I open my mouth to respond just as I hear the beep of the line going dead, leaving me alone in the silence again, abandoned. I understand that he doesn’t want anything to do with me, even after bedding me—it is crystal clear—but he doesn’t have to treat me like a plague!

Angrily dragging my feet to the employee kitchen, I pour the remaining tea from my cup into the sink and leave. Derik has never been the boss of me. I’ve always done my part as I owe him for watching over me and taking care of the business my family left. I quickly march to my office and furiously grab my bag.

I don’t bother masking my rage as I stride across the halls.

“You seem to be in a particularly bad mood, Ms. Quinn,” I hear Mason’s voice comment, seemingly out of nowhere, as I step onto the elevator. Apparently, he’s been following quietly behind me in my storm out of the office. He presses the main floor button knowingly.

I grumble and let out an exasperated sigh, still fuming over Derik’s attitude.

Mason chuckles.

“Love life problem?” he pries.

I smirk.

“Do I seem like the type of woman who has time for that, Mr. Moore?” I ask formally. The man is easygoing, but I’ve always believed that formalities are necessary in a workplace, so I continue to address him that way.

“Oh, come on, Natalie. We’re technically off work.”

I shoot him a look and roll my eyes as the elevator comes to a stop. He nonchalantly walks me out of the lobby and to my car, as if this is our usual routine.

“What do you want?” I ask impatiently.

“Well… I’ll be attending Mr. Wilson’s birthday party tonight. I don’t have a date yet. Since it seems you’re in a sour mood, I bet going with me would brighten you up.”

Amused, I cross my arms over my chest, watching him intently. He looks handsome as he grins mischievously, one eyebrow raised, and I find it cute when I notice the tips of his ears growing red.

“I’ve never in my life been so indirectly invited on a date, Mason.”

His eyes brighten upon hearing his name coming out of my mouth.

Why is he being so bashful?

“So?” He looks hopeful.

I sigh and shake my head.

“I’m sorry, I have to pass. Someone already invited me. Maybe next time?”

His shoulders drop but the smile on his face does not disappear entirely. In a split second, he regains his composure and nods lightly without another word.

He opens the door to the driver’s seat of my white Cayenne and hovers a hand over me to make sure I don’t bump my head.

“Is this one of the many tricks a playboy employs to impress a woman?” I tease, grinning at him. When his face turns red, I burst into laughter.

Mason scratches the back of his head, lost for words.

“What made you assume I am one?”

“I’m just teasing. See you later!”

With that, I drive out of the parking lot and head straight to the villa. After having been humiliated, my conviction to move out and live independently has only gotten stronger. Over the past few days, I’ve realized that I’ll lose my sanity if I continue living with an elusive, emotionless rock.

Enough is enough.

Derik’s Maybach is parked in the driveway when I arrive. There’s a black Cadillac limo waiting behind it, confirming that Derik is indeed home.

Confidently, I march in the front door to find him in a crisp black suit, looking a bit like a panther. He is dangerously handsome with his hair styled into a quiff.

His steel gray eyes look tired but as alert as ever. He looks like he’s lost a little bit of weight, as his cheeks look a little gaunt, but without diminishing his attractiveness. Instead, it only makes his sharp features more evident.

My gaze meets his and my knees grow weak, making me painfully aware of

how much I’ve longed to see him.

My heart aches as I feel the familiar cold seep through my skin. His expression is void of emotion and there is no trace of the tenderness he had shown me that night. We are back to square one, and it’s far more painful this time.

“Oh, you’re home! Here I was thinking you’re deliberately avoiding me! To think you’d show up yourself when William could have just picked me up.”

Impressed that my voice didn’t crack under the weight of my emotion, my grip on the handle of my handbag tightens. I used to stutter and feel anxious around him, but I guess I’ve gotten over that. If he’s been deliberately avoiding

me these past few weeks, then what is his motivation for escorting me to this party?

After all, a businessman’s move is always about what benefits him.

“You have an hour.”

I scoff and stride to the center of the living room. I toss my bag on the sofa and prop myself on the empty seat across from him without sparing him a glance.

“I regret to inform you that I’m just too tired to party tonight, Mr. Lewis.”

Derik shoots me a dangerous look, making shivers run down my spine as his

brows knit and his jaw clenches. He gives off a menacing aura, but I won’t budge. If he’d shown up like this weeks ago, I would have gladly obliged, since I was still holding out hope he’d come around.

It’s too late now.

I’m done waiting for nothing.

“Good night, then. Enjoy your party.”

I wave as he maintains his silence, studying me as if he’s trying to measure me up. I grab my purse and march my way to the stairs, knowing he will easily break down the walls I’ve worked so hard to build up if I remain in his presence.

“What do you want?” his voice thunders across the walls.

Startled, I flinch. Out of the corner of my eye I see William, who is standing by the door, flinch as well. At least I’m not the only one who never can get used to his outbursts.

“I’m moving out.”