Chapter 18: Chapter 18
(Vivienne)
"You know I hate anyone talking to her like that... especially you, "Leo said looking at Monica with disdain in his eyes, I didn't want anyone to fight over me like this. I knew Leo was someone who hated it when anyone said anything bad about me but I couldn't help feeling emotional about how he always defended me
"Why is she here...I wonder why you always defend her...what you rejected me for her?"Monica remarked, sounding irritated. I failed to understand why she hated me. Yes, I left three years ago and our parting wasn't so good, however that didn't give her the right to insult me. I respected her that was why I didn't say anything bad about her
"No man would want to be with you...you don't deserve anything but to be alone," Leo said, shooting deadly daggers at her. This was a bad idea and Monica was fuming in anger. Her clenched hands proved how unhappy she was. I always wanted to know what had been happening between Leo and Monica and seeing the two I guessed they weren't together
"She's only after Victor's money...I'm sure whichever hole she crawled out of wouldn't keep her knowing she was nothing but a gold digger!" she spat out angrily and turned to look at me and her expression was deadly, she was about to raise her hand at me when suddenly
"And who do you think you are to insult her"the deep stern voice of the man I thought was in his office said, getting our attention such that not only me but Monica too turned around only to see Victor standing there with two men behind him. Victor had a different domineering aura which made him stand out.
He appeared even larger and well built such that I felt fear when his cold sharp gaze fell on Monica. The woman who was a pompous queen turned into a soaked cat as she lowered her head, obviously avoiding Victor's gaze. Leo walked up to me and held my hand. I smiled at him telling him it wasn't necessary to lash out at Monica
"Vic I...I mean she left without telling you anything...you did…"Monica stuttered as she tried to defend herself but Victor's angry gaze was enough to shut anyone up
"And who told you to say such despicable things about her...what rights do you have to lay a finger on her? ''Victor said coldly, his voice so scary and intimidating that Monica kept her mouth shut. I was shocked that when it came to Victor, she feared him and didn't run her mouth anyhow whenever he was around
"My apologies, but this woman hurt you and she's ungrateful...why would you allow her back huh? ''she muttered still with her head lowered, despite what Victor said Monica was still slandering me. I wonder what wrong I did to her for her to hate me so much,
"And did I complain or have you forgotten why I kept you around...get this woman out of my sight!"Victor said angrily, although his voice was low and calm he still sounded furious that I lowered my head feeling my back hair rise. The man was defending me. I wanted to look at him but I failed to do that. Glancing at Monica she was greatly embarrassed in front of the two business partners of Victor and Leo
"I want nothing to do with this woman"Leo too said disdainfully and Monica looked at him then shifted her cat eyes at me and stormed away from there. This wasn't what I wanted, I remained there as Leo let go of me and walked away. I heard various footsteps vanishing from where I was and I guessed everyone left including Victor. Regaining my wits I sighed and prepared to pick up the files from the floor when someone beat me to it
"Here" I was stunned when Victor picked up the files and handed them to me. I looked up and he had that serious facial expression that was hard to read
"Thanks, "I said hesitating before I took the files from him. My fingers brushed against his and I nodded and prepared to flee from there when he grabbed me by the arm pulling me back to him and holding me in place
"Running away so soon," he murmured, looking straight into my eyes. I was troubled by his approach especially when we were in an open space like. What if someone came and saw me in his arms. What would they say
"Umm...sir...I...I should go"I tried saying something to keep him off but he tightened his grip on me and pulled me even closer to him so that I resisted getting charmed by his devilish looks. His charming smirk and killer eyes shone brightly and in a sexy way. He looked different, it wasn't every time that Victor worry something casual not business-related but he truly looked exceptional
"It's almost 12:30...it's best you left Ms. Payton...I don't want to fire you on your first day" the man whispered creasing my hair not what I expected him to say but I was fearful of his approach especially when he wanted something to happen between us
"Y...yes sir...I'll be on my way," I said, getting an opening to flee from him, and once I did. I heard him chuckle when I stumbled around leaving him behind. I didn't even know where I was running to but I had to get away and only when I was away from Victor did I stop, panting and gasping for air
"That jerk will pay, "I said, placing my hand over my beating heart to calm myself down. I guessed I had to go and get Skylar. I was nervous but I had to do this.
