Her mother's friend's son

Chapter 4

Throughout the night, Justin once again couldn't close his eyes. He pondered every detail of the past day. Gathering his thoughts into one, the man decided to act; he couldn't just lose like that, without even starting the battle.

After sleeping for only a few hours, Justin jumped up and began to prepare his speech: how to persuade Vanessa to go on a date, because the weekend is already over, and after work, she's tired, which is a perfect excuse for her to refuse him again.

As dawn began to break, casting a soft glow through the curtains of his bedroom, Justin found himself still immersed in thought. The events of the previous day replayed in his mind like a film, each scene scrutinized for clues, for missed opportunities. He felt a surge of determination coursing through him; he couldn't afford to let this chance slip away, not after coming this far.

With a sense of urgency, Justin rose from his bed, his mind already racing ahead to the day ahead. He knew he had to seize the moment, to turn the tide in his favor before it was too late. Vanessa was the one he couldn't stop thinking about, the one who occupied his every waking thought.

After a quick shower and a hastily grabbed breakfast, Justin set to work on his plan. He needed to craft the perfect approach, a combination of charm and sincerity that would sway Vanessa's heart. He scribbled down ideas furiously, crossing out phrases and rewording sentences until he was satisfied with the result.

But as he rehearsed his speech in front of the bathroom mirror, doubt crept in. What if Vanessa rejected him again? What if his efforts were in vain? Justin pushed aside these thoughts, steeling himself for the challenge ahead. He refused to let fear hold him back, to let uncertainty dictate his actions.

With his resolve strengthened, Justin set out for another day at the office, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of Vanessa. As the hours passed, anticipation gnawed at him, urging him to make his move, to lay his feelings bare.

Finally, as the workday drew to a close, Justin found himself standing outside Vanessa's office, his heart pounding in his chest. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come, before pushing open the door and stepping inside.

"Vanessa," he began, his voice steady despite the nerves coursing through him, "there's something I need to tell you..."

"What are you doing here? Outsiders are not allowed in," the girl replied in surprise, rising from the table.

"Oh, come on, what's the big deal?"

"How did they even let you in here, beyond the guest room? This isn't a café, it's an accounting office."

"Well, consider it your lucky day, I'm not bothering you, I just need to say what I have to."

"My workday ends in 15 minutes. Why don't you wait and tell me everything at home, okay?"

The tension in the air was palpable as the two exchanged words, each word laden with unspoken meaning. Justin could feel his palms growing clammy, but he pressed on, determined to have his say.

"I know, Vanessa, but I couldn't wait," Justin replied, his voice tinged with urgency. "This couldn't wait until later. It's about us."

Vanessa's expression softened slightly, her curiosity piqued. "What about us?" she asked, her tone softer now, betraying a hint of vulnerability.

Justin took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "I... I've been thinking a lot lately, about you and me," he began, his voice steady now, despite the turmoil swirling within him. "And I realize that I've been foolish, that I've let my pride get in the way of what's truly important."