Chapter 10 - [10] Happy birthday

Vanessa had taken me to several more business dinners after that first night. I was getting used to the pattern by now—watching her navigate high-stakes negotiations and subtle power plays, all while seated at the most exclusive restaurants with influential people. But tonight was different. Tonight, we were at her mansion in Beverly Hills.The place was unreal, like something out of a movie. Modern architecture with vast glass walls overlooking the city, the kind of space that screamed wealth and influence without even trying. We'd just wrapped up hosting a group of her business partners, and I was about to leave when Vanessa called me back."Tristan," she said, her voice carrying from across the massive foyer.I turned around, my hand still on the front door handle. "Yes?"She approached me with that confident, deliberate stride I was so familiar with by now. "Wait a moment. I have something for you."I blinked, caught off guard. "For me?"Vanessa smiled, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "Yes. It's your birthday today, isn't it?"I was stunned. My birthday had barely crossed my mind with everything going on at work. "How did you know?" I asked, unable to hide the surprise in my voice.She waved a hand dismissively. "I make it a point to know everything about the people I work with."Before I could respond, she pulled a sleek black box from behind her back and handed it to me. The weight of it in my hands was immediately noticeable, the kind of box that felt like it belonged in an expensive jewelry store."Go on," Vanessa urged, her smile widening. "Open it."I hesitated for a moment, then carefully lifted the lid. Inside was a watch—not just any watch, a fucking Patek Philippe. The kind of watch that costs more than most people's cars. My heart skipped a beat as I stared at the gleaming timepiece."Vanessa... this is..." I stammered, trying to find the right words. "This is too much."She shrugged, as if gifting someone a watch that cost more than a year's salary was no big deal. "It's nothing, Tristan. Consider it a token of my appreciation."I shook my head, still in disbelief. "No, really, this is... way too much. I can't accept this."Her smile didn't falter, but her eyes sharpened slightly, a glint of authority behind them. "You can, and you will. I don't give gifts lightly, Tristan. When I do, I expect them to be received."I swallowed hard, realizing there was no use in arguing with her. "Thank you," I said quietly, slipping the watch back into its box. "I don't know what to say."Vanessa's expression softened slightly, the intensity easing. "You don't have to say anything. I wanted to do this."I was still reeling from the gift when Vanessa turned and called over her shoulder, "Now, let's not end the night so quickly. I had my private chef prepare something special."I blinked, momentarily stunned again. Her private chef?She motioned for me to follow her into the dining room, which was just as lavish as the rest of the house. A long glass table sat beneath a stunning chandelier, and there were only two place settings, implying this dinner was just for the two of us. The 3-star Michelin chef stood at the far end of the room, quietly preparing the final touches on what looked like an extravagant meal."Please, sit," Vanessa said, gesturing to one of the chairs. I obeyed, still feeling slightly dazed by everything that had just happened. A Patek Philippe watch? A personal dinner prepared by a Michelin-starred chef? This was beyond anything I'd ever experienced.The chef brought over the first course, a delicate dish that looked like art on a plate—slices of perfectly seared scallops with a light foam sauce, garnished with microgreens. The presentation was stunning, and the scent was even better.Vanessa sat across from me, watching as the chef served the food. "I wanted to give you a proper birthday dinner," she said, picking up her glass of wine. "Something a little more... intimate."I swallowed hard, trying not to let my nerves show. "Thank you. This is... amazing. I didn't expect any of this."Vanessa smiled, taking a sip of her wine. "You should get used to it."I nodded slowly, unsure of how to respond. The food was incredible, but I could barely focus on it. My mind was spinning from everything that had happened—the gift, the dinner, the sheer surrealness of it all."So," Vanessa said, breaking the silence, "how are you finding the job so far? It's been a few months now. I'd like to know your thoughts."I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "It's been... intense, to say the least. But I'm learning a lot. More than I expected, honestly."Her lips curled into that familiar, knowing smile. "Good. You've handled yourself well so far, Tristan. I've been impressed with how quickly you've adapted.""Thanks," I said, feeling a small rush of pride. "I'm trying my best.""I can see that," she said, her eyes gleaming with approval. "But there's always more to learn. Especially when it comes to working in my world."I nodded, feeling the weight of her words. Vanessa's world was unlike anything I'd ever experienced before, and every day was a new challenge. But I couldn't deny that I was drawn to it, to her. The power she wielded, the way she moved through life with such confidence—it was intoxicating.The chef brought out the next course, a beautifully cooked filet mignon, resting on a bed of truffle mashed potatoes with a rich, velvety sauce. It smelled incredible, and my stomach growled despite my nerves.Vanessa glanced at me as I picked up my fork. "You deserve this, Tristan. Don't think for a second that you don't."I smiled awkwardly, still feeling like this was all too much. "I... I appreciate it. Really."She watched me for a moment, then leaned back in her chair, her expression softening slightly. "You're going to go far, Tristan. I can see it already. You have potential."I wasn't sure what to say to that. Vanessa's words always carried a weight that was hard to shake off, and even though I was still getting used to her world, I couldn't deny that part of me wanted to see where it would take me.We ate in comfortable silence for a while, the tension from earlier easing as the night went on. The food was exquisite, and despite everything, I found myself relaxing.As we finished the meal, Vanessa's eyes met mine again, and that familiar, teasing smile played on her lips. "Happy birthday, Tristan.""Thanks," I said, feeling the heat rise to my face again. "It's been one hell of a birthday."Vanessa laughed softly, her voice low and smooth. "Good. That's how it should be."The night wasn't over, but I could already tell this was a birthday I'd never forget.