Three Weeks Later
Dating Vincent Montclair was an experience.
A very distracting experience.
He had developed a habit of finding me in the parking lot before work, bringing me coffee when I forgot to eat breakfast, and sending messages that were entirely unnecessary but somehow became the highlight of my day.
I had developed a habit of pretending I found all of this annoying.
Neither of us was particularly convincing.
Unfortunately, we weren't as discreet as we believed.
One afternoon, I was standing beside Vincent's car in the office parking lot when he reached for my hand.
"You're leaving without saying goodbye?"
"I have a meeting in fifteen minutes."
"And I have a serious complaint."
"Submit it in writing."
He smiled.
"Very well."
He stepped closer.
I glanced around.
"Vincent, we're in the parking lot."
"Excellent observation."
"People work here."
"I've noticed."
I gave him a warning look.
He laughed softly, then leaned down and kissed me.
I had intended to remind him that we were supposed to be discreet.
Instead, I forgot the entire speech.
A throat cleared behind us.
We separated.
Evelyn stood several feet away, staring at us with her mouth open.
Austin stood beside her.
He looked from Vincent to me, then back to Vincent.
Then he slowly folded his arms.
"Well," he said. "That explains a lot."
I closed my eyes.
Wonderful.
Absolutely wonderful.
Evelyn pointed at us.
"You two?"
"No," I said immediately.
Vincent looked at me.
"No?"
I stepped on his shoe.
He winced.
Evelyn's eyes widened.
"YOU TWO!"
Austin burst out laughing.
I covered my face.
"I hate all of you."
"That's fine," Evelyn said. "I love this development."
Vincent straightened his jacket.
"Since you've discovered our relationship, I trust you'll continue to maintain the same level of professionalism you've always demonstrated."
Evelyn stared at him.
Then she started laughing again.
"Sir, you were kissing your girlfriend beside your car."
"And?"
"And you're giving me a lecture about professionalism?"
Austin placed a hand over his heart.
"I've never been prouder to work here."
Vincent looked at me.
"Your friends are insufferable."
I smiled.
"They learned from the best."
He shook his head.
But he was smiling too.
Work, thankfully, continued.
The next few weeks passed in a familiar rhythm of cases, hearings, office meetings, and evenings spent together whenever our schedules allowed.
Then came the day Vincent and I had to attend a hearing involving a disputed property transfer and allegations of fraud.
The courthouse was crowded.
People moved through the corridors in hurried groups, carrying files and speaking in low voices.
We had just finished reviewing our notes when an older woman approached us.
"Mr. Montclair?"
Vincent turned.
"Yes?"
The woman looked distressed.
"You ruined everything."
Before either of us could understand what she meant, she moved towards him with her hand raised.
I reacted instinctively, stepping between them and catching her attention long enough for the nearby court security officer to intervene.
"Ma'am, please calm down."
She turned towards me.
"You stay out of this!"
Her hand swung towards me.
Vincent immediately stepped between us, protecting me from the attempted slap.
"That's enough."
His voice was sharp.
The officer restrained the situation before it could escalate further.
I looked at Vincent.
"I'm fine."
He looked at me as though he was checking that I meant it.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
He turned back towards the woman.
"Whatever grievance you have, you cannot threaten people in a courthouse. If you believe a wrong has been committed, there are legal procedures for addressing it."
The woman began shouting again.
Security escorted her away while the matter was referred to the appropriate authorities.
I exhaled slowly.
Vincent turned towards me.
"You stepped in front of her."
"So did you."
"That doesn't make it a good idea."
"Neither does letting someone strike you."
His jaw tightened.
I reached for his hand.
"Vincent. I'm okay."
He looked at me.
"I know."
But his expression told me that knowing it and feeling it were two different things.
I squeezed his hand.
"Come on. We have a hearing."
He nodded.
Then, as we walked towards the courtroom, he quietly moved closer to me.
I didn't tease him about it.
Not this time.
By the time we returned to the office, I was exhausted.
I had barely settled at my desk when a colleague approached with an enormous bouquet of flowers.
"Aurelia."
I looked up.
"Yes?"
He smiled and held out the bouquet.
"These are for you."
I stared at the flowers.
Then at him.
"Oh. Thank you, but you really shouldn't have."
"I wanted to."
He placed them on my desk.
"I've been meaning to ask you out for a while. I thought this might be a good way to start."
I took a breath.
"That's kind of you, but I'm not interested."
He looked surprised.
"Can I ask why?"
"Because I'm in a relationship."
He glanced around the office.
"With whom?"
I smiled politely.
"That's personal."
He hesitated, then nodded.