***
"So you chose her to be here...what happened to I don't want to see her ever again," Leo said arching his brows as he poured himself a drink, he was surprised when he found out Vivienne was back in London as an intern at Victor's company. It was rare to have interns from outside the country but when he saw the names. He was shocked that he came running from Canada just to see if it was true and yes. The first thing he saw was Vivienne
"Since when did my matters concern you?"Victor asked, shifting a little in his chair and looking at Leo with a disdainful look. Leo took a sip of his whiskey and knee Victor couldn't live without Vivienne even if he said it a thousand times
"Well, you were angry when she left that day...I mean she didn't even bother to tell you but finding out you took her University transfer from the US to London surprised me"Leo remarked and walked around the room. He came to mock Victor because the man was doing things he never did. Running after a woman was not Victor's way but with Vivienne, he seemed desperate
"Do you want her close... aren't you worried that... Skylar wouldn't call her mom when you marry her"Leo added looking straight at his friend but Victor has had enough of Leo
"Who said anything about marrying her?"Victor remarked defensively but Leo only rolled his eyes in frustration knowing Victor was a mysterious man. It was hard to understand him as well as his feelings
"If you made sure Skylar knew Vivienne even when she was not there then I'm certain...you were planning to have her back in your life... you should man up and propose to her"Leo was certain his friend wanted Vivienne in his life. She changed so many things when she entered his life and he doubted Victor would want to live without Vivienne even if he didn't admit it
"Get out of my office"Victor warned with a glare but Leo got serious
"Did you find her family or anyone?"Leo asked as he got close to Victor's desk and pulled out a chair to sit down. Some things were personal. Victor seemed cold from the outside but he was soft as a marshmallow from the inside. He respected Vivienne not because she carried his child safely but cared about her more than she could imagine
"No...I'm still looking"Victor mumbled as he exhaled a little and leaned back in his chair. Leo scanned him carefully and knew he didn't sleep a night but was looking for Vivienne's family even her parents
"She lost faith Vic...it's hard for her but she doesn't let her situation known to others"
"She's hurting inside...I need to do something about it"Victor murmured, surprising Leo. It wasn't every time that Victor said his feelings out loud but hearing him being concerned about Vivienne to such an extent melted his heart but Victor knew what he was doing. He had seen and watched Vivienne. She was all alone with nothing to her name.
"When is her birthday?"Victor asked, knowing he could only ask Leo about Vivienne. He was done hiding what was in his heart. It was hurting him so much that he felt uncomfortable in his own skin
"No idea...she doesn't know anything so she doesn't celebrate"Leo replied shrugging, he had tried asking Vivienne when was her birthday but she said she didn't know. Who would blame her when her parents abandoned her at the orphanage entrance when she was born
"What does she like...what makes her happy?"Victor wanted to know every single detail about his redhead. Leo frowned looking at Victor with creased brows
"It's hard to know...maybe you can ask her" it was simple, Vivienne was hard to read especially what made her happy but if Victor wanted to know then it was best to ask Vivienne
"You are useless...leave my office, "Victor remarked, irritated with Leo. He thought Leo would be helpful since he was close to the redhead but no. He was such a useless friend. But now he was back to square one. Finding out what the little redhead liked seemed like a challenge, he had no clue hence he decided to use the only one who could help
"Sky" Victor mumbled out loud, smiling to himself when he thought of the only person who was smart enough to get the info he wanted. His little girl was so smart and if she asked the redhead what she liked. Then his precious daughter would run to tell him. Thinking up to here Victor was grinning like a fool such that Leo who was still sitting in front of him frowned
"You need serious help," Leo said, still not sure why Victor was grinning, which he never did but Victor was too overjoyed to keep from smiling. He was about to cheat and it was worth it.