Storm in My Chest

Before my mind can even process,

I felt it. His lips on mine.

He kissed me.

"Vincent..."

My eyes went wide.

I felt so weak...

I couldn't resist...

No. No no no no no—

My hands pushed at his arm, but he didn't move.

His grip was like iron. Strong unyielding.

I couldn't bend it at all.

For a second felt like my whole life.

Finally, I shoved him away, hard.

He just let me. And glared at me with those golden eyes.

What is he even thinking...?

I stormed out of the car.

Looked left And right. Searching.

Where is he?

"Lucas!"

But I couldn't see him anywhere.

Then,

It hit me. 

"Why... why do I care about him?

Why does it hurt... when he saw Vincent kiss me?

He did that first, He kissed Sienna.

He doesn't care about me."

I just stood there.

One drop of rain landed on my cheek.

Or... maybe that was a tear.

"Lucas..."

Then I turned back,

Vincent was just standing there.

Watching me. Besides his car.

Waiting for me. His lips moved. I swear he wanted to say something.

But nothing came out. Just "Go home."

A tear.

"Why am I crying..."

I turned around and ran.

Straight to my room.

Avoided everyone.

Slammed my door shut.

Yup again.

Meanwhile.

Vincent drove straight toward Lucas.

Lucas was just walking. Anger in his chest.

Rain pouring. One by one slowly.

Vincent lowered his window.

"Hey. Kid wanna ride?"

Lucas glared at him.

"Get out of my face."

Vincent smirked.

"Just remember. Rose is mine.

Don't you dare come here ever again."

He rolled the window up and drove off.

Lucas clenched his bag and slammed it to the ground.

Then he sat down in the rain.

Pulled out his phone.

Tried to call me.

(You have been blocked from this user.)

"AGH!"

He threw it to the ground. The screen cracked.

My picture, his wallpaper split right across my face.

The rain kept pouring. And he just sat there.

Broken.

Back in my room

I lay on my bed, phone in my hand.

Thumb hovering over his name.

Lucas (Blocked)

I groaned so loud.

"Ugh, fine..." I unblocked him.

Hit Call. Only to hear the beep.

And "this number is no longer in use."

"No way..."

I flopped back down.

Stared at my ceiling.

Why do I even care?!

This demon! Always ruining my life!

First, blackmailing me to be his girlfriend.

Then kissing Sienna in the library.

Ruining my dress.

Confusing me on the rooftop.

Acting all innocent!

What's next? Showing up at my house to humiliate me again?

Ugh! Demon!

I stuffed my face into my pillow.

Focus, Rose. Focus.

I have my job. I have my goal.

Once I make it, I'm gone.

Goodbye to all this mess.

Fine!

The next morning,

I woke up early.

Did my hair properly.

A little powder. Put on a Lipstick.

Staring myself in the mirror.

Wait

Do I actually look... good?

My cheeks turned pink.

Ugh. Stupid face! Always exposing me.

Anyway, work. Focus!

At the office entrance, I froze.

How do I even face him? After yesterday...

I stepped in.

There he was, Vincent LeClair.

By reception. Phone glued to his ear.

Looking... stressed?

I slipped in quietly.

Miya spotted me first.

"Morning, Rose à Montasia!"

"Morn—" I tried to say but got stuck.

Vincent double take at me.

His eyes scanned me head to toe.

So tense. I could feel it.

Then the voice on the phone barked.

"Vincent LeClair!"

"Oh yes, boss," he muttered, then walked away to the café, still on the call.

Miya leaned closer.

"Our boss... so hot, right? We all know."

I giggled. "How do I look today?"

She nodded.

"Like you own a whole desk."

Oh yeah. Gossip era. ON.

My life is getting more interesting by days!.

 And, Vincent your life is about to get so messy.

...Or so I thought...

My new desk.

"Welcome to your new work area."

Vincent said it like he was handing me a throne.

A laptop. A phone.

A bunch of digital books.

Some design samples.

So clean it almost looked scary.

"You can look for inspiration. But remember we don't reuse. 

I only approve what's new, fresh, unseen."

He tapped the desk.

"From here, you create. Need fabric? Go to B1. Then come back and keep working. Got it?"

I nodded. Clutched my bag tighter.

How is he so calm?! After yesterday?!

Is this the power of being a boss?

He tilted his head.

"Any questions?"

I squeaked

"Um! How are you?"

WHY DID I ASK THAT?!

He shot me the coldest boss glare.

"That's all. I expect three designs today."

"Yes sir..."

And he left. Just like that.

I slumped into my chair.

Okay... what just happened?

My new kingdom,

A desk. A laptop.

Empty drawers.

Zero snacks.

I'll fix that later.

Then orange messy hair popped into view.

"Pssst! Hey! I'm Cleo. Nice to meet you!"

Oh, her! The B1 girl.

My new chaos buddy.

"Hi! Rose," I smiled.

In two seconds we were giggling like BFFs.

She leaned in, voice low.

"Met Boss Cecil yet?"

"Who?"

She grinned.

"Let's just say he and Boss Vincent? Mortal enemies."

I blinked.

Oh?

Mr. Perfect has a weak spot?

Interesting.

I'm totally using this.

Meanwhile

I totally forgot

Our wall windows? Tinted.

He's been watching me this whole time.

Like a king watching his pet zoo.

Then,

A lady appeared behind him.

Dark purple hair. Curled at the ends.

Wearing the most expensive dress ever.

She asked him, low and creepy.

"Is that the girl? Rose à Montasia?"

"Yes... Madam."

She smiled. Cold.

"Interesting... So we meet at last."

WHAT. Who is she?! New mafia boss?

And what does she want with me?!