MY SUGAR MUMMY IS A BEAUTIFUL VAMPIRE

Chapter 77: A night to forget

Tessa's footsteps echoed through the dimly lit corridors of the law firm, her heels clicking against the polished marble in a staccato rhythm. The weight of the world seemed to bear down upon her slender shoulders, the toll of sleepless nights and relentless pursuit etched into the lines of her face.

Yet, beneath the veneer of fatigue, a fire burned bright – a fierce determination to see justice prevail, to unravel the tangled web of deception that had ensnared her and her family.

She entered her mustang car and pulled into the main road, driving off to one destination in mind, Josh's house.

Within thirty minutes, she parked by the road and came down from the car. Wearing a tight body fitting black gown and red heels, she walked with her head and shoulders high as she was thought to walk by the modeling tutor her mother hired for her as a kid back when she was still going through her career choosing phase.

All those were dreams long forgotten however. She had to focus on what was in front of her and apparently, more important.

As she strode into the sitting room in Josh's home, her gaze swept over the simple decor– soft velvet cushions, polished side tables, beautiful picture frames hung on the wall, the scent of hot chocolate welcomed her into the house.

At the head of the dinning table sat Josh, his features etched with a grim resolve that belied his youthful appearance. He rose to his feet as Tessa entered, his eyes meeting hers with a intensity that sent a frisson of electricity through her veins.

"Tessa," he greeted, his voice a rich baritone that seemed to resonate deep within her. "Nice of you to come by. Eaten? I've got the usuals, that's for coming on such short notice."

She offered him a wan smile, her hand brushing against his as she took her seat beside him. "Of course," she murmured, her voice tinged with a weariness that ran bone-deep. She picked upthe usual take out packets and in it was spaghetti meatballs.

She took a bite before Josh laid out his laptop on a table. "Made a little progress in our little investigation,"

"Any progress is worth my time and attention." Tessa responded, her attention now on Josh.

Josh's brow furrowed, his gaze searching her face with a scrutiny that would have been unnerving under different circumstances. "You look exhausted," he said, his tone laced with concern. "When was the last time you got a decent night's sleep?"

Tessa waved off his inquiry, her mind already shifting gears to the task at hand. "Sleep is a luxury I can't afford right now," she countered, her voice taking on a steely edge. "Not while Rose is still roaming free."

A muscle ticked in Josh's jaw, but he offered no further protest. Instead, he turned his attention to the assembled files, his expression all business.

"Alright, let's get started."

As their meeting progressed, Tessa found herself drawn into the flow of the discussion, her mind sharp and focused despite her outward weariness. Josh presided over the proceedings with a deft hand, his keen intellect and strategic acumen guiding them towards their ultimate goal.

Yet, even as they dissected the evidence and mapped out their legal strategy, Tessa couldn't help but steal furtive glances in his direction. There was a magnetism to the man, an ineffable quality that drew her gaze like a moth to a flame.

When did this all begin? Was it as a result of spending countless nights together rummaging through clues? Or the shared moments of ecstasy when they got a breakthrough?

Was it her realizing how pure Josh actually was? He was never one to over step his bounds even with how she admitted how loose she had become with him. She would often sleep in her undies and wake up with not a hair on her body displaced. Instead, she would find she was covered with a blanket, the single one Josh had as he was someone that believed in quantitative efficiency.

Perhaps it was the intensity of his focus, the way his brow furrowed in concentration and his eyes burned with a fierce determination. Or maybe it was the glimpses of vulnerability that shone through the cracks in his armor, brief flashes of the empathy and compassion that drove him to take up this crusade.

Or was this a mere crush, having someone who would share the same eagerness and excitement in something she did?

Perhaps it could be just...perhaps ...just perhaps Tessa was beginning to finally see the college guy who had always been crushing on her? The guy she used for assignments because he was a simp and would do anything she asked innocently without question?

Could it be? How could it be?

How was she...in...in love? With Josh the IT guy?

Whatever the cause, Tessa found herself increasingly captivated by the enigmatic man, her heart betraying her with each errant flutter whenever their gazes met across the table.

As their meeting drew to a close, Tessa lingered, her movements sluggish with fatigue as she gathered the files.

Josh materialized at her side, his presence solid, reassuring constant in the maelstrom of chaos that had become her life.

"I'll walk you out," he murmured, his hand settling at the small of her back in a gesture that sent tendrils of warmth spiraling through her.

"You really need to get sleep and maybe cut down on all these junk food! I wonder where you picked up that habit from!" Josh idly reprimanded her.

She blushed, unknowingly feeling weak in the knees with his sheepish humour and the tender care he showed. It was effortless at this point. He wasn't trying to impress her or anything. He was simply being him and perhaps...just perhaps she could see it now.

Tessa opened her mouth to protest, but the words died on her lips as she found herself caught in the intensity of his gaze. There was a depth there, a wellspring of empathy and understanding that threatened to drown her in its profundity.

But there was a strong feeling of disappointment she felt. She expected more from Josh. She could sense there was more to be said in those eyes of his. What was he struggling to tell her? That he loved her? Was he willing to take that chance again after she had shut him down so many times?

She crossed her fingers in hopes that Josh be that gambit and try his luck one more time.

As Tessa and Josh strolled down the quiet street, the soft glow of the streetlights casting long shadows across their path, Tessa couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation that tingled in the air between them. She stole a glance at Josh, his expression unreadable in the dim light, but she could sense the turmoil beneath his calm facade.

Was he gearing up to finally confess his feelings? Was he about to take that leap of faith once more, despite her previous rejections? The thought sent a flutter of hope dancing in Tessa's chest, mingled with a touch of apprehension.

She crossed her fingers, silently willing Josh to speak, to break the silence with words that could change everything between them. Despite her past hesitations, despite the walls she had built around her heart, Tessa was ready this time. She hoped that Josh wouldn't let her past rejections deter him from laying his feelings bare.

Each step they took felt like a step closer to a pivotal moment, a moment that could alter the course of their relationship forever. Tessa's heart raced with anticipation, her mind swirling with a whirlwind of emotions as they neared the end of the street.

But as they turned the corner, the moment of truth slipped away once more, leaving Tessa with a bittersweet mixture of disappointment and lingering hope. She glanced at Josh, but he remained silent, his expression inscrutable in the darkness.