The café smelled of fresh coffee and baked goods, its cozy atmosphere a welcome change from the tension of the morning. Ciara led the way to a corner table by the window, her excitement practically radiating from her as she chatted about the café’s signature lattes. Jason followed, his earlier irritation seemingly softened, though he still cast the occasional glance my way. We ordered our drinks, and once we were settled at the table, Ciara turned to me with a wide grin. “So, Anna, how’s it been working with Alaric? I’ve been dying to ask!” I blinked at the sudden shift in conversation but smiled. “It’s been… really fun, actually. He’s not as intimidating as I thought he’d be at first. He’s very professional but surprisingly patient, and I’ve learned a lot in just a few months.” Ciara’s grin widened as if she’d just confirmed something she already suspected. “I knew you’d enjoy working with him! He’s tough but fair—Jason says the same thing.” she gives him a loaded smile and
The past few weeks have settled into a strange kind of normalcy. Finals are just around the corner, and I’ve made the conscious decision not to let my feelings for Alaric get in the way of my work. Strangely enough, that decision makes everything a little easier.Sam is still around—I spot him in the hallways occasionally—but every time he sees me, he practically bolts in the opposite direction. I’m not sure why, and honestly, I’m not curious enough to ask.Jason, on the other hand, has been harder to make friends with since I hunted him down in the cyber department. I’ve forced him to join Mia and me in the cafeteria a couple of times, and while he started off stiff and distant, he’s slowly begun to open up. Ciara has been her usual bubbly self, dragging all of us out a few times for what she calls "mandatory fun." I’m surprised by how much I enjoy it. For the first time in a long while, I feel like I’m surrounded by genuine friends—people who want to spend time with me and not becau
A few weeks laterExams are finally over, and I can’t help but let out a long, relieved sigh as I step out of the exam hall for the last time. The tension that’s been coiled in my chest for weeks starts to unwind, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I let myself breathe easy. It wasn’t a complete walk in the park—some of the questions were tricky, and I had to rack my brain a few times—but overall, I managed to breeze through most of them. The recycled questions helped a lot. I could almost laugh at how predictable some of the exams were. Familiar phrases and scenarios jumped off the pages, and I couldn’t help but smile each time I realised I knew exactly what to do. My late nights of preparation weren’t in vain, and for once, all that cramming paid off. As I walk out into the crisp afternoon air, I take a moment to soak it all in. The freedom, the weight lifting off my shoulders, the knowledge that I don’t have to stress about exams anymore—it feels surreal. And than
As Alaric shifts in his chair, I sense there's more he wants to say. The weight in the air is palpable, and I can't help but ask, “Is there something else we need to discuss?" He tilts his head slightly, studying me for a moment. “Have you considered where you’ll live once we’re in the capital?" The question hits me like a cold splash of water. My face falls as the realisation dawns—I haven’t given that any real thought. I’ll need a place to stay until my family relocates, and they won’t be there for a few months. My stomach twists at the reminder. It must have been written all over my face because Alaric chuckles softly. “Well,” he says, leaning back in his chair, “you could always stay with me until you find something more permanent." Stay with Alaric? My brain short-circuits for a moment. My mind races through all the implications of living under the same roof with him, sharing the same space, and seeing him outside of work. Could I even handle that? He continues, completely u
In another part of the bustling capital, a luxurious dressing room buzzes with activity. A famous actress sits regally in front of an ornate vanity, the soft glow of the surrounding lights casting a golden hue on her flawless skin. Sophia Marcley, a name synonymous with beauty and elegance, gazes into the mirror, her deep amber eyes lined with a perfect wing of black eyeliner. Her lips, painted in a shade of subtle pink, curve into a satisfied smirk as she tilts her head to admire her reflection.Her assistant, a young woman with a meek demeanour and wide, nervous eyes, stands beside her, clasping a makeup brush. “You look just perfect, ma’am,” the assistant says, her voice almost reverent.“Of course I do,” Sophia replies, her tone dripping with confidence. She adjusts a strand of her glossy chestnut hair, styled into voluminous waves cascading down her back. Her smirk widens as she leans closer to the mirror, the diamond earrings adorning her ears catching the light.“Guess what, ma
I stretch as I step off the private jet, my muscles stiff but pleasantly relaxed after the six-hour flight to the capital. The warm breeze on the tarmac feels invigorating, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of the past few weeks. My mind drifts back to all that’s happened—packing up my life, finalising the merger just four days ago, and celebrating my graduation yesterday.A smile tugs at my lips as I recall the feast my family put together for me. It was the kind of graduation celebration I never thought I’d experience. My exams were a nerve-wracking blur, but thankfully the school’s automation meant I got my results quickly. I passed every single one of it and the credits were enough to finally secure my diploma.The memory of my past life flashes in my mind, unbidden. Graduation back then had been a lonely, hollow affair. Lisa and Josh had ditched me—probably to celebrate Lisa’s graduation together, now that I think about it. Back then, I had no one. This time, though, I was surrou
