Saving the Villain

[ Young Miss,

The Madam prepared many side dishes since she was happy you finished the last batch she made. She would be delighted if she heard you eat everything again. It was good for your health. She's been worried since you've been busy. ]

"I just told Nanny Lucia I'm on a strict diet," Cosette sighed, holding a note she got from the refrigerator. She opened the refrigerator and wasn't surprised upon seeing it was full of food containers.

"Seriously…" the side of her lips curled up into a smile. "At this point, I'd really ruin my diet."

Cosette bent over slightly, going through the fridge to find anything she could eat that was light enough to start her day. She tucked her curled hair behind her ear, showing a small diamond earring. It didn't take long before she took out a small Tupperware full of strawberries, taking them with her to the coffee machine.

She went on to brew her coffee and when she finished, she took the strawberries and cup of coffee to the bar counter. Sitting on the counter chair, Cosette glanced at the television in the living room. The business news was on, catching her attention.

"Hmm?" she reached for the remote, raising the volume so she could hear it.

"The redevelopment in the Wisen District was expected to be the biggest shopping center in the country… the founder and the current CEO of the LG Builders promised in the groundbreaking ceremony…"

Cosette watched the business news with interest, smirking as the screen showed a clip of the person who was called the founder of the quickly rising and promising construction company, LG Builders. The person doing the speech was a man in his prime; he was handsome and smart-looking, and one could tell that behind those lavish luxury clothes was a body one would die for.

Her long lashes fluttered as her lips, which were painted in bright red in contrast with her light makeup, curled up into a subtle smile. Unlike her bubbly beauty when she was in her teens, her face looked mature with a different allure. Keeping her accessories minimal, but gave more attention to her elegant casual attire. But there was one thing that was even more noticeable than her attire or her beauty. It was the diamond ring around her ring finger.

"According to the CEO of LG Builders, Lucas Quinn, even though the shopping district will be… it will focus and give equal opportunity for small business…" the newscaster reported, adding more details as a promotion for this big project that many people were looking forward to.

"I should prepare something for him," whispered Cosette, sprawling her arm to reach for her smartphone. She dialed Luke's number, placed the phone in front of her ear, and listened to it ring. She quirked a brow when he didn't answer, so she rang him again but to no avail.

"What's wrong with him?" she mumbled, frowning. "He said he will come home to celebrate our anniversary."

Cosette rang Luke once again, but just like the first two tries, the call didn't go through. Just when she was about to ring him once again, an incoming call appeared on the screen. Seeing the person's name, she smiled before answering the call.

******

Meanwhile, in a presidential suite of a five-star hotel…

Bzzt! Bzzt!

"Ugh…" A hand slammed on top of the phone on the bedside table to stop it from vibrating. When it stopped, a man opened his one eye, pulling the phone to his face to check who was calling him early in the morning.

As soon as he saw the name Cozie, his eyes popped open. He instantly sat up, almost losing his balance at the sudden movement he did. The blanket over his body fell to his lap, displaying his toned upper body.

"Shit…" his hair was disheveled with spikes pointing in every direction. He tried calling her back, but apparently, her phone was busy. "Who is she…"

Luke, now 26 years old and a successful businessman, trailed off upon catching a figure from the corner of his eyes. When he turned his head to the other side of the bed and saw a woman's bare back lying beside him, he shut his eyes.

'God damn it…' he drew a deep breath, hoping that when he open his eyes the woman beside him was gone. But when he reopened his eyes, the woman was still beside him.

A deep exhale slipped past his nostrils, pinching the bridge of his nose in distress.

"Whatever," he said after minutes of mental beating, grabbing the sheet from his lap as he flung his legs out of the bed.

Standing with only his underwear, Luke went to pick up his clothes scattered on the floor. With his clothes in his hand, he shoved his hand inside the pocket of his trousers last night to get his wallet. He took out all the cash and put them on the bedside table before leaving the room without ever looking back.

"Damn it… I told her I will go home last night," he muttered to himself with a tinge of irritation, walking out of the room with only his underwear. "She'll kill me —"

His steps halted as soon as he reached the lobby of the presidential suite, catching a man's figure standing in the floor-to-length transparent wall where the city could be seen. For a moment, Luke held his breath, assessing the man's back in a suit from head to toe.

"Today is a special day for Cosette," said the man in a suit, turning on his heel to face the almost naked Luke. "If she knew about this, it will break her heart."

Luke let out a short and dry laugh, looking back at the man he had known for many years.

Remo.

"Remo, will you tell her about it?" asked Luke. "Last night... I had a little bit too much to drink."

Remo remained silent for a moment before his lips parted. "Be grateful it's a special day and I can't let you celebrate today with a mangled face. I prepared the hangover medicine and soup in the car. Dress up quickly. Don't let her wait for long."

With that being said, Remo marched away as if he had nothing to say anymore. Meanwhile, Luke ran his tongue across his inner cheek, clicking his tongue in irritation.

"Damn it!" Luke grumbled, kicking the stand near his vantage point. He ran his fingers through his disheveled hair, ruffling it in irritation. "She'll really kill me if he starts talking."

Distress dominated his face, but he knew there was nothing he could do. The only thing Luke could rely on was Remo cherished Cosette like a little sister. Remo wouldn't do or say something that would hurt Cosette.

"I will not drink ever again..." he told himself, storming to the guests' bathroom as he didn't want to deal with whoever he slept with last night.