Chapter 17

I kept quiet throughout the drive, partly because I was still a little unsettled by what had happened at the restaurant, and partly because having Victor sitting so close made it difficult to think straight.

I hoped the strange feeling would pass before we reached my flat.

When we arrived, I expected him to drop me off at the entrance to the alley, just as he had the previous evening.

Instead, he instructed Danny to drive farther in.

My eyes widened as the luxurious car moved slowly down the narrow lane, passing modest houses and weathered walls. The air was damp, and the uneven road was barely wide enough for a car of its size.

The contrast between this place and the elegant restaurant we'd just left was almost comical.

Victor's car looked as though it had taken a wrong turn into another world.

I glanced at him, wondering whether he would finally realize how unnecessary this little detour was.

He didn't seem bothered in the slightest.

When we reached my building, Victor got out first and helped me from the car. To my surprise, he then accompanied me all the way to my front door.

"Thank you for bringing me home, Victor," I said as I searched my bag for my keys.

"It's only ten minutes out of my way."

He said it so casually, as though driving me home and escorting me to my door were perfectly ordinary things for a CEO to do for his secretary.

I finally found my keys and slipped one into the lock.

All I had to do was open the door, step inside, and say goodnight.

Simple.

Except Victor was still standing right in front of me, making no move to leave.

I looked up at him.

He was watching me with an expression I couldn't quite read.

"Sevra," he said, "aren't you going to invite me in?"

I gave him an awkward smile.

"I'm sorry, Victor, but you have to leave early tomorrow morning. You should go home and get some rest."

He shook his head, seemingly unmoved by my reasonable suggestion.

"Let me come in for a few minutes."

I stared at him.

"Victor..."

"Just a few minutes."

His gaze lingered on mine, and for some inexplicable reason, I found it difficult to refuse him outright.

Against my better judgment, I gave in.

"Fine. But only for a little while."

I unlocked the door and stepped aside to let him in.

The moment Victor entered my flat, he paused to take in his surroundings.

It wasn't much. A worn but clean two-seater sofa occupied most of the small living area, with a round storage ottoman nearby. Beside the entrance stood a little table with a vase of lavender on top. Its delicate fragrance softened the otherwise damp smell that sometimes lingered in the flat.

Everything was simple, but tidy. There was no attempt to make the place look more luxurious than it was.

It felt unmistakably like home.

My home.

Victor's gaze moved slowly around the room, taking in the details.

"Do you live alone?" he asked.

"Yes."

I placed my keys on the little table before turning back to him.

"Would you like something to drink? I only have coffee, tea, and water."

"Water is fine."

"All right."

I went to the refrigerator, took out a bottle of mineral water, and handed it to him.

He accepted it before settling onto the sofa.

Meanwhile, I sat on the round ottoman nearby.

I had barely gotten comfortable when he looked at me.

"Why are you sitting there?"

I glanced at the sofa.

"Because I'm comfortable here."

"Come sit beside me."

He patted the empty space next to him.

I immediately shook my head.

"Oh, no. Your sofa is too small. We'll be cramped if I sit there."

Something shifted in his expression. It was subtle, but I caught the flicker of displeasure in his eyes.

"Sevra, I'm your boss. Sit here."

His voice had lost its earlier warmth.

I stared at him, momentarily speechless.

Does being a CEO mean you can dictate where people sit in their own homes?

I nearly said it aloud.

Nearly.

Instead, I swallowed my protest and reluctantly moved to the sofa.

The moment I sat down, the cushion dipped beneath our combined weight, sliding me closer to him than I'd intended.

My shoulder bumped against his arm.

"Oh! S-sorry!"

I hurried to straighten myself, mortified by how clumsy I must have looked.

Victor laughed.

Not the polite, restrained laugh he occasionally used during business meetings, but a soft, genuine one that transformed his face and made him look younger.

I had never heard him laugh quite like that before.

For a moment, I forgot to be embarrassed.

Then he turned toward me.

Before I could move away, his hand rose to my chin, gently tilting my face toward his.

"Sevra..."

My breath caught.

His dark brown eyes held mine, and the amusement that had been there a moment earlier slowly faded into something far more intense.

"V-Victor?" I whispered. "What's wrong?"

He didn't answer.

His fingers remained beneath my chin, keeping my face turned toward him.

Then his other arm slipped around my waist.

My heart gave a sudden, frantic leap.

What was he doing? Why was he looking at me like that?

"Victor, what are you..."

My words trailed off as he leaned closer.

And then I understood.

He was going to kiss me.

Oh, no. Absolutely not.

I tried to pull away, but his arm around my waist kept me close.

Damn it. Why is he so strong?

I pressed my hands against his chest, trying to put some distance between us.

"Victor, wait..."

But his gaze had dropped to my lips, and he continued leaning toward me.

My mind went completely blank.

How had things escalated so quickly?

One moment, he had been laughing at my embarrassment over the sofa. The next, he was holding me as though he had every intention of kissing me.

I turned my face away, desperately trying to free myself from his hold.

Then, just as his face drew dangerously close to mine, a phone rang.

The sudden sound shattered the tension.

Victor stopped.

For a brief moment, he remained motionless, as though the interruption had dragged him back to reality.

Then he released me and reached for his phone.