Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 216 I'd spent the whole morning rehearsing what I was going to say to Nate. In theory, it was a simple conversation. Thank him for the gifts. Keep the record. Return the necklace. Simple, straightforward, no drama. So why were my hands shaking when I picked up that little navy velvet box? It was almost two in the afternoon by the time I finally worked up enough courage to walk to his office. The door was slightly open, and I could see him focused on a stack of documents, a strand of hair falling across his forehead in a way that reminded me of Saturday at the market.

I tapped lightly on the door. "Come in," he said without looking up. "Nate?" I called, hesitant. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" He lifted his gaze and smiled when he saw me, that genuine smile that always made something flip in my stomach. "Of course, Annie. Have a seat." I stepped inside, closing the door behind me. "I came to thank you for the gifts," I said, staying on my feet and holding the little box with both hands. "The single is amazing. I had no idea there were Japanese copies in such good condition." "I'm glad you liked it," Nate said, leaning back in his chair.

"I'd been holding onto it for years, waiting for someone who would actually appreciate the music." "It's beautiful, really. I'll treat it like treasure," I said honestly. "But about the necklace..." I set the box on his desk and nudged it gently toward him. "I can't accept it." His expression shifted slightly, a flicker of confusion in his green eyes. "Why not?" "It's too personal," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's not something you give to a... friend." "Annie, it's just a necklace," Nate said, pushing the box back toward me.

"It's not a big deal." "A diamond necklace, Nate," I said, keeping my hands at my sides. "That must have cost..." "I don't really know much about jewelry," he cut in, shrugging like it was nothing. "I saw it, thought it was beautiful, thought of you. That's all." "Nate..." "It would mean a lot to me if you accepted it," he said, meeting my eyes. "I mean, what's the point of having friends if I can't show them I appreciate them?" 1/4 Chapter 216 For a moment, I almost gave in.

in his gaze, that made me want to pick up the box and just accept it. But then I remembered Gwen's words, our conversation that morning, and all the fear I had about making things complicated. "I'm sorry," I said firmly, leaving the box where it was. "But I can't." I turned to leave, but before I could reach the door, it swung open. Alexandra walked in holding two coffees, wearing a navy dress that hugged her curves perfectly and heels that made her look even

"I brought coffee. Just the way you like it." She set one of the cups

from Alexandra to me like he wished this conversation wasn't happening with me in the room. "Uh... yeah," he said, hesitant. "Of course." That was when Alexandra noticed the velvet box on his desk. "Oh my God!" she gasped, eyes lighting up. "That's an Ella Deluxe. Is it for me? Is this my birthday present?" Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed the box and opened it,

taste. And these diamonds are perfect." Something snapped inside me. A hot, primitive anger, sharp and territorial, so intense it shocked me. "That's mine," I said, holding out my hand. Alexandra looked at me like I was a rude child trying to claim a toy. "Yours?" She laughed, a high, condescending sound. "Sweetheart, this is probably worth more than your entire apartment. How would it be yours?" "It's mine," I repeated, my voice turning steady. "Give it back." "Alexandra..." Nate started, but we both ignored

to me." Alexandra stared at me with pure disdain, amused by what she clearly saw as delusion. "Really? You?" She laughed again. "Don't be ridiculous. A man like Nate would never give something like this to..." 2/4 "To what?" I cut in, feeling my patience burn away. "To a..." She looked me up and down once more. "... a staff member." The word came out coated in venom, so sharp it almost made me flinch. But the way she said it, so sure she was above me in every way, only