The Devil's Au Pair

Chapter Three - Shameless

Julietta / Julia

For a moment, his question left me off balance. I blinked, certain I had heard him wrong. Why in the world would I stalk him? “Excuse me? Are you serious? Why would I stalk you when you’re hardly my type? Go find someone else to bug.”

He stared back, his expression unreadable. My spine tingled with awareness as his eyes bore into mine. I was sure he could read my soul and my secrets. If he weren’t an as*hole, I would have fallen for his looks. Up close, he was so gorgeous; it gave me an inferiority complex. Chiseled cheekbones, sculpted lips, and a deep, smooth, velvety voice that poured into my bloodstream to make me flustered and wet. Was I overreacting to a man who hated me?

“Good to know.” He closed the door in my face while I stood there like a fool.

‘Well, what else did you expect, Julietta?’ chided my inner mind. I didn’t know what I had expected, but definitely nothing romantic. The man was indifferent, unapproachable, rude, and strictly forbidden. I liked warm men, rough around the edges, and sweet deep down. Maybe those were limited edition now.

I turned and walked over to my room. Why did Lucien have to book the one next to his weird brother? Ever since we reached here, Daniella has not come in even once. I knew she wouldn’t stay back. Maybe she had plans with Drake. I would have to hitch a ride back with Adrian, Ted or Eric, the colleagues I was close to. But where would I go? Mr. Hayes would definitely bother me first thing in the morning. I should talk to Daniella and ask her for some money.

It was what I hated most. Maybe I could sell the diamond earrings Rose gave me on my last birthday instead. They belonged to her, and I didn’t want to part with them. But it seemed this was the only option available to me right now.

I freshened up and went downstairs to the banquet hall, where the reception party was in full swing. Brynne walked in, and Ted, Eric, and Adrian made a beeline for her, followed by the jealous office crowd. Daniella was also there, and we shared a look of concern. Brynne definitely needed rescuing.

I joined them, and soon they bombarded Brynne with uncomfortable questions.

“Brynne, I envy you. Does the devil have a brother I could date?” asked Cassidy from the Administrative team.

“Yes, Drake!” chorused the others.

Daniella fumed and stomped away from there.

“What’s wrong with her?” Immediately, they knew the answer when they saw Drake chasing Daniella. “Okay, he’s taken. Is there anyone else?”

Disgusted with Cassidy’s jealous retorts, I rolled my eyes and walked away from there. The only one available was Dominic. Strangely, a pang of jealousy coursed through my body on hearing Cassidy target him. I didn’t want her to flirt with him. He was mine!

I gasped with horror. Where did that come from? So far, Dominic Sylvester was the most infuriating and arrogant man on earth.

Frowning at my strange reaction to the devil, I walked out absent-mindedly. Why did I overreact to Cassidy’s remark?

“It’s Dad’s Ducati Streetfighter - 1100cc engine power. Isn’t it cool?”

“Yes, it’s the coolest motorcycle ever. Let’s go for a ride!”

I recognized those voices immediately. They belonged to Diego and Leonardo. But weren’t they in their rooms fast asleep?

I rushed towards the private parking area just in time to see Diego pull away with Leo behind him. My heart sank with dread at the sight of them riding an expensive motorcycle. Weren’t they just twelve?

“Gosh, I had to stop them. This is so dangerous!” I gasped aloud.

“Diego, stop. Have you taken permission from your dad?” I took off my heels and ran after them, but they had already raced ahead. I couldn’t stop them even if I sprinted after them.

Panic settled in my heart. I had to stop the two. Looking around, I found the place empty. There were no guards around.

I raced back to the party to look for Diego’s dad. I had no wish to face the man, but did I have a choice? He was the only one who could stop Diego. I spotted him walking out of the party towards the elevator and ran after him.

“Umm, Mr. Sylvester.” It came out as a squeak, yet he stopped, whirling around slowly to face me.

