Drunk and Daring I Kissed a Tycoon novel Chapter 14

Tina asked, "Luke, what are you looking at?"

She tugged on Luke's sleeve when she noticed him zoning out.

His line of sight had been blocked by the trees along the path, obscuring whatever had caught his attention. He withdrew his gaze and said, "Nothing."

He focused on the road ahead, but his thoughts were unsettled.

Vespera followed after Dominic.

He stood near a tree, taking a call, while she trailed close behind. He glanced over his shoulder at her.

Realizing he was on the phone, she quickly stopped in her tracks and took a few steps back, retreating into a small pavilion designed to look like a giant mushroom.

She rubbed her forehead and thought, "God, I'm an idiot."

When Dominic ended the call, she walked over, awkwardly trying to act casual. "Mr. Reid, you're sharp as ever. I can't even read a situation properly, so I guess I really am unfit to be your secretary. Sorry for the disturbance."

Dominic raised an eyebrow. "You followed me all the way here just to prove you're not suitable for the job? To tell me this?"

Vespera had no defense against his words.

She forced a laugh. There was no hope of getting the job, so she might as well be honest. "Of course not. I followed you because I wanted to fight for the opportunity. 

"But considering the terrible first impression I left, plus how embarrassing today has been, there's no way you'd consider me. I just figured I'd end this sooner rather than later—without making things worse."

Dominic's expression remained cold. "You think that's why I rejected you?"

Vespera asked, "Isn't it?"

"You came to apply as my secretary dressed like this. If I hired you, people would assume I'm the kind of man who only cares about appearances."

He leaned down slightly, lowering his voice. "And if I really did care about that, I wouldn't need to make it so obvious, would I?"

Vespera's face flushed instantly.

From her cheeks to the tips of her ears, she was so flushed she could feel the heat radiating off her skin.

He was mocking her—implying that she had hoped to use her looks to get the job, but he had no interest in that.

She didn't bother explaining herself. There was no point.

But she was too embarrassed to stay any longer. Feeling awkward, she hurriedly said, "Thank you for the lesson. I'll be leaving now. Goodbye."

She didn't even wait for his response before turning and walking away.

…

When Yasmine and Alban returned, they were surprised to see Dominic standing alone.

"Where's Vespera?" Yasmine asked.

"She left," Dominic replied.

Yasmine was surprised. She immediately realized that Vespera's job application had been rejected, but she couldn't understand why. Things had seemed to be going well just moments ago.

Unable to hold back, she said, "Mr. Reid, Vespera is highly capable…"

Dominic cut her off. "She doesn't look like it."

Yasmine, ever sharp, immediately caught onto the issue.

She had always believed she understood men well, convinced that most would fall for this kind of approach. But Dominic proved to be an exception, entirely indifferent to such tactics.

"Well, what a misunderstanding. It's my fault! Vespera wasn't dressed like this when she arrived. I thought she looked too formal in those long sleeves and pants, so I made her change into something I brought…"

Dominic was at a loss for words.

…

As soon as she got home, Vespera changed her clothes. Feeling drained, she slumped into the chair in front of her vanity.

She wondered if she was truly nothing without Eclipse Group or Luke.