Urban Plundering: I Corrupted The System!

Chapter 38 Tessa's Vile Past

When Tessa came out, still damp from her quick shower, Parker didn't waste time. He grabbed her hand—firm but calm—and started leading her toward the exit.

"Whoa, Parker," she teased, her voice playful but layered with curiosity. "You're really taking charge, huh? What's the rush? Scared I'll get distracted by someone hotter?"

Parker didn't even look at her, his expression unreadable as he kept walking. "Stop talking, Tessa. Let's go."

She blinked, momentarily stunned by his tone. Tessa wasn't used to being shut down like that, and for a second, she almost pushed back. But something in Parker's calm authority made her back off.

Instead, she smirked, biting her lip like she'd just been handed a challenge.

"Alright, Mr. Bossy. Lead the way," she said, her voice softer now, a little playful but with no fight left in it.

By the time they hit the parking lot, Parker was already unlocking his car. Tessa glanced at him, shaking her head. "You know, for a guy who doesn't say much, you sure know how to shut a girl up."

Parker just smirked, sliding into the driver's seat without a word. She climbed in after him, a small laugh escaping her lips as he helped her buckled up her seat belt.

What Parker didn't notice—or maybe he did and just didn't care—was the car parked in the shadowed corner of the lot. Its tinted windows hid someone watching them, their gaze locked on him until he disappeared into the night.

****

The drive back home was chill, the city already wrapped in darkness.

Parker had one hand on the wheel, the other casually resting on the console as Tessa filled the air with chatter. She had a lot to say—funny stories, dumb jokes, and random observations. Some of it was genuinely funny, pulling a grin out of Parker.

Once or twice, he even laughed, which surprised him.

Her eyes kept drifting to him, though—taking him in, the sharp lines of his face flickering in the glow of the passing streetlights and the neon haze of the city.

He didn't notice at first, but eventually, her gaze got to him, like an itch he couldn't scratch.

"What? Admiring your master?" he teased, not even glancing at her as he smirked.

Tessa didn't flinch, though. She didn't even look embarrassed. Instead, she reached over and grabbed his free hand. The warmth of her touch threw him off for a second. He could feel her slender fingers lacing through his, her grip light but firm.

"Hey—" He started to say something, but she cut him off with an apology. Her voice wavered, barely above a whisper.

"I'm sorry, Parker. For everything. For slapping you that day. For humiliating you like that. I… I wasn't myself." Her words stumbled over each other, and when he glanced at her, her eyes were glossy with unshed tears.

"Hey," he started, but her voice cut through his thoughts

"I'm sorry, Parker, really" she said softly, her voice trembling. "For everything. For slapping you, humiliating you. For… being such a mess. I'm not some spoiled brat who loses it over nothing. I just… I snapped."

"Tessa…" he began, unsure where this was going, but she kept talking.

"That day wasn't normal for me, I had the worst night of my life," she said, her voice breaking as tears started spilling over.

She hesitated, her fingers tightening around his. Parker wanted to focus on the road, but her words dragged his attention away.

He sighed and pulled over to the side of the road, cutting the engine.

"Why? What happened? Tell me." he asked, finally turning to face her.

Tessa hesitated, biting her lip, but then the words came tumbling out. Her voice was shaky, and tears streamed down her cheeks. She told him everything. How her parents had left on a trip, leaving her alone with the staff and her uncle. How her uncle—this grown-ass, 37-year-old man—had tried to force himself on her during a drive back from the airport.

Tessa took a shaky breath, her hands trembling. "It's my uncle," she began, her voice barely audible. "That night… after my parents left for their trip, he tried to—" She stopped, swallowing hard, her tears spilling over.

Parker felt his stomach twist, his grip on the steering wheel tightening as she continued.

"He was supposed to drive me home after leaving the airport, but he didn't. He… he pulled over and tried to…" Her voice broke completely, and she covered her face with her hands, her sobs filling the car.

Parker didn't move, his chest tight as he watched her fall apart.

"I hit him," she said between sobs. "I kicked him in the balls, grabbed my purse, and ran. I didn't know where I was going—I just ran. I found a motel and stayed there for the night, but I was terrified. I couldn't go back home. I couldn't… face him again. And the next morning, I came to Blackstone Tower because I needed to feel safe, a place that could make me less anxious for a few days. It's like I needed to hide."

Her voice cracked again, and she looked at him, her eyes red and puffy. "When I saw you that morning… when I bumped into you… it wasn't your fault. I panicked. My... My mind drifted back to that moment, I felt trapped. I wasn't thinking straight. All I could think about was what had happened the night before, and I just… I lost it."

Tears streamed down her face, and she buried her head in her hands, her body shaking with sobs. "I'm so sorry, Parker. I didn't mean to hurt you. I didn't mean to humiliate you. I just… I didn't know what else to do." Felt like a bird trapped in a cage to him.

Parker sat there, his chest tightening with every word she said. He didn't know what to say, didn't know how to fix this.

All he knew was that the girl sitting beside him wasn't the spoiled, bratty Tessa he thought he knew. She was scared, broken, and yet so damn strong enough for holding it all together this long without breaking apart at some point.

She wiped her face with her hands, her sobs getting louder. "And then… then I bumped into you at the reception. I slapped you. I didn't even realize who you were until it was too late."

Terrified by the big man standing behind her, she had unconsciously pushed into Parker, the rest was history.

Parker stared at her, the weight of her words settling in his chest like a brick. He didn't know what to say. What could he say?

What if he had a little sister or big sister who had experienced this, what would he do, he felt like his cold ice melting away.

Trauma was something familiar to him, something he had experienced himself, something he hadn't escaped...yet!

Without thinking, he leaned over and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a hug. She buried her face in his chest, sobbing harder, and he just let her cry. Her pain was real, raw, and he couldn't help but admire her strength. She'd gone through something so fucked up, and yet she still managed to smile, to laugh, to act like everything was fine.

"You didn't have to tell me this after so long. Why didn't you tell me sooner?" he asked softly, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside him.

She sniffled, pulling back slightly to look at him. Her makeup was a mess, her face blotchy from crying, but she smiled—a small, broken smile. "You've been so good to me, Parker. I don't know why. You're the first man, apart from my dad and grandpa, who's ever treated me with kindness without wanting something in return."

He shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You're wrong. I'm no saint, Tessa. I've got my own motives. Don't get so attached Tessa."

She chuckled softly, her hand coming up to touch his face. "I know, Parker. I know. But I don't care." To Tessa Parker sounded like someone scared of trust.

Her touch lingered, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw, and for a moment, he froze. The air between them shifted, heavy and electric.

Then reality hit him like a truck.

He pulled back, gently pushing her hand away. "Enough of that," he said, his voice gruff. He started the car again, gripping the wheel so tight his knuckles turned white.

Tessa broke the tension with a laugh. "Oh my God, are you blushing? Big bad Parker, scared of a little affection?"

"Keep talking, and you're walking home," he growled, his ears burning.

She laughed even harder, doubling over in her seat. "You're so damn cute when you're flustered!"

"Tessa, remind me to punish you when we get home, feels like you could use one." he muttered, glaring at her out of the corner of his eye.

Her laughter only got louder. "Can't wait, Master Parker!" she teased, and despite himself, a smirk crept onto his face.