"What?!!" gaped Stefen in shock.
"Yes! Infact while I was coming here, I ordered for Cheryl"s account details. Have a look," she said handing over the papers placed on the desk.
Stefen gazed at the papers in horror. Such a large amount of money was transferred by Excel Coorporations. He now did not have the energy to look at Rose"s face.
"The funny thing is CEO Rhehan had cancelled the deal only, after a few hours but by that time Cheryl had already prepared for my malfunction. Instead of stopping me from entering the stage, she texted CEO about it. Luckily, he read the message thus saving me, and you know the rest about cancelling the deal with Lorraine," said Rose sighing deeply.
Stefen"s eyes were turning red now. He had turned completely motionless and was starring at the wall blankely.
"Later, CEO gave her the entire amount to cancel the deal, but she blamed him of harras.e.m.e.nt and approached you. The entire office knows that you are my family, so she took advantage of this fact and used you," she said in disgust.
Stefen clenched his fists tightly and closed his eyes. The realisation had hit him like a sharp arrow! All this while she was pretending to love him, thus becoming a show-stopper of Fabiosa. That"s why she suddenly left that day, after her work was done at Stefen"s apartment. He had also unknowingly broken Rose"s trust! How could he even face her now? Rose meant everything to him and he could not live upto her expectations!
Rose quickly got up from her chair and went over to where Stefen was sitting. As if reading his mind, she hugged him lovingly and patted his head.
"Don"t blame yourself sweetheart! These are all life lessons you have to learn. Not everybody is as pure hearted and honest like you are," she said, feeling sad for him. Stefen was indeed the most dedicated, honest and polite man she had ever seen in her life. Maybe that"s why he had to learn things the hard way, she thought.
As soon as Rose engulfed him in a warm hug, Stefen could not help but sob in anger and regret.
"I am sorry Rose! I am sorry for breaking your trust! Things were so clear from the beginning but I was too blinded by love," he said trying to control his sobbing.
Stefen always addressed Rose by her name, when they used to meet informally. Rose forced him to do so and Stefen had finally agreed to it on a condition, that while in the office, he would still call her as "boss." But this moment was entirely different and he was no longer her personal a.s.sisstant but her little brother and friend who was completely shattered.
"I know dear! I understand. Love makes us do funny things," she said, looking at her injured hand.
Stefen did not utter a single word. His mind was filled with guilt and regret towards Rose. She was her angel and mentor who had trusted her at that point of life when he did not even trust himself!
He was also heart-broken! The girl of his dreams had turned out to be a filthy gold-digger!