Page 24 of Off-Limits Bad Boy Protector

I rolled my eyes. Of course the girl was talking about when Leo had asked me to come with him to the restaurant. I wanted to tell Lily it had ended so poorly and I would appreciate a huge break. However, I doubted the girl would even answer me. Lily hated me for some reason.

"He's never going to fall in love with you. You're not his type," Lily added, and my lips pressed together so thin, I worried about myself.

I had many thoughts at that moment. Asking Lily about Leo was a mistake. I should have asked someone else or just gone to his office. I also hated how Lily's words stuck. She was right. Leo would never love me. This truth was hard to accept.

However, I wanted to retort and ask Lily what I thought was Leo’s type. I bit my tongue. It wasn’t worth it.

My eyes scanned the empty reception room before turning back to Lily's face, and I smiled a small nod. "Thanks, Lily. You've been very helpful," I replied, the smile never leaving my face and sarcasm dripping from my lips.

I turned to leave when Lily let out a huge sigh. “Arrgh! He isn’t around and he isn’t coming in today!” I groaned. I paused in my steps, my eyebrows furrowed together. I turned around. “What do you mean he isn’t coming in today? He comes in everyday?” Lily pursed my lips and shook my head slightly. “Girl, I've done enough!” I returned my head back to laptop.

I frowned. What if something is wrong with him? Leo always showed up on time. I turned around just as the elevator doors slid open and Jack stepped out. I smacked herself across the forehead. Why did I spend so much time asking this silly receptionist? Jack was Leo’s PA. He would know what had happened.

He hurriedly walked towards him. “Jack!” I called, my voice eager and desperate. Jack turned towards me and adjusted his glasses. His nose was scrunched up as though he was angry or disgusted by something. Nevertheless, I wasn’t in the mood to find out. I wanted to speak to Leo and I needed to know what was happening with him.

"Yes, I... I don’t think this is your workstation," Jack mused, pressing his lips together in a thin line. I swallowed and placed a strand of dark hair behind my ear. “It’s not. I believe it’s in your schedule, and you’re aware because you were probably the one who even made the reservation. I was supposed to have dinner with Mr. Woodrow on Saturday, but he never showed up, and I never heard from him. Lily,” I turned, pointing at the receptionist.

“Lily just told me he isn’t around and he isn’t coming in today.” Jack’s beady eyes widened, and he blinked. Dropping his hands, he looked at me as though I had just mentioned I swallowed a house and it had melted in my belly.

"Wait. He didn’t go on the date?" He balked.

I leaned back and looked at him. It seemed like he was just teasing me! How could he not know that Leo never showed up for the date? After all, he's responsible for Leo's schedule. How could he not know where Leo went? I chuckled to myself.

"Alright, Jack. You don't need to explain. I get it," I said, letting out a sigh filled with sadness. As I turned to walk away, my mind replayed our memories together. I struggled to accept that his indifference was real. Even though my heart ached with the weight of his lack of concern.

I paused when I felt Jack’s hand hurriedly grab my wrist.

“No..no.. wait! He seriously didn’t come around?”

I blinked, eyeing the assistant suspiciously. He had beads of sweat lining his forehead and wetting his dark brow. His black eyes held a tinge of anxiety and I wasn’t sure why. Perhaps because he was telling the truth and didn’t know Leo never really came there?

“Wait. You’re being honest? You didn’t know?” I blinked.

“No! I didn’t! I spoke tohim by past four to confirm pushing a meeting to today and he agreed. However, I haven’t spoken to him since Saturday and I haven’t heard from him. I’m currently canceling meetings in panic!” Jack cried, running desperate hands through his hair.

I frowned. That made no sense.

“Then where could he be?” I cried.

“I don’t know!”

Suddenly it felt like the world had stopped. He didn’t leave me stranded. He was going to come. Something happened. Something had prevented him from coming and suddenly I could feel the dread rising in my belly. I tried to shove the thought away but it formed a huge lump and wedged itself in my throat.

What if something had happened to Leo?

Chapter 16

5:30PM SATURDAY

I looked in the mirror, checking my outfit closely. My heart was pounding, showing how nervous I was. I couldn't get rid of the feeling, reminding me of my mixed emotions. I was both excited and scared about the date with Cassie. Not knowing how it would go made me anxious.

I let out a sigh and adjusted the cufflinks wrapped around the wrist of the crisp white shirt I had chosen. Grabbing the tailored navy suit on the bed, I shrugged it on and took one last look at the mirror. As always, I projected the image of sheer authority. I had trained so hard to keep it.

I walked to my king-sized bed and retrieved my pair of shoes, neatly placed by the house staff at the side of my bed. I wasn't going to admit it to my friends. But, I had spent many restless nights on this bed, thinking about Cassandra Evans. He remembered the way my eyes sparkled when I smiled and the fire, she ignited inside me whenever I was near.

Damn the mistakes from three years ago! He loved me, and he was going to fuel that fire until it burned so blazing hot that none of them could possibly deny it. I got up from the bed and went to the mirror for one last look. Adjusting my suit, I ignored the nervous feeling in my body. I had taken the first step by asking for the date. Tonight, I would take it further. Grabbing my phone, I left the room.

I nodded to the house staff before leaving. I stepped out of the house. The cool evening breeze blasted my face. I let out an annoyed grunt before making my way to the car parking. I stood before a sleek line of luxury cars.

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