Chapter 1 - The Viral Storm
I stared at the glowing screen of the bodyguard's phone in absolute horror.
Millions of views were already racking up under the hashtag #ChicagoWaitress.
My face, frozen in shock as the most dangerous man in the city kissed me, was plastered across every social media platform.
Vincent didn't wait for my permission to take control of the situation.
He placed a firm, warm hand on my lower back and guided me into the waiting black sedan.
"Drive," he commanded the chauffeur, his voice leaving no room for argument.
The heavy doors locked with a solid click, shutting out the chaos of the street.
I turned to him, my chest heaving as I tried to process the last ten minutes of my life.
"You just ruined my quiet life," I whispered, my hands still shaking from the adrenaline.
Vincent loosened his silk tie, looking completely unbothered by the media storm he had just ignited.
"Your quiet life was already ruined the moment your ex decided to make you a public spectacle, Emily," he replied smoothly.
He poured a glass of water from the car's minibar and handed it to me.
"Tyler wanted you to feel small, so I made sure he felt entirely invisible."
I took a sip, the cool water doing nothing to calm the fire burning in my veins.
"My boss is going to fire me for causing a scene," I muttered, thinking of my unpaid bills.
Vincent let out a dark, rich chuckle that sent a shiver down my spine.
"I bought the restaurant five minutes ago, Emily."
I choked on my water, staring at him as if he had lost his mind.
"You did what?" I gasped.
"I bought it," he repeated softly, leaning closer until I could smell his expensive cologne.
"And your first act as the new owner is to take the rest of the week off with full pay."
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I realized then that Vincent DeLuca wasn't just playing a game to save me.
He was rewriting the rules of my entire world.
