TO BE DETERMINED

One Vanessa's Point Of View The thought of this moment had always sent butterflies to my stomach, my heart fluttering. “Would you marry me Jason?” That was the question I would pop to him, expecting the best answer I knew would make his face beam. I would step into Jason’s office, my heart hitting my chest, I would drop to one knee, open the velvet box, and ask him to be mine forever, the smile on his face knowing he would see I wasn't waiting any longer, I was taking things into my hands. How he would stare in shock, maybe even laugh at the absurdity of it before pulling me into his arms, kissing me till I lost my breath, and saying yes. And then,we will be going to the Maldives. I had everything planned out, I got our couples reservations and games. I had spent weeks planning our Valentine’s holidays, picturing lazy mornings wrapped in white sheets, the sound of waves outside our balcony, his voice murmuring my name in his morning voice. It was supposed to be perfect, walking into his office my heart ached, my fingers clenched, I stood with my muscles stiff, my eyes popped out from their sockets. He was leaning against his desk, his hands gripping her waist, his lips moving against hers like he was familiar with her body, he moved with ease, as they moaned in each other's ear, her words breathy, loud enough they didn't hear my footsteps. I should have known the rumors were true, I had paid a deaf ear to them, the signs were there, she came to our house with him rarely and whenever she’d come, she laughed hard at his jokes. “Why does she follow you around even after work?!” I had always asked Jason those questions almost every time but he shoved them off by kissing me and telling me not to worry about her. The world around me tilted, my stomach twisting so hard I thought I might be sick. The ring box slipped from my fingers, landing on the plush carpet with a soft thud, they were lost in their activity and they didn't notice my presence. My lips parted but my throat felt dry, I wanted to cry, shout, I couldn't, my muscles felt stiff to give him a slap across his face. The chill running down my spine made me weak, I couldn't watch anymore, I tilted my neck, moving my body away from them. I straightened my shoulders and raised my leg to leave when my eyes caught sight of a 6’5 foot man. He was walking towards me, exuding an intimidating aura that made the air feel heavier. His sharp suit molded to his body, his steps smooth and majestic. There was something about him, something dangerous, something powerful, the perfect revenge. The moment I saw him, an idea popped up. It was supposed to be reckless. I had no option, my mind screamed at me to stop, but it was too late. I reached into my pockets, pulled out the ring and stepped towards him. “If I propose to you right now,” I said, my voice low despite the storm raging inside me, our eyes locked , “would you say yes?” I saw his lips twitch while he raised an eyebrow, his dark eyes flicking between my face and the ring in my palm. “ That depends.” His voice was rich, smooth. “What do I get in return?” “A Valentine’s trip to the Maldives.” The air thickened, the tension became tight, silence deafening with our eyes locked, we stood a few steps away, his face curled to a smirk as he lifted his left chin. “Then yes.” My eyes fluttered with my face beaming with a smile, it was a perfect revenge, I put the ring in his finger. I raised my face looking at Leonardo, I expected he would feel troubled but he wasn't, has he known me? I don't think so, his dark eyes burned with something I know I should be scared of, but I wasn't. I have to make this real, I drew air into my nostrils, walking closer to him. His cologne hit my nostrils, it was rich, deep masculine, somehow intoxicating. My breath hitched, I placed my hands on his chest, standing on my toes to reach him, his lips. I opened my eyes, I could see his eyes flare, amusement? He parted his lips, leaning closer as though he was daring me, I stopped looking at him wondering where he had the audacity. “Go on,” his breath hit my face, it smelt like he would get me drawn in his masculine taste , his voice low and smooth. “I don’t bite.” Liar. He looked like he could devour me and make my bones weak. My blood rushed to my head, as I raised my face, my lips just a breath away from his, I stopped only for a second, then I pushed my face closer, covering the distance. His lips were warm, juicy, firm and he wasn't moving his lips as though he was testing me, I sucked on his lips still wondering if I got it wrong. I wanted to pull away, This has to be a m… He moved. A slow, gentle response, his hand moved slowly to my waist, his finger enough to pull me in, he held me with much strength. His lips were indeed intoxicating, his tongue teasing my upper lips, then he pushed his tongue deeper, I could feel them in my throat. A shiver ran down my spine, my fingers on his suit, pulling him closer. The kiss was supposed to be a statement. A way to erase Jason. So why did it feel like something more? I felt a moan about to escape my lips, I pulled away, Leonardo's face lifted to a smirk. “Well,” he murmured, catching my breath as he used his thumb to rub my lips . “That was unexpected.” I was running out of time to process the kiss or anything that had just happened, I needed to do the last thing and cut ties with him like he never existed. I held his hand, they were so much larger than mine, and I pulled him into Jason's office, “What a surprise!.” Immediately Jason's assistant, Clara gasped covering her mouth and pulling her skirt down to cover her body, her face turning blue. Jason saw me beside him, he pulled his trouser up, buckling his belt with his member facing the floor, his hands shaking at the mere sight of the man I had proposed to or the sight of me catching him in the act. That can never be Jason. Jason stood with strong shoulders, his upper body straight, avoiding eye contact with us, his cocky smile vanished. His parted lips slightly went into a thin line with no words escaping from them. His hands, the same ones that were around her waist, curled into loose fists, knuckles turning white as he took steps back. His jaw tightened, his eyes on every corner of the room not on us, he was scared. Jason's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, his breathing shallow and uneven. “B-Boss?” he stammered, in a low voice. I blinked, my heart skipped a beat, my chest coming together, I realized I knew nothing about the man I had just proposed to. Boss? I tilted my neck, I turned to the man still holding my hands tight, I took his features in deeply now. My eyes looking at the sharpness of his jaw, the cold dark eyes, I gathered my thoughts together and I realized, with sudden, breath-stealing clarity. I had just proposed to Jason’s CEO, I felt my heart leap with the truth that had unfolded in front of me.