CEO's Contract Obsession-Chapter 167: Do Not Let Him Go

Back in Anton’s penthouse, Mary put down her defenses as she recites her mantra in her head over and over again.

’Everything will be fine... Anton is a good man... Everything will be fine... Anton is a good man...’

Back in college, Mary was popular due to her intelligence. She was a straight-A student, a dean lister, and a pretty one too. She needed money so she offered tutorial classes to rich students who were struggling with their grades.

It was an easy job for her and she was satisfied with it since her student’s grades improved a lot and the pay was really good too. She often receives huge bonuses from the parents of those rich kids whenever their children pass their exams.

Except for one... Francis...

Francis is Mary’s classmate in five of her subjects since they are both studying business management. Their teacher in calculus was the one who introduced Mary to Francis and his family when his parents asked for help since Francis is badly failing.

They were rich and had hired several tutors but his grades didn’t change. Mary accepted the job and Francis started passing his subjects, but it’s just only that, passing, no more, no less.

His father wanted Francis to have higher grades for he is their heir. He asked Mary to drop all her other jobs and offered to pay her triple of whatever amount she was earning from her combined tutorial lessons. So that she can have more time for Francis and tutor him in all of his subjects to make his grade higher.

Mary wanted to have her own business someday and is saving every penny for her dream so she agreed. Unknown to all of them, Francis planned all of it.

He was obsessed with Mary and was stalking her until he thought of that great plan that worked until he could no longer control himself from touching her.

One thing led to another. She was locked in one of Francis’ guesthouses for days. She was able to escape but unfortunately, she was found before was able to get out of his property. Mary fought back until one of the guards saw them.

Francis told the guard that she was stealing from the mansion so the guard helped Francis bring her back to the guesthouse. Mary was able to grab the firearm of the guard but with no intention of firing it.

She just wanted to scare them so she can run away. But then again, it was not her lucky day. She shot both Francis and the guard before she ran away. The guard died and Francis was in critical condition.

Francis’ parents pressed charges and she was put in jail until she was proven innocent.

That experience left a huge scar on her heart and life. She was so traumatized that none of her relationships lasted long. She would always panic when they are alone in an enclosed space or she would break up with them when they start to get intimate with her.

But Anton is different and she had thought about it since the first time she saw him. It was not just an instant attraction, she trusted him right away. As if she had known him way back.

Unlike other men who would always show their desire for her as soon as they meet her, Anton was the opposite. It was as if he was staying away from her and that made her more interested in him. To simply put it, she like the chase.

She had never liked a man before as much as she likes Anton. She did not give up even though he was very elusive from the start. But now she is hating herself for what she had done.

This was her chance to be with him, but her trauma got the best of her. She thought she was over it. It has been a long time since she had a relationship with someone.

Ever since Amy’s parents died, Mary remained single. It was not by choice, she was just too busy dealing with the cafe and helping Amy that she had no time to date anyone.

But Anton is here now, who confessed his feelings to her. But on their first date, she swiftly messed it up and there’s no going back. All she can do is make it up to him.

She was able to compose herself again and follow Anton to his private gallery. And when she went in, her anxiety went away in a blink of an eye.

The room is filled with paintings in different styles and genres. Her eyes went from left to right, not knowing where to start first. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"What do you think of my collection?" Anton finally uttered after seeing her speechless.

"I-It’s amazing, I didn’t think that you would collect different kinds of paintings," Mary answered.

"And what do you think my style was?"

Mary rubbed her chin with her index and thumb pretending to be thinking deeply. "I thought you are more of an impressionist kind of guy," Mary said.

"Is it because I was staring at that kind of painting earlier?" Anton ask before he started walking further into the gallery.

"That’s one and because you are hard to read."

Anton laughed at what she said, and she felt her heart skipped a beat. At that moment, she just saw a different side of him. The side that he doesn’t usually show to others, but Mary saw right through him.

He was laughing genuinely and for the first time, Mary was able to feel who he really is. If people told her before that one’s instinct never goes wrong, she would have laughed at them.

She had trusted Francis and that trust put her in jail. But now it feels different, she earnestly really feels good about Anton. The way he laughs is just music to her ears, it was so comforting and relaxing.

She smiled as she watch him laugh at her. And she told herself, ’This is it, Mary, this is the man that you have been waiting for. Do not let him go.’