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Selena’s POVHonestly, the lamb was insane. And the atmosphere? Seriously romantic. Justin looked... Well, he looked good. It was all a bit much but in a good way. Or, at least, I thought it was. It was so nice that I was starting to get suspicious."This food is scrumptious," I murmured, my voice barely a whisper, the rich flavors making me close my eyes for a moment. "And the ambiance? Heavenly.""Glad you like it," Justin said, his voice low, a little smirk spreading across his face. But then, something changed. I saw it in his eyes. It was like a switch. His shoulders tensed up like he'd just spotted something he didn't like. He was staring at something behind me, and there was this... dark look in his eyes.My stomach dropped. I spun around abruptly, my heart hammering in my chest, and suddenly, the background music felt way too loud.In the mirror, I saw it. A figure, tall and thin, standing in the shadows by the entrance. It was too dark to see anything clearly, but the way th
Selena’s POVUgh, the bathroom floor was freezing, like, actual ice against my legs. It was so weird because inside I felt like I was on fire. Bella's voice kept replaying in my head, meaner than any song I'd ever heard. 'He's just using you. He'll be back with me.' Seriously? I stared at my face in the mirror, like, searching for some kind of clue. Was she right? I just wanted to see something that told me she was totally wrong.But all I saw was this weird, twisty feeling inside like my gut was trying to tie itself in knots. It was like, that little voice in your head that whispers all the bad stuff? Yeah, that voice was screaming. I couldn't stay in that bathroom for another second. I felt like I was suffocating. I took a deep, shaky breath, trying to steady my trembling hands, as I walked back to the table. Justin was watching me, his eyes dark with concern. His brow furrowed and his forehead creased. The candlelight, which was supposed to be nice, just felt suffocating, and th
Justin’s POVThe phone's ring sliced through the quiet of my study, sharp and demanding. I answered, expecting some boring work thing, but the voice that came through was smooth, too smooth like honey poured over something sharp. “Justin,” the voice said, trying way too hard to sound friendly. “This is Rick.” Rick? The name barely rang a bell. Selena had mentioned him, yeah, but never in a good way. “Rick who?” I asked, my voice flat, giving nothing away.""Rick Baldwin… Selena's stepfather," he clarified. "I believe you and she are… well, acquainted." Oh, it's him. The guy Selena couldn't stand, the one who always saw her as a problem. "Right," I said, my voice cool, not giving him an inch. "What's this about?" "It's about the Zenith Contract," he said. I could sense the desperation in his tone.The Zenith Contract. A massive, multi-billion-dollar project that every major player in the industry was vying for, a prize that could make or break careers. "I understand your company i
Selena’s POVMy heart was pounding, like it was trying to escape my chest. One second, I was looking at the huge chandelier, the next, I was sprawled on top of Justin, and my lips... they felt weirdly tingly. His eyes were dark and intense, staring right into mine, and for a split second, everything went silent.Then, the awkwardness hit me like a ton of bricks. My face felt like it was on fire, and I scrambled to get off him, my hands slipping and sliding on his chest. "Oh my god," I mumbled, my voice barely a whisper. "I am so, so sorry." I felt like I'd just ruined everything, and I wanted to disappear.""It’s alright,” Justin said, his voice low, but his eyes... they were doing this weird thing like he was trying to figure something out. He sat up slowly, and his eyes stayed on mine, just a little too long.The air felt thick like we were both holding our breath. It was that awkward, charged silence where you know something's about to happen, but you don’t know what. I could fe
Selena’s POV"I mean, with everything that's happened between us and the whole Bella situation, what if he doesn't feel the same way about me?" I asked Hailey, my voice laced with doubt."Don't sell yourself short, Selena. I agree that Justin can be a bit of a flirt, but I genuinely think there's something brewing," she whispered. "Besides,” she paused, a sly grin spreading across her face, “Jaden may have let something slip about Justin having feelings for you.""Really?" I asked, my brows slightly raised. "So, you do talk about me with Jaden, whom you're 'not exactly seeing but somehow seeing'?"Hailey’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink. "We're just… friends. Okay? And he just mentioned it in passing.""Oh yeah? Friends who share accidental, passionate kisses" I said, a playful smile tugging at my lips.Hailey got up and sprinted toward her room. "Goodnight, Selena! I love you!" she yelled amidst giggles.I walked to my bedroom, Hailey's words echoing in my ears: "This is a good thin
Justin’s POVHer dress, that shimmering cascade of blue silk, clung to her curves like a whispered secret. The memory of Selena, half-dressed in the bathroom, slammed into me, a jolt of pure, raw desire. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic rhythm that echoed the tension crackling between us. God, she was beautiful. The scent of her, a delicate mix of vanilla and something uniquely Selena, lingered in the air, a phantom touch on my senses."You do realize this is the men's bathroom, right?" I’d asked, trying to play it cool, a small smile forming on my lips. I just needed to diffuse the tension a bit."Oh, I—I'm so sorry," she’d stuttered, her hands fumbling with the zipper of her beautiful dress. My instincts were to help out immediately, but I had to ask permission first."Do you need my help?" I’d asked, moving closer, fighting the urge to wrap my hands around her and never let her go."I can manage," she answered, her voice low. Was she just embarrassed, or was she hiding
