Irresistible Boss Succumbing to Your Touch (Maria Anita) novel Chapter 454

Manuela’s POV

I arrived at the office singing and smiling, feeling like all the colors were more beautiful, the day was brighter, and life was just too good. But how could it be any different after the night of love I had with my big guy who finally confessed his feelings for me?

"Girl, this detective is really something else!" Rick appeared in front of my desk with a smile.

"Love is something else, Rick!" I smiled at him.

"Tell me more, pretty!" He smiled and sat down.

"He loves me, Rick, he loves me!" I said excitedly.

"And what's new about that, Little Key?" Patrick showed up at that moment. "Everyone already knows that."

"What do you mean?" I looked puzzled.

"Only you and Flavian had any doubts about it because we all knew you two were in love." Patrick said, and I looked at Rick.

"I didn't say anything." Rick held his hands up in front of him to emphasize he really hadn't said anything.

"Did you need to? You can just see how these two act." Patrick sat in the other chair in front of me. "So, did the tall guy confess?"

"Look who's being the gossip queen!" Rick joked, making me laugh.

"Yes, he confessed, and I did too, and nothing can separate us." I was very happy and certain that I would live my happily ever after. "Now go find something to do, both of you."

"I'm going, I'm going to call Flavian to congratulate him!" Patrick got up laughing and headed to his office. I looked at Rick and only then noticed the dark circles under his eyes.

"What's wrong, Rick? Didn't sleep well?" I asked.

"I didn't sleep, Little Key." He sighed. "Have you talked to Tess?"

I thought for a moment and realized I had barely seen or talked to Tess lately. In fact, she had been hanging out a lot with Virginia, and both of them had been skipping the girls' meetings.

"I haven't talked to her in a while, Rick. Why?"

"Because we had a fight and she's only been speaking to me when absolutely necessary for the past three days." Rick sighed.

"Want me to talk to her?" I asked, worried about my friends.

"No, I don't want to drag you into this. At least not yet." He laughed, but it was a weak and sad smile.

"Let me know if I can help with anything." I said, and watched him get up with just a nod.

Rick went back to his office, and I was thinking about how I could help him. But my thoughts vanished when the elevator door opened and a young man approached my desk with a flower arrangement sent by my detective. Oh, he was so sweet!

The day was quite peaceful at the office, and I was very happy until my phone rang and it was my mother. I hadn't talked to her in days and missed her. I picked up the phone and answered.

"Hi, mom..." But she didn't give me time to say anything else.

"Mom, I'm not giving you my address." I sighed, knowing the fight was about to begin.

"Manuela, don't test my patience!" She raised her voice.

"Mom, you threatened to drag me by my hair and lock me up. I'm not going to tell you where I'm living. Dad already knows where it is, and if there's any emergency, he knows how to find me..." She didn't even let me finish.

"Well, aren't you getting too big for your boots, young lady? I am your mother! You owe me obedience and respect. How dare you disappear into the world without giving me any explanation? Have you lost your mind, Manuela?" My mother was yelling through the phone.

"I'm sorry, Mom, but I'm not giving you the address." I stood firm, although I was trembling to my core.

"Oh, Manuela, you can be sure I'll find you, sooner or later, and when I do, I'll give you such a beating that you'll be soaking in brine for days, and just when you think it's over, I'll beat you again and drag you by your hair to the church to marry you to Mr. Calvin's son!" My mother seemed possessed by a demon - no mother should ever make such threats to their child.

"Mom..." I could no longer hold back my tears, and my hands were shaking. I felt someone pull the phone from my hand.

"Ma'am, even though you're Manuela's mother, know that she has friends who will protect her, and you won't lay a finger on a single hair on her head. Now go find some laundry to wash instead of harassing your daughter who's working and, unlike you, doesn't have time for such nonsense."

I looked back and saw Rick hang up the phone and place it on the desk, studying me with a concerned expression.

"Are you sure that crazy woman is your mother?" Rick asked, and there was such seriousness in his voice that I almost considered the possibility that maybe that crazy woman wasn't my mother - after all, no mother treats their child like that. Or do they?

"I just know that right now, I wish she wasn't," I said between sobs and tears. Rick knelt beside me and hugged me.

"Don't worry, Little Key, we'll protect you." His words were sincere and full of affection.