I cried

I was walking the familiar path toward home, a little lost in my thoughts and the happenings of the recent still swirling in my mind. My encounter with Xander Sterling at the museum had shattered any illusions of a quiet life, throwing me into a rugged world that I had never asked for.

My thoughts were soon interrupted by the sound of a car engine approaching. My heart skipped a beat as a sleek black car pulled up beside me.

The window was wind to reveal Xander Sterling, the man who seemed to be everywhere. he turned, leaned casually against the window.

"Need a ride?" he asked, his voice a mix of casualness and something I couldn't quite place.

Think of the devil. I couldn't believe that he was here again even after giving him a slap a few minutes ago. Was he following me or something?

I glanced at him, my guard immediately going up. "No, thank you. I'm perfectly capable of getting home on my own."

He smiled, a charming gesture that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Come on, it's getting late. I promise I won't bite."

I shook my head, trying to sound resolute. "I appreciate the offer, but I prefer to be on my own."

His smile faded, replaced by a more determined expression. "Humor me, just this once."

Before I could respond, he was out of the car and standing beside me. My heart raced as he leaned in slightly, his presence overwhelming and ordering. "Get in. I'll take you home."

I gritted my teeth, frustration boiling over. "I've told you, I don't need your help or your car. Please, just leave me alone."

His brows furrowed, and his jaw clenched as he regarded me with a mix of irritation and intrigue. "You're a stubborn one, aren't you?"

My irritation matched his as I met his gaze. "And you're persistent. But that doesn't mean I'll change my mind."

A tense silence hung between us, his gaze searching mine as if trying to decipher my thoughts. Just when I thought he might relent, he shook his head and sighed. "Fine, have it your way."

Relief flooded through me as he turned back toward his car. I watched as he opened the door, but before he could get in, he looked back at me. "Wait."

My heart sank as I realized he wasn't giving up so easily. With a sigh, I turned to face him, my arms crossed in annoyance.

He approached me once again, his voice softer this time. "I take back my words from earlier.

How about another proposal?

My brows furrowed in confusion. Why was he suddenly so insistent on involving me in his plans?

"What do you want from me now?"

He leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. "Work for me personally."

I pulled away, my eyes narrowing suspiciously. "What do you mean by 'work for you personally'?"

He straightened up, his gaze unflinching. "I need someone with your skills and determination. You'll assist me in various projects, from event planning to research."

Despite his explanation, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his proposal than he was letting on. "And what's in it for me?"

"Compensation, of course," he said smoothly.

"But also the opportunity to be a part of something bigger, to learn and grow beyond the confines of the museum."

I hesitated, torn between my skepticism and the nagging thought that this might be a chance to make a difference, to secure Granny's future. "And if I refuse?"

His gaze held mine, unwavering. "Then I'll leave you alone. I won't bother you again."

The choice weighed heavily on my shoulders. My gut told me that there was more to his proposal than met the eye, but the temptation of financial stability and a chance to prove myself gnawed at me.

"I won't work in a bedroom if that's what you mean," I finally said, my voice firm.

He chuckled, a genuine smile tugging at his lips. He winked."You're not as innocent as you seem."

My cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger. "That wasn't what I meant, and you know it."

He nodded, his expression serious once again. "Fair enough. It's not that kind of proposal. But if you ever want that, you just have to ask."

My face burned with a mixture of indignation and disbelief. Without another word, I opened the car door and stepped out onto the pavement. "I'll pass on your offer."

Xander's gaze followed me as I started walking away, his voice calling after me like a pest that wasn't ready to leave me alone.  "Think it over, Amelia. The door's open."

I gritted my teeth and quickened my pace, determined to put as much distance between us as possible. My hurried footsteps echoed through the streets as I trekked away from Xander Sterling's car. My mind buzzed with so many emotion and I didn't know why I felt this way, but I felt sad, so, I stopped, tears welling in my eyes as I turned to face him. "Why can't you just leave me alone?" I cried out, my voice quivering.

Xander took a step closer from where he was, his expression softening as he regarded me. "Amelia, I—"

"No!" I cut him off, my tears streaming down my cheeks. "You think this is a game. I'm not sleeping with you, okay? So leave me alone. I'm not like you, who can waste time around. I have a granny to take care of, bills to pay, and I'm supposed to be busy right now. You should just leave my life alone."

He opened his mouth as if to respond, but I continued, my voice shaking with both anger and vulnerability. "And don't think I don't know about you. You probably have a long list of girls who are ready to sleep with you for a chance at your money."

My outburst seemed to catch him off guard. His lips pressed into a tight line, and he stepped back, a conflicted expression on his face. For a moment, his gaze held mine, his eyes searching as if trying to understand my pain.

Finally, he sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. "I get it. I'll back off."

I wiped my tears angrily, my breaths still coming in uneven gasps. "Good. You should."

He nodded once, his expression somber, before turning and walking back to his car. The engine roared to life, and the car pulled away, leaving me standing on the sidewalk, a mix of relief and lingering frustration stirring within me.