Tony's POV
Debra.
Soft-spoken, compassionate, and completely oblivious to her beauty, she was unlike anyone I had ever dated.
Long before she knew it, I spotted her. She worked harder than anybody else, she strolled into the office with her head down, and she always paused before speaking, seemed frightened of taking up too much room.
I was captivated by her.
I knew there was no going back when I finally gave in to my yearning and drew her into my world that evening at the company party.
I had her now.
I wanted to keep her, darn it.
I felt... different for the first time in a long time. Lighter. As if the burden of my obligations weren't choking me.
One evening, while we were sitting by the harbor, watching the waves, she asked me, "Do you ever get tired of this life?"
"This life?" I arched a brow and repeated.
"The power, the fancy suits, the constant control."
I smile. "Control is essential, my love."
She looked at me knowingly. Nevertheless, do you ever wish you could relax?
Give up?
That was out of the question. Not for me.
I made her forget the question by leaning in and kissing her, as I always did.
I ought to have realized it wouldn't last.
I had acted carelessly.
Foolish.
I had allowed myself to think that I could have this—her—and not be punished.
However, the past is never truly forgotten.
Mine, meanwhile, was struggling to return to the surface.
The calls increased in frequency.
I ignored them at first. However, I realized that ignoring them was no longer an option when I saw Vincent DeLuca's name flash over my screen.
I took it up and went out onto my balcony.
My father's voice, chilly and clipped, said, "Tony." "Are you completely insane?"
I held on to the railing while I gently exhaled. "Now what?"
"You already know what. This assistant. You're flaunting around with this female. Do you know what this looks like?
"I don't care how it looks at all."
"She is a diversion."
I tightened my jaw. She doesn't cause any distractions. And you shouldn't worry about her.
"When she destroys everything, she will be."
The warning rang in my mind even after the phone ended.
Debra was snuggled up in my blankets, looking like she belonged in the bedroom, and I turned back toward it.
I questioned whether my father was correct for the first time.
Was this something I could afford?
Was she something I could afford?
I began to back away.
I didn't want it, but I couldn't do anything else.
I felt like a phony every time I entered the room and saw her face light up.
I felt like I was putting her right into a trap every time she looked at me as if I were everything.
I was, too.
I began to postpone plans.
At first, she didn't voice any complaints. She was understanding and patient.
Until I heard the sadness in her voice when I picked up the phone one evening.
"Tony... "Where are you?"
I could hear the faint hum of a busy restaurant and the clinking of silverware in the distance.
She was meant to be there with me.
Rather, I sat by myself in my office, engulfed in paperwork and issues that I was unable to discuss with her.
I pressed my fingers to my temple and closed my eyes. "Debra... I am unable to do this at this time.
Quiet.
Then, a whispered, "Okay."
She hung up before I could utter another thing.
I sat there, staring at the dead phone in my fingers, feeling something I hadn't felt in years.
Guilt. But it was better this way.
I had to protect her.
Even if it meant hurting her heart.
The company gala was meant to be another night of obligations, another gathering where I had to shake hands, smile for photographers, and play my part.
But as I stood in that huge ballroom, I felt something heavy crushing down on me.
I'm sorry.
I fixed my cufflinks, looked at my watch.
She was not coming. She was unable to.
It would simply make everything more complicated.
Beside me, a voice purred, "Tony."
As Camilla, my father's business partner and, presumably, my fiancée, put her arm through mine, I turned and feigned a grin.
She said, "Smile for the cameras." "We have a reputation to uphold."
Despite my feeling sick, I followed instructions.
Reporters, flashing lights, and business leaders were all in the room, observing our every action.
I sensed it. A presence.
My eyes darted to the door.
There she was.
Debra.
My heart struck my ribs hard.
I took a step forward before I could stop myself.
For a fleeting second, our eyes met.
She looked lovely. Devastatingly so.
Then her face transformed.
She caught sight of Camilla.
She noticed how Camilla held on to me and how I remained motionless, refusing to move to refute the notion.
I saw her eyes light up with comprehension.
Her face was crushed with pain.
The crowd whispered, not realizing the battle going on inside of me.
I have to make this right.
I had to
Camilla, however, tightened her hold on my arm and turned to face the audience before I could take any action.
"Everyone," she remarked in a honey-sweet voice. "I want you to get to know my fiance."
Applause broke out in the room.
However, the only thing I could hear was Debra's heart shattering.
She turned and vanished into the darkness.
And I released her.
Debra's POV
As I rushed into Tony's penthouse, my heart was racing.
My mind had been replaying the moment he announced that woman, Camilla, as his fiancée, and the elevator trip had been a haze.
I had been destroyed and humiliated as I stood in that ballroom.
I needed answers now.
He was pouring himself a drink in his living room as if nothing had happened when I spotted him. His tie was unfastened, and his suit jacket was slung across the couch. As I walked in, he looked up, his face unreadable.