Vow of Convenience

Ch. 9

ZESA RUSSO

I rarely talked about my parents—it hurt too much. But today, their memory tugged at me, pulling me back to those precious fragments of the past. My mother, Ozora, was a gentle soul, always radiating warmth, while my father, Luca, was every bit the hard-headed, stubborn man he appeared to be—except when it came to her. He was all hers, heart and soul.

They had a meet-cute straight out of a romance novel. My mother loved telling the story—how my father, on a blind date with some noble family’s daughter, spotted her tossing popcorn into her mouth, lost in her own world. It was love at first sight, she’d say. He was hooked, captivated by her oblivious charm, following her around the theater like a lovesick fool, completely forgetting the woman he’d come with.

My father, though, always had a different take. He claimed it wasn’t stalking if they just happened to end up in the same places. And when she brought up how he trailed her home, he’d just laugh it off and say, “I did it out of love.” Watching them back then, I wanted that—a love that made you feel seen, cherished, a story you’d smile about for years to come. But some dreams never see the light of day.

I glanced to my right, where Levi sat, coffee in hand, staring into the cup like it held answers to questions neither of us dared to ask. He’d gone to get it for us a while ago, but now his silence stretched between us. His presence usually brought a sense of calm, a quiet joy, but lately... lately, knowing that his heart wasn’t with me—wasn’t mine—twisted something deep inside.

I couldn’t help but wonder if I ever crossed his mind, even fleetingly, as something more than an inconvenience, more than the weight of his past mistakes. My thoughts drifted to that kiss. The kiss that he didn’t remember. Would it matter? Would anything between us change, or would it all stay the same?

“You’re crying.”

His voice cut through my reverie. I blinked, quickly wiping away the dampness I hadn’t realized was there. “Did you say something?”

He didn’t answer, not with words. Instead, his thumb brushed my cheek, wiping away the tear I hadn’t noticed. My heart stuttered under his touch, a cruel reminder of everything I couldn’t have. When three months came and went, would he still be here? Or would I be left clinging to the ghost of what I thought we could be?

“Don’t go,” I breathed, my voice small, almost a whisper.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said, sounding puzzled. “I don’t have plans.”

So clueless. So blind. I shifted closer, resting my head against his shoulder. He froze, clearly startled by my boldness. “Just this once,” I murmured. “Be kind to me, just this once.”

He hesitated, then his arm wrapped around me, tentative but steady, pulling me close. And for that one fleeting moment, I allowed myself to imagine a life where this wasn’t just a rare kindness, where his touch was more than just an afterthought. How nice would it be to feel this warmth whenever I needed it? For him to care for me, not out of obligation or pity, but simply because he wanted to.

But miracles don’t happen, not for someone like me. “Soon, you won’t have to see me anymore,” I said quietly. “You won’t hear my voice, won’t have to deal with me at all.”

He was silent.

“Are you looking forward to it?” I pressed, forcing myself to smile even as my heart splintered.

“Yes,” he admitted, his voice barely audible. “I am.”

The words hit me like a blow to the chest. I pulled away, unable to mask the pain that welled up inside me. Tears burned at the edges of my eyes, but I swallowed them down. I had been strong before, I could be strong again. Zesa Russo didn’t crumble in front of anyone. Not even him. But before Levi, I always broke.

“Me too.” The lie slipped out easily as I stood, placing my untouched coffee on the bench. “Thanks for the coffee.”

He rose too. “Where are you going?”

“Does it matter?” I threw the question at him like a weapon, trying to maintain my composure.

“It does.”

Those two simple words stopped me cold. It mattered to him? I searched his face for any sign of truth, but his expression remained unreadable.

“You told Louryn you’d be here if she needed anything,” he reminded me, his voice gentler now.

Right. Louryn. Pull yourself together, Zesa. Have some pride.

“I’ll be back. I need to check on work.”

“You could take the day off,” he suggested. “You’re the boss, aren’t you?”

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to mask my frustration. “Just because I can doesn’t mean I should. There’s work that needs attending to. You get that, don’t you, Mr. Del Campa?”

He narrowed his eyes. “Are you okay?”

“Fine.” I held out my hand. “Keys. I need the car.”

He handed them over without a word, but his gaze lingered, questioning. I couldn’t handle it. Not now.

I got into the car and slammed the door, placing my head against the steering wheel. He could’ve lied. He could’ve told me anything to ease the ache, but no—he had to be honest. And his truth was a punch to the gut.

When I finally lifted my head, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the rearview mirror. I looked like hell. Dark circles under my eyes, remnants of a sleepless night spent worrying over Louryn. I couldn’t go to work like this. Not looking like a ghost. Not feeling like one.

I reached for my phone and dialed Finn.

“Hello?” His voice was light, almost cheerful.

“I’m craving caviar. Can you pick some up for me?”

“But I’m at work.”

“I’ll pay you for your time,” I said flatly.

That perked him up. “I’m on my way.”

I ended the call, started the car, and drove home. When I arrived, I tossed the keys to one of the guards and headed inside. I needed to shower, to wash away the remnants of Levi’s rejection, the disappointment, the ache that clung to me like a second skin.

After a long, scalding shower and a change into a black maxi dress, I felt... well, not better, but presentable. Barely. I poured myself a glass of champagne, waiting for Finn—or my next distraction—to show up.

Instead, it was someone else. Alejandro. The host of last night’s party, standing at my door with a smug grin and a gift bag in hand.

"You?"

His grin widened. “Are you that surprised to see me?”

I straightened. “I wasn’t expecting company.”

“Well, you can’t turn me away now,” he teased as he stepped inside.

I poured him a drink and we settled into an uneasy silence, the gift bag sitting between us like a question neither of us wanted to ask.

“You look... tired,” he observed. “Something on your mind?”

I let out a dry laugh. “I didn’t sleep much. Someone I care about is in the hospital. I stayed with her all night.”

His expression softened, a flicker of sympathy in his eyes. “Then I should leave. Let you rest.”

I shook my head. “No. I’m too upset to sleep anyway.”

He hesitated. “Did Levi do something to upset you?”

I stiffened. Why would he bring up Levi? Was this what Sophia had hinted at last night? Did he—could he—actually be interested in me?

“No,” I lied. “It’s work-related.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah.” I glanced at the gift bag. “So, what brings you here?”

He slid it toward me with a smile. “Just thought I’d drop by. And I brought you something.”

Inside was a pair of Harry Winston diamond earrings, glittering like tiny stars. I swallowed hard. They were beautiful, extravagant even. A part of me loved them, but another part wondered why. Why give me something so... intimate?

“They’re stunning,” I said, my voice low. “Thank you.”

He rose to leave, excusing himself for another appointment. As I watched him go, Finn arrived, his expression twisting in curiosity as Alejandro brushed past him.

“What was he doing here?” Finn asked, eyes narrowing.

“Dropping off a gift.” I motioned to the earrings.

Finn’s gaze lingered on them, a mix of skepticism and concern in his eyes. “Be careful, Zesa. You know what this looks like, right?”

I sighed. Sophia’s warning echoed in my mind. Could Alejandro actually be developing feelings for me?

“Should I return them?” I asked.

Finn shrugged. “Keep them. Just be prepared. He might confess his feelings soon.”

I groaned, but Finn grinned, pulling out the caviar I’d asked for. He was my only constant, the only one who could always lift my spirits.

For now, I’d focus on that. On him. On us. The mess with Levi, with Alejandro, could wait. Right now, I just wanted to enjoy my caviar with a friend who, at least for now, wasn’t going anywhere.