Two Days Later
Roseanne stood outside the massive glass building of Astor Enterprises, her fingers curling into fists.She has made up her mind. She will surely meet him today, otherwise she is not going home.
The guards barely looked at her as she walked inside, blending in with the flow of employees. She had dressed the part—sleek heels, a professional dress, her hair neatly styled.
She belonged here.
Even if she didn't.
She didn't prepare for anything.She didn't have a plan. She didn't need one.
She just needed to see him.
Her heart pounded as she entered the elevator, her fingers trembling as she pressed the highest floor—Zephyr's floor.
The doors slid open with a soft chime.
The reception area was modern, minimalistic. A woman in a crisp white blouse sat behind the front desk, typing away.
Rose swallowed hard.
"Excuse me," she said, forcing her voice to sound calm. "I'm here for Zephyr Astor."
The receptionist barely spared her a glance. "Do you have an appointment?"
"No," Rose admitted, but then leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "But he knows me."
A lie. A dangerous one.
The woman frowned, glancing toward the frosted glass doors behind her—the entrance to Zephyr's private office.
"I'll have to check with him first—"
No!
The receptionist's heart almost skipped a beat from the sudden screaming. She raised her eye brows making a stern face which meant that she has found out the truth. She turned and and reached out her hand for the telephone line that's been connected to the security office.
Rose couldn't risk being turned away.
She needed to act now.
So, she did what any sane person wouldn't.
She pushed past the desk and walked straight to his office.
"Ma'am, you can't—!" The receptionist's voice rang out, but Rose didn't stop.
She shoved the doors open.
And there he was.
Zephyr sat behind an enormous black desk, papers scattered in front of him. He was on the phone, his fingers tapping against the wood impatiently.
The moment he saw her, his expression flickered—mild surprise, then immediate disinterest.
Not the reaction she wanted.
She wanted him to look at her like she was a storm.
Not a passing breeze.
"Sir—" The receptionist ran in, flustered. "She just barged in, I—"
Zephyr lifted a hand, silencing her.
The woman hesitated before stepping back, closing the doors behind her.
Now, it was just the two of them.
Zephyr slowly leaned back in his chair, his gaze sharp as it studied her. "You're the girl from the wedding."
His voice was even smoother than she remembered.
Rose swallowed. "Yes."
A pause. Then, "What do you want?"
She licked her lips.
"You."
She didn't say it. Not yet.
Instead, she took a slow step forward. "You saved me that night."
Zephyr didn't react. "And?"
Her nails dug into her palms. He was cold. Detached. Like she was insignificant.
She would change that.
Rose smiled softly, tilting her head. "I never got to thank you."
"You just did," he said flatly. "Now leave."
She didn't.
Instead, she reached into her bag and pulled out a small first aid kit. Placing it on his desk.
"For your hand," she said.
His gaze flickered—just for a second.
Then, slowly, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "What are you doing?"
She met his eyes. "I want to see you again."
Silence.
A dangerous, suffocating silence.
Then, Zephyr exhaled. Bored. Uninterested.
"You don't." His voice was final. "I'm engaged."
Rose's stomach twisted, but she forced her smile to stay. "Engaged isn't married."
His gaze sharpened. "Get out."
But she saw it.
The way his fingers tapped against the desk—just like before.
A sign of irritation.
A sign that she had gotten to him.
And that was all she needed.
She wasn't leaving.
Not now.
Not ever.
Zephyr Astor was hers.
He just didn't know it yet.