TO BE DETERMINED

A power shift.

Two

Vanessa’s Point of View

“I had proposed to Jason’s CEO?!” My mind ranted.

The man beside me turned his head slightly, his sharp gaze locking on mine with the same amusement as before, but now, there was something else in his eyes. Knowing.

“Leonardo Ricci,” he finally said, his voice smooth, rich, and laced with power.

My chest tightened,the air in my lungs thinning, it was impossible to draw in a steady breath.

My fingers twitched, curled slightly as if trying to hold something, anything, that could keep me firm on my feets.

He held my hands tighter covering them, my head spinning.

But nothing could ground me. Because reality had just shifted under my feet.

“Jason’s boss?!” I lowered my brows looking at his hands. “Leonardo Ricci.”

The name echoed in my head like a cruel joke, reverberating through the chaos in my mind. I had proposed to Jason’s CEO. Not just any man.

A man who commanded power with the simplest flick of his wrist, a man whose name carried weight in business circles I had no place in.

My fingers trembled in his grasp, a stark contrast to the steady, confident hold he had on me.

His presence exuded something dark, something consuming, and standing next to him felt like standing at the edge of a storm, the winds threatening to pull me in.

Jason’s voice cut through the tension like a knife. “Sir… this is a misunderstanding.”

I raised my head to know I wasn't in a dream. Looking up I saw Jason's pale face, his lips tightly parted, his breath hanging, his eyes darting between Leonardo and me like a trapped animal, my stomach twisted.

From his eyes you could read he had realized, he understood what had just happened and what I had just done.

Leonardo let out a slow, amused chuckle. It sent a chill down my spine. “Is it?” His deep voice was unhurried, rich with authority, like he was playing a game only he knew the rules to. His thumb brushed over my knuckles, an absentminded gesture, yet it sent a shiver through me.

Jason swallowed hard. I could see the fear creeping into his posture, the way his shoulders tensed, the way his fingers curled into fists at his sides. He was scared.

And that did something to me, the thoughts of him, I felt stupid ignoring him, ignoring the late nights when he came back smelling like her perfume, he'd say it's because they work together and almost go to every meeting together, so it must have rubbed off.

The only thing he can do is beg for a second chance, no way I'm accepting him back, I shrugged my shoulders lightly, raising them high, forcing my voice to stay firm with my chin high in the air.

“You have the power now,” Leonardo murmured, his gaze heavy on me. “You can make the call.” His lips curved slightly as he tilted his head toward Jason. “Shall we sack him?”

Jason’s entire body flinched.

My breath thinned, the room suffocating and squeezing the air in my lungs, My hands clenched at my sides, my nails digging into my palms. Could I do it? Could I really be the one to destroy him the way he had destroyed me?

Jason’s voice cracked when he spoke.

“Vanessa, please. You don’t have to do this. We can work this out.” His chest rose and fell rapidly, panic settling into his features.

“It…it was a mistake.” His voice softened, his eyes pleading. “I love you.”

Love. The word hit me like a slap, I felt irritated.

A bitter laugh bubbled up from my throat, sharp and cold.

“You love me?” My voice shook, but I didn’t care.

“ I can't love a cheater Jason, you're sorry I caught you in the act when your hands were all over her, this obviously isn't the first time.” My gaze flicked to Clara, who had herself by his side standing stiff like a dry bone, her hands gripping the hem of her skirt as if it could somehow hide her shame, was she even ashamed?

Leonardo exhaled with his eyebrows high in the air, but there was an edge to his voice. “Pack your things, Clara. You’re done here.”

Clara gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. “Mr. Ricci, please…”

He didn’t even look at her. “I don’t repeat myself.”

Jason’s world was crumbling, and I watched it happen with an aching kind of satisfaction. He turned back to me, desperation bleeding into every movement, every word.

“Vanessa, please. Don’t let him do this. I’ll do anything.”

Anything.

Where was this desperation when I needed reassurance? Where was this remorse when I cried myself to sleep, wondering why he felt so distant?

I looked up to Leonardo, our eyes locked, my breath hitched, my heart hitting against my chest, I gave a little body then I said it.

“Yes.”

Jason's eyes flared, like the air had been stolen from his lungs. His legs nearly buckled, his hands shaking at his sides. “Vanessa, please.”

I stared at him, but I felt nothing. No sadness. No regret. Only the weight of betrayal and the knowledge that I had finally, finally taken control.

Leonardo raised his wrist, his eyes reading his ticking watch, exuding the kind of ease that came with knowing he was in charge.

“Well,” he mused, “that was entertaining, but I have a plane to catch.” He turned to me, his smirk deepening. “I don't want to be late to the Maldives, would we??”

A shudder ran through me, The Maldives I had completely forgotten I promised him that.

Jason’s breath hitched loud enough for me to hear. “What?” I smiled knowing the uneasiness growing in him.

Leonardo's hands held on my hands tight and soft, he led me away from the office, away from the wreckage I had just left behind.

Jason stood frozen, his face stiff, I knew his world shattered, while I walked forward —toward something unknown, something terrifying, something that made my pulse race for an entirely different reason.

As we stepped into the hallway, away from prying eyes, Leonardo finally spoke, his voice softer now. “You look scared, baby girl.”

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. “I…” I cut myself off, exhaling sharply.

“I didn’t know who you were.”

He smirked. “Would it have changed your decision?”

I thought about the way Jason had paled at the sight of him, the way his entire demeanor changed from intrigue to a sudden rush of blood in his face.

I lifted my head, meeting Leonardo’s unwavering stare. “No.”

He raised his left chin showing his teeth, while he pushed me closer to his body, he bent low whispering in my ear. “Good.”

I felt a chill run down my spine, my body rigid with only his words, maybe I don't know what I'm getting myself into.

The elevator stopped, I walked out with my shoulders high in the air, realizing I wasn't Jason's prey.