***The wine had been flowing steadily throughout the night, the bottle nearly empty by now. I could feel the warmth of the alcohol spreading through my body, making everything feel a little hazy, a little less real. Vanessa had been drinking too, and though she carried herself with the same grace and poise as always, I could tell she was tipsy.We were sitting on the plush leather couch in her massive living room, the view of the city twinkling through the floor-to-ceiling windows behind us. The soft glow of the ambient lighting made everything feel more intimate, more surreal.Vanessa leaned back, swirling the wine in her glass. "So, Tristan," she said, her voice a little slower than usual, "are you seeing anyone?"I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation. My mind was a little fuzzy from the alcohol, and it took me a second to process the question. "Uh, no. I'm single."She smiled, her eyes glinting with amusement as she took another sip. "Single, hmm? Surprising. Someone as young and... promising as you, I'd have thought you'd be dating someone."I shrugged, feeling awkward under her gaze. "I, uh, I did date someone. Back in college. But it didn't really work out."Vanessa's smile turned a little sharper, like she knew something I didn't. "College girls," she said, shaking her head slightly. "They don't know what they want. They think they do, but they don't. They can't give a young man like you what you really need."I wasn't sure how to respond to that, so I just nodded, feeling the alcohol starting to make everything feel a little more sluggish, a little more uncertain. The air between us felt thick, and I couldn't quite put my finger on why.Vanessa poured us both more wine, the rich red liquid filling our glasses again. I took another sip, feeling the warmth bloom in my chest, making my thoughts fuzzier. She was still watching me, her gaze more intense now, like she was sizing me up."You know," she said after a long pause, her voice softer now, "I have all this wealth, all this power, and yet..." She trailed off, her eyes flicking down to the glass in her hand before she looked back at me. "I can't help but feel... lonely."The word hung in the air between us, heavier than anything else she'd said that night. I shifted uncomfortably, not sure what to say. Vanessa Reed—the Vanessa Reed—lonely? It didn't seem possible.Before I could respond, Vanessa leaned forward, closing the distance between us. She set her glass down on the table and reached out, pulling me gently into her arms. I was too shocked, too drunk to react at first. My heart pounded in my chest as I felt her warm breath against my neck."I know it sounds ridiculous," she murmured, her voice soft and almost vulnerable, "but when you reach a certain level, Tristan... when you have all of this..." She gestured vaguely to the luxurious mansion around us. "It's hard to know who's real. Who cares about you and not just what you can give them."I swallowed hard, feeling her words sink in. I hadn't expected this kind of confession from her, not after everything I'd seen of her so far. She was always so in control, so composed. But now, she seemed different—raw, almost.Vanessa pulled back slightly, her eyes locking onto mine. The distance between us felt almost nonexistent now, and I could feel the heat from her body mixing with the alcohol swirling in my bloodstream."You've been different, Tristan," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "You've been loyal. You've listened. You've been there for me, and..." She paused, her eyes flicking down to my lips for just a moment before she continued. "Maybe that's what I need."I felt my pulse quicken as her words settled over me. There was something unspoken in the air now, something that made my stomach tighten with nerves. I opened my mouth to respond, but the words didn't come out.Vanessa's eyes softened, and she gave me a sad smile. "Or maybe I'm just too old for you. Maybe you don't find me attractive. That's it, isn't it?"My heart raced, panic rising in my chest. "No! No, it's not that at all," I blurted out, feeling my face heat up even more. "I... I think you're... you're attractive. Really attractive."Vanessa's smile widened, but there was still something vulnerable in her eyes. "Do you really mean that, Tristan? Or are you just saying it because I'm your boss?"I swallowed hard, the alcohol making it harder to think clearly, to separate my feelings from the haze of the moment. "I... I mean it. I really do."Her eyes glinted with something—satisfaction, maybe—and she leaned in even closer, her lips just inches from mine. "Do you love me?"The question hit me like a brick. My mind went blank for a second, and I could feel the alcohol clouding my judgment, making it harder to think clearly. But her eyes were locked onto mine, and in that moment, it felt like there was only one answer I could give."Yes," I whispered, my voice shaky but certain. "Yes, I do."Before I could even process what I'd said, Vanessa closed the distance between us, her lips pressing softly against mine. The kiss was slow, deliberate, and I could feel the warmth of her breath as she deepened it, pulling me closer.My heart pounded in my chest, my mind spinning with the weight of what was happening. Part of me knew this was crossing a line, that this was something I shouldn't be doing. But another part of me—the part that was too drunk, too caught up in the moment—didn't care.Vanessa's hands slid up to cup my face as she kissed me, her touch gentle but firm, guiding me as if she knew exactly what she wanted. I hesitated for a moment, but then I kissed her back, my body moving on autopilot.The taste of wine lingered on her lips, mixing with the intoxicating heat of the moment. Everything felt surreal, like I was in a dream I couldn't wake up from. Vanessa pulled me even closer, her body pressed against mine, and I could feel her heartbeat matching the frantic pace of my own.When she finally pulled back, her lips still just inches from mine, her breath was heavy, her eyes dark with something I couldn't quite place."I knew you'd be the one, Tristan," she whispered, her voice low and husky. "I knew you'd understand."I was too dazed, too caught up in the haze of everything to respond. My mind was spinning, the alcohol making everything feel distant and blurred. But Vanessa didn't seem to care. She smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair away from my face."You're going to be mine," she murmured, her lips brushing against my cheek as she spoke. "Aren't you?"I nodded, too intoxicated to think straight, too lost in the moment to say anything else.Q: Would you say yes or no to being Vanessa's bf in this case?