Chapter 27

Mr. Caesar had gone mad, or he just wanted to start some sort of psychological torture to drive me crazy. Why was he bringing up that topic out of nowhere? He probably kissed thousands of world-famous models, so why did he care so much about a kiss with an orphan... it was clear he was just having fun with me. He was an arbitrary man. I looked up and saw Mr. Keylef in the distance, waiting with a suitcase and a violin case slung over his shoulder. If only I were his muse, I'm sure I would listen to him every day without getting tired.

"Disguising things doesn't seem to be your forte," I turned my gaze without realizing he had started walking beside me.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Tell me one thing, what do you see in that layabout? Or is it true that women are attracted to that kind of man?"

"Why does it matter to you? Why can't you leave me alone?"

"I am your boss and I care that you continue to perform well at your job."

"Perform?"

"Yes, so your mind isn't elsewhere but at the mansion."

"So, what should I do? Brainwash myself?" I replied with a look of annoyance.

"Focus on other things, like making sure your boss doesn't lack anything."

"What? Are you feeling okay, Mr. Caesar?"

"Wow, I didn't know you two got along so well, you didn't even notice I was here," said Mr. Keylef's voice. Nervously, I looked at him, smiling.

"Yes, the truth is you're not interrupting."

"What! No!" I took Mr. Keylef's hand and said while pulling him away from that crazy man with a venomous mouth. "I came expressly to see you, Mr. Keylef."

"I was just joking. It really makes me happy that I haven't caused you problems at the mansion to the point that you can't have a life at Mercer. That makes me leave more peacefully." Sadness filled my heart hearing those words.

"If I ask you not to go... can you reconsider?" I asked, looking at the ground, unable to lift my gaze.

"Why?"

"Just answer me."

"I didn't tell you, Belle, but the woman I want to fight for truly loves another person... so much that she has isolated herself. She needs someone by her side, and it breaks my heart to see her like this. Don't worry about me... I know that when I come back, you won't need me at all." But I needed him... I really needed him by my side more than that silly woman who didn't know what she was missing. I couldn't tell him how I felt... because in his eyes, I wasn't there, he would reject me without contemplation.

"I'll wait for you! If that woman doesn't love you... I... I'll welcome you with open arms and be a worthwhile woman, elegant and educated." He caressed my hair with a loving smile.

"Don't do it for me... do it for yourself, Belle, and even less for a person who doesn't deserve it."

"You are worth it..." he looked at me surprised and I quickly said, "Could you give me a farewell kiss on the forehead?"

"Of course," he hugged me tightly and when he pulled back a bit to kiss me, I felt someone’s strong hand push me back.

"What are you doing?" I said, freeing myself from his grip. Annoyed, I glared at him before he turned his gaze to his brother.

"Did he tell you what we did?" my breath stopped. Keylef looked at me and asked.

"What are you talking about?"

"It's why she came, it was very important news that would make you stay by her side."

"I... I..."

"Well, if she can't say it, I'll help."

"It's nothing important!" I hurried to say.

"No, I insist, it's very interesting. It seems... that Miss Orphan wants to be my assistant in the family business. She said she wanted me to teach her personally, she was so insistent that I had to accept." Keylef and Caesar looked at me, and in silence, I nodded.

"Ah... I understand, but what I don't get is why you didn't want to tell me, Belle. We're friends."

"Well, it's just that I... wasn't so sure." I looked at Mr. Caesar with a frown, hoping he would feel at least a bit of shame, but the naturalness of his neutral gaze confirmed for the second time the dirty blackmail he was using.

"I suppose now you know for sure, better not regret it later."

"Anyway, at least if you're going to work together, treat her kindly, Caesar. She's not like your other workers."

"I'll treat her as I see fit, no one works by my side without giving one hundred percent. Now say your goodbyes and go... you have a lot of begging to do with that woman."

"Do you really want to talk about that?"

"About how you've abandoned all success for a woman...? Yes, it's a truly pathetic story."

"At least I didn't treat a woman who would give her life for you like garbage! You ruined her life just like you ruin everyone else's existence."

"You really think you have the moral high ground to judge when you put this woman in my mansion to mess with me? I don't know what your plan was, but you better leave already and don't come looking for me with your tail between your legs to ask for help," Mr. Caesar passed my hand over my shoulder, turning us towards the exit.

"Mr. Keylef, have a good trip, send me a message when you come back!" I shouted, raising my cell phone that Mr. Caesar snatched away from me.

"Hey, that's mine!" I glanced back to see Keylef waving happily as he watched us leave.

"Since when do you have a cell phone? You accept anything from Keylef without hesitation," he said while continuing to push me, I could feel his strong and firm hand on my back, it made me nervous.

"So what? Can't I have one? Mr. Keylef wanted to communicate with me. And anyway! What were all those lies you said back there?"

"Lies? I don't lie, you are now my new assistant."

"I don't want to. I work in the garden and that's the job I like." I said, freeing myself from his grip to walk this time on my own, this man had ruined my romantic farewell with the person I liked.

"I think you don't understand the situation you're in. But I'll make it clear so you understand," I stopped and fearfully turned to look at him.

"I know your secret, and don't forget what we did in that room. You'll thank me in the future after seeing what you'll become in my hands." Surprised, I looked at him ahead. A person as selfish as him couldn't care about a simple worker. So why?