Chapter 2

Then Quillan told me to grab a spare pair of pants from his car and bring them up to his room so he could change. I hurried off without a second thought.

But when I walked into the room with the pants, I was so shocked by Quillan standing there in just a white towel that my jaw nearly hit the floor.

Quillan, deadpan, asked, "Do I look good?"

I nodded, barely stopping myself from drooling.

Quillan poured himself a drink, sprawled out on the couch, his long legs stretched out carelessly.

He looked like a regal lion, towering over me with that commanding presence.

I clutched the bag tighter, suddenly feeling nervous.

Was Quillan seriously going to punish me for ruining his suit pants? No way, right?

"Not going home tonight," Quillan said casually as he hung up the phone.

He patted his knee with those long fingers, signaling me over. "Come here," Quillan said.

It was like my brain just short-circuited, total mental blackout.

With my head down and lip caught between my teeth, I made my way over to Quillan.

Quillan let out an impatient click of his tongue, and I nearly tripped over myself rushing to his side.

"Good, you're behaving," Quillan said, his tone casual and a bit indulgent.

His warm hand slid under my shirt, and I froze up instantly.

I looked up, and accidentally bumped into his chin. Out of nowhere, I blurted, "Quillan, are you trying to take advantage of me?"

Quillan let out a low grunt. "Guess so."

Then he pressed my head down and kissed me.

It was my first kiss ever, and I was gasping for air, accidentally nipping Quillan several times before he finally pulled away.

"Never kissed anyone before?" Quillan asked.

I shook my head, still breathless.

Quillan smirked, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Ever had a boyfriend?"

I shook my head hard, making it extra obvious.

Quillan snorted, not really amused. "You sure put on a good act."

*****

That night, Quillan and I spent the whole night tangled up in bed. He even managed to shatter the wine glasses on the coffee table during all the chaos.

When I woke up the next morning, there was a contract lying by the bed, the one I'd signed in a daze the night before.

It was an employment agreement, hiring me as Quillan's personal secretary for 70 thousand dollars a month.

I couldn't help but laugh. Guessed playing the sweet, innocent girl last night really paid off. Finally landed a job where I was getting paid big bucks and hooking up with a hottie.

I ended up stuck as Quillan's personal secretary for three whole years.

In all that time, I never did any actual secretary work, but I sure handled everything else that came with being 'personal.'

And thanks to tagging along with Quillan to all those upscale restaurants, I even built up a decent following as a food blogger.

Quillan wasn't exactly happy about it, but he still secretly promoted my blog online and even tried to set me up with my own business.

I politely turned him down.

I was afraid I'd get too attached to him. If he ever decided to leave me, I wouldn't even have the guts to walk away.

Guys who were rich and good-looking like him? They were dangerously irresistible.

Suddenly, a string of barks snapped me back to reality.

Yarrow came bounding over, tail wagging like crazy, pawing at my pant leg.

I tried to smile even though my face felt stiff.

My parents were just about to head out when they saw me at the door. They were so surprised and happy, they rushed over and pulled me inside.

But as soon as Mom saw the slap marks on my face, she instantly burst into tears.

"Serena, did someone bully you out there? I'll stand up for you," Mom said, her voice trembling with emotion.

I quietly reassured them that I was fine. Besides, after last night's battle, I was the real winner.

Once I'd reassured my parents everything was fine, I could finally let my tired body relax. Breathing in the clean scent of my pillow, I crashed hard and fell into a deep sleep.

In my dream, Quillan's ever-expressionless face suddenly popped up.

He was gritting his teeth, furious with me. "Serena, you really have guts. Hit me and then try to run?"

I freaked out, spun around, and ran for it, only to end up crashing right into Quillan and Evelyn's wedding.

On stage, Quillan and Evelyn looked like the perfect couple, straight out of a fairy tale.

Quillan's hand landed firmly on Evelyn's waist as he demanded, "Serena, what are you doing here?

"This is my wedding with Evelyn. Leave. Now."

I clutched my damp skirt, standing in the middle of the crowd, embarrassed beyond words.

Evelyn lifted her chin, leaning into Quillan like she owned him. "See? It doesn't matter how many years you spent with Quillan or how deep your feelings ran. When it comes to marriage, it's all about matching backgrounds. Someone like you could never be up here."

She sneered. "Besides, everyone in Sereneville already knows about my wedding to Quillan. His dad gave us his blessing.

"If you know what's good for you, just take the money and leave already. Quit hanging around Quillan. You're so pathetic."

*****

Everyone around me had something to say, and every word cut deep, stabbing right into my heart.

When I woke up, my pillow was completely drenched in sweat.

I sighed and grabbed my phone, feeling wiped out. Only a handful of friends I was actually close to bothered to check in on me.

Most of their messages were just the usual pep talk like, "If you lose one sugar daddy, there's always another tree to climb. Don't let it get you down."

The rest were all about telling me to just suck it up, grovel a little to Quillan, and make sure I got paid.

When I logged into my social media, I was shocked to see that my usually chill comment section had turned into a war zone.