"Understood. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
"It's all right. But please take the flowers back."
He collected the bouquet and left.
I returned to my work, unaware that Vincent had witnessed the exchange from the far end of the corridor.
He had heard the offer.
He had seen the flowers.
And he had walked away before hearing my answer.
A few minutes later, I stepped out of my cabin to get some water.
As I passed the break room, someone caught my hand and gently pulled me inside.
I turned.
Vincent.
He closed the door behind us.
I blinked.
"What's wrong?"
He looked at me.
"Who was that?"
"Who?"
"The man with the flowers."
I stared at him for a moment.
Then I understood.
I folded my arms.
"Ah."
"Ah?"
"You're jealous."
"I'm asking a question."
"With a very jealous expression."
He stepped closer.
"Aurelia."
I smiled.
"Vincent."
He looked thoroughly unimpressed.
I laughed.
"Oh, you're adorable."
"I'm not adorable."
"You are when you're sulking."
"I'm not sulking."
I reached up and touched his cheek.
"Then why are you looking at me as though I've personally betrayed you?"
His expression softened, but he still looked unconvinced.
"I didn't like watching him give you flowers."
"Then you should have stayed long enough to hear what I said."
He paused.
"What did you say?"
I stared at him.
"That I'm in a relationship, you absolute idiot."
He blinked.
Then his shoulders relaxed.
"Oh."
"Oh?"
"I see."
I burst out laughing.
He looked at me with a faint pout.
"You're enjoying this."
"Immensely."
He slipped his arms around my waist and drew me closer.
"I would appreciate it if you stopped enjoying my suffering."
"Your suffering? Vincent, you watched a man give me flowers and walked away before hearing me reject him."
"I was busy."
"Doing what?"
"Being jealous."
I laughed harder.
He shook his head, then leaned down and kissed me.
I kissed him back, smiling against his lips.
His arm settled around my waist, drawing me closer, while his other hand rose to cradle the back of my head. His fingers slipped gently into my hair as he tilted my face towards his and kissed me again.
I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, pulling him closer instead of allowing him to retreat. His hand moved across my back before settling at my waist again, holding me securely as I leaned into him.
The kiss deepened, and every clever remark I'd prepared seemed to disappear from my mind. I could barely remember what we'd been arguing about in the first place. His hands slid down to my hips, deep and passionate enough to make me feel the urge to kiss him more, drawing me closer as the kiss deepened.
When I finally drew back for air, he followed only far enough to rest his forehead against mine. His thumb brushed my cheek, and his eyes searched mine with an intensity that made my usual confidence falter.
"Still planning to argue with me, Vale?" he murmured with his husky voice.
I tightened my arms around his shoulders.
"Give me a minute, Montclair."
His quiet laugh brushed against my cheek.
"Take your time, honey."
I looked at him for a moment, then pulled him into another kiss before he could make that infuriating smile any wider.
When we separated, I rested my forehead against his.
"For the record, I don't want flowers from someone I don't love."
His gaze softened.
"And who do you love?"
I pretended to consider the question.
"Let me think."
He narrowed his eyes.
"Vale."
I laughed and kissed his cheek.
"You, you ridiculous man."
His expression changed immediately.
The pout disappeared.
The smile returned.
"There. That wasn't so difficult, was it?"
I shook my head.
"You're impossible."
"And yet."
"And yet," I agreed.
He kissed my forehead, then let me go.
Before opening the door, I glanced at him.
"By the way, how is it that Mr. Sanchez doesn't follow you around like other assistants follow their directors?"
Vincent looked at me.
"What do you mean?"
"He seems to have an entirely different role. He handles cases, coordinates your schedule, manages things independently. He's not hovering around you every five minutes."
Vincent smiled.
"Sanchez is far more useful when he's doing what he's good at."
"Which is?"
"Handling cases, solving problems, and keeping the office running when I'm occupied."
I raised an eyebrow.
"So he's your assistant, but not just your assistant."
"Exactly."
He took my hand.
"His role changed over time. I trust him with responsibilities beyond the usual secretarial work."
I nodded.
"That makes sense."
Vincent's expression turned playful again.
"Besides, honey, I prefer having only one person cling to me."
I stared at him.
"Excuse me?"
"You."
He smiled.
"Ever since I met you, I've had enough of you following me around in my thoughts. I don't need Sanchez competing for the position."
I laughed.
"You are so embarrassing."
"And you're still holding me."
I was.
I released it immediately.
He laughed as I opened the door.
"See you in my dreams, Little Swan."
"See you in your nightmares, Montclair."
I walked away before he could answer.
Unfortunately, I was smiling again.