Chapter 35: Lies

**Michelle**

He can't just appear here and expect me to automatically believe me that someone actually did send him a message about me.

What's there about me to be stalked about?
“Are you implying that I'm lying?" He asked with his lips set in a straight line.

“I was only being doubtful about someone really sending you cryptic messages about me. I'm a mere cleaner." I shrugged.

We were on the other side of the house as I couldn't risk to let my parents see him. The other day, I was threatened to not get back into the house if I didn't bring over the billionaire boyfriend I'm seeing.

That was the night Vincent saw me in the alleyway. I still don't know how he knew I was there, the explanation he gave me didn't add up.

“Here, check it out yourself." He almost threw his phone at me. He had unlocked the screen and the messaging app was open.

I wanted to return the phone to him instantly but the picture on the screen stopped me. I was the one in the picture and it was taken right on the porch.

“Wh-what? This didn't happen." I stuttered, seeing the explicit image on the screen.

The male in the picture isn't even someone I've seen before, talk more of exchanging kisses with the person.

I saw that the person has been texting with Vincent, and the other day he came here, it was the same contact that directed him here.

Vincent took his phone from me, our hands brushed against one another and I shivered slightly at the contact.

The feeling of my own warm hand against his cold, soft ones was a huge contrast.

“Have a good night, Michelle." Vincent turned around to leave with his jaw clenched.

That's expectable, I did just called him a liar to his face. I was left wondering who could be stalking me. I'm not some important or popular person.

Just before he could open the door to his car, I stopped him. I ran towards him, covering the distance between us within seconds.

He turned around, his back to his car. He still has that stone look on his face, that's just his signature look, I think.

“I'm sorry. I'm sorry for doubting you in the first place. I sh-” He cut me off.

"There won't be the need for that, I have other pressing issues.” Then he entered his car and drove off since he left the engine running earlier.

I didn't move any part of my body till his car left the street entirely. Even when it was completely out of sight, I still kept looking at the direction it passed through.

I was feeling sorry and apologetic. He came here to check if I was okay and I called him a liar to his face.

Since that day I slept over at his house, I've been feeling so indifferent that it felt like we were back to square one where we were strangers once more.

I felt like I overstepped my boundaries by sleeping in his house in the first place and had to get out of there.

I thought that it would be better if I went out of his house before he threw me out.

Vincent could be so confusing, cold and hot at the same time that I was so certain that he might throw me out the next day even though he was the one who brought me there.

~

“So, he came to your house yesterday." Evelyn chartered off at lunch the next day.

I didn't know when it slipped out of my mouth that he came over. I haven't been able to eat properly since I told her because of how she has been bombarding me with questions.

“Yes." I replied with a mouthful of food.
“Awww, he cares so much about you. Did he say what he came for?" She asked.

“Stop putting ideas in my head, Evelyn. I'm only a cleaner.” I dismissed her.

"Then explain why he's treating you different from his other employees." She said.

I shrugged without looking up from my food, "I wouldn't know. How about you and that guy you were talking about?” I asked, slightly changing the topic.

"Still nothing. By the way, do you know that the company's annual ball is coming up really soon?” She asked, also changing the topic, only that hers was more interesting.

"Annual ball? What's it about?” I asked her, frowning.

"It happens yearly around this time of the year since it's presumed that everyone gets so swarmed with work, so the event is meant to be like a stress relief.” She explained.

“So what happens after the event? Won't everyone feel stressed again?” I asked.

Evelyn chuckled, "Once you experience it happen once, you'll see for yourself. Most people end up falling in love at the ball and that's a stress relief on it's own.

“Oh, it's a good thing though. Is everyone allowed to go?" I asked her, knowing how much they cherish hierarchy around here.

“Yes, everyone working here, other branches across the world do theirs in their respective locations too. Security guards are given the day off too, the company hires external security personnels for the day.” She responded.

"Does that mean I'm allowed to come?”

An incredulous look came up on her face, “Of course! Why wouldn't you be there? Everyone working here is entitled to attend." She replied.

“I just thought… you know, I'm not like a normal employee here-" Evelyn interrupted me.

“Michelle, you're entitled to same things everyone employed here are entitled to, don't you ever feel like you are less of an employee.” She said in a strict tone, as though admonishing me.

She glared at me, the look mirroring one that says ‘I dare you to say otherwise.’

“Okay, thank you." I sighed, smiling softly. I've never really activated this side of her and it's touching to see her act this way.

I looked down at my food, I couldn't eat it anymore, it's now cold and soggy, coupled with the fact that lunch time was over too.

“Are you still hungry?” Evelyn asked when she saw me look at the food before me longer than usual.

"No, I'm okay.” I stood up with the plate in my hand.
I was just wondering why Vincent hadn't showed up at work, he wasn't there this morning while I was cleaning even though I took longer than usual.