WHEN LOVE LASTS

Chapter 6: "Secrets And Scandals In Y City"

'BRUNO'

After dropping Mercy off, Bruno couldn’t shake the memory of her standing up for him at the boutique. A smile crept across his face as he replayed the scene in his mind. It was unexpected. "I see she's in your head already," Alan remarked, stepping into the office and interrupting Bruno's thoughts.

"What is wrong with you, man? Can't you see I'm trying to think?" Bruno snapped, though the irritation in his voice was more playful than serious.

"Oh yes, thinking about how you’re going to use that poor girl," Alan replied, folding his arms with a knowing grin.

Bruno leaned back in his chair, a smirk forming on his lips. "I’m not a beast, Alan. But if she wants me, I won't promise anything. Mercy Williams is sexy."

Alan raised an eyebrow, leaning against the doorframe. "Just don't do anything stupid. Her best friend is Malcom’s sister, Clo, and she won't hesitate to protect her."

Malcom Knight was a force to be reckoned with in Y City, a name synonymous with power and privilege. Clo had always kept her family ties a secret, claiming she wanted nothing to do with the Knights, but Bruno knew that wouldn't stop her brothers from stepping in if needed.

"I'm not afraid of the Knights," Bruno retorted, his irritation surfacing at the mere mention of the family's name. "They need me."

"Fine, just don't do anything to hurt her. She looks different from the other girls," Alan warned, concern etched on his face.

"Do you like her or something?" Bruno shot back, half-joking, but a flicker of seriousness lingered in the air.

Alan shook his head, but the shock on his face was telling. "Come on, Bruno! I don’t like her, but she feels like an innocent child. She caught her boyfriend cheating with her friend recently. Just be easy on her."

Bruno sank into thought for a moment, processing his friend's words. "Okay, fine. I hear you. It's just today I met Jessica, and she was saying crazy stuff to me. Miss Williams stood up for me." A smile broke through his contemplative demeanor. "She’s a sweet little soul."

Bruno shifted in his chair, letting out a sigh. "So how is the preparation for my trip going?"

Alan settled next to him, launching into a detailed rundown of their upcoming three-week cruise on the yacht. They discussed the events lined up, the guests invited, and the excitement building for all the extravagant parties. After what felt like hours, they finally wrapped up the trip planning.

"Oh, by the way," Alan added casually, "your father said you should attend the gala in K City. It’s the day after tomorrow."

Bruno rolled his eyes, knowing that Senior Mr. Volemont believed he only listened to Alan. "Okay, then tell Sophia to call Mercy and add that to her schedule on your way out."

Alan nodded and left the office, leaving Bruno in a moment of solitude.

Just a few minutes later, Jessica burst into his office unannounced, her presence filling the room with an unwelcome tension. "What the hell, Jessica?" he snapped, irritation bubbling beneath the surface.

Ignoring him, she turned to Sophia, who stood behind her with an apologetic look. "So, you’re sleeping with that stylist of yours?"

Bruno's response was immediate. "So what if I am?" he shot back, maintaining a straight face, but Jessica looked shocked.

"I can't believe you! How can you degrade me like that? She’s low class, and you dumped me, a supermodel!" Jessica’s voice dripped with disdain.

Bruno felt his irritation rise to a boiling point. "Do you even have a type, Bruno? Or do you just sleep with any woman?"

He stood up from his chair, the tension thick in the air. "If that’s all, get out of my office before I call security. And by the way, don’t compare yourself with Miss Williams. She has standards higher than you."

As he lifted his phone to dial security, Jessica's eyes flashed with anger. "Bruno, you will regret this," she hissed as she stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind her.

Once the door clicked shut, Bruno sank back into his chair, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He had a big day ahead, the first day of a three-day cruise with friends and some of the city's elite—daughters of powerful families, top actresses, and models, not to mention his stylist who would also be joining.

As he returned to his work, thoughts of Mercy lingered at the edges of his mind, a sweet distraction from the chaos of his life. He couldn’t help but wonder if he would see her again soon, and if he did, how things might unfold between them amidst the glamour and glitz that awaited him.