Selena’s POV The warmth of Justin’s kiss still lingered, an invisible touch, when my phone screen flared, illuminating the car's interior. The picture was a brutal punch: Justin and Bella, lips locked, an angle that screamed betrayal. The text read: ‘Thought you'd like a souvenir. A little reminder of where Justin’s tongue has been. Bet you’re going to love this. Especially since the same tongue was just... well everywhere on yours.’Suddenly, the car felt way too small, like the walls were closing in. I was gasping for air. I spun around, trying to figure it out. Who sent that picture? Did they actually see us? And when did Justin and Bella even kiss? My head was a complete mess.I practically ripped the car door open, the cool night air biting at my skin. I stumbled onto the curb. My driver and bodyguard were probably somewhere nearby, but I didn't care. I just needed to get the hell out of there. I flagged down the first taxi I saw, the city lights turning into these blurry, co
Selena's POV"Who…?" I whispered, my voice thick with a primal fear that clawed at my throat. The air in the room felt heavy, suffocating.The figure didn’t answer. Their grip tightened a possessive hold that sent a jolt of icy dread through me. Their breath, warm against my ear, sent a shiver crawling down my spine, a sensation both invasive and terrifying.I managed to shove the figure away, with a desperate, clumsy push, and scrambled out of bed, my heart pounding against my ribs like a trapped bird. I reached for my bedside lamp, my hand shaking so violently I almost knocked it over. The sudden glare of the lamp sliced through the darkness.Hailey, her face etched with a soft concern that deepened the lines around her eyes, sat on the edge of my bed. Not a lurking menace, but my best friend, her presence a stark contrast to the terror I’d just experienced.“Hailey? What are you doing in here?” My voice was rough, a mix of lingering fear and confusion, the words catching in my thr
Selena's POVThe image of Justin, shirtless, Bella’s lipstick stains on his chest, burned behind my eyelids. He’d stormed into my apartment, a raging fire of accusations, only to be entangled with Bella moments later. Was his anger just a performance? A way to justify crawling back to her so easily? A bitter taste rose in my throat. Every time I let myself get close to him, my heart ended up shattered on the cold, hard floor. I had to stop this cycle.I ran each footfall in a desperate attempt to outpace the suffocating weight in my chest. As soon as I stumbled into the car, I choked out, "Drive. Now." But the need to escape wasn't just physical.Minutes into the ride, the city lights blurring into streaks of meaningless color, a wave of nausea washed over me. "Please stop the car," I mumbled, my voice barely a whisper. I was trying so hard to stop the tears from falling.Michael’s gaze flickered in the rearview mirror, his brow furrowed with concern. "Stop the car," I practically
Justin's POVI scrubbed at my eyes with the heel of my hand. Was I hallucinating? But the image was seared into my mind: Zayn had handed over a damn gift basket to be delivered to Selena and she had accepted. She wouldn’t even accept a penny from me. How long had this been going on? Had their connection never truly severed after that mess a while back? He’d practically vanished after locking eyes with me, like a guilty rat scurrying into the shadows. Every shade of red imaginable seemed to explode behind my eyelids. My instinct screamed to chase him, to ask why the heck he was delivering gifts to her. Instead, I fumbled for my phone, Jaden’s number a desperate lifeline. He was the only one who could possibly talk me down from doing something I’d regret.“Hey man,” Jaden’s voice, calm and steady, answered on the first ring.“You would not believe what I just saw,” I growled, my nostrils flaring with each ragged breath.“What happened, Justin?” Jaden asked, a note of wary curiosity
Selena’s POV"You're invited to my housewarming." I read the note aloud, the words dripping with a forced cheerfulness that sent a shiver down my spine."Who the heck sends a mystery basket with a housewarming invitation?" I asked, closing the door with a sharp click and turning to Hailey, the basket feeling heavy and ominous in my hands.She practically teleported from the dining table, her footsteps quick and sharp against the tile floor as she yanked the basket from my hands. "How did they even know your favorite cookies and chocolates?" she mumbled, her fingers digging through the basket's contents, the rustling of cellophane and the faint, overly sweet scent of vanilla filling the air."The other day it was flowers, today it's goodies. I had no idea someone had even moved into this neighborhood," I hissed, eyeing the basket with suspicion. The brightly colored candies and perfectly arranged cookies felt like a taunt, a silent, unsettling message."I guess our secret admirers ar