Alaric leads me through the building, and I can’t help but marvel at how stunning it all is. The neighborhood itself is pristine and quiet, with an air of exclusivity that screams "old money." But stepping into the building’s lobby takes it to another level. The polished marble floors gleam under the soft glow of ornate chandeliers, and the scent of fresh flowers wafts from expertly arranged bouquets at the front desk. For a moment, I’m convinced we’ve walked into a world-class hotel rather than a residential building. “I guess this is how the rich live,” I think to myself, trying not to gape too openly. Alaric turns to me, his voice cutting through my awe. “Someone is already handling the luggage. I want you to rest first before we do any kind of tour.” I nod quickly, grateful for the chance to recharge. After the long journey and my embarrassing slip-up earlier in the car, the idea of a quiet room and maybe a quick nap sounds like heaven. We head toward the elevator, and j
The elevator chimed, and the doors slid open, revealing a wide hallway with polished floors and warm lighting. Alaric stepped out first, his strides purposeful as always. I followed close behind, taking in the pristine surroundings. The place felt more like a luxury hotel than an apartment building.He stopped in front of a door at the end of the hall and pulled out a keycard, swiping it quickly. The door clicked open, and he pushed it wide, motioning for me to step inside.I hesitated for a moment before crossing the threshold.The apartment was… stunning. High ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows with sheer curtains that let in just the right amount of light, and furniture that looked like it belonged in a design magazine. Everything was sleek and modern, but not cold. There was a warmth to the space, a subtle elegance that made it feel lived-in despite its pristine appearance.My eyes swept across the living room, the open-concept kitchen, and the hallway that presumably led to the b
AnnaI wake up to the feeling of strong arms pulling me close, a warm chest pressing against my back. For a moment, I let myself sink into it, into him. The dim lights of the early morning seep in through the curtains, but Alaric’s embrace is anything but peaceful—it’s tight, protective, almost… tense.I blink the sleep from my eyes. “Alaric?”His hold loosens slightly, just enough for me to turn and face him. His eyes are already open, watching me like he’s memorizing every detail. There’s something in them that wasn’t there before; had something gone wrong?“How did it go?” I ask softly, brushing my fingers along his cheek.He sighs and presses his forehead to mine. “As expected. He’s not going to stop. And worse, it's not because he wants power or money, but because he thinks this is justice.”My heart sinks. “So, what now?”“The next few days…” He trails off, jaw tightening. “They’re going to be dangerous, Anna. He’s not done. And the closer we get to exposing everything and stopp
AlaricI watch her from the edge of the room—curled up in the window seat, sunlight catching in her hair, legs tucked under a blanket and reading a book. For a moment, everything feels quiet. Peaceful. And for the first time in what feels like forever, that quiet doesn’t terrify me.But it doesn’t last.“I suppose it’s time I told you everything,” I say, breaking the silence. Anna looks up, her eyes meeting mine—steady, patient. She’s always known when I was holding something back. It has been 4 days since Celeste told us everything she knew, which was more than enough to finally put everything into perspective.I move to sit across from her, fingers laced together.“His name is Elias Voss.”Her brow furrows. “Elias…”“He grew up in a government-run orphanage,” I continue, “one that was heavily funded by the company—back when my father was in charge. It was a passion project of his, actually. He used to visit once a year, donate books, clothes, supplies… But something happened. The fu
**Explicit content ahead**He carries me into the bedroom, his grip strong but reverent, like I’m something fragile he’s afraid to break. The moment we reach the bed, he lowers me gently onto the sheets, hovering over me like he’s afraid to rush. His fingers trace the line of my jaw, down my neck, and I shiver under his touch."Take off your clothes." He looks shocked which was exactly what I was going for."What??"“I said, take off your clothes, Mr. Sinclair,” I murmur, my voice low but teasing, a sly smile tugging at my lips.He arches a brow, but there’s a flicker of surprise in his eyes—he wasn’t expecting this version of me. Truth be told, I wasn’t either. But something about being with him—with Alaric—makes me feel bold. Safe. Desired.Normally, I’d shrink away, let him lead. I’ve always been the one to follow, to please, to hope for scraps of affection. But not tonight. Not with him.Tonight, I want to claim him.I lean back into the pillows, watching intently as he slowly beg
We finally return to Alaric’s home, and as soon as I step inside, a wave of familiarity crashes into me.The scent of warm wood and subtle spice. The soft lighting. The quiet hum of the house.God, I missed this place.I slip out of my shoes slowly, letting the comfort of it all sink in. It’s only been a few months, but everything that happened between then and now makes it feel like a lifetime. My gaze drifts to the grand staircase and the tall windows, and for a moment, I just let myself breathe.We’d left Celeste with Tristan at the safehouse. He insisted on staying behind to watch her, and I trusted him—but still, a flicker of worry lingers in my chest. I hope she doesn't try anything stupid. I hope they’re okay.Shaking the thought off, I pull out my phone and call Damian. He picks up on the second ring and the conversation starts off tensed but I give him everything. I tell him about Celeste, the revelation, the name of the man behind it all, and how we finally have leverage.By
