Viviene's POV:
Gideon… He didn't believe a single word I said. Women approached him all the time, every type imaginable. Why would he be fooled by a few sweet lines from me? I said I liked him, but honestly, even I knew there wasn't much affection in my eyes back then only mischief and calculation. Of course he thought I had no idea what it felt like to secretly adore someone.
Thinking back, he probably believed I approached him for a reason—benefits, desire, or maybe ambition, hoping to step into a wealthy family. The fact that I might have ulterior motives instead of genuine feelings probably made things easier for him. He had known I wasn't simple, yet he still took the bait. Maybe my face really was too pleasing to look at.
He dared to agree to date me without fearing what I might want from him. He didn't want marriage; I had always known that. And during the time we were together, there wasn't anything he couldn't offer me. As a newly graduated student, what more could I really demand? As long as I didn't bring up marriage, as long as I had my looks, we could've lasted a long time.
Then he pulled out his phone and asked, "What's your number?"
I blinked, my mind blank for two seconds. When I finally processed his words, joy exploded inside me. I hurriedly told him my number. Not long after, my phone rang with its crisp ringtone. I memorized the digits flashing on the screen, and then I heard him say:
"This is my personal number."
I saved it immediately. When I reached the "notes" section, I suddenly paused. Looking up at him with a hint of curiosity, I asked, "Do you think I should label it as 'Boss Ashbourne'… or 'boyfriend'?"
Maybe my bluntness caught him off guard—his lips twitched slightly."Whatever you want."
That one line was all I'd been waiting for.
I smiled and, right in front of him, typed: Boyfriend whom I deeply love.To make sure he'd see it clearly, I even tilted my phone toward him.
Gideon stared at the sweet, cringy nickname and immediately looked away, as if it physically hurt his eyes. His driver was still waiting downstairs, so he put his phone away and said, "Call me if you need anything."
"I'll walk you out."
"No need."
But I was already following him out, rushing to press the elevator button."How could I not? You're my boyfriend now. Seeing you off is the least I can do."
He raised an eyebrow. "By your logic, once we reach downstairs, do I have to walk you back up again?"
I winked playfully. "Sure. And then I'll walk you down again, and you'll walk me up. That's how couples show they're inseparable. All new lovers do that."
"Inseparable, huh?" He repeated my words, stepped closer, his gaze burning into mine. "Vivienne, if you want me to stay, just say it."
I froze for a moment, then shot back, "You're the one who wants to stay, right? But too bad, I'm not agreeing tonight. Even if I like you, you disappeared for ages and left me overthinking. I have my pride too."
We had just made our relationship official, and honestly, that alone made me ecstatic. I had zero intention of letting things go further immediately. Besides, the internet said relationships should progress step by step. Even if you like someone, you have to pretend to hesitate mind games, psychological tactics. No rushing.
Gideon looked like he wanted to say something, but the elevator door opened—and at that exact moment, a delivery guy stepped out.
A perfect escape.
The delivery guy held up a bag. "Seafood pizza for unit 3302?"
My eyes lit up. "That's mine!"
He handed it over. "Enjoy your meal!"
"Thank you."I grabbed the food and immediately used it as an excuse. "It's late anyway. I won't keep a busy man like you for dinner. See you tomorrow."
Before he could respond, I ran straight back into my apartment and shut the door. Leaning against it, I pressed my ear to the wood. Only when I heard the elevator doors close did I crack the door open to peek out. Quiet. No Gideon. No delivery guy.
I smiled, breathed out in relief, and hummed to myself as I carried my pizza to the table.
—
Later that night, lying in bed, I couldn't sleep. The fact that Gideon and I finally made progress made me so giddy I was buzzing. I sat up, reached under my pillow, and pulled out a notebook—my long-term observational record of him since college.
[Skin tone]: Cool pale (+10 points)[Appearance]: Hot-boy level (+10 points)[Physique]: Rumored eight-pack (+10 points)[Confirmed. Rumor is true (*/ω*)][Intelligence]: Genius level (+10 points)[Experience with women]: Never dated, never flirted (+10 points)[Personality]: Loves animals (+10 points); Helped an injured student during sports event (+10 points)[Family background]: From the wealthiest Nova Haven family (+10 points)[Career]: CEO of Nova Haven Group, industry giant (+10 points)
[Conclusion]: Perfect man. Meets all standards. Pursuable!
But the lines below were all crossed out:
Everything above is a lie. This man makes promises he doesn't keep. Sleeps with me then disappears. Irresponsible. A complete bastard. A liar. A beast in human skin minus 100000000 points
Mortified, I quickly scratched out that section."Misunderstanding, misunderstanding… totally a misunderstanding," I muttered.
But then my pen halted as memories resurfaced.
My father had been an executive at Kingston Vale. Before I was born, he died in a car accident… while traveling with his mistress. He sacrificed himself to save her. My mother, Avery, was pregnant with twins Calista and me. The shock made her go into premature labor.
After that, she developed a deep hatred toward men especially those from the Lewis family. She ignored my five-year-old brother's desperate pleading and the newborn baby boy crying for milk, and left with only me in her arms.
Growing up, she taught me using extreme methods that men were dangerous, untrustworthy. I wasn't allowed to talk to boys, much less have feelings for one.
In seventh grade, she caught me smiling at a boy after school. She beat me and locked me in a dark basement, no matter how much I cried.
There was even a time she banned me from attending school after finding too many love letters in my bag.
She always said:
"School does you no good. Those bad boys out there will hurt you sooner or later. Stay home. Don't go anywhere."