

“Oh.”

“But congratulations anyway,” he added casually.

Anyway.

I swallowed hard.

“Thanks…”

“I’m busy right now, babe. I’ll call you later.”

Before I could respond, the line disconnected.

I stared at my phone quietly.

That call felt wrong.

Very wrong.

An hour later, I stood in front of my mirror adjusting the sleeves of my cream-colored blazer.

I paired it with a fitted black camisole, high-waisted brown trousers, and nude heels. Simple. Clean. Elegant.

Fashion was one thing I had always understood naturally.

I curled the ends of my black hair lightly and grabbed my purse before heading out.

When I arrived at the café, Sadie was already there waving dramatically at me through the glass window.

She looked gorgeous as usual in a floral midi dress paired with white sneakers and layered necklaces.

“You look expensive,” she said the moment I sat down.

I laughed. “That’s because unemployment is no longer my portion.”

“Amen!” she cheered loudly, causing people nearby to stare.

Typical Sadie.

I hinted her about what happened last night —and just then,the waiter came over, and we ordered iced coffee and waffles.

Sadie leaned forward immediately.

“Okay. Start talking.”

“About?”

“The mysterious man from the club obviously.”

I nearly choked on air.

“Sadie…”

“What? You can’t just tell me some insanely handsome stranger saved you from tattooed mafia-looking men and expect me to move on peacefully.”

I sighed dramatically.

“There’s nothing to tell.”

“Mhm.”

“He was just… there.”

“Mhm.”

“And he helped me.”

“Mhm.”

Sadie narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“You like him.”

“I HAVE A BOYFRIEND.”

“That wasn’t my question.”

I groaned and buried my face in my hands.

“Sadie, this is serious.”

“I’m serious too.”

I looked up at her.

“He was intimidating.”

“But handsome.”

I hesitated.

Very handsome.

Annoyingly handsome.

“I mean…” I tried to sound casual. “He looked okay.”

Sadie burst into laughter.

“Lara Finn, you are a terrible liar.”

I rolled my eyes while she grinned proudly.

“Describe him.”

I sighed in defeat.

“He’s tall.”

“Expected.”

“Broad shoulders.”

“Mhm.”

“Green eyes.”

Sadie gasped dramatically.

“GREEN eyes?!”

“Yes, unfortunately.”

“Oh, you’re finished.”

“I’m not finished!” I argued. “Nothing is happening. I literally just met him.”

“But you’re thinking about him.”

I opened my mouth.

Then closed it again.

Because annoyingly enough—

She was right.

Sadie pointed at me immediately like she had won a court case.

“AH-HA!”

“Oh please.”

She smirked and sipped her coffee.

“So… what’s his name?”

I froze for half a second.

Adrian Romano.

Even his name sounded unfairly attractive.

“I didn’t ask,” I lied.

Sadie stared at me for a long moment.

Then she snorted.

“Liar.”

“Can we talk about something else?”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

I laughed despite myself.

God, I missed this.

Sadie suddenly leaned closer excitedly.

“You know what? We should plan a proper girls’ date.”

“A date?”

“Yes. Shopping, food, maybe karaoke.”

“I cannot sing.”

“That’s what makes it fun.”

I laughed again.

“Fine. But you’re paying.”

“The employed one wants ME to pay?”

“Yes.”

“Shameless.”

“Proudly.”

We both burst into laughter again, drawing more attention from nearby tables.

For the first time in a very long time—

I felt genuinely happy.

And somehow, deep down…

I had a strange feeling my life was about to change completely.

A week later, my first day at Blackstone finally arrived.

I stood outside the massive skyscraper nervously, adjusting my blazer.

The building somehow looked even more intimidating now that I worked there.

“You can do this,” I whispered to myself.

Inside, everything screamed luxury and power.

Employees walked around briskly.

Everyone looked important.

Focused.

Perfect.

Meanwhile, my nervous self was trying not to trip over my own heels.

A woman, whose name was Amelie, from HR guided me around before taking me to my office.

MY office.

I almost cried again.

The room was beautiful.

Minimalist.

Modern.

Mine.

After orientation ended, I decided to quickly grab coffee before settling in properly.

Bad idea.

Because the moment I turned the corner—

I froze.

Adrian Romano.

Walking directly toward me, with a man trailing behind him, his assistant, probably.

Oh no.

OH NO.

My heart started pounding instantly.

He looked even better than I remembered.

Black suit.

Rolled-up sleeves.

Expensive watch.

Cold green eyes that immediately landed on me.

I panicked.

Act natural.

Pretend you don’t know him.

Yes.

Perfect plan.

I lowered my head and tried walking past him casually.

Unfortunately—

“Little lamb.”

My steps halted immediately.

That voice.

That stupid deep voice.

And wait…little lamb?

Slowly, I turned around.

He had stopped walking too.

And he was smirking.

My stomach flipped traitorously.

“Sir,” I said professionally.

His eyes scanned me slowly.

Very slowly.

The butterflies in my stomach became violent.

“You work here now.” he said.

“Yes.”

“I can see that.”

Why did that sound flirtatious?

I cleared my throat nervously.

“Thank you for helping me that night.”

“You already thanked me.”

His gaze held mine.

Too intense.

Too steady.

I looked away first.

Because wow.

Dangerous.

“You were trying to avoid me,” he observed calmly.

“No, I wasn’t.”

One brow lifted.

Liar.

I wanted the ground to open and swallow me whole.

“I have work to do,” I blurted out.

He stepped closer slightly.

Not enough to touch.

Just enough to make me nervous and…oh my goodness—his scent.

“You should be careful around me, Lara Finn.”

Butterflies.

Again.

I hated it.

“I have a boyfriend,” I said suddenly.

Why did I say that? You are so dump Lara Finn.

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

Interesting.

“Did I ask?”

OH MY GOD.

I opened my mouth.

Closed it again.

And Adrian—

Actually chuckled softly before walking away.

Leaving me completely flustered in the hallway.

I stood there staring after him like an idiot.

Then I slapped my forehead lightly.

“What is wrong with me?” I whispered.

Because for the first time in six years…

Chris wasn’t the man occupying my thoughts anymore.