Chapter 6 VANESSA

"Cara, can you please help me out in tying these back straps," I called Cara, my personal assistant hired by Albert Rossi. She seemed to be around my age or a bit older.

After I arrived here from Rowan's office, I went straight to the dining room to shove something down my throat. I was so hungry, I didn't even have breakfast out of excitement about landing a senior position at a TC league ranked company. Little did I know that it belonged to Adrian Rossi. AXR, how could I not guess it out! I was munching on my cheese omelette and toast when Albert's footsteps sounded on the marbled floor and he walked in the hall announcing to me that I can have Cara for any matter or if I'd need anything.

"You look beautiful Ms. Blackford," She chimed with a smile on her face, finally knotting the straps of my backless dress.

"Thank you, Cara. Oh, and, you can call me Vanessa, I don't mind at all," I told her, applying a nude shade of lipstick. I was wearing a satin beige coloured dress with a parting slit at my left thigh, only supported by two straps that were knotted behind my shoulder, showing a slight glimpse of my cleavage. Wearing matching stilettos, I studied at my reflection in the mirror, fixing my hair in a low bun.

Taking my clutch and phone in my hand, I walked outside the room giving a last look at

a smiling Cara. My phone rang at the same time, making me halt my steps in the corridor.

"Hey, Rowan. I'm ready, where are you?" I said holding the phone to my ear.

"I'm outside the mansion waiting for you. The assholes are not letting me drive inside," He replied.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. Wait, I'd be right there," I said, disconnecting the call and walking downstairs.

"Where are you going?" That husky voice of his sounded behind me.

"Why do you care?" I asked not turning around.

"I'm just asking a simple question, you must inform one of us before going outside. You're living under my estate now. It's my responsibility to know that you're doing good," He said, his hand finding its way on the railing of the staircase besides me.

My estate, my responsibility. What do you even think of yourself, huh? You're nothing, but another wet sock of your father!

I wanted to say those words in front of his face but I stopped myself. Breathe Vanessa breathe, I told myself. This man has already got some shit-ton of problems with me and I don't want one another problem adding to the list.

"I wonder, why do you always call it your mansion, your estate? It's clearly your father's, isn't it?" I taunted turning my head around and looking at him. God! He was a few inches away from me wearing white tailored shirt with black pants, a chain dangling in his neck with some of the buttons open and the others at his chest almost popping out.

"It's your absurdity if you think that it belongs to my father," He said, moving his hand in open air addressing the surrounding. He took a few steps down the stairs and came in front of me, I still had to look up as if I was looking at a tall building.

"This all belongs to me, father has named it all after me already. You belong to me. Your dad is a dickhead to think that he'd made a deal with my father, he'd not done that, princess. The deal's made with me. Although, it's a disappointment that he signed the contract to Leo thinking that he's going to be the heir. He's not. He's not even interested in the family's business." He said in one breath in a mocking voice and added, "As he told you."

You belong to me, A jolt of electricity coursed through me as his words poured down my body, making me clench the walls of my core and my stomach churned itself. Fuck my life. Why was I feeling it down there? I didn't understand why he was even telling me all of that. However, one thing was clear. He wanted me, he's done that all to get me. He's constructed this whole plan himself, trapping my dad with a deal. My blood boiled thinking that I'm not only used by my dad but also him.

Exhaling a frustrated sigh, I pressed my lips together and looked at him. His eyes seared through mine.

"I'm not some toy, you'd play around with, Adrian Rossi. You mean nothing to me, and it'd never change," I said, leaving him standing there and turned around walking downstairs. Passing the hall and the grand foyer, I let myself out and inhaled a lot of air down my lungs. Fuck him and fuck his plans.

I strolled straight towards the driveway and out of the gates as Rowan's Audi came into sight. Waving at him, I walked towards the side of the passenger seat. I need to booze it off tonight.

☆☆☆

Ocean Vertex was fully packed with people when we entered inside. It was one of the clubs Rowan and I had discovered when we were messing around at new-year's night in high-school. After that night, it became one of our go to spots till date. Rowan laid his hand on my lower back as we walked towards the rush of people in the main stage.

I sometimes get nervous when there are a lot of people in one place. But today I wanted it, I wanted to be somewhere, where no one would notice me, yet I'd be far away from everything. I wanted to be helpless tonight but knowing my current condition, I don't think I could afford it.

"You look fascinating, Vanessa. I bet everyone's eyes will be on you today," I couldn't help pulling back a chuckle as it left my throat on his teasing tone.

"Shut up, I just want to have a good night," I said, my mood turning cheerful.

"Yeah. Just don't let anyone get themselves down yo..." I slapped him right at his shoulder knowing what he was going to say next. He moved back a little, giggling and walked again beside me, passing the bursting sounds of people to the area of VIP booths.

Natalie, Ethan, Thea, Alex and Sam looked at us as we entered inside the booth. The inside cheery laughs and gossips cutting the outside banging music from us. I looked at all of them smiling as Thea came beside me taking me into a hug.

"It's been so long, Vanessa. I missed you so much," She exclaimed as she released me from the hug.

"I missed you too, Thea. How are you doing?" I asked, smiling at her as Rowan walked towards the guys.

"I'm doing great, but busy as fuck! Sam and I are planning to have an engagement ceremony. So, I'm preparing for that," She said, giving a quick glance at Sam as he passed a lovely smile to her.

"Oh, that's awesome. Congratulations!" I congratulated both of them as the others passed the greeting and hugs with me and Rowan.

I sat at the right side of the table beside Alex, placing my clutch on my lap. What was he doing here? I had an argument with him last time and after that I didn't see him again. Not that he was bad or something, but he was just different. I never understood what his intentions really were.

"Yeah, I'll send it to you later," The trail of my thoughts were interrupted by him as his voice sounded 6 o'clock to my right as he ended the call and his gaze met mine.

What in the actual world!