Chapter 29

The morning light gently entered through the curtains, the air smelled fresh, the sheets were soft, and the mattress was so comfortable that you sank into it—it felt like heaven. I closed my eyes, wanting to go back to sleep. Suddenly, I opened my eyes in alarm, remembering that I didn’t have such soft sheets or a comfortable mattress. Where am I? I moved my arm and found it was in a cast again, but this time made of fabric. I moved my other hand and saw it had an IV attached.

“Oh, God... what happened to me?” I tried to sit up when I heard a voice.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” I quickly looked to my side and saw a very elegant man with coal-black hair, almost my age. He was wearing a doctor’s coat and glasses, observing me while taking notes in his notebook. Who is this person?

“Who are you? And what am I doing here?” He let out an annoyed sigh, and for some reason, his stern and lofty gaze reminded me of Mr. Cesar. Were they related?

“I am the Montenegro family doctor, Donovan Montenegro. You had a high fever caused by the improperly healed fracture in your arm, and your body’s immune system weakened, which is why your body collapsed.” Then all the memories came rushing back to me. I fell asleep in Mr. Cesar’s car!

“How embarrassing...” I murmured, covering my face.

“Did he bring me here? No, I don’t think so... he would never do something like that; it would be too much for his pride. What nonsense am I saying...” I murmured to myself, lost in thought.

“Retract those careless words immediately. From what I’ve heard, Mr. Cesar carried you in his arms to his own room so that a mere worker could rest. You should be kissing the feet of a man with such values as Mr. Cesar.” I looked at him in disbelief at such a stream of compliments in such a short time. Who was this man?

“Are you related to Mr. Kyelef?” I asked with a smile.

“Unfortunately, he’s my uncle. Sometimes I don’t know how he can be the brother of someone as distinguished as Mr. Cesar,” he muttered irritably. I remained still in my place, deep in thought, before hurriedly looking around.

“Wait a minute! T-that... D-does that mean he slept in this bed with me?” All my close encounters with Mr. Cesar flooded my mind, and I felt the blood rush to my head. I pulled back the sheets, expecting to find myself naked, but nothing had changed—I was still wearing my dress.

“What on earth are you imagining, young lady?!”

“Well, what any person with a brain would imagine! Did I do something to Mr. Cesar?” I blurted out, unable to stop myself.

“How dare you say such things about your boss!” he exclaimed, blushing with embarrassment.

“He is an honorable and upright man; he has no time for such things, and he certainly wouldn’t engage in them with his employee.” Then that kiss we shared and our first encounter at the pub, which was now much clearer that it was with him, started to make me feel warm. What was I thinking... a man like him, living in a mansion like this, and being the CEO of his own company. He only thinks of me as someone pathetic and annoying. In fact, he told me so in the car... not even Keylef stayed by my side. Why would he like me? How foolish I am once again...

“I apologize for my impertinence,” I said, lowering my head. “Mr. Cesar... where is he?” He looked at me confused and said.

“Why would an ordinary employee ask about the master of the mansion?”

“Well, it’s just that I...”

“What are you two talking about?” came the imposing voice of Cesar as he entered the room, wearing a white button-up shirt as pristine and well-kept as his presence.

“Cesar, how are you? I was just telling this young lady why she fell ill.” With my head bowed, embarrassed by the situation, I heard him speak.

“Belle.” I looked up, surprised, into his incredible crystal-clear eyes that shone more today than usual.

“How do you feel?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine... thank you for helping me,” I said with a nervous smile, feeling warmth in my cheeks as I averted my gaze, unable to maintain eye contact.

♡

Cesar

I was relieved that she was alright, but why did I feel like my chest was about to burst just seeing this woman smile at me? I felt like I was about to fall ill. I know I was harsh with my words, but why did I feel so bad about what happened yesterday? My state was so bad that I had to request an appointment with my doctor to see if I was completely losing my mind. I no longer recognized my volatile mood. I had always been a person characterized by control, but now... I looked at her intensely, and she seemed to actively want to ignore me. And why didn’t she confront me about what I said in the car? She didn’t even seem uneasy about the way I kissed her—I seemed to be the only one unsettled. What an annoying woman...