His face twisted with hatred at the sight of me. “Well, aren’t you shameless? Why are you stalking me if I’m not your type?”

I gaped at the man, my blood boiling with fury. Wasn’t he too full of himself? “I’m not stalking you. I wanted..”

He lifted an eyebrow and gave me a disgusted look. “You wanted to sleep with me, maybe. After your friends hooked my brothers, are you trying your luck with me?”

I glared at him in disgust. “Aren’t you too full of yourself? Sadly, the world doesn’t revolve around you. I came here to inform you about your son..”

He trembled with fury, interrupting me before I could continue. “Enough, you shameless woman! Don’t bring my son into this. You can’t get to me through him. I saw you trying hard, but let me tell you, it won’t work with me.”

His insults seared my heart, but I had no time to waste. “I want nothing to do with you. I came here to inform you about Diego and Leo. They’ve taken your motorcycle for a joyride. But maybe you’re a pathetic father who’s too obsessed with women and se* to care about his son. I’ll seek help from the security guards.”

I left him and ran towards the reception desk to seek help. “Please alert the security around the resort. Two of our minor guests have gone on a joyride on an expensive Ducati motorcycle. It’s so dangerous. They’re just twelve.”

The receptionist gave me a bewildered look. “Have they stolen the motorcycle?”

“No, it belongs to me. The minors are my son and nephew. So just find them,” said Dominic from behind me. He might have followed me here.

The receptionist looked stressed. “I’ll alert the security checkpoints and close the main exit gates. They can’t go out. Don’t worry, sir, ma’am, we’ll find them.”

I watched her call the security in charge of the resort. He arrived in no time, looking embarrassed. “We’re sorry for the mishap, Mr. Sylvester. We’ve caught your son and nephew near Gate 2. They’ll be here any minute.”

I sighed with relief and walked away, leaving Dominic with the security-in-charge. My duty was done, and he could figure it out now. My best friends were busy with their better halves. They didn’t miss me at all. After Dominic’s accusations, I lost my appetite as well.

His words kept on echoing in my head.

Shameless woman!

Why did it hurt so much? He wasn’t my Prince Charming. I already knew that, right?

In fact, God had forgotten me after creating me. No wonder he didn’t create anyone for me.

Maybe I would go to my room and hide until the party was over. Then I could sneak out with the office crowd. Eric would never let me down. He would drop me home if I asked.

I trudged over to my room and sat quietly at the large bay windows. The moon was more luminous tonight and the stars twinkled brighter. The sweet, cool breeze blew against my face, calming me down. There was romance in the air, cheers echoing from the banquet hall, slow romantic music piercing my soul. But they weren’t for me.

‘You’re cursed, Julietta Castellanos. You’re a mistake - a misfit in this world.’ I closed my eyes, knowing it was right.

I was shamelessly looking for romance and love in the wrong place. This wasn’t my world. And no one in the world where I belonged wanted me. Then where would I go?

I didn’t want to open my eyes and look outside. My parents had long stopped looking out for me, guiding me, or protecting me. They were just mere unknown stars up in the sky, not my guiding lights.

The party was in full swing. It was good no one missed me. I had no wish to face the foul-mouthed devil, Dominic Sylvester.

A knock on the door alerted me. Who could it be? Daniella had a duplicate set of keys with her. So, it couldn’t be Daniella. My heart filled with apprehension. I had no wish to face anyone other than Daniella.

The knocks grew louder, but I didn’t budge from my seat. Somehow, I knew who it was.

After trying almost ten times, there was an absolute silence. I was glad he gave up and left.

However, to my horror, ten minutes later, the door clicked open and Dominic Sylvester strode in, looking angrier than earlier.

I didn’t care about his mood. How could he barge into my room? I sprang off the window seat, ready to give him a dose of his own medicine.

“What the hell! Aren’t you the shameless one to come barging into a woman’s room, Mr. Sylvester?”