Vow of Convenience

Ch. 4

ZESA RUSSO

They say sleeping next to someone you love makes you fall asleep faster, lifts your mood, and even extends your life. I’d heard that countless times, but until recently, I never truly understood it. Waking up to see Levi, almost naked and vulnerable in the early morning light, was like being reborn. Every worry, every ounce of sadness I’d buried deep inside seemed to vanish in that moment, as if the sight of him was all it took to cleanse me. It was hard to imagine that a man’s body, one I’d grown so accustomed to, could hold this much power over me.

My eyes drifted over his form, lingering longer than I intended. Tanned, chiseled abs, the sharp V-line just above his towel—it felt almost criminal to look away. My pulse quickened, the rhythm of my heart betraying my calm exterior. The way his muscles flexed as he dried his hair with the towel sent heat spiraling through me, and I couldn’t help but imagine those strong arms lifting weights—or better yet, lifting me. I swallowed hard, trying to push that thought away. There was something intoxicating about him, something that made it impossible to think straight. Levi was everything—strong, athletic, with a mind as sharp as his body was irresistible.

He cleared his throat, snapping me out of my trance. Damn. He caught me ogling him, and I had no shame. How dare he stand there, looking like that, and expect me to focus? The sight of him was enough to make me fall apart without even trying. I pressed my legs together under the sheets, a slight ache stirring deep within me. Dirty thoughts first thing in the morning. This is the life I’m living now, apparently. A life where I shamelessly want him from the moment I open my eyes.

“I’m heading out early. I won’t have breakfast with you today. Sorry,” he said, breaking the silence.

I shook my head, feeling a mix of disappointment and irritation. He was always like this—running off, keeping his distance, even when he was right in front of me. “That’s not how you say it.”

He raised an eyebrow, genuinely puzzled. “Say what?”

“Good morning,” I began with a smirk, standing and grabbing my robe to cover my silk nightdress.. “Did you sleep well? And then, you tell me about your plans and how you won’t be having breakfast with me.”

He forced a smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “My bad. I’m getting used to this.”

His words lingered in the air, and I felt a sting I hadn’t expected. Getting used to what? To me? To us? I pushed the thought aside, not wanting to go down that road today. “It’s okay. When will you be back?”

“Perhaps noon?” he answered casually, as if it didn’t matter either way.

“Okay.”

I walked past him into the bathroom, the frustration gnawing at me. By the time I’d finished my routine, he was gone. No goodbye, no acknowledgment, just…gone. He didn’t even bother to tell me. But what else was new? I had bigger things to worry about today—an important meeting with a few workers from my pharmaceutical subsidiary in Rome. I couldn’t afford to sulk, no matter how much Levi’s absence left an ache in my chest.

After slipping into a crisp white suit, I was ready to leave. Like Levi, I skipped breakfast. Time didn’t allow for luxuries today. I may have owned the company, but I refused to be one of those CEOs who kept people waiting. The workers made me who I was. Without them, I’d be nothing.

I decided to drive myself today. Edwardo wasn’t needed—I had a car I’d waited years for, and today was the perfect day to take it out. My precious Bugatti La Voiture Noire. The time it had taken to arrive was excruciating, but now that it was finally in my possession, I savored every moment behind the wheel.

When I parked in front of the building, the familiar sight of executives lined up outside greeted me. Finn was no exception, standing stiff and polished as ever. It was a routine I’d grown used to, one that made me feel like I was playing a role in a movie—one where I was supposed to be untouchable.

Finn approached, his gaze shifting slightly as he held a suitcase. “Are you really going to meet with them?” he asked.

Today, I decided not to let Edwardo drive me to work. No, today I wanted to feel the hum of the engine, the grip of the steering wheel beneath my fingers. My car—my precious Bugatti La Voiture Noire. It had taken two years for it to arrive, and every minute of waiting was worth it. Finally, last week, I held the keys to it. Only two models were built each year, and this one was mine.

I parked in front of the Techya headquarters, the building's towering glass façade reflecting back the morning light. As soon as I stepped out, I was met by the executives, lined up like they always did, waiting for me. Finn stood among them, his eyes scanning me with the same careful scrutiny as always. With my head held high, I walked toward the entrance, and they fell in line behind me.

Finn approached, briefcase in hand, his steps slightly quicker than usual. “Are you really going to meet with them?” he asked, a trace of hesitation in his voice.

“I must,” I replied coolly, without missing a beat. “It’s my responsibility to hear their concerns.”

He glanced at the others trailing behind us as we entered the conference room. The air was thick, tense. In the center stood an enormous table with seats perfectly arranged along both sides. My place, as always, was at the head. A projector screen hung at the far end, and plastic plants decorated the corners. It was sterile, impersonal.

Inside, three workers from Rome were already waiting. They stood the moment I entered. Two men, one woman—each wearing the same look of strained professionalism. Only when I sat did they finally lower themselves back into their seats.

“Let’s begin, shall we?” My voice cut through the heavy silence. I turned my gaze to the woman first. “What is it you wish to tell me?”

She cleared her throat. “I’m a scientist working on the Veltrina-50 project.”

