Claire woke up quite late the next day. It was finally the day she would take off her bandage. She walked around the house in her nightgown since she couldn’t feel anyone’s presence. She went to the fridge to get a bottle of water to drink and start her day. On her way back to her room, she noticed that Alex's room door was slightly open. She had always wanted to check his room to see what it was like, so she took this as a chance to have a peek.Claire slowly stepped into Alex's room, the door barely ajar, and took a quiet breath. The room was sleek and minimalist, with dark wood floors and a few carefully selected pieces of furniture. A large bed dominated the center of the room, its sleek gray linens neatly tucked in. The walls were painted in deep shades of blue, giving the space a calming and sophisticated feel. A floor-to-ceiling window on one side allowed natural light to spill in, but the blinds were drawn, keeping the room dim.She walked across the room, her eyes scanning
The rest of the weekend passed in a tense, unspoken truce. Claire kept her distance, terrified that Alex might see through her and realize the feelings she was beginning to develop. She tried to distract herself, but every shared glance or fleeting touch lingered in her mind longer than she wanted.On the other side, Alex wrestled with his own thoughts. He replayed their last conversation, wondering if he’d crossed a line. His growing feelings were getting harder to ignore, and every time he looked at her, he could barely hold himself back from reaching out and pulling her close to kiss her like he had dreamed of doing for days now.By Monday morning, they were both exhausted from holding back. They sat opposite each other at breakfast, a heavy silence filling the room from everything left unsaid. Claire focused on her plate, and Alex occasionally glanced her way, looking for the right words but coming up empty—until he couldn’t stand it any longer.“Claire,” he finally said, breaking
Claire gave a polite bow to Alex. “We’ll continue our conversation later, sir,” she murmured, before quickly stepping out of the elevator.“Why are you on this floor?” Alex asked, turning to Tess, who looked startled.“Uh, yes, I just had some files to drop off for you,” Tess stammered.“You can leave them with my secretary and get back to work,” Alex said curtly.“Yes, sir,” Tess replied, hurrying over to the secretary’s desk to drop the files before scurrying away. Claire turned to follow, but Alex’s voice stopped her in her tracks.“Miss Smith, we’re not done with our conversation.”Claire bit her lip, a hint of irritation crossing her face as she turned to meet his gaze. Alex’s expression was unreadable as he stepped into his office, leaving her no choice but to follow him closely.“What were you thinking?” Claire demanded as she closed the door behind her. “She clearly saw you holding my wrist. And we were together in an elevator only you have access to. Then you went and made it
Tess was on her way home when her phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number. She hesitated, then answered and she was surprised to hear an older woman’s voice on the other end, asking her to meet at a nearby cafe. The woman claimed she had some information about Claire that Tess "would want to know." Tess wanted to ignore but her curiosity piqued, so she agreed to meet her and made her way over. When she arrived at the cafe, she immediately spotted Mrs. Steele sitting by the window. Tess recognized her instantly, having seen her around the company for years. She walked over cautiously, and Mrs. Steele looked up, her expression cold and direct. “You’re” Mrs Steele said and flashed a smile. She gestured to the seat in front of her “Please have a seat” Tess was totally confused as to what was happening but she took her away slowly with the visible confusion on her face. “Judging from your face, you definitely wasn’t expecting to see me here” “Yes ma’am. I thought I’ve hear
The rest of the week went by in a blur, with Claire and Alex continuing their routine of going to work and returning together without raising any suspicions at the office. Claire's manager didn't make her work life any easier with his constant snarky remarks, often delivered with a smirk that made her blood boil. His passive-aggressive comments about her work ethic and position in the company ate away at her patience daily, but she held her tongue. She didn't want to cause any issues for herself or Alex. The last thing she needed was for him to feel obligated to intervene on her behalf, which could only stir up more drama. It was during one of these tense workdays that the announcement of a new intern was made. Claire was in the middle of proofreading a report when her manager strolled in, barely glancing up from his clipboard. "Smith," he said with an indifferent tone. "You'll be supervising the new intern. His desk is being set up next to yours." Claire looked up, caught o
Claire couldn’t stop replaying what happened earlier in her mind during the ride home with Alex. She sighed occasionally, which set the tension in the car and it made Alex curious about what might be going on. Alex cleared his throat noisily to ease the tension that settled between them “I see you’ve got a new intern on your team,” Alex said, attempting to break the silence. “What’s he like?” “Oh, yeah, he’s... cool, I guess,” Claire replied dryly in a short and distant tone. Alex frowned at her dry response. “Any problems with him so far? You can tell me.” He pushed even further. “No problem,” she said quickly, brushing off the question. Alex’s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly. “You don’t talk to me about your day. Why is that? Do you feel uncomfortable with me?” Claire turned to look at him with a mix of frustration and exhaustion on her face. “It’s not that I feel uncomfortable,” she said after a pause. “It’s just that everything I say would probably soun
