Chapter 23: Chapter 23

(Vivienne)

"That's more of a lie…" this has never happened before, having a quiet afternoon with Victor felt like a dream, I didn't know this side of him. In the past he was always reserved and talked less however sitting with him now and having lunch I was enjoying myself. He seemed to have more to share and I had more to ask him

"So does Mr. Ellison suffer any losses...I mean the great billionaire seems perfect" I teased him and like a cheeky man he just arched his eyebrows at me and fought to get his food with his fork.

"Failure is part of life...just have to embrace it," the man said professionally and I only made an O with my mouth "you sure...I hate failing...I'm always too perfect" I said with giggles and the man did that thing he loved doing with his brows as if he didn't believe a word I said.

"When you fail once it doesn't mean you have to give up...pick up the pieces and keep running," he said and I understood his words more than anyone. It seemed Victor and I had some things in common. In my life at some point I felt so alone, I was used to running an endless race, and sometimes I failed due to life problems but I never stopped trying I embraced my failures and made something out of it

"What about...your wife...I heard so many great things about her?"I asked as I took a glass of water and drank some more and I saw his expression drop. From a happy one to a serious one. I knew the topic was sensitive to Victor but sooner or later we were bound to talk about it. Both of us have been involved in some things he couldn't tell me he did due to impulse. Alisa was his past. The sooner we talked about the issue the better for both of us. "You don't have to feel guilty...you gave your all as her husband...her duty as a wife was to trust you but she didn't, "I said when he didn't reply to me. I knew he carried this burden since his wife died but it wasn't his fault at all

"It's not her fault either...trust me any wife would want to share some things with her husband...it wasn't easy for her to lie to you...she loved you and was just trying to protect your love...your heart especially, "I said with a faint smile hoping he understood my point. At some point I thought Alisa was to blame for everything but when I thought more about it. I realized she was just trying to protect Victor. Lying to him about her sickness wasn't easy. During the tough time, she needed the man she loved beside her. To tell her she'd be fine but she chose not to burden Victor which was a mistake

"You don't have to blame yourself for this...life is cruel but we just have to embrace it...death is part of life so is rejection...just learn to handle it and you'll be fine"I didn't mean to enter his life to replace Alisa. If he thought that then he was wrong. I saw how he used to be before. The way he used to drink alcohol to drown his sorrows. The nights he hurt himself to forget his wife I hurt seeing him like that

"Since...since when did you get this mature"Victor murmured keeping his eyes on the plate of food before him and I smiled returning to my food

"Since I spent my entire life chasing stars that were out of my reach"I wasn't ashamed of who I was. I had nothing to my name Victor knew that. I never tried to be who I was not, Vivienne was Vivienne no counterfeit

"Sometimes it doesn't hurt to let someone get the stars for you," Victor said, looking up at me, his facial expression blank and unreadable. I understood his words more than anyone but letting someone do that for you only showed weakness

"That's giving someone more burdens...Victory is sweeter when one gets it themselves"he had his opinion about life and I had mine. If he lived my life for a day I didn't think he would want it. After I learned my parents abandoned me, and the orphanage grew tired of me and chased me out, I understood one only had themselves as their anchor. No one else

"A shoulder to cry on isn't bad," he said getting his wine glass gracefully

"But people get tired then what...back to square one...sir I'm sure you understand, "I said looking at him as he drank his wine hesitantly. He was about to say something when the waiter brought our desert

"Thanks, sir," I said, getting the two plates of strawberry and vanilla cake I ordered. Victor asked me to choose and I chose cake.

"Isn't this bad for your health? "the man said pointing at the piece of cake I gave him and I frowned at him

"Cake is sweet... sometimes it takes a single piece of cake to bring a smile on your face...it's sweet and can take the bitterness away, "I remarked with giggles and took the first bite and the flavors burst in my mouth causing me to close my eyes as I took my time savoring the moment. The taste of strawberries as well as the cream was sweeter than anything. I opened my eyes still smiling only to find Victor watching me without blinking. Our eyes met and he averted his eyes awkwardly

"I see" he muttered and adjusted to a comfortable sitting position and tasted the cake. I watched him see his reaction and I guess the cake wasn't bad

"It's good," he said, shrugging a little. The man was easygoing, it was hard to know his playful side. He was a good listener as well as a good advisor

"You should go out more often...but please ditch the suit…"I said after a while knowing Victor was always in a business suit looking intimidating. Yes he was a billionaire and someone respectful but I wanted an ordinary Victor for is to walk hand in hand around the city

"The suit stays... it defines me"

"But you look scary okay...so serious"

"And handsome" he added with a playful wink and laughter washed over me.

"What!? Did you just wink at me..now that's serious" he was too much, it was hard to understand the grumpy man was this naughty..it would have been better if he showed me this side of him earlier than I would have given him a cute name but he cut his hair

"So why did you cut your hair...I mean it was so rich and full and thick and smelled nice" I blurted out, forgetting about the words coming out of my mouth because I was angry at him for cutting his hair. He looked more handsome with long hair than short hair however the man just pouted and shrugged slightly

"I grew tired of it...that's why"he simply said and I nodded a little. Ate my cake and had nothing to say. This was awkward, why did I even ask him such a thing when he had all the rights to cut his hair if he wanted. I noticed how he was such a gentleman throughout our lunch. He served me when I ran out of food. Poured me some wine and did all those small things men did for their women. I had to say his presence was relaxing, so pleasant that I didn't feel uncomfortable at all

"Your hair is longer...it's even more beautiful," he said after some time and I paused what I was doing, my chest rose and fell steadily as my heart kept on beating silently

"Oh thank you...I kept it this way"I didn't want to change anything about me. Even if years passed I chose to stay the same Vivienne although some things seemed to be missing about me.

"We... should finish up...I have some things to attend to" he said glancing at his wristwatch and I nodded and fixed my eyes on the plate before me

"Okay so…"I was about to say when I saw he was busy digging in his coat, not sure what he was getting. I watched him carefully biting my bottom lip awkwardly and when he was done. My eyes shifted to his hand and he was holding a pinkish box with a nicely tied ribbon on top. He smiled faintly and placed it on the table, by now Victor had a serious expression as he looked at me without blinking. My eyes traveled to the small box which he took in his hands and slowly started prying it open. I failed to understand what he was doing but when he pushed the chair back and rose to his feet, my heart skipped a few beats swallowing hard as I almost choked on the cake I was eating, my poor chest couldn't take the preasure but I had a huge problem in front of me. What was he doing?

~To Be Continued~