Chapter 54: Chapter 54

(Vivienne)

I sat there looking nervous, I was shaking for the first time I was scared. Even though I answered all the questions Justin asked me I was not in my body. I could see my soul hovering over my head and I knew things turned out to be the worst

"So...are you feeling any abdominal pains…"Justin asked and it took a while for my brain to register his question. I didn't want to talk and after waking up in Victor's bed again. I knew I was doomed

How did it happen when I swore to leave once he loosened his grip on me. It took time for Victor to let go of me because each time I thought he would let go, he tightened his grip on me. It felt so wrong yet so strange that I was lost. The way he held me tight felt like he was seeking consolation, to be held or maybe he wanted comfortable

"Vivienne...is everything okay?

"Huh?"I jerked back to reality and looked at Justin standing in front of me. I was confused and I knew Justin saw how confusion but I managed to shake my head to get rid of the thoughts circulating in my head

"You seem distant...you shouldn't worry about anything...what happened wasn't your fault, "Justin said as he patted me on the bed and fixed my hair more like an older brother talking to his little sis. I didn't know what to say but I was embarrassed especially when Justin was the one who woke me up. The shame I felt was too much that I couldn't look him in the eyes

"Justin...why does he do that?"I whispered the question which had been bothering me since. It wasn't the first time Victor got so drunk and wasted. His actions were dangerous both to his physical and mental health l. Each time he got drunk he forgot about everything, the last time at the restaurant he kept on telling her something and all she did was listen to him. He seemed to have a lot of pain in his heart that he doesn't show when sober but whenever he got drunk that's when he poured out his heart

"It's nothing...please just avoid getting into trouble... Vivienne I know you are a sweet girl...you hate seeing anyone in pain and that's good...but with Victor...don't get involved"Justin said as he rested his hand on my shoulder, his gaze was soft yet serious. I had to say he resembled Victor a good deal although Victor was more dominant in everything

I looked at him without blinking knowing he was right. Even that night I couldn't bring myself to let him drive the car in such a state. And when I entered his bedroom. I couldn't handle seeing him so hurt

All my life I never had a weakness, I always viewed myself as an independent woman who knew how to control her emotions. But meeting Victor in a short while I was beginning to doubt myself or was it that despite everything I had a soft spot for weak people. Those who were heartbroken

"Okay...I understand"I admitted knowing I overstepped my boundaries by asking such a serious private question. Victor was my boss, I was just his surrogate for nine months, the best thing I could do was stay in my lane and avoid trouble but how when Victor loved causing trouble

"So you said you feel tired in the morning"Justin left my side and walked around the edge of my bed and I nodded. He came to give me a thorough check hence I had to tell him everything I've been feeling

"Yes...it's strange I feel tired at times... sometimes I don't feel hungry at all and at times when I eat...I feel nauseous" I explained everything I've been feeling, it was strange and new to me to feel so sick yet I was completely fine

"Okay...so all this is normal...it looks like I have to tell Victor the good news...please take care of yourself...don't stress so much and eat a lot, "Justin remarked with a warm smile and slammed his notepad shut. I shifted around on the bed and looked at him

"Is Victor a doctor too...why doesn't he work in the hospital?"I asked the question that was bothering me again. Since that time at the mall, I had been thinking. It looked like Victor was a strange man, he was super talented but then again I understood since he was 30 years old. He was bound to be so successful. Justin heard my question and knitted his brows together. He was smiling a while ago but now he looked rather serious

"It's best we don't discuss this... Victor wants to see you in his office... I'll take my leave now"just like that Justin dodged my question. Said his goodbyes and left my room. I was left speechless, not sure why my question seemed to have triggered something. I saw how his expression morphed into a serious one so quickly but I didn't want to worry about that, rather I was worried about facing the grumpy man

"Ahh..why did I even go to him...I should have kept my niceness to myself"I groaned in frustration as I dragged my body out of bed. I already freshened up and settled for blue jeans with a wine red long-sleeved crop shirt which made my belly visible. My hair was tied up just like every time as I made my way out of the room.

The day looked rather crispy and fresh. I stretched my arms as I walked down the passageway leading to his study room. I was so anxious but I didn't do anything wrong

If he scolded me then that was on him since he was a careless grumpy man

"Good morning Monica, "I said when I was walking down the stairs and I met Monica going up. The lady looked ravishing and gorgeous in her blue dress. She scoffed and walked past me and I smiled as I got down. Even if she hated me when I didn't do anything wrong

*Knock, knock*

I reached the door to the study room and knocked lightly. I stood there scanning around. I heard a come in and after a long deep exhale I pushed the door open nervously. The sweet smell of his cologne mixed with some freshener hit my nose and I knew the man was there

I closed the door and hesitated before I walked to the little lounge. He wasn't sitting behind his desk but on the sofas which were more like a coffee color, to the left where the tiny bookshelf was located. I saw a wine cellar to the right and a fireplace which I didn't notice the first time I came here

I walked to where Victor was standing and stood away from the one-seater sofa he was sitting in and lowered my head

"Take a seat Ms. Payton" I heard him say nonchalantly and I quickly regained my wits and walked to the sofa and sat down nervously. I did and fiddled with my cold hands. I couldn't hold myself even when I peeked to see the man he was busy on his laptop but soon stopped and set it aside

"G... good morning sir" I stammered the greetings out, I didn't know why each time I got nervous. I greeted him like a fool

"Here...read the rules out loud" surprisingly, Victor didn't reply to my greetings but extended his hands to me and I shifted my eyes to the black file he was holding and my eyes narrowed before I took it with trembling hands. He looked serious, he wasn't wearing a suit but just a black sweatshirt and black jeans. I lowered my gaze to his feet and he had white socks on. Was he feeling okay or maybe he was staying at home since his feet were hurt

"Ms. Payton"I heard him mumble only to realize I didn't withdraw my hand from him but kept staring at him, more like I was scanning his body shamelessly

"Sir...about last night...I…"I tried to defend myself before he said anything. Unfortunately, he pointed at the file in my hand and leaned back to the sofa, and crossed his legs like a boss. I looked at him for a while and he had a serious expression plastered on his face

Clearing my throat awkwardly, I lowered my gaze to the file in my hand and nervously pried it open. I was expecting something like you are fired but the first thing I read was *Rules to follow*

I looked up with wide eyes but Victor was as cold as ice, his eyes narrowed into slits, and his brows knitted together as if he didn't like having me around

"Rule number one" he muttered and I had to finish the sentence hence I returned my attention to the first page

"I, Vivienne Payton, shall adhere to all the rules Victor Ellison laid down for me...I shall not involve myself in his personal affairs...I'm not allowed to touch him in any way...even if his life is threatened"I read out loud knowing he found me in his bed. How ridiculous was he to think I wanted to touch him on purpose. He should be thanking me instead of way ng down stupid rules which made no sense at all but I brushed such things off and returned to reading the next one and immediately I read the next sentence, my eyes widened as I lifted my head to look at the man. My face turned pale as a cold shiver ran down my spine. I swallowed hard as I prepared to recite the most ridiculous thing a man like him could think of me. How dare he write such despicable things about me.