Chapter Forty Nine

Isa’s eyes fluttered open, meeting a plain white ceiling. A faint jasmine scent tickled her nose, making her frown. For a moment, she felt disoriented. Then, as memories rushed back, her eyes widened.

A soft gasp slipped from her lips. She turned her head to the side. The space beside her was empty.

She blinked. “Where did he go?”

Sitting up, Isa pulled the blanket tightly around her and scanned the room. Chris wasn’t there.

She let out a breath of relief, then slowly smiled. Her cheeks flushed, and she cupped her warm face.

“Did that really happen?” she squealed, eyes squeezed shut as she lightly slapped her cheeks. A long breath escaped her lips, and she wrapped her arms around herself, her gaze dreamy.

She could still feel the memory of his hands moving over her body, his weight pressed against her. Every touch drew a moan from her lips. She’d surrendered to him completely.

“Ugh.” Isa collapsed back onto the bed, curling toward the spot where Chris had slept. She hugged a pillow tightly to her chest.

“Why did he leave so soon?” she muttered, lips pouting.

Then she noticed a note on the shelf, her name written on the front. She squinted. “Did he leave me a note?”

So sweet. She giggled and stretched her arm to grab it.

She sat up, reading the words scrawled on the front of the note.

“Thank you, Isa.”

Her smile widened, eyes sparkling, cheeks glowing with excitement.

She slowly unfolded the note, heart pounding as she held her breath.

Just want to use this moment to thank you for coming into my life. I really appreciate our time together. But I need to tell you this—we can’t be together, and I don’t want to waste your time. I’m sorry for what happened last night. I hope the money I left covers whatever I may have taken from you. I also hope it helps you start a new life and find happiness, wherever you go.

– Your boss,

_ Chris_

Isa stared at the letter, turned it over, and scanned through it again as if missing something.

“What did he mean?”

Her grip tightened, the paper crumpling in her fists. Her jaw clenched.

He paid me? Her head tilted in disbelief. For sex?

A scoff escaped her lips.

“Like…” Isa touched her chest. “Like I’m a whore?”

The word landed like a slap—vulgar, cruel, real. Her nerves jangled as her mind replayed the night before—bodies tangled beneath the blanket, moans rising between deep kisses, the rhythmic thud of skin meeting skin.

Isa’s face flushed with shame. Heat crept up her neck.

She grabbed the check on the shelf and tore it into shreds. “Bastard!” The pieces fluttered in the air like broken promises. She ripped the note too. “Bastard!”

Gripping the bedsheet, Isa trembled. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, face twisting as she fought to stay composed.

He never wanted me. He’s been trying to push me away from the beginning… even yesterday. No, from the start.

The memory of him denying her, his cold stare cutting through her, returned with a sting.

“She’s incompetent as my PA.” He had said. “She’s late. Lacks self-control.” His voice remained cool, detached, like she was nothing more than a problem to be dealt with. “And you want her to be my assistant?”

She bit her lower lip to stop it from quivering.

He treated me like nothing. Like I didn’t matter. Even worse—to be treated like just his staff.

“Your boss, Chris,” she said aloud, a cold laugh slipping out, mocking the formality.

Her gaze fell to the shredded note on the floor. A bitter smile curled on her lips.

I’m such a fool—waking up with him on my mind, while he was already making plans to erase me. He even paid for what we shared.

Her smile cracked—bitter, disbelieving, on the verge of tears. She remembered the way he looked into her eyes the night before, how his mouth opened as if to say something—but closed again, afraid.

“I hate to see you cry.”

Tears finally slid down her cheeks. His whisper echoed in her ears, soft and tender.

He’d seemed so genuine last night.

Isa shook her head and wiped her tears away.

I won’t believe this. I won’t accept it.

She clenched and unclenched her fists.

Since meeting him again, she hadn’t seen a single member of his family—not his parents, not a relative, no one except Alex.

Something wasn’t right.

She remembered how happy he was about their friendship back in high school, how much he wanted it to last.

He’s hiding something.

She threw off the blanket and stood up.

I have to find him. I need answers.

I hope you enjoy this chapter! I’d love to hear your thoughts or see your reactions to the story. 😊💬