The next morning, Alex checked Claire’s room and found it empty, which immediately set off alarm bells in his mind. Worried, he picked up his phone and called her. A familiar ringtone sounded from downstairs, and he rushed down to find her already dressed for work and sipping a cup of milk at the kitchen counter. "Why are you calling me?" she asked, glancing at him over her cup. "You weren’t in your room," Alex replied, still slightly out of breath. "I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to get ready for work early," she replied with a tired smile. Alex walked over to her, with concern across his face. "Are you sure you want to go to work today? You don’t have to push yourself." "Thanks for the concern, but I’m fine," Claire assured him, though the bags under her eyes told a different story. "I promise." Alex wasn’t convinced in the slightest. "Claire, after everything that happened yesterday, maybe you should take the day off. Rest. You know, process things." She shook her hea
The room went silent as the weight of Alex words sank in. Loud gasps soon filled everywhere at the realization of what was happening. It was as if everyone processed their thoughts at the same time. The manager paled, taking a step back. "Sir, I—I didn’t know—" “You didn’t know?” Alex interrupted, his voice cold now. “So you thought it was okay to assault a colleague? Do you have any idea what you’ve just done?” “Sir, I—” “Save it. I don’t want to hear another word from you.” Alex turned to his secretary. “Call HR. I want this man out of this building immediately.” “Yes, sir,” the secretary replied, already pulling out her phone. Alex turned back to Claire, gently taking her hand away from her cheek to assess the damage. "Are you okay?" he asked softly. She nodded, though her eyes brimmed with tears. “I’m fine,” she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. “You won’t have to deal with him again. I’ll make sure of it,” Alex said firmly. He placed a comforting hand
He pulled her back down onto the sofa gently. She gasped softly as her back met the cushions, his hand cradling the back of her head with surprising tenderness. His thumb brushed lightly against the delicate skin of her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. Alex leaned in, his body pressing against hers, grounding her beneath him as if to ensure she couldn't escape, not that she wanted to. His lips met hers, soft and deliberate, claiming them with a gentle yet possessive kiss that made her heart race. His free hand moved slowly, tracing a deliberate line down her thigh, which was exposed by the slit of her robe. The touch was electrifying, each stroke leaving a trail of heat that seemed to burn into her skin. Her breath hitched, her fingers instinctively gripping the fabric of his shirt as the intensity between them deepened. She moaned into his mouth as his fingers brushed against her intimate area and her grip on his shirt tightened. He trailed kisses down her body, loos
Their luggage was unpacked, and they were led to their room. Claire looked around, expecting to find another room, but to her surprise, it was a single suite with one bed. “Did you book just one room?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at Alex. “Don’t you think it’d be strange for a couple on their honeymoon to book two separate rooms? What if news gets out? What do you think people would say?” he replied with a smirk, leaning casually against the doorframe. “You could’ve gotten separate beds, then,” she shot back, crossing her arms. “That would’ve been even stranger,” he said, shrugging. “Don’t worry, I won’t jump you... unless, of course, you’re worried you’ll jump me.” Claire scoffed, rolling her eyes. “In your dreams.” “"Good, then we have nothing to worry about," Alex said casually. "I’ll shower first." He pulled his shirt over his head, revealing his toned chest. Claire’s eyes widened before she quickly looked away. “It’s not like it’s the first time you’re s
The wedding ceremony finally wrapped up on a surprisingly good note. The atmosphere shifted from tension to relief as Claire and Alex exchanged their vows. They were officially husband and wife, and no one least of all Mrs. Steele could undo that now. As the guests mingled and congratulated the couple, Alex's face remained calm, but there was a certain fire in his eyes. After the reception, Alex wasted no time in confronting his stepmother. They were in a private room, away from the wedding guests. Mrs. Steele stood by the window, her back straight and her arms crossed. Alex's gaze was sharp, his voice cold as he addressed her. "You thought you could disrupt my wedding, didn’t you?" he said, his words slow but deliberate. She turned to face him, her expression one of feigned innocence. "I only did what I thought was right for you. You deserve better than that girl." Alex burst into laughter “One would think you care about me so much if they heard you but I know exactly wha
