SEBASTIAN’S POV
I couldn’t get Sasha’s voice out of my head the entire day. The way her lips curled into a smirk when she whispered about my “reward” had been a distraction.
Not that I minded. If anything, it gave me the motivation to finish work earlier than usual.
“Sebastian, are you sure you don’t need Roland to drive you home tonight?” one of my men asked as I grabbed my coat.
“I’ll be fine,” I said, waving off the offer. “I’ve got a few things to take care of first.”
The truth was, I didn’t want anyone else tagging along. Tonight was just about Sasha and me, and I had a little surprise in mind.
The air outside was crisp, the chill biting through the thin material of my shirt as I walked to my car. Instead of heading straight home, I drove to her favourite bakery.
It wasn’t much to look at, just a small shop tucked away on a quiet street, but Sasha swore their cakes were the best in the city.
The bell above the door jingled as I stepped inside, the warm smell of sugar and vanilla enveloping me.
“Ah, Mr. Moretti,” the shopkeeper greeted me with a smile. “Back again for the strawberry shortcake, I assume?”
“Exactly.” I slid my hands into my pockets, glancing around the display case. “I’ll take the largest one you’ve got.”
As she packaged the cake, I let my eyes wander, not really looking for anything, until something caught my attention.
It was a ring.
It sat in a glass display case off to the side, surrounded by other pieces of jewellery. The way the light hit it made it sparkle like a small star, and I couldn’t stop staring.
Before I knew it, I was standing in front of the case, my fingers tapping the glass.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” the shopkeeper said as she walked over, the cake was now in a neat box on the counter.
“Yeah,” I muttered. Beautiful didn’t even begin to describe it.
I thought about Sasha, about the way she looked at me when I’d asked her to marry me again. She’d said yes, but only after her father woke up. I understood her reasoning, but damn, I was impatient.
I wanted her to know how serious I was, how much I wanted to make her mine again in every way possible. This ring… this felt like the first step.
“How much?” I asked, my voice firmer now.
The shopkeeper hesitated, then named a price that would’ve made most men flinch. I didn’t even blink.
“I’ll take it,” I said, pulling out my wallet.
With the ring and the cake in hand, I headed back to my car, my thoughts racing. I could already picture the look on Sasha’s face when I gave it to her, the way her eyes would light up, the way she’d
My thoughts came to a screeching halt as a black limo pulled up in front of me.
I froze, my hand tightening around the cake box. The windows were tinted, so I couldn’t see who was inside, but the sleek, ominous look of the car set me on edge.
The door opened, and out stepped a woman.
She was tall, her red gown clinging to her figure in a way that was designed to turn heads. Black shades obscured her eyes, but her lips curled into a smirk as she stepped closer.
“Well, if it isn’t Sebastian Moretti,” she said, her voice smooth and dripping with familiarity.
I didn’t respond right away, my mind working overtime to place her. She pulled off her shades, revealing sharp green eyes that immediately sparked recognition.
“Vanessa,” I said, my tone neutral.
“Miss me?” she asked, tilting her head.
I clenched my jaw, my grip tightening on the ring box in my pocket. “What do you want?”
“Oh, don’t be like that,” she said, taking another step closer. “I just happened to be in town and thought I’d say hello.”
“Hello,” I said curtly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me”
“Come on, Sebastian,” she interrupted, her voice dropping to a lower, more seductive tone.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to act like we didn’t have history. Just like old times, remember?”
“I remember,” I said, my voice cold. “I also remember how it ended.”
Vanessa’s smirk faltered for a split second before she recovered, brushing a strand of dark hair over her shoulder.
“You were always so serious,” she said, laughing lightly. “That’s what I liked about you.”
I glanced at my car, calculating the quickest way to end this conversation and get out of here. The last thing I needed was Vanessa stirring up old memories, especially now.
“I’m not interested,” I said, taking a step back.
Vanessa raised an eyebrow, her smirk returning. “Not interested in catching up? Or not interested in me?”
“Both,” I said flatly.
Her laugh rang out, sharp and grating. “You haven’t changed at all, Sebastian. Always so blunt.”
“Goodbye, Vanessa,” I said, turning toward my car.
Before I could reach the door, she stepped in front of me, blocking my path.
“At least let me give you a ride,” she said, gesturing to the limo. “For old times’ sake.”
I stared at her, my patience wearing thin.
“I don’t need a ride,” I said, my voice like steel. “I’ve got somewhere important to be.”
Vanessa’s smile faded, her expression turning serious. For a moment, I thought she was going to press the issue, but then she stepped aside, her hands raised in mock surrender.
“Fine,” she said, her tone lighter again. “But don’t be a stranger, Sebastian. You know where to find me.”
I didn’t bother responding as I got into my car, slamming the door shut behind me.
As I pulled away, I caught a glimpse of Vanessa in my rearview mirror, still standing there with that infuriating smirk.
I gripped the steering wheel tighter, forcing myself to focus on the road ahead. Whatever game Vanessa was playing, I wasn’t interested. Not anymore.
All that mattered now was Sasha.