Veltrina-50. My company’s newest drug, meant to treat cancer. We had invested two years into its development. At first, the trials were promising, until patients began bleeding from their noses and mouths. We halted human trials immediately—there were no deaths, thank the gods—but the drug had become a ticking time bomb. I could sense something coming before she even spoke again.

“And it’s come to our attention that the Apselpane used in production is causing severe health issues for our workers.”

My brows furrowed. “In what way?”

She handed me a folder of pictures and medical reports. I flipped through them, feeling a knot form in my stomach. Their livers were failing. Bloodshot eyes, pale faces—there were even photos of workers who had coughed up blood. The implications were clear. This was worse than I thought.

“Six workers have already died,” she said, voice somber. “We cannot continue producing the drug under these conditions. It’s killing us.”

I exhaled slowly, setting the reports down. “And the others? How are they?”

Her eyes lowered. “Not well. The families of the deceased are furious. They’re demanding compensation and an apology.”

I nodded. “We’ll take full responsibility. Inform them that Techya will compensate the families. And if need be, I’ll fly to Rome myself to apologize.”

One of the male workers shifted, clearing his throat. “What about the production? Will we halt everything?”

Before I could answer, Lorenzo—our middle-aged, overweight director—interjected. “Stop production? Do you have any idea how much we’ve already invested into Veltrina-50? If we perfect it, it could make us billions.”

“Our lives matter,” the woman countered, her voice sharp.

Lorenzo adjusted his glasses, dismissive. “A small price to pay for the future of Techya. Can’t you endure it a bit longer until the drug is finished?”

My eyes flicked to Anita Ferro, our legal adviser. Smart, calculated. I trusted her judgment more than most. “What do you think?”

Anita straightened in her seat. “If we continue, more workers will get sick. Lawsuits will follow, and the damage to Techya’s reputation could be catastrophic. But if we pause production to find a safer alternative to Apselpane, we can salvage both the drug and the company.”

I turned to the workers again. “Can you find a substitute?”

The woman allowed herself a small smile. “We’ll begin as soon as we return.”

“Good. Veltrina-50 is suspended until then.” I rose to my feet, and they followed suit. I extended my hand to the woman. “Thank you for bringing this to my attention.”

She shook it firmly. “No, thank you for valuing our health. My colleagues will be relieved to hear this.”

After shaking hands with the other two workers, I turned and walked out, the executives trailing behind me. Once we were outside the conference room, I stopped abruptly and faced Lorenzo. His posture stiffened.

“The lives of my workers matter far more than you think,” I said, my voice deadly calm. “And unless you want to be transferred to a subsidiary where you can see firsthand what it’s like to work with hazardous chemicals, I suggest you think very carefully before you open your mouth again.”

Lorenzo swallowed hard. “Understood.”

I continued toward the elevator, Finn and Anita flanking me as the others dispersed. Inside, I leaned back against the wall, the cool metal soothing my rising frustration. “I need a report on Lorenzo’s recent activities,” I told Finn. “If he’s slacking, I’ll have him removed.”

Finn nodded. “Right away.”

I could feel the weight of their hesitation, how they exchanged glances behind me. Something was off, and they were both too nervous to tell me.

As we exited the elevator and I shrugged off my jacket, Anita broke the silence. “Miss Russo, Finn has something he needs to tell you.”

I turned, eyes narrowing at Finn’s suddenly pale face. “Well?”

He took a deep breath. “There are protesters outside the building… and they’ve destroyed your car.”

For a moment, I just stood there. My mind went blank. “My car?”

My Bugatti. My eighteen-million-dollar masterpiece. The car I had waited two years for, like a mother waiting for her child. They destroyed it?

Finn’s voice wavered. “Yes. Your car.”

I felt a surge of anger rise, tightening my chest. “Why?” I demanded. “What was security doing while this happened? Playing games?”

Grabbing my jacket, I stormed out of my office, Finn and Anita scrambling behind me. My heels clacked sharply on the floor, each step a barely controlled explosion of fury. “They are going to pay for this,” I seethed. “I’ll sue every last one of them.”

“Are you sure that’s the best idea?” Anita asked cautiously.

“Do I look like I care? They destroyed my car!” I snapped. “I’ll make them regret ever stepping foot near it.”

Finn shifted uncomfortably. “There’s a reason they’re protesting.”

I stopped cold. “And what reason would that be?”

He swallowed. “They claim we closed the New York subsidiary without informing or compensating them properly. They’ve been here twice before.”

I spun on him, eyes blazing. “And why am I only hearing about this now?”

“I thought we could handle it without involving you…”

I didn’t wait for him to finish. I marched toward the exit, my mind already buzzing with the implications. Outside, the protesters were lined up, signs raised in the air, shouting their demands. They wore black outfits and masks, as if that could hide their identities.

“She’s here!” one of them yelled as I stepped out. The leader of the protest approached, sign in hand.

Security rushed to form a barrier around me—something they should’ve done for my car. The signs read, No to sudden dismissals! and Pay us our entitlements!

The leader squared his shoulders, meeting my gaze. “We demand an explanation, Miss Russo. Why did you shut down Techya Bio without properly notifying us?”

I looked at him, my mind already calculating. This was going to be a long day.