Time passed, but the number of elite photographers and reporters didn't dwindle, in fact, the number increased. Media vans rolled in nonstop, it was as though the presidential convoy was passing through. Daniel waited patiently with the multitude in the outer circle. No one complained—it was as though they were expecting royalty.
Soon enough, a spotless white limousine pulled over right in front of the building. Two rows of guards—though, they looked more like bodybuilders rather than regular guards—filed out of the building, led by a serious looking lady. They lined by the backseat passenger door, heads bowed. The lady Daniel recognized to be Amanda, Vanessa's secretary, whom he had personally scouted himself, not that either she or Vanessa knew he was the one who pulled the strings to make it so. She was an administrative genius, with an analytical personality—just like her boss, sharp, discreet and efficient—everything Vanessa valued in her inner circle.
But all of that was not the reason he had scouted her to work for Vanessa, she had her other perks too, which even Vanessa didn't know. She held a digital tab in her hands, looking expressionless as always—the perfect secretary.
The media clamored around, trying to get nice photo angles and questions were directed at her without pause:
"How do you feel right now, Miss Marlow?"
"When did young master Adrian propose to you?"
"Is this just another ruse to draw public spotlight?"
"Vanessa, how long has your relationship with young master Adrian been?"
'Even I would like to know.' Daniel thought bitterly. His gaze was fixed on her, he still couldn't believe it.
A figure stepped out of the limousine, and there she was. Vanessa—looking radiant in her black one-piece gown. She turned to the pressed and presented the bright smile Daniel had always admired. Then, their gazes met and her smile faltered—barely visible—before she composed herself and waved to the cameras. She turned and walked into the building with Amanda two paces behind her and the bodyguards followed, not responding to any of the questions thrown at her.
"She saw me," Daniel muttered, speaking to no one in particular. "She looked right at me."
"Dreaming above your station, buddy. What do you mean 'she saw you'? You think she even noticed you? She clearly looked at all of us. Do you think you are even worthy to tie her shoelace?" A random admirer, who heard him, scornfully retorted beside him. That was how loved Vanessa really was. Many would probably willingly give up their lives to just have a conversation with her or even a photo, coupled with her good looks and smile.
Daniel didn't even respond as he made his way out of the crowd to the back of the building where the parking lot was. There was no one there as advanced security measures had been put in place—measures Daniel had reinforced himself. He made a few clicks on his phone and both the surveillance and defense system shut down, he ran through the parking lot. He needed to intercept her before she got into her office at the top floor.
He approached the private elevator, designed only for the president's use. The elevator was built to only be accessed with Vanessa's biometrics. Bypassing the security was trivial. With a few more clicks on his phone, the elevator doors slid open. He got into it and pressed the top floor button.
As he reached the top floor, he made his way to her office door, waiting for her. A few moments later, the clicks of two pairs of heels resounded in the hall. Vanessa halted mid-step. Her eyes widened.
"Daniel? How…" She trailed off, unable to comprehend how he got to the top floor only accessible by top executives of her company. Amanda clicked the alert security button on the tab in her hands. She knew who Daniel was—the mediocre boyfriend of her workaholic boss, she had always wondered what Vanessa saw in him in the first place, there was nothing impressive about him—not his looks, not anything, whereas Vanessa was the embodiment of resilience, beauty and brains.
"Daniel, you have to understand." Vanessa started as she noticed his fixated gaze on her finger—precisely the one bearing the engagement ring from Adrian.
Daniel still kept mute. He couldn't find the right words to say, his throat felt parched and he found it hard to breathe.
"Why…" He managed to squeeze out. "nearly three years, Vanessa. Thirty-five months, Vanessa and twenty-one days. Why did you throw that away?" Even though it sounded more like a statement rather than a question, he still wanted answers.
"Daniel…" Vanessa said softly, with hints of regret in her eyes.
"You said we would never be apart from each other. So why?" Daniel said. His eyes were red and they reflected just how hurt he felt.
Vanessa sighed—she closed her eyes and gathered her resolve. As she opened them, they were filled with firmness. "We were never meant to be, Daniel. We are from different worlds. I was destined to be at the top and you probably weren't going to make it beyond your current status. I need someone who operates at my level. You'd only hold me back, so move on Daniel."
All of her words pierced Daniel's heart, he knew Vanessa wasn't materialistic. She didn't care for temporary gain over genuineness and loyalty. "You're not like this," He said quietly. "You've never cared about status or money. This isn't you."
Vanessa looked with resolute eyes. "I deserve better Daniel. I've bled and sweated to reach my current status and I'm just getting started."
"I know you. You wouldn't break up with me over a text"
"Well I did. I thought it would be easier for both of us and to avoid unnecessary drama. You want a confirmation right now? Sure, let's break up. It's over!" Vanessa said, exasperated. She'd never lost her cool for once. She was always level-headed and thought straight. It wasn't like her to accurately express how she felt regarding certain matters.
"No Vanessa, this isn't you. Are you under duress? Is Adrian threatening you? Let me know." Daniel said as he shook his head repeatedly, refusing to believe she meant all she said.
"Oh please, Daniel. You think Adrian has time to play games like this?" Vanessa rolled her eyes as she said. "Even if I were to be under duress, do you think you can do anything about it? Adrian is the current president and heir to the conglomerate, Castellane Group, a titan and you are just… ordinary."
Daniel's breath caught. He felt the world tilted. He couldn't believe it, she called him 'ordinary'? He was far from ordinary. That word would be considered an insult if she knew who he was and how much he had done for her.
Rushing footsteps of guards echoed in the hall, giving the feeling of a marching battalion. They surrounded Daniel and Vanessa, giving off dangerous auras.
"Where did it all go wrong Vanessa?" Daniel looked at her in the face, terrified by the deadpan expression on her face, complemented by the lack of expression on Amanda's—it made him feel like a clown on display.
"Goodbye Daniel. I wish you the best." Vanessa said as she walked by Daniel with that same deadpan expression, as if he hadn't spoken.
Amanda waited behind, and watched as Vanessa entered her office. She walked up to Daniel and held out a folded check. When he didn't take it, she tucked it into his jacket pocket. Then she moved to enter Vanessa's office. Her voice echoed in the hallway. "Kick him out and he shouldn't be seen on the premises again."
The bodyguards grabbed Daniel by both arms and dragged him towards the service elevator. They dumped him in the alley behind the building, near the dumpsters. It would be scandalous if a crazy man claiming to be involved with Miss Vanessa Marlow was seen with her in private settings, now that she was engaged to the most eligible bachelor in the country.
He lays there on the floor, helpless, without the tiniest bit of will to even move. He stayed there for a considerable time and droplets of rain touched his face, he didn't budge though. The droplets soon turned into a heavy downpour, yet—he didn't make a move to stand up. The check in his pocket was soaked and prone to tear. He read the figures: 2,000,000 dollars.
"That's all I am worth?'' he laughed in self-derision. $2 million. Less than the he'd spent on the servers the servers running. Less than the bribe he'd paid to kill the inside trading investigation.
'She called me ordinary?' he thought. 'I will show her what someone 'ordinary' is capable of.'
He made his way out of the alley, drenched by the rain—but the cold was nothing compared to the piercing words he had heard from her.
And it definitely didn't calm the fury in his heart.