Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35

The taxi weaved through the city streets while I kept my eyes fixed on the window, without really seeing anything. My mind was still trapped in that moment between the windows at the event hall, with Christian so close I could feel the warmth of his body.

“Because he deserved an explanation. Because I didn’t want you to face it alone. Because…”

Because what? What would Christian have said if Francesca hadn’t shown up at that exact moment? The question hammered in my mind like an unfinished melody, waiting for resolution.

After Francesca arrived, everything shifted. The brightness in her eyes when she looked at Christian was impossible to ignore. And the worst part? He smiled at her. Not the polite smile he gave to other guests, but something more genuine, almost intimate.

The taxi stopped in front of my small building. I paid the fare and climbed the three flights of stairs slowly, each step weighing as though I were carrying concrete on my feet.

Inside the apartment, silence greeted me like an old friend. I tossed my bag onto the couch, kicked off the heels that had been killing me, and went straight to the shower, as if the water could wash away not just the day, but also the memories, the doubts, the unanswered questions.

When I came out, wrapped in my worn robe, my phone was ringing insistently. Annabelle.

“So? How was it? Did you see him? Did you talk?” The questions fired out the moment I answered.

“Hello to you too,” I muttered, dropping onto the bed.

“Cut the crap. Spill.”

Í sighed deeply.

“Yes, he was there. Yes, we talked.”

“And…?” Her impatience was palpable even over the phone.

“And nothing, Annie. It was professional. Polite.”

“Liar.” Her tone left no room for argument. “I’m coming over. I’ll bring food.”

Before I could protest, she hung up. Typical Annabelle. When she was set on something, no force in the universe could stop her.

Half an hour later, she burst into my apartment with a bag of food. Her critical gaze swept over me from head to toe.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Or better yet, an ex.”

“Very funny.” I grabbed a pair of chopsticks from the bag, opening a box of yakisoba.

Annabelle poured herself some wine, settling on the couch like she owned the place.

“Come on. Details. I want everything.”

Between bites of noodles and sips of wine, I told her about the event. About how Christian showed up impeccable in his tailored suit. About our interrupted conversation. About Edward and his veiled questions. About Francesca.

“So he was about to say something important when the ex-witch swooped in?” Annabelle summed up, refilling her glass. “Classic. The universe conspiring against you two.”

“There’s no ‘us,’ Annie.” I pointed at her with the chopsticks for emphasis. “It was just a weird moment. Confusing.”

“Sure.” She rolled her eyes. “And that’s why you’re here, on a Friday night, eating takeout food with your sister instead of, I don’t know, moving on?”

“I am moving on!” I protested. “I’ve got a new job. My own apartment. A life completely different from three months ago.”

“But you still keep the ring in your nightstand.”

My eyes darted involuntarily toward the bedroom, where the small velvet box rested exactly where she said. Heat rushed to my face.

“That doesn’t mean anything.”

“It means you haven’t closed that chapter, Zoey.” Her voice softened. “And from the looks of it, neither has he.”

“You can’t know that.”

“He went to talk to Dad.” Annabelle set her glass down and leaned toward me. “What kind of man goes to his ex’s father to explain a breakup? That’s not normal.”

Her words echoed inside me with startling force. It was true that I had asked him not to just disappear-that we should have a story that made sense for my family… but I never imagined he’d speak to my father personally. Why go to all that trouble when he could’ve just left me to handle the explanations?

“Maybe he’s just decent.”

“Yes, at the Crestview Complex.” His tone picked up with renewed enthusiasm. “All the biggest names in the industry will be there. Including Kensington, of course.”

Highridge Valley. Where Christian’s winery was. Where we’d spent those days pretending to be a couple. Where everything between us had started to change.

“You’ll be leading our representation, Edward went on. “Recognition for the excellent work you’ve done so far.”

I forced an upbeat tone.

“Thank you for the opportunity.”

“I’ll send you the details tomorrow. It’s a golden chance for Sunvale.” His voice dropped slightly. “And for you, of course.”

When I hung up, Annabelle was staring at me with one eyebrow raised.

“Well?”

“I’m going to Highridge Valley next week. For the intersector event.”

“Where your ex’s winery happens to be.”

“He’s not my ex. Not officially. We were never really a couple.”

“Details, details.” She brushed off my correction with a wave of her hand. “The important thing is, the universe is throwing you two together again. I’d call that destiny.”

“I’d call it an inconvenient professional coincidence.”

“Oh, come on! You’re not even a little excited about the possibility of seeing him again? Maybe finishing that interrupted conversation?”

“It’s just work, Annie,” I said finally, trying to convince myself as much as her. “Nothing more.”

But as we cleaned up the empty boxes and glasses, one question kept echoing in my mind: if it was just work, why did my heart race at the thought of going back to Highridge Valley? Why did the idea of seeing Christian again leave me both anxious and hopeful?

Maybe Annabelle was right. Maybe I hadn’t closed that chapter after all.