Loud murmurs erupted, a wave of disbelief and curiosity sweeping through the crowd. Claire’s heart sank, her grip tightening on Alex’s hand. He turned slightly, his jaw clenching as he locked eyes with the source of the disruption. Gasps rippled through the crowd as Mrs. Steele took her place at the front, the weight of her presence enough to silence the murmurs. Claire felt her stomach drop, her hand trembling slightly in Alex’s grasp. The sneers on Charlotte and Charles’s faces deepened, satisfaction evident in their expressions as they watched the scene unfold. “I know this might come as a shock to many,” Mrs. Steele began, her voice firm yet carrying an undertone of unease. “But as a mother, my duty is to protect my son at all costs.” Alex’s jaw tightened, the veins in his neck prominent as he glared at his mother. “What are you talking about?” he asked, his tone low but dangerous. Mrs. Steele ignored his anger, pulling out her phone. “I didn’t get this recording unti
The day everyone had been waiting for finally arrived. The air buzzed with excitement and anticipation, but Claire woke up feeling an odd mix of nerves and uncertainty. She hadn’t seen Alex since the day of the fitting, his sudden departure after that phone call leaving her with more questions than answers. As the morning unfolded, Claire sat quietly while the stylist worked on her hair and makeup. The intricate beading of her gown shimmered under the soft light, but her face betrayed her true emotions. When she was helped into her wedding dress, the room filled with murmurs of admiration. "You look stunning," her mother said, her voice filled with pride. But Claire’s expression didn’t match the occasion. Her lips formed a soft, polite smile, but her eyes told a different story. Anyone watching might have expected her to be glowing, brimming with excitement at marrying the infamous Alexander Steele, but instead, a veil of apprehension hung over her. The attendant adjusted the
It had been a hectic week for Claire, filled with endless tasks and a whirlwind of wedding preparations. The constant running around left her drained, and the fact that she didn’t have a single friend to lean on made it all the more challenging. The guest list was the first hurdle. Claire didn’t really have anyone she wanted to invite, her social circle was practically nonexistent. But her mother, on the other hand, had no shortage of names to add. Her list was surprisingly long, filled with rich people she had worked for over the years. Some were kind, while others had treated her poorly, but that didn’t matter to her mother. She was determined to show the world that her daughter was marrying the infamous billionaire—the man coveted by so many. Claire couldn’t help but feel a twinge of bitterness as she reviewed the list her mother handed her. She wanted this to be a quiet affair, something simple and meaningful. But with every new addition to the guest list, it was clear that he
Charlotte dragged her feet out of the house, her heels clicking sharply against the pavement as she tried to hold herself together. The anger and humiliation boiled within her. Alex had humiliated her in front of everyone, and the weight of it crushed her spirit. She vowed to make him regret crossing her.She ended up at a dimly lit bar, slumping against the counter. The whiskey burned as it slid down her throat, numbing the ache in her chest. She poured herself drink after drink, hoping to drown the thoughts of how thoroughly Alex had outmaneuvered her. Eventually, her head spun, and she fumbled for her phone, her fingers unsteady as she dialed Charles’ number. The screen flickered with his name before it rang, and she slurred out a request for him to pick her up. Her voice was a mess of frustration and bitterness. Charles hesitated when he saw her name on the screen. He wasn’t expecting a call from her, but when he heard the desperation in her voice, he dropped everything. He r
Alex’s face lit up at her words, and he quickly stepped inside. He took a moment to look around, finally taking in the surroundings he had never had the chance to properly observe before.“There’s already some speculation going around that we’re not really married,” Alex began, pacing the living room as he spoke. “So, we’ll have to do a wedding ceremony. Your mum’s been pushing for it too, and it might help settle some doubts.” Claire raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she leaned back on the sofa. “But wouldn’t that make the divorce process harder? It was supposed to be a clean cut, remember?” Alex froze for a moment, the word “divorce” hitting him harder than he expected. Right. The divorce. He’d completely forgotten they were supposed to part ways in a month. “Well,” he said, trying to sound casual, “I guess we’ll have to extend our contract.” Claire tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Extend the contract?” she repeated, her voice laced with skepticism. “Ye
Charlotte and her father was already seated in Alex's office when they arrived, his anticipation evident as he rose to greet him when Alex stepped into the room. "How did it go?" he asked, his voice betraying his eagerness. "They accepted our terms," Alex said, his tone measured, "but they added a condition." Charlotte's father frowned slightly. "What condition?" "My approval is needed for the deal to go forward." "So," her father pressed, "did you approve?" Alex scoffed, leaning back against his desk. "Not yet," he replied, picking up the file from his desk. He casually scrawled his signature across the bottom, then lifted the file to display it. "It’s approved now." Charlotte’s father barely had a moment to feel relief before Alex strode toward the shredding machine. He held the signed document above it, his movements deliberate. "What are you doing?" Charlotte asked, her voice rising with alarm as she stepped toward him. Alex's gaze never wavered. "Negoti