Justin’s POVThe darkness of my bedroom felt heavy, like a suffocating blanket. I lay there, eyes wide, the day's events replaying in my mind like a broken record, the same scene looping over and over. Helping Selena with the eviction… should have been a relief, a weight lifted. Instead, it stirred a restless energy within me, a burning need to make her life better, to smooth out the rough edges,… without getting too close. Too close meant danger, a constant, gnawing fear, but not forever. I'd deal with the looming issue, and then I'd ask her out. My feelings for her were a force, a driving need, and I was determined to make her life better, to give her the peace she deserved.Then, the idea struck me, a sharp, clear solution. An interior design competition. Prestigious, high-profile. A platform to showcase her undeniable talent, and a substantial financial reward – a prize she would win, I knew it. Selena was a rockstar in the event planning world, a force of nature when she set
Selena's POV"Why is Zayn texting me?" Hailey asked, her brows furrowed, her voice laced with a mix of confusion and annoyance.I was a bit shocked. I hadn't realized Zayn had Hailey's number, and after our last encounter a while back, I hadn't expected to hear from him again."What does the text say?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.Hailey held up her phone, the screen glowing with the message. "Something about us being 'neighbors soon.' What the heck does that even mean?" she muttered, her voice laced with a hint of disgust.“Let me see.” I snatched the phone from her, my eyes scanning the cryptic message. "Eww, that’s creepy?" I squinted at the screen, the words blurring slightly. "I don't have time for any Zayn drama, Hails. Justin already warned him to stay away from me. I'm going to bed.""What about me then?" Hailey mock-yelled behind me, her voice laced with a playful panic. "Is he going to come after me?" She squealed, trying to stifle a laugh. "I'm blocking his ass right no
Selena's POV"You don't have to move anymore," Justin said, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through the air, his gaze locked onto mine with an intensity that made my skin prickle. "This apartment... it's no longer up for eviction."My brain got stuck, like an engine trying to start on a cold morning. First, what was this man doing in my apartment, looking impossibly handsome and smelling faintly of that expensive cologne that always did weird things to my pulse? And with Hailey, no less! I shot her a look that screamed, ‘You better have a damn good explanation for this,’ my eyes narrowed with suspicion."What do you mean, 'not up for eviction' anymore?" I finally managed to ask, my voice a shaky mix of confusion and disbelief. After we'd received the notice; there hadn't been any follow-up, no counter-notice, nothing to suggest a sudden reversal.Justin shifted slightly, the leather of his expensive jacket creaking softly. An unsettling smile touched his lips, a smile
Justin's POV"Alright, gentlemen, let's cut to the chase," I snapped, my voice sharp and decisive, cutting through the static of the conference call. "We're not here to dance around figures. We're here to close this deal." The air in my study was thick with the tension of high stakes and negotiations. "I'm prepared to offer a premium, a significant one, but I need assurances. I need to know we can streamline the integration process, no delays." The stakeholders on the other end of the line shuffled papers, their voices a low hum of agreement. "Good. Then let's finalize the terms. My lawyers will send over the paperwork by EOD."The call ended with a collective sigh of relief, the tension dissipating like smoke. I was determined to acquire this tech company. It was a matter of principle, really. After I lost out on buying out Patel’s father's company because I had to be sure Selena was safe, I wasn't about to let another opportunity slip through my fingers. Especially not one Pat
Selena’s POV"Selena," Hailey practically shouted, her voice strained with a mix of disbelief and anger. "Want to take a wild guess what lovely 'gift' they plastered on our door?"I blinked slowly, my eyes still adjusting to the morning light. "Maybe... a flyer for a cat pageant?" I teased, trying for a light tone, but Hailey's face was a shade of crimson I'd only seen when she was about to explode."We've been served," she mumbled, her voice low and dangerous. "An eviction notice. We have a few days to get out.""Huh?" I choked out, my brain struggling to process the words. "But... how? We're not even late on rent."Hailey ran a hand through her hair. The movement is a bit frantic. "I really have to get to work," she mumbled, her eyes darting towards the clock."We'll talk about this later." And for the second time that morning, she was gone, slamming the door behind her with a force that rattled the walls.I walked to the door, my bare feet padding softly against the cold tile, and
Selena's POVHailey’s eyes widened, and she let out a sharp, almost panicked breath before yanking the phone away, her movements swift. “Nosy much,” she mumbled whilst trying to force an unconvincing smile.“Hails,” I whispered, trying to process what was going on, my eyes twitching slightly. “Is there something I should know that you’re not telling me?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.Hailey shifted her weight from one foot to another but still remained silent. “Hailey Claire Thompson,” I called out her full government name, my voice a bit louder this time. “Who texted you and what are you supposed to tell me that you haven’t?”“How are you sure you’re the one being referred to in the message?” she asked, her eyes scanning the entire room but my face."Don't play dumb," I said, my voice hardening. "You snatched the phone away like it was a live grenade. And you're acting weird. Really weird."She sighed a long, drawn-out sound that did nothing to ease the tension. "It's… it's a bit