chapter 4

Rose 

I couldn’t stop staring at Mr handsome while he looked at me with that warm, devastating smile.

My voice came out in almost a whisper. “Uhm… are you saying that I’m… beautiful?”

It sounded silly even as I said it, but God… I couldn’t remember the last time anyone called me that.

“Yes,” he said without hesitation. “You are. In fact…” His gaze lingered on me, like he was memorizing every inch of my face. "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”

I wanted to laugh it off, brush it away like an obvious lie, but the sincerity in his voice stopped me, and before I knew it, I believed him.

“Thank you,” I said, lowering my eyes, feeling a shy smile tug at my lips.

God, what’s wrong with me today? I probably need a doctor, yes, someone to check if my brain has been replaced with marshmallow because I can’t remember the last time I felt like this.

“Hey, are you alright?” His sweet, velvety voice pulled me out of my haze.

“I’m fine,” I murmured quickly. “Uhm… I should leave.” I tried to sound firm, but it came out almost reluctantly.

“Oh? So soon? Why don’t you wait? Let me make you a coffee,” he said, genuine concern in his tone.

“No, I should go home. My husband and daughter will be worried sick by now.” I forced a smile, though the words pierced my chest.

The truth is, Lucas and Eva would probably celebrate if I never came back. Then they wouldn’t have to look at my “ugly, fat face” ever again.

“Oh, okay,” Mr handsome said softly. “Let me walk you to your car.”

He reached for my hand, and I felt butterflies fluttering in my stomach the moment his hand touched me.

His palm was warm, his grip gentle yet certain. God, I hated how much I didn’t want to let go.

When we reached my car, he opened the door for me like a perfect gentleman. I could feel the security guard’s eyes on us, his curiosity burning. I could almost hear his unspoken question—why would a man like him bother with a woman like me?

“Thank you,” I said, slipping into the driver’s seat, avoiding the guard’s gaze as I began to start the engine.

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

“You’re welcome.”

The electric gates began to open as I turned the key in the ignition.

“What’s your name?” he asked suddenly.

I froze. My fingers tightened on the wheel, but I pretended I didn't hear him. 

I mean, there is no point telling him my name when I wasn’t planning on coming back here again because maybe… just maybe… the way he looked at me today was only my imagination. And I couldn’t bear to find out if it wasn’t real.

*********************************

Mr Handsome 

I couldn’t wipe the stupid grin off my face as I watched the car of the beautiful woman disappear from my compound. 

God… she’s breathtaking.

When I first got the report that someone had been using my private gym without my permission, I was furious. No one touches my space. I came here this morning, ready to drag the intruder out myself and kill my security guard with my bare hands. But the moment I stepped into the gym… all that anger evaporated.

I almost lost my mind when I saw her banging figure, the way her hips swayed slightly with every step, the faint sheen of sweat on her skin catching the light… damn. Her golden hair was pulled into a loose ponytail, some strands escaping to frame her face. Her soft pink and sinfully tempting lips were parted slightly as she breathed, and those eyes… Those eyes were like sunlight breaking through a storm.

I just stood there, rooted to the spot, staring like an idiot. No woman has ever made me feel this way before. My body reacted instantly, shamelessly, and I was grateful she didn’t notice.

My heart nearly stopped when I saw her falling and I didn't even know when I ran to catch her.

God, what’s wrong with me? Why am I acting like some high school boy who just fell in love for the first time?

I shook my head, a smile tugging at my lips as I shoved my hands into my pockets before walking inside. 

But the image of her… her scent… her voice… they clung to me, refusing to let go.

“Oh my God, bro, what is making you smile so wide it’s showing all your teeth?”

I nearly jumped as Josh, my younger brother, came barreling in from the kitchen with his eyes wide like he just caught me robbing a bank. 

Wait, is it that obvious?

I quickly tried to mask my grin, sitting on the couch like nothing had happened. 

“What do you mean?” I asked in my best bored tone.

Josh squinted at me like a detective. “I’ve grown up with you for twenty-four years, and I have never seen you smile like this before. Not even when you won that multi-billion dollar contract or bought your first Bugatti.”

I shrugged. “Well, maybe I just… found something interesting.”

Found something? 

No, it's more like someone. Someone beautiful with golden-haired, curves that could make a monk sin… Yeah, I wasn’t about to tell him that.

Josh’s eyes widened again. “Wait, bro... You are smiling again!” He dropped his snack bag like it was evidence. “Nope. I must be dreaming.” He pinched his arm hard, then gasped dramatically. “Nope, still here. Still smiling. This is creepy.”

Oh, Lord. This boy is so annoying. I have to fight the urge to not spank him on his head. 

“You’re crazy,” I muttered.

His jaw dropped. “You’re even blushing! Hold up... is this about that woman who just left now?” He hopped onto the coffee table, leaning in like we were in some soap opera.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I muttered, looking away.

Josh gasped so loud you’d think I confessed to murder. “It is her! Ohhh, I have to tell Grandpa! He needs to know he might be getting a great-grandchild soon!” He brought out his phone with an evil grin.

I gave him a glare, cold enough to freeze lava. “Do you want to die?”

He froze midair with his phone in his hand. “Uh… no?”

“Tell Grandpa and you’re dead.”

He gulped and slowly lowered his phone.

I leaned forward. “Since you have seen her, I want every bit of information about her within one hour.” My voice was calm, but my pulse sped up just thinking about her again. 

There’s something about her… she doesn’t look happy. She looks like a shadow of herself.

Josh tilted his head. “What do I get in return?”

I sighed. “I’ll give you my LaFerrari Aperta. The customized one.”

His eyes went as round as dinner plates. “Oh my God, you are such a sweet soul...” He lunged to hug me, but stopped when I shot him a deadly glare.

Well, that car is one-of-a-kind, designed just for me. Glossy midnight black, with my initials stitched in gold inside the leather seats, and he knew how much I loved that car. 

Josh grinned like he had just won the lottery. “Sorry, bro. I’ll get on it now!” And just like that, he bolted upstairs.

I leaned back on the couch, running a hand through my hair, thinking about her again.

Good Lord, help me… this woman is already making me do insane things.