Chapter 2 Three years ago Fiona's POV " Can I take your order ? " I started to say before my eyes flicked up and froze . There he was . 5 vouchers I should've known from the whispers of the kitchen , the sudden nervous energy from the waitstaff , the way the hostess kept glancing at the corner booth . I should've known someone like him would never go unnoticed . Rick Sterling . He stood there in a fitted navy coat that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe . Underneath , his white dress shirt was crisp , buttons undone at the throat , sleeves pushed back just enough to show the sleek gold of his watch . Everything about him screamed old money , power and ccontrol . " Rick ? " I blinked , barely whispering , " what are you doing here ? " He didn't answer , he just kept his eyes on me . I turned to my supervisor and forced a smile , " could you please excuse me for a second ? " Without waiting for a reply , I slipped past the tables and pushed the side door open . The alley behind the restaurant was quiet , a small pocket of air between old bricks and dumpsters . The door clicked shut behind me and then I felt it , a hand on my waist , my back hitting the wall . His body closing the space between us like he'd been holding himself back and finally gave in . His hands gripped my waist , his chest pressed to mine , our faces just inches apart . My breath caught , " what are you doing here ? I told you not to come during work hours . " He sighed , but his eyes were already moving slowly trailing down my stained apron . The ties were knotted messily at my back , a smear of sauce streaked the edge . I flushed under his gaze . Standing at six - feet - two , he easily towered over me , but rather than feeling small , I found it oddly hot and attractive . " This ," he said quietly , " you're still doing this ? " " I like working here ." He exhaled again , this time with frustration , his voice low and pained . " I've told you to stop , come work for me instead , I'll pay you ten times more , I'll make it easy , you don't belong here , Fiona ." There was something in his eyes when he said it . Not arrogance , he had plenty of that , but something 1/4 8:39 pm ED Chapter 2 more vulnerable . I smiled softly and shook my head . B5 vouchers It had been years since my mom died , years since my father remarried and moved on like she never existed . My stepmother made it clear I wasn't wanted , not really . She had her perfect daughter now , Marissa , and I was just the shadow of someone who'd made her life harder . I learned quickly that love came with conditions in that house so I stopped asking for it . I worked , I built a life on my own terms and it was here , in this restaurant , that I first met Rick . He was here for a meeting with some investor . He didn't belong among the cracked tiles and chipped mugs , but when I refilled his coffee , he asked for my name . He kept coming back after that , alone , always at the same table , always pretending he was just there for the food . It took me a month to believe he wasn't just playing a game . And when he kissed me behind the building for the first time , right here , I started to believe I could be more than what I was told I'd be but after living with my supposed family , I learned how fast things could change and so as much as I loved Rick , I wanted to build my life myself , on my own terms . " You weren't picking your calls , " his voice pulled me back to the present . " You shouldn't show up at my workplace , " I pouted , wrapping my arms around myself , " you know I get jealous if my co - workers see you and want to be with you ." That made him smirk . He moved closer again , hands sliding around my waist , gently this time , " does that make you jealous ? " His voice was barely above a whisper as his blue eyes bore into my own . I stared right at him without an answer , biting into my lower lip . His lips brushed my cheek , I turned my face just enough to dodge the rest . " Rick , " I whispered , my neck craned upwards as he tilted his face to plant a kiss on the nape of my skin . He leaned in , his voice low , teasing but warm , " you know what today is , don't you ? " My heart stuttered . " Our anniversary ," he said . I looked up quickly , " you remembered ? " " I'm not an idiot , " he murmured , kissing the tip of my nose , " I have a gift for you tonight . " My mind spun , the way he looked at me , the softness in his voice . Was he going to … propose ? 2/4 8:39 pm Chapter 2 G Before I could ask , he slipped a small folded note into my palm . " Be here at nine , " he said , " don't be late . " B5 vouchers " Fiona ! " I heard my boss's cranky voice and we both tilted our head in the direction . He closed his lips over mine before whispering , " I'll see you soon okay ? " When I finally pulled into the hotel's private lot , I checked my reflection in the mirror and just then , my phone lit up . Rick . I smiled but it faded just as quickly as it had appeared , it was a text from him , * I should've ended this sooner , you were a distraction I can't afford anymore , don't come looking for me , whatever this was , it's over * I couldn't move . I slid back into the cab , whispering , " Sterling Manor . " The drive felt endless . His house wasn't a house , it was a fortress . I'd never been there . I walked up to the gate and told the guard I needed to see Rick . He glanced at his screen and shook his head . " You're not allowed in . Mr. Sterling gave strict orders ." " What ? " I asked , breath catching . " Just tell him it's Fiona . He'll let me in ." " He won't . " Another guard stepped in . " Leave now , this is private property ." ' No , " I said , eyes filling with tears , " please , just say my name , he loves me , he- " ' I said leave ! " He grabbed my arm and pushed me back . I stumbled , hit the pavement . My knees scraped , my bag slid from my shoulder . I didn't move . I sat on the cold ground and cried , harder than I ever had , until my body couldn't take it anymore . When I opened my eyes again , I was staring at white ceiling tiles . " You fainted ," a nurse said gently , " Someone found you outside an estate . You've been here for a few hours but you're okay now ! A doctor entered moments later , flipping through a chart before meeting my eyes . " Miss Hart , " he said carefully , " you're pregnant ." 3/4 8:39 pm S GD Chapter 2 5 vouchers I had moved out from the shock of it all , so to watch Rick be the man in front of me after that cruel night , I stayed glued to the floor . It wasn't until I saw him moving toward me that I flinched out of my thoughts . " Rick ? " I called out to confirm I wasn't imagining things . He stopped , his eyebrows furrowed as he stared at me in confusion , " have we met before ? " : 40 pm G SGD Chapter 3 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!