The Billionaire’s Temptation

CHAPTER 3

I woke up feeling better and different. As my eyes adjusted from the lights, my eyes widened upon realizing that I was not in my room. This room felt familiar as I roamed my eyes around. I noticed that I was not wearing my dress anymore.

Who changed my clothes?

I heard the door open, making my gaze shift. I saw a maid, bring a tray that had food.

“Good morning, Ma’am.” She smiled at me politely and put the tray on the bedside table.

I smiled at her. “Morning. May I ask where I am right now?”

“You are in the Ivanov mansion, Ma’am,” she said with respect before she bowed and left the room.

I was left here, still trying to process what had just happened. I’m at Ivanov Mansion!? That’s why this room feels familiar. I suddenly remembered everything that had happened that night, making my body feel weird.

I ate hurriedly so that I could leave now. I still have work, and Mr. Ivanov must be there at his office already.

A man in a black suit drove me home. I immediately stepped inside my apartment and prepared. I wore a pencil skirt and a long-sleeved blouse.

I was breathing heavily because I was running as I headed toward his office but I was greeted by a woman sitting on his lap and kissing his neck. I immediately took a step back and just decided not to disturb them. I went to my office and started working but I couldn’t even focus.

“Miss Andromeda, here are the files.”

I blinked a few times and got back to my senses when I heard someone talk, it was the department head. I smiled and nodded my head. I took the files and started scanning them.

I was thinking twice if I would go to Mr. Ivanov’s office since I know that he’s busy right now. But I need these papers to be signed, so I don’t have a choice but to stand up and head to his office.

I knocked three times before I entered his office. I saw Mr. Ivanov and Conrad talking, they looked so serious. Mr. Ivanov glanced at me, he nodded his head at me. I immediately stepped towards his table and gave him the papers.

“Finally I see, Miss Secretary. You look pretty!” Conrad’s face was beaming with happiness. He grinned at me.

I smiled at him politely. “You’re not so bad yourself, Sir.”

“Go back to your work, Miss Andromeda, and stop flirting.” Mr. Ivanov interrupted. His voice was cold and serious. He didn’t look at me and just handed me the papers he signed.

I was taken aback for a moment before I nodded and stepped out of his office. I didn’t even bid goodbye because of what he said. I felt a pang in my chest thinking of that.

How could he say that?

I know that I should get used to his rude and harsh attitude, everyone knows that, but my fragile heart couldn’t just take it. I took a deep breath and sighed. I tried to focus and distract myself from my work, so I couldn’t think of it.

“Miss Andromeda come here.”

I heard Mr. Ivanov’s baritone voice over the intercom. I hurriedly stood up and went to his office.

“Do you need anything, Sir?” I asked as soon as I entered his office.

“Do you know what time is it?” His brows drew together.

I looked at my wristwatch, feeling confused. But as I saw that it was late in the afternoon already, I panicked. How could I forget his lunch?

“I’m sorry, Sir.” I was feeling nervous inside as I said it. “I’ll just buy you food. This won’t take long—”

“No need.” He cut me off. He leaned his body on the chair and stared at me with his strict and cold gaze. “You’ve been behaving badly lately, Miss Andromeda. It looks like your mind is in outer space.”

My lips parted at what I just heard from him. I wanted to talk and say something but his gaze on me was telling me to shut up. I pressed my lips tightly.

“If this is because of what happened to us that is making you distracted. Just move on and fücking forget it.” His tone was harsh and final. He said that without blinking, just staring straight into my eyes.

I was dumbfounded and frozen in my place. How could I forget it? That was my first! I wanted to shout at him, but it was also my fault that I ended up in that situation... why I found myself next to him in bed.

“I-I’m sorry.” That was all I could say. My heart was pounding so fast that I could hear it. It felt like someone was gripping it.

“It’s just a one-night thing.” He shook his head. “You shouldn’t let it distract you.”

“I-It won’t happen again, Sir. I-I’m sorry.” I tried to steady my voice but it was trembling already.

He nodded his head and went back to his work. I immediately turned around from him and stepped outside his office. I could feel my lips trembling as I bit it, trying to stop myself from crying. I shouldn’t be feeling like this but he was just so rude.

When I got home, I didn’t even have the appetite to eat dinner. I was still bothered by the conversation I had with Mr. Ivanov. I decided to just sleep, I needed rest. Everything felt tiring and draining.

“You will stay there and not eat for today! That’s your punishment!”

The ten-year-old girl sobbed as the door of the stockroom closed. She couldn’t see anything, only darkness. The only thing she could do was cry her heart out. She was lying on the cold floor she hugged her knees.

The next day Mother Cresia got her out of the stockroom and let her eat.

“Be a good girl, Celest. Don’t disobey us, so you won’t get punished again.” Mother Cresia’s voice was soft as she caressed the hair of the little girl. “Do you want someone to adopt you?”

The little girl paused from eating and looked at Mother Cresia. She nodded eagerly. “Y-Yes.”

Mother Cresia smiled. “Then be a good girl.”

No one wanted her. For years of staying at an orphanage, no one took her. She did everything, be a good girl like what they always said. She couldn’t understand why no one wanted her.

The only day she could get out of this hell was when she turned eighteen.

“No one wants you because you’re bad luck!”

“You killëd your parents!”

The girl covered her ear as she heard those words from them. She wanted to run away but she couldn’t move her feet. All their words echoed in her ears.

“N-No... s-stop it...”

I opened my eyes when I felt like I was drowning. I was sweating hard and my hands were trembling. I sat on my bed and hugged my knees. I let my tears fall from my eyes.

I calmed myself. I decided to watch movies to distract myself. I don’t want to go back to sleep. I might have that dream again. It was already years had passed but everything felt like had happened just yesterday.

If it’s just easy to forget. I already did.