Rose (The Billionairess, #1.5)

Chapter 8: Melting

I did not look back. I did not look back at all those shocked and confused faces of the guests. I did not look to see the paparazzi catching this scandalous moment that would no doubt be in the tabloids by tomorrow morning. I did not look back until I made it back to my apartment.

I stumbled into the couch and held my face in my hands. I tried to hold back my tears. I hated wallowing in self-pity. I was Rose goddamn Delacourt and I was above such pathetic behavior. But I couldn't stop as warm tears started traveling down my cheeks.

So this is how the Ice Queen melts my mind whispered.

The Ice Queen. That was what they called me. They thought they were discreet, but I heard that nickname whispered on their lips. That's how they saw me. And I let them believe that, let them think I was as cold and unmoved as it appeared. But that was because no one saw me like this, when even I'm not strong enough to hold it in.

Tristen Grey. That bastard. Even after all this time, after how much I'd proven, why was it that he could still make me feel this way?

Then, I heard a soft tapping at my door. A gentle voice found it's way through.

"Mistress?"

As if my tears had summoned him, Thomas Luxembourg peeked his head through the door. I tried to stifle my crying. God, as if this whole night couldn't get any worse, now he had to see me like this.

He stepped through the door and shut it behind him. I could feel his eyes find me in the dim light. I just lay there sniffling, not even bothering to hide it anymore. All I could do was cover my face.

"Mistress," he said. He spoke softly, as if his own voice would shatter me like glass.

I sat up and wiped away at the mascara running down my face. I didn't want to know what I looked like. A woman alone in her ivory tower with smudge black and red across her face.

"I hate showing emotion," I said. "Especially in front of you. I swore I'd never let an employee see me like this."

He came closer, and I thought he would sit down next to me, but instead he kneeled down before me, keeping his voice in that sweet, gentle tone.

"What Mr. Grey did was horrible" he said. "I could never judge you for crying after that."

I starred down at my hands in my lap, taking in his words and unable to speak. A part of me wanted to believe he was only being kind because I was his employer. But even back at Montgomery's, or when he washed my dishes after I brought home, he always chose to be kind to me even when there was no reason for him to. It felt strange to receive such unmotivated kindness.

Unlike other boys.

And that thought brought me back to Tristen. Even my own mind couldn't keep away from him for long. His outburst, in front of everyone. I wasn't sure how my kind-hearted butler could fix that.

I gathered myself together and then stood up from the couch. Thomas stood with me.

"It doesn't matter now" I said. "Everyone saw it. He'll be all over the tabloids and magazines tomorrow. His reputation will be ruined. He's inflicted karma on himself." She sighed. "Now, there's another man gone."

"You don't deserve men like Tristen Grey" Thomas said.

And then, to my surprise, he placed his hand ever so gently on my cheek. My first instinct was to swat it away, but then I remembered how nice his hands were. They were so soft to the touch, so warm on my cheek. I could see for eternity in this boy's palm and feel safe as ever.

He kept speaking, and it was a warm sound like a trickle of spring water.

"You're a beautiful, intelligent, successful woman. He's not good enough for you."