STEPHANIE

I look at the perfect man in front of me while my mind and heart are at war in me. I wanted to have him by my side and I was ready to forgive him everything, but that would trample on the pride and promise I gave myself again.

"You have ten minutes for your explanation. If I don't consider it adequate, I leave and after that you stop talking to me," I crossed my arms over my chest, waiting for it to begin.

I blamed myself for many things in life, but most of all for always giving everyone a second chance, even though in the end I would end up hurt in most cases. Nicole always managed to do that, she cut off all contact with anyone who would let her down. I should have learned that from her, but I am that stupid optimist who sees only the best in people.

"I'm so sorry about that..."

"Nine minutes, Anders, my time is precious."

"Can we at least go to a more private place?" He looked at me pleadingly, "I believe that neither of us wants to end up on the cover of a magazine again..."

"I'm not going anywhere with you, when I survived then to be the main topic among the whole hospital, I will survive it now," I gave him another angry look.

"Remember what you said," he winked at me and slyly smiled at me.

"Seven minutes, Anders."

"Then I'll have more than enough time."

He approached and wrapped his arms around my back, and before I could even react, he pressed his lips to mine. Every moment deepening our kiss. I should have pushed him away, but every part of me longed for him and his lips. I caught myself running my hand through his soft hair, and he hugged me tightly, not allowing me to move a single millimeter away from him.

I didn't pay any attention to our environment and potential journalists, because I was too lost in the moment. I felt electricity and sparks between us and I realized that I would still listen to all his reasons. When I moved away from him I felt as if my heart would jump out of my chest as the smell of his perfume and the sight of his deep eyes intoxicated me.

My anger towards him seemed to evaporate because I looked at him with the same infatuation as that night we spent together. A smile lit up my face, and he smiled warmly at me.

Let me be deceived, but I believe that he is worth another mistake.

"I believe this was more than a good reason to come with me. You deserve an explanation for my disappearance," he winked, taking my hand and leading me to his car.

"I don't want to go with you," I tore my hand from his grip.

"Please, Stephanie, I'm only asking you for one conversation. If after that you want me to disappear from your life, I'll do it."

During the ride, we had casual conversations about random topics, thus avoiding the real problem we had. He drove into the garage of a luxury skyscraper, stopping him at the very entrance, and two workers immediately ran to greet him.

"Good afternoon, miss," one of them opened the door for me.

"Thank you," I thanked him quietly.

"You're welcome, miss. Do you need anything?"

"No, but thank you."

I felt uncomfortable about this, because I never wanted to be the center of attention, but with Leo it seemed to be taken for granted. He handed the keys to another worker, quietly explaining something to him, to which he only nodded, and then he approached me and possessively hugged me around the waist, but I removed his arm. He looked at me in surprise, but said nothing. I couldn't let him think I'd just forgive him.

"What are we doing here?" I asked him quietly as he led me to the elevator.

"You wanted an explanation. We're here so I can give it to you without potential distractions," he winked at me with a smile.

There was something in that dominant voice of his that made my heart beat faster, and those piercing green eyes won me over even though I fought it. I tried to look at our surroundings, not his perfectly defined back muscles, although it was difficult for me to do so.

I felt the jealous looks of others on me, but I skillfully ignored it. After surviving three months of work in the hospital where I was the main topic, I will endure this even before I make a final decision. We got into the elevator, and to my surprise he stopped on the first floor and I followed him quietly.

"Mr. Anders, welcome!" One of the women from the reception immediately ran to greet him, "What can I do for you?"

"I don't want to see anyone on the roof for the next couple of hours," he said briefly, and she nodded her head in understanding.

"Do you want them to prepare an apartment for you?" She asked him, glancing at me.

I couldn't help but notice the envy in her eyes as she looked at me, then she turned her attention back to Leo and smiled sweetly at him.

"There won't be a need for that," Leo didn't pay much attention to her.

"Whatever you want."

Leo grabbed my hand the next moment and shortly after that we were alone in the elevator again.

I tried to restrain myself, but I still couldn't. Nicole told me nicely that I would be his only one in a row, but I had to be stubborn as usual. All the anger I was trying to keep to myself all this time simply surfaced.

"Are you bringing everyone here?" I asked him venomously.

"What are you talking about?" He looked at me in surprise.

"Don't pretend you didn't understand the question," I looked at him angrily, "First you take her to the roof, enchant her with lies, and then drag her to a luxury apartment."

"Stephanie, I understand you're angry, but I don't do that."

"Really?" I asked him in disbelief, "That receptionist simply asked you if you wanted an apartment out of kindness as if you never do that..."

"Stephanie, I'm not that kind of man."

"Then what kind of man are you, Leo Anders?"

"You spent the night with me, and then you disappeared. Not even derogating to answer my calls. After that, I saw many girls in your lap and embrace, whom I believe you dragged just like me."

"In the previous three months, I didn't even have time to breathe from work, let alone see women."

"Really?"

I couldn't believe he was looking me in the eye and lying. I fell for those green eyes of his, but at this moment I was disgusted.

Who knows how many of them just lied like me now...

"Then explain to me, please. Who is this supermodel you hugged around your waist as you ran away from the reporters together?"

I pulled my phone out of the back pocket of my jeans, showing him one of the pictures that hurt me the most. I knew I shouldn't have had these pictures in my gallery, but I kept them for some reason. I guess they remind me how much I know I'm wrong in choosing a boyfriend.

