Dangerous Affair

Chapter 12

Tessa

"You are a mess, girl! You should know how these things work. And who the hell are you trying to impress? If it's that jerk, I swear I am going to make you regret calling me."

Grace has always hated Jake from the start. Not a day goes by, and she doesn't say mean things about him to everyone. She's a complete maniac when it comes to my ex-boyfriend. One time, she tried setting him up so I could leave him, but I clearly misunderstood her intentions back then and still chose the bastard that went ahead to screw my best friend behind my back. I should have listened to Grace back then, but I was so blinded by my love for him, he promised to do better. He blamed his excesses on the tragedy he had encountered. There was always one excuse or another when it comes to that jerk.

I hiss and roll my eyes while Grace growls deeply at the other end of the line.

"Don't make me lash out on you, girl. Jake's in the past now, but who the hell are you to throw shades?!" I snap in a heartbeat. "You did worse than him. I trusted you to have my back, but what did you do in the end? You left me looking like a fool out there."

"Tessa," she tries to cut me off.

"Don't you call me that."

"I can explain, girl. I looked everywhere for you, but there was nothing left to find. I need my f*****g job and challenging that jerk would have been the end of me, and you know it. Girl! You have to let it go. I'm sorry."

"That's not the point right now," I dismiss her. "I have to keep this one or am toast. Those bastards played me all along. The entire campus is a mess and I am pretty sure they're all waiting for my return so they can mock me, but I don't want that to happen, Grace. Nick is powerful and has got my back. I want them to pay for what they did to me, but I can't do that if he doesn't want me anymore. You have to help me…"

"Girl! Where did you get a man so powerful? You really are something." Grace chuckles.

I bite my lips in exhaustion.

Grace is yet to understand the urgency of this matter and it's frustrating.

Nicolas must not leave me now.

"Stop playing around," I yell.

I walk around the bedroom, something close to misery settles on my face. Grace, on the other hand, sighs at my misery the moment I yell. She has always known me as a calm person, I have never shouted at her or acted razz around her.

She exhales and I click my tongue.

"How bad do you want this?" She asks.

My heart races at her seriousness and I smile in relief. I look to the side and run to my bed, pulling my weight on it as my fingers run through my hair.

"Very," I reply.

"Hmm!" She sighs. "I may not be there with you, but I think I can help you win this prince charming over, but in return, you have to come over to the bar one last time. I really need to know you are okay."

"Okay, deal."

"Cool! Then let's begin."

I clap in amusement as Grace begins her tiny lectures.

I hope this works.

*

Knock!

I jolt at the sudden interruption, my eyes scan the bedroom and anxiety creeps inside of me. I swallow softly, hoping it isn't Nick. I don't have to leave his mansion now and, luckily for me, Grace did some work on me earlier.

All I need is the perfect opportunity.

The constant knocking on the door keeps coming in, and I run for it only to be glared at by Clinton.

"Oh! It's you," I look away so our eyes don't meet. "I thought it was Nick."

"Hmm!" He scoffs, he grins awkwardly at me and I roll my eyes.

I bet he knows.

"I did tell you to be careful, Tessa."

His tone reeks of mockery and my belly twists.

"What do you want?" I ask reluctantly.

"Nickolas wants you in his office now and don't think of doing anything stupid. You are leaving in the morning, and you had better keep those lips sealed out there about Nick. You saw nothing here, and you were never here." He grabs my arm and squeezes it, his breath settles on my skin.

"Let me go," I yell, pushing him aside with anger brewing in me. "You don't touch me, ever! You should be more compassionate than your boss, but you are such an old monster. What the heck?!"

"Don't say I didn't warn you," he growls before leaving my bedroom.

I pace back inside and my reflection dawns on me in the mirror. I inhale softly and shake my head.

I feel like a stranger in this body.

*

Nick's office is completely dark and I can't see a thing. I try to compose myself when a low growl rumbles in the air.

"What the heck was that?!" I half yell, my voice is barely above a whisper.

The entire mansion is a mystery.

Slowly, I take a step back, but the light suddenly switches on, and I jolt, running towards the exit, but a force so strong pulls me back when my body slams against his firm chest and our eyes meet.

His brows lift and I fall to the ground.

"I-I," I stammer, but he rolls his eyes.

"Are you going to stay that way or you need help getting back up?" He asks.

"Huh?!" I flicker my eyes and swallow. "I can help myself."

"Very well then," he says with his tone almost emotionless. "You should know why I called you, Tessa."

He moves in my direction as I manage to get back up, his eyes scanning mine as he interlocks his fingers behind him.

"I–" he says, but I cut him off.

My body surges when I make my way to his lips, ceasing the opportunity for myself.

I kiss him in a haste.

Silence lingering in the air.

He slowly pulls away and tilts his head while I tremble like a bag of jelly. He runs his fingers through his hair and clicks his tongue. A slight scoff slips from his mouth and something close to anger dances on his face as our eyes meet.

I am so done for— he doesn't seem like he likes it.