The CEO's Secret Affair-Chapter 17: I Want You Back

~Anne’s POV~

"Perhaps I went a little too far..."

I muttered to myself as I battled the guilt that was threatening to eat me alive. Riccardo had done nothing but be good to me, and even though I didn’t trust his intentions completely, concluding that he was only here for the sex felt a little bit demeaning. He was Riccardo Antonelli after all, he could probably sleep with any woman he wanted to if he so desired it.

He very clearly cared for me. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t go so far for me. He chose my safety and reputation over his company, and in the same day I had reduced all his efforts to something shallow and selfish. The thought of it was eating me up even if I didn’t want to admit it,

Why was I like this?

Because it was easier to push him away than to admit how deeply tangled I already was. Riccardo wasn’t the first victim, I simply had become unable to love another man since Thomas. I feared getting my heart broken all over again. I thought I’d never be able to love anyone ever again, but day by day, every encounter with my boss seemed to change those thoughts of mine.

But then again, he was Riccardo Antonelli! A notorious playboy. How on earth could I possibly believe that he genuinely cared for me? What if I fall in love with him and find out later that all of this was a charade?! I had promised myself never to cry over another man, and perhaps that was why I found it difficult to accept his feelings, or even mine.

And now he was gone, and I had a pretty strong feeling that he wouldn’t be back anytime soon, not unless I apologised.

"I didn’t do anything wrong....there’s no need to apologise to him..." I said to myself while I anxiously played with my fingers. "I just said the truth, there’s nothing to apologise for."

Deep down I knew I was lying to myself. Even if I didn’t apologise, I needed to let him know that I didn’t mean those words. I was broken emotionally, and it seemed like I simply wasn’t ready to give him what he wanted from me—

I hadn’t finished when a knock came to the front door.

"Riccardo!" I breathed excitedly as I rushed to open the door. The heavens had been listening, and thank God they answered my prayer for once. Now the concept of apologising didn’t sound so difficult to me anymore. I didn’t care about my ego at that moment, I just wanted to kiss him, hold him, and beg him to stay.

I swung the door open with a breath already forming his name—

—and then just as the excitement came, everything inside me went cold.

Thomas Brown stood there.

For a long, suspended second, my mind refused to accept what my eyes were seeing. I just stared at him, my thoughts scrambling, my body frozen in place like I’d stepped into a nightmare I hadn’t been invited to.

Surely I was seeing things. There was no way this was really Thomas at the my doorstep, right? But the more I stared at him the more reality slowly began to take hold of the doubts in my mind.

The shock drained from me all at once, replaced by a convulsing feeling of hatred and disgust.

Without speaking or giving away a thought, I reached for the door, trying to slam it shut with all the strength I had.

But Thomas had anticipated my moves, and he was faster.

His foot shot forward, wedging itself between the door and the frame. The impact jolted up my arm as the door bounced back, refusing to close.

"What are you doing here?" I spat, my voice shaking despite my attempt to maintain a calm demeanor. I didn’t want him to think he still had any effect on me. I didn’t want him to think I’d react every time I saw him. But my voice was betraying me, and it wasn’t long before my body started trembling with rage.

His mouth curved into a smile that made my skin crawl.

"Anne," he said calmly, almost mockingly. "Is that any way to greet a guest?"

I snapped, panic finally surging through me. "Get your foot out before I scream."

He laughed softly and pushed harder. The door gave way inch by inch, my grip slipping as his strength overpowered mine.

"You really should be more welcoming," he said as he forced his way inside. "You received my text, so I figured it’s only right to come pick you up as any gentleman would.

The moment he crossed the threshold, something inside me broke loose.

"Get out of my house!" I shouted, backing away as he stepped fully inside, shutting the door behind him with deliberate finality.

I could feel my pulse pounding in my ears, my hands trembling uncontrollably. Every instinct screamed at me to run, to fight, to disappear. Call the police! No, call Riccardo!

I dashed for my phone, ready to call Riccardo. But the moment my finger hovered over his contact, I lost every strength I had. Could I really call him? Did I even deserve his help after today? He would think I was using him, only calling when I needed help, and then pushing him away right after.

"Relax, Anne. I’m not here to hurt you, I promise."

"Since when did you start keeping your promises?" I shot back, now determined to call the police. I was certain they wouldn’t do anything once they realize it was Thomas Brown, but I didn’t care anymore. I wanted somebody here, anybody at all. I just didn’t want to spend a single second alone with the monster in front of me.

"I know you don’t believe me, but I’m being honest, I’m trying to change."

To those words I let out a dry humourless chuckle. Only a fool would believe words coming out of Thomas Brown’s mouth. There was barely any truth in that mouth of his, and I wasn’t stupid enough to believe him.

"You’ve reached the state emergency service—"

The receiver had barely finished when Thomas grabbed the phone from my hand, his bigger figure towering over mine, but not in an intimidating manner. There was no hostility in his eyes, just wide blank eyes that didn’t know what else to do.

"Get away from me—"

"Listen to me, Anne. I’m sorry about everything, I really am. I know you probably hate my guts, but I believe a part of you still wants us back. And that’s why I’m here, I want you back, Anne Allistair. "