My Boss Is A Werewolf

Chapter 20

Clara Bennett

I turned away from fountain so fast I nearly dropped my phone. Realizing I was just imagining things..

.“How could victor be here?“ I thought. I ran a hand through my hair, feeling instant relief.

My heart jumped into my throat as I saw Ryder walking down the stone path toward the garden fountain, his tall figure cutting through the soft garden lights.

“Clara?” Ryder called out, his voice warm but curious. “Everything okay? You’ve been out here a while.”

I quickly shoved the phone into my clutch, forcing a smile onto my face even though my hands were still trembling. “Yeah, I’m fine. I was just… checking up on my mom. The hospital sent an update and I wanted to make sure she was doing alright tonight.”

Ryder stopped in front of me, his eyes searching my face carefully. He looked extremely handsome in his black suit under the moonlight, and for a second I felt like I might actually break apart right there.

“I can help with that,” he said gently, reaching out to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. “I know some of the best doctors in the country. If she needs better care, I can make calls right now. You don’t have to handle everything alone.”

My chest tightened. The offer was so sincere it hurt. I shook my head quickly, stepping back just a little. “No, it’s okay. Really. I appreciate it, Ryder, but I’ve got it under control. She’s… stable for now.”

“Clara....“ His voice softened....But he didn’t push, but I could see the concern lingering in his eyes.

Instead, he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small silver keychain with two keys on it. He held them out to me, a soft smile playing on his lips.

“I was supposed to give you this surprise tomorrow, but I couldn’t wait,” he said. “These are keys to one of the company executive apartment. Its fully furnished, has a great view with security twenty-four seven. I want you to move in there. Consider it a gift. You’re part of the team now, and you deserve better than that small place you’re in. I love seeing you comfortable, I saw the pain in your eyes.....”

I stared at the keys in his hand, my eyes filling with tears before I could stop them.

The old apartment had so many problems .. leaking pipes, noisy neighbors, rent that ate up most of my paycheck. Even if I worked nonstop for a whole year, I still wouldn’t have been able to afford anything better while paying for Mom’s medicine. This… this lifted a massive weight off my shoulders.

Tears slipped down my cheeks as I took the keys with shaky fingers. “Ryder… I don’t know what to say. This is too much. You’ve already done so much for me.”

He looked into my teary eyes and stepped closer, gently cupping my face with both hands. His thumbs wiped away the tears on my cheeks. Then he leaned down and kissed me softly, his lips warm and tender against mine. It wasn’t like the heated kiss in the car. This one was gentle, almost protective, like he was trying to tell me something without words.

And I also couldn't understand why we kept kissing when we were only friends. I made a mental note to myself to talk to him about this.

When he pulled back, I looked up at him, my voice barely above a whisper. “Why are you doing all this for me?”

Ryder let out a long sigh and ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair, messing it up slightly.

He looked away for a moment toward the fountain before meeting my eyes again. “I know how it feels to be in your position, Clara. To struggle alone, to carry everything on your shoulders because you have no one else. I’ve been there. And I see how you never ask me for anything, even when you clearly need help. But you should feel free to ask me for whatever you need. Anything.”

He cupped my cheeks again, his thumbs stroking my skin. His voice dropped lower, more intense. “The closer I get to you, the more I feel like I want to protect you with my whole life.”

A fresh tear rolled down my cheek. My heart felt like it was cracking open. The guilt was overwhelming now. I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I opened my mouth, ready to tell him everything .. about Victor, the blackmail, the spying, all of it.

“Ryder, there’s something I need to tell you...”

“Well, well, what a touching moment,” a familiar voice cut through the garden.

A man stepped out from the shadows near the fountain..I looked closer and noticed it was Victor with Amelia on his arm.

I immediately shivered from dread.

She was wearing a tight red dress, clinging to him like she owned him. Victor had that smug smile on his face as he looked between us.

Ryder turned, his expression shifting to polite surprise.

He clearly had no idea who Victor really was to me. He extended his hand warmly. “Good evening. Friend of Clara’s?”