Faux Vows, True Desires
Chapter 74

Walter responded, "She's already left, might be heading your way, I guess."

Owen kept his silence for a moment, then said, "Got it, you keep things going back at the office. I might need a couple days off, caught a wicked cold this time." Walter asked with concern, "You're usually in tip-top shape, how did you catch a cold out of the blue?"

Owen shot a resentful glance at the woman still busy sweeping the floor, grinding his teeth, "Cause someone decided to give me an icy shower this morning." "Who dared to dump a bucket of cold water on you? Tell me who is that person, I wanna know who's got the balls to do that."

"Walter, are you trying to have a laugh at my expense?"

"Nah, just wanted to help you get back at them."

Owen snorted, "Thanks, but I can handle it."

He was handling it.

Walter felt a bit let down, "Why won't you let me help you out? If anything like this happens again, leave it to me. I'll make sure whoever messed with you gets what they deserve." "Would you hit a woman?"

"I don't hit women, I'm a stand-up guy. Wait a minute, did a woman dump water on you?"

Walter was flabbergasted. Their president was such a heartthrob, what woman wouldn't be swept off their feet by his charm? Working side by side with him for years, he'd never seen a woman bear any ill will towards him.

Even Ruby had a bit of a crush on him, although she wanted more and thought Stefan was a better catch.

He was certain, if Ruby couldn't marry Stefan, she would definitely pick Owen.

Now that Stefan got married, and from what Walter had seen over the past few days, Stefan was head over heels for his new bride. It wasn't just because his new wife was the sister of an old classmate of his. "If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."

Without another word, Owen ended the call.

He left Walter in suspense on the other end of the line, not revealing who had the audacity to drench him in cold water.

"Hello? Hello?... You hung up before you finished, that's so unfair!"

Walter grumbled a bit.

Owen didn't care about Walter's complaints. He hung up the phone and saw Cecilia had finished sweeping the floor, then he scattered a pile of napkins all over it. "It's still dirty, sweep it again!"

Seeing the freshly swept floor now covered in napkins again, Cecilia was fuming. She picked up the broom and stormed over.

Owen watched her coldly, and Cecilia immediately softened.

He sneered, "If you dare to hit me with that broom, I'd actually respect that. Do you dare to? Where's the bravado you had when you drenched me?"

Cecilia gripped the broom tightly.

Owen stared at her provocatively. He knew what she cared about, so he was harsh with his words. Suddenly, a broom came flying towards him. The broom that had just swept the floor hit him in the face. Owen instinctively waved his hand to block the broom, then caught it, staring wide-eyed at Cecilia, who bravely met his gaze.

"You always tell me to be assertive, and I want to be assertive. So, I'll do as you expect."

"You!"

Owen was fuming.

"Cecilia! I'll remember this!"

"You have said this many times. You don't have to keep repeating it. I know I'm beautiful. Mr. Martinez fell for me at first sight, and I'm honored. But please, Mr. Martinez, stop saying these things, I'll get shy." Owen Was speechless. He didn't fall for her at first sight.

She, of all people, thought he'd fall for her?

His heart only had room for Ruby. Even if Ruby didn't love him, used him, as long as she was happy, he was willing.

"I'll sweep the floor again. If you keep throwing napkins on the floor, I'll dump them in your pocket! I did overreact this morning, I shouldn't have doused you with ice water, but don't you think you're also at fault? You were lying in front of my house early in the morning, were you trying to pick a fight with me?"

Owen always thought he was good with words, but facing this shameless woman, he was rendered speechless.

"You're forcing me to be your maid until you're over your cold, just because you're rich and powerful. You're a bully."

Owen's face darkened, "I am bullying you, what are you gonna do about it?"

Cecilia dropped the broom, ready to pounce on him.

Owen, startled, quickly stood up and jumped a few meters away. "You, you....."

He turned around and pointed at Cecilia, looking terrified.

Cecilia gritted her teeth, "My teeth are sharp, if I bit you, would you bleed? But you're so handsome, like a flower, I can't bear to bite too hard, so I just wanna give you a couple of pecks."

"Shameless!"

Cecilia immediately retorted, "You're more shameless than I am, Mr. Martinez."

"You!"

"I learned it from you. You're way more shameless than me. I should always learn from you."

"Do you believe I can make trouble for your family?"

Did she think that because he had a severe cold and was weak, she could bully him? She thought he was a pushover. Stefan's female friends were as annoying as Stefan.

"I believe you. How could I not believe you, such a shameless man as Mr. Martinez."

Owen: "Lucinda is as shameless as you, that's why she hooked up with Stefan, right?"

"Owen, your mind is dirty, but don't think everyone else is as bad as you. Lucinda isn't that kind of woman. What does her relationship with Mr. Coleman have to do with you? Don't expect to get any information about them from me."

Owen zipped his lips right away. This woman was quite gutsy.

"Sweep the floor clean, then mop it, and prepare lunch for me."

Considering he was still ill, he feared she might annoy him to death, so Owen decided to call a truce.

After he issued orders to Cecilia, he asked her with a bit of hesitation, "How good are your cooking skills?"

"I'm quite the whiz in the kitchen."

Owen snorted with laughter, clearly not buying it. Even if her cooking skills were top-notch, she wouldn't go all out to cook him a tasty meal.

Cecilia snorted. Seemed like he's well aware of his situation.

Picking up the broom, Cecilia resumed sweeping.

Owen settled back down in front of the couch, keeping a wary eye on Cecilia.

Cecilia said, "Relax, I'm not going to give you my first kiss."

Owen shot back, "... You're still holding onto your first kiss in your twenties, no one likes you, no one wants to marry you, right?"

Cecilia responded, "Don't worry, even if no one likes me, I won't let you fall in love with me. No one wants to marry me, and I wouldn't marry you either."