Sugar sugar baby

[10] Happy birthday

Vanessa had taken me to several more business dinners after that first night. I was getting used to the pattern by now—watching her navigate high-stakes negotiations and subtle power plays, all while seated at the most exclusive restaurants with influential people. But tonight was different. Tonight, we were at her mansion in Beverly Hills.

The place was unreal, like something out of a movie. Modern architecture with vast glass walls overlooking the city, the kind of space that screamed wealth and influence without even trying. We'd just wrapped up hosting a group of her business partners, and I was about to leave when Vanessa called me back.

"Tristan," she said, her voice carrying from across the massive foyer.

I turned around, my hand still on the front door handle. "Yes?"

She approached me with that confident, deliberate stride I was so familiar with by now. "Wait a moment. I have something for you."

I blinked, caught off guard. "For me?"

Vanessa smiled, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "Yes. It's your birthday today, isn't it?"

I was stunned. My birthday had barely crossed my mind with everything going on at work. "How did you know?" I asked, unable to hide the surprise in my voice.

She waved a hand dismissively. "I make it a point to know everything about the people I work with."

Before I could respond, she pulled a sleek black box from behind her back and handed it to me. The weight of it in my hands was immediately noticeable, the kind of box that felt like it belonged in an expensive jewelry store.

"Go on," Vanessa urged, her smile widening. "Open it."

I hesitated for a moment, then carefully lifted the lid. Inside was a watch—not just any watch, a fucking Patek Philippe. The kind of watch that costs more than most people's cars. My heart skipped a beat as I stared at the gleaming timepiece.

"Vanessa... this is..." I stammered, trying to find the right words. "This is too much."

She shrugged, as if gifting someone a watch that cost more than a year's salary was no big deal. "It's nothing, Tristan. Consider it a token of my appreciation."

I shook my head, still in disbelief. "No, really, this is... way too much. I can't accept this."

Her smile didn't falter, but her eyes sharpened slightly, a glint of authority behind them. "You can, and you will. I don't give gifts lightly, Tristan. When I do, I expect them to be received."

I swallowed hard, realizing there was no use in arguing with her. "Thank you," I said quietly, slipping the watch back into its box. "I don't know what to say."

Vanessa's expression softened slightly, the intensity easing. "You don't have to say anything. I wanted to do this."

I was still reeling from the gift when Vanessa turned and called over her shoulder, "Now, let's not end the night so quickly. I had my private chef prepare something special."

I blinked, momentarily stunned again. Her private chef?

She motioned for me to follow her into the dining room, which was just as lavish as the rest of the house. A long glass table sat beneath a stunning chandelier, and there were only two place settings, implying this dinner was just for the two of us. The 3-star Michelin chef stood at the far end of the room, quietly preparing the final touches on what looked like an extravagant meal.

"Please, sit," Vanessa said, gesturing to one of the chairs. I obeyed, still feeling slightly dazed by everything that had just happened. A Patek Philippe watch? A personal dinner prepared by a Michelin-starred chef? This was beyond anything I'd ever experienced.