Chapter 180

Julie’s Point of View

I had to push him away at any cost; his presence at this timing would trigger a volcano if Robert discovered him. If Steve found out I was a prisoner in that club, he would do something suicidal to save me, and it would inevitably lead to his death... and I cannot bear losing him.

I backed away from him with unsteady steps before I could succumb to crying in front of his eyes. I suppressed my tears with a painful force and headed quickly toward where Robert had parked his car, but I froze in my tracks.

There was no trace of it. My God... where did he go? My strength suddenly collapsed, and I sat on the pavement, resting my head on my knees, no longer able to resist. I surrendered to a bitter sob.

It was never easy for me to direct those harsh words at him. I wanted to throw myself into his arms, to tell him how much I missed him and what I had suffered in his absence. I wanted to bury my head in his chest and cry until I was empty... but all of this was impossible.

I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and looked at the empty road; Robert hadn’t left so much as a shadow of his car. Did he leave and abandon me? Is this another test of trust?

I didn’t understand what was happening, so I decided to act.

I hailed a taxi, climbed into the backseat, and gave the address. But I began to wonder in amazement: Where did he go? Perhaps he gave up on me or some emergency cropped up.

I started to fear myself and my strange logic; instead of seizing the opportunity to escape, here I was taking a taxi to go back to him of my own volition! Perhaps I should see a psychiatrist, for what I’m doing isn’t rational at all.

When we arrived, I got out and asked the driver to wait. I walked with confident strides toward the guard standing at the door and said in a commanding tone, "Pay him the fare."

The guard looked at me in bewilderment. "What?"

"I am Mr. Robert’s personal assistant," I said with a coldness borrowed from Robert himself. "Pay the fare now."

His features changed instantly, and he said obediently, "Yes, Miss, as you command." I asked as I scanned the place, "Has Mr. Robert arrived?"

"No, Miss," he replied.

I entered the luxury restaurant; everyone was eating quietly. I felt a hunger tearing at my insides; when I’m sad, my appetite opens up in a strange way.

I sat at an elegant table overlooking the street through a large glass window, thinking to myself: Oh my God... how I missed seeing the outside world.

My contemplation was interrupted by a waiter who approached and said, "Miss, do you have a reservation?"

"A reservation?" I asked in surprise. "Do I have to reserve a table?"

"Yes," he replied politely.

I repeated in the same tone, "I am Mr. Robert’s personal assistant."

He bowed slightly and said flustered, "Oh, Miss, I apologize... I didn’t know." Truly, possessing influence is a wonderful and comfortable thing!

"I’m hungry," I said eagerly. "What do you have?"

"Yes, Miss, this is the menu," he replied professionally. I began browsing the menu; it was full of names of dishes I had never heard of in my life. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

I closed the booklet and said to the waiter, "Fine, bring me the most delicious dish you have... I’ll trust your choice."

"Yes, Miss, it will be with you in minutes," he said.

I went to the bathroom, washed my face and hands, then returned to the waiting table.

The waiter came carrying a small plate, placed it before me, and said, "Bon appétit." I looked at the plate in shock; it contained five snails with a strange green sauce. I looked at the waiter and said in disgust, "What is this?"

"It’s Escargot," he said proudly. "A famous French dish, and one of our most delicious... it’s a unique experience."

"Do you really expect me to eat this creature?" I asked in disbelief.

He grew flustered. "You didn’t like it?"

"No!" I said firmly.

"I’m sorry, I’ll bring you something else," he said.

"Do you have pizza or a hamburger?" I asked desperately. "Something that can actually be eaten?"

He looked at me in shock. "Miss... this is a Michelin-starred restaurant with five stars. What hamburger and pizza are you talking about?"

I exhaled in frustration. "Fine, bring me a normal dish... a beef steak would be excellent."

"Certainly, Miss, right away." He walked away, carrying the plate of snails... honestly, did he expect me to eat that disgusting thing?

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Robert’s Point of View

I slammed the car to a halt in front of the restaurant door, the sound of tires screeching against the ground filling the air.

The guard tried to talk to me and keep up with my long strides, but I ignored him completely as if he weren’t there; rage was blinding my vision. I went downstairs toward the club’s corridors, where I met Ron, who looked flustered at the sight of my agitated state.

"Find her, Ron!" I said in a sharp, definitive tone. "You must find her today and bring her back!"

"Find who, sir?" he asked in bewilderment, trying to understand what was going on. "I don’t understand."

"Julie! She escaped!" I shouted in frustration, sparks flying from my eyes.

"Certainly, sir," he said nervously.

I left him and ascended to my office with heavy steps, trying in vain to calm down or breathe normally; it was very difficult to accept the idea that she had deceived me so easily after I had given her my trust.

As soon as I threw my stiff body onto the chair, my phone rang. It was Ron.

"Yes, Ron, what is it?" I answered sharply.

"I found her, sir," Ron said in a calm voice on the other end.

I jolted from my seat. "How did you find her? I just told you to look for her!" I said in disbelief.

"Yes, sir..." Ron replied simply. "She’s here, in the restaurant."

"What?!" I exclaimed.

I hung up without waiting for a reply and headed upstairs at a lightning speed. How could she be in the restaurant? Is Ron hallucinating? Upon my arrival, Ron walked toward me and pointed his hand. "There she is, sir."