Something in me softens as I watch Celeste shrink into herself.Gone is the haughty woman who stormed into Alaric’s office, who tried to pit us against each other and stood tall beside a man she thought was invincible. Now, she’s… a discarded pawn, trembling on the edge of irrelevance.I walk over quietly and kneel beside her, lowering myself to her level so she doesn’t feel surrounded or attacked. Her eyes flick to mine, red-rimmed and wide, like she doesn’t know whether to expect mercy or mockery.But I speak gently.“If you tell us everything you know,” I say, my voice calm and honest, “Alaric will let you go. No more games, no more threats. Just tell the truth, Celeste. Help us stop him.”Her lips tremble, and I see the fight start to leave her body.“No one else has to know,” I add. “But you can’t go back to him. Not after this. And you know that.”She blinks rapidly, a single tear slipping down her cheek before she quickly wipes it away, as if she still doesn’t want to appear we
I lean against the far wall, arms crossed, staring at Celeste’s unconscious form slumped in the chair. Her long hair is a tangled mess now, falling across her face like a broken curtain. It’s hard to believe that just hours ago, she was barging into Alaric’s office in full control, heels clicking like she owned the place. Now she’s here—drugged, tied up, stripped of all that bravado.After she collapsed, Alaric had Tristan haul her through the private elevator, the one most employees don’t even know exists. No one saw us leave. No one knows where we are. The safe house is far from the city, heavily guarded, and soundproof.She stirs.I straighten instantly, watching her brows twitch, fingers flexing behind her bound back. Her eyes flutter open slowly, scanning her surroundings—and then she sees us.Alaric beside me, sharp and unreadable. Tristan near the door, arms folded. Jason to her left, silent and brooding. And me, watching every flicker of emotion play across her face.Her breat
I don’t waste a second.I grab my tablet, the folder of reports—anything that looks official enough to pass as a legitimate excuse—and head straight for Alaric’s office. I keep my expression neutral as I walk past Celeste, who’s typing away on her phone. Her eyes flick up briefly, and I flash her a tight, polite smile. She doesn’t return it.Good.Once inside, I shut the door quietly and lock it, just like he told me to.Alaric’s already up from his chair, tension radiating from his frame. He doesn’t speak at first. He just strides toward me and wraps his arms around me, pulling me into his chest like he knew it was exactly what I needed.“I heard,” he says, voice low. “Is he okay?”“He’s shaken, but safe. Damian’s got him under heavy protection now.” I pause. “It was deliberate, Alaric. A message. They wanted me to know they can get to my family anytime they want.”He pulls back enough to meet my gaze. His golden eyes are colder than I’ve ever seen them—sharp, dangerous. “That was th
After everyone had cleared out—her parents heading to bed, Brian retreating to his room with a muttered, “Don’t stay up too late,” and Ellie offering one last encouraging squeeze of her hand, i found myself lingering in the hallway.Damian was just about to leave when I called out, “Hey, Damian? Can we talk? Just for a minute.”He paused, nodding, and followed her into the quiet of the kitchen. The warm light from the overhead fixtures cast a soft glow over the space.“I wanted to ask you something,” I began, leaning against the counter, arms crossed loosely in front of me. “Back when you mentioned someone trying to interfere with your company—do you still think someone’s trying to take it over?”Damian scratched the back of his neck, looking thoughtful. “I did,” he said carefully. “Before, there were a lot of unusual movements. Strange buyout offers, shady investors trying to snag minor shares—nothing illegal, but definitely calculated. It felt like someone was testing the waters, se
The next few days felt like a breath of fresh air. It was as if the weight that had been pressing down on my chest had finally lifted, the storm inside me settling into something calmer, more manageable. Alaric hadn’t betrayed me. He hadn’t chosen Celeste over me. I had been wrong, and the truth had set everything into motion again.Work became easier, too. I could focus on the tasks in front of me without that constant knot of anxiety twisting my stomach. The reports, the meetings—everything seemed more like routine again instead of a battleground.But there was still Celeste.Every time I passed her in the halls, my stomach churned, and my gaze followed her as she clung to Alaric’s side like a vine. Her hand was always on his arm; her laughter was too loud, too eager. I hated seeing them together. It was like a punch to the gut, a reminder of everything I’d been afraid of, everything I’d once thought was true.Still, I managed to keep my composure. I focused on my work, on keeping m