He picked up my phone, then laughed out loud, and at that moment the elevator door opened revealing an enchanting view of the city I loved so much.

"For God's sake, Stephanie, it's Ayana," he said, still laughing.

"Should I know the names of the girls you're dating?"

"You got it all wrong. She's no supermodel, nor is my girlfriend. It's the troubled Ayana Kerringen who decided to run away from her bodyguards and get drunk like tomorrow doesn't exist. Her older brother called me and asked me to pick her up without letting her make another scandal in front of the press."

"Wait, do you really think I'm stupid enough to believe that?"

"You know what?" He picked up the phone and called someone, "It's pointless to argue with you, because you don't even give me a chance to defend myself."

"What do you want, Leo?! Did my dear brother authorize you to be my nanny again?" The girl answered his call.

"Are you Maximillian Kerringen's younger sister?"

"Are you drunk or drugged?"

"Ayana, please answer it..."

"Do you have amnesia I don't know about?"

"Just answer my question."

"Although I still consider myself adopted, to my great regret, that juggler is my brother. Why?"

"It doesn't matter, Ayana, thank you," he said and hung up, then turned to me.

Is it really possible that he didn't lie to me? Good job Stephanie...

"Do you have another picture where I was seen with the girls, I'll call each one if that's what will make you listen to me?" I saw the determination in his eyes.

I felt my cheeks get red, and his smile didn't make the situation any easier.

"There's no need for that," I stammered, lowering my gaze so I wouldn't have to watch his sneer, which he couldn't suppress.

"Stephanie, someone was giving information about the decisions made in my company in Germany. It almost cost me all the jobs and partners there. For three months, I searched day and night for the mole and tried to solve all the problems that arose. I didn't call you because one morning I found a listing of all the calls I had in the newspaper, I didn't want to draw media attention to you again. The same person who shot at me that night was the same one who undermined me all the time."

"I don't know what to say to this..."

"I'm not asking you for compassion, because it's all behind me. I hurt you and I'd like to fix it all somehow."

"I don't know Leo, honestly that scandal equated my residency with hell. It's not desirable to see a doctor in a newspaper, and I don't want to be the centre of attention. I gave up so much that I couldn't risk ruining my career, and I couldn't go unnoticed with you... "

Although painful, this was true. During my studies, I sacrificed all my outings and socializing in order to be able to keep my scholarship, and I have a high average that would allow me to specialize in one of the most famous hospitals. I achieved everything with my hard work and I didn't want the story about me to spread again that I was with him only for the sake of benefit.

"Give us a chance, I'll do my best to keep reporters away from us."

"Leo, we both know it's not easy."

"Let's start from the beginning, come out with me and meet me," he looked at me pleadingly, "Meet that side of Anders that the media didn't show you."

There was something in his look and the tone in which he addressed me that did not make me reconsider my decisions. He was a dominant man who was used to getting everything in life with one sentence of his, but in front of me he seemed like a completely different person. He is full of attention and understanding.

"I have one request."

"I'm listening."

"Promise me you'll never disappear like that again. If you decide to leave me, do it like a mature man and tell it to my face, don't run away."

"I promise," he was brief.

"Can I find out why you decided on medicine? Honestly, it's a job that takes a lot of effort and time. It's just ungrateful for women?"

"I don't even know the exact answer to that question, I have always been attracted to medicine. On the one hand, I always wanted to help others, and on the other, my mother was a doctor, and Nicole is also a maxillofacial surgeon, which additionally encouraged me to follow my dreams... "

"I understand," he nodded at my response.

We started talking about our lives, invariably asking each other questions. I sat next to him and watched the hectic life of the city in front of me. I don't know when, but I put my head on his shoulder enjoying the scent of his perfume and the breathtaking panorama. I could feel the cold wind starting to blow, but I enjoyed it too much to spoil it.

"I think it would be best if we go in, you're cold."

"No, I want to enjoy it a little more here."

"Let's go, I don't want your sister to kill me if you catch a cold. I'm convinced she's protecting you like a lioness of her cub. She attacks first, and only then asks questions..."

"Do not exaggerate."

"The look she gave me today spoke more than a thousand words. If we weren't surrounded by people she would definitely attack me. Max and she would get along great."

"Maximillian and my sister, are you kidding me?" I looked up at him, "The two of them would be like a dog and a cat. I don't know which of them is more dominant, but they are both perfectionists, and they are also arrogant. How did you know they would get along great? "

"A perfectionist is always looking for a perfectionist, remember that. You probably got the wrong impression of Max, because that's how he broke into Nicole's office, but he just tries to protect me like Nicole does to you. When I get in trouble, Max jumps in without thinking twice about it. He's more than a friend to me, he's my brother. "

"Do you really mean that?"

"Stephanie, I've known Max my whole life. He's not a person who lets someone grow old, and that night your sister silenced him in a few sentences, it never occurred to him to oppose her. They're both arrogant and stubborn, but if they overcame those disagreements, they would complement each other better than you can imagine. "

I thought about his words, maybe he's right about the two of them after all. My sister may need someone who could be as ambitious as she is, because in that case he would understand her passion for work, and as much as I didn't want to accept it, they looked amazing together. It seems like it's time to put an end to her single life.

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Chapter edited by sweetfirecarmelle