chapter 4
1471 Words
After watching the endless posts and videos of her fiancé with that so-called model, Lexi barely slept.
She layed awake for hours, staring at the ceiling, her chest tight with unease desperately praying for the next day to come.
The next day, she texted Samara to bring her a change of clothes, something bold, something that would make her stand out.
Samara insisted on coming along, especially since Lexi was still recovering. There was no way she would let her face this alone.
Together, they drove to Kingsgate Hotel. The building loomed tall and imposing, its glass exterior reflecting the bright morning sun. Inside, everyone was busy as usual. The staff stared at her but Lexi couldn't care less about them.
She had only come for one purpose, to confront Desmond
Lexi walked in with a rigid posture, her face set in a cold, unreadable expression.
Without hesitation, she stepped into the elevator and made her way up to Desmond’s private office.
The moment she walked in, her breath caught.
Desmond sat on the couch, his tall, well-built frame relaxed against the cushions. His sharp jawline was set in calm indifference, his dark eyes unreadable.
His neatly styled hair and tailored suit gave him an effortless, commanding presence. Beside him was Vanessa who leaned far too close, her hand resting boldly on his lap as if she belonged there.
For a brief second, Desmond’s eyes flickered with surprise at Lexi’s sudden appearance but just as quickly, he masked it, his expression settling into cool composure.
“What is going on here?” Lexi asked, her voice trembling with restrained anger.
Her heart pounded violently in her chest. She had only been gone for a week and this was what she came back to?
“What does it look like?” Samara snapped, her face twisted in disgust.
“Don’t you have your eyes? Your fiancé is clearly cheating on you.”
“Fiancé?” Vanessa echoed, her brows lifting in surprise.
But the surprise didn’t last. It slowly melted into something else more condescending. Her gaze swept over Lexi, lingering just long enough to make her meaning clear.
Of all women… her expression seemed to say.
Lexi didn’t need words. She understood perfectly.
“I was gone for a week,” Lexi said, her voice shaking now,
“and this is how you treat me? Aren’t you going to explain yourself?”
Desmond’s jaw tightened slightly, irritation flashing across his face.
What is she going on about? he thought. Does she really think she can control me just because we’re engaged?
For a moment, he almost said it, almost ended everything right there. But he stopped himself.
It wasn't time to act rashly, he still needed her.
“Vanessa, give us a minute,” he said casually, as if nothing serious was happening. “Wait outside.”
Then his gaze shifted to Samara. “You too. I need to clear things up with your friend.”
Reluctantly, they both stepped out.
Just as Vanessa was about to walk away, Samara stopped her.
“Did you really not know he was engaged,” she asked sharply, “or is this part of your plan to ruin their relationship?”
Vanessa paused and turned slowly, her eyes scanning Samara from head to toe. A faint smirk tugged at her lips as she clicked her tongue.
“I can’t believe he’d date someone like your friend,” she said bluntly. “To be honest, I didn’t know he was in a relationship, let alone engaged. But it’s just an engagement, right? It can still be called off.”
Samara stared at her in disbelief, her face hardening with disgust.
“Wow. Is this how the rich behave? Claiming what doesn’t belong to them?”
Vanessa let out a soft laugh.
“From what I see, it’s your friend who’s claiming what isn’t hers. Forcing herself into a status far beyond her league.” She tilted her head slightly.
“If I were you, I’d tell her to back out. At least save me the stress.”
She turned to leave, then paused, glancing back over her shoulder.
“Desmond never admitted to being in a relationship with her. And they’ve never gone public…” she added lightly. “ Don't you think you should question that?.”
With that, she walked away, leaving Samara standing there, speechless and uneasy. Her eyes drifted to the closed office door, worry creeping into her chest.
Inside, the tension had already snapped.
“What are you doing here?” Desmond demanded, his voice sharp. “And how did you get past the security outside my office?”
“What do you think?” Lexi shot back. “I just told them I’m your fiancée.”
His eyes widened instantly.
Before she could react, he lunged forward and grabbed her by the throat.
“What did you say?” he growled, his grip tightening. “You’re joking, right?”
Lexi’s eyes widened in shock as she clawed at his hands, struggling to breathe. Panic surged through her veins.
“I—I was joking,” she choked out desperately. “There were no guards outside…”
For a moment, he stared at her, searching her face.
Then slowly, he released her.
Lexi stumbled back, coughing, her hand went immediately to her neck. It burned where his fingers had pressed, the skin already turning red.
Desmond exhaled, his expression easing as relief washed over him. Then, as if suddenly realizing what he had done, he stepped closer.
“I’m sorry, Lexi,” he said, his tone softer now.
“I just… reacted. You shouldn’t joke like that. Look at what it caused.”
Lexi stared at him, stunned into silence. Tears gathered in her eyes, but she forced them back, refusing to let them fall.
“Des…” her voice cracked. “Are you cheating on me?”
He met her gaze for a brief second before answering,
“Vanessa?” he said smoothly. “She’s the face of Kingsgate. Of course you’ll see us together, because it is work.”
His voice was calm, convincing almost too convincing.
Lexi let out a hollow, bitter laugh.
“Work?” she repeated. “She was all over you, Des. I saw her hands on you. What about the video of her kissing you? It’s trending everywhere. What are you two now, some kind of power couple?”
“Enough with this nonsense attitude!” he snapped.
The force in his voice made her flinch.
“Are you a child?” he continued coldly. “I was just as surprised as you when she kissed me. What did you expect me to do, walk out?”
“Yes!” Lexi shouted, her voice breaking.
“Not just walk away, push her off! Say something! Announce your engagement and shut everyone up!”
Desmond let out a short, humorless chuckle.
“Unbelievable,” he muttered. “You’ve really changed, Lexi. What happened to that quiet, obedient girl I knew?”
Her expression hardened.
“You brought this on yourself, Desmond,” she said firmly. “If you won’t tell people about our engagement, then I will.”
For the first time, something flickered in his eyes, fear.
“I’ll announce it,” he said quickly.
“But there’s something you need to do first.”
Lexi’s anger flared again.
Of course there was.
There was always something to do just to keep the relationship going. Now it was her engagement at stake.
“I told my father about us,” he continued, slipping his hands into his pockets.
“He’s eager to meet you when he returns. But when I mentioned that you work under me… he disapproved.”
Her anger faltered slightly.
He told his father…?
“Why?” she asked, her voice quieter now. “Why does he disapprove?”
“He thinks you didn’t earn your position,” Desmond replied.
“That I gave it to you because of our relationship.”
Lexi’s brows furrowed.
“So what do you want me to do? He doesn’t disapprove of the marriage itself, does he?”
“Of course not.”
Desmond walked to his desk and pulled out a file, handing it to her.
“I want you to work here.”
Lexi opened it and her eyes widened in shock.
“Vaughn Hotel?!”
Desmond nodded.
“It’s one of the biggest hotel chains in Los Angeles, with branches in Dubai, Paris, and beyond,” he said.
“If you can secure a strong position there, my father will take you seriously.”
He paused, his gaze darkening slightly.
“But that’s not all,” he added quietly. “While you’re there… I need you to do something for me.”
- Writer
