ALICE RILEYMonday morning arrived too soon. Standing in front of the mirror, I adjusted the collar of my blouse, making sure everything looked perfect—even if I didn’t feel that way inside. The extra day off had given me time to clean my apartment, but it had done nothing to declutter my mind. No matter how hard I tried, the emotional turmoil of my past continued to churn within me, relentless and consuming, keeping my mood a little off.I shook my head, determined to focus on work. No distractions. No complications. Grabbing my bag, I stepped out of my apartment, expecting to see the usual sedan waiting to pick me up. But the sight that greeted me made me freeze.A sleek black luxury car sat in its place, polished and intimidating, the kind of vehicle that turned heads.My brows furrowed. Was this some kind of mistake?As I stood there confused, a man in his late thirties, dressed in a crisp black suit, stepped forward and nodded politely.“Good morning, Ms. Riley. I am at your serv
ALICE RILEY“This is important. I only need ten minutes with Mr. Scott. I’m sure he wouldn’t want to cancel now, especially after I’ve come all this way,” I said firmly to the receptionist, determined to salvage my meeting with Vivian Scott, the CEO of Scott Group.The text from his personal assistant canceling the meeting had reached me when I was already on my way—just minutes from his office. After traveling an hour to get here, I wasn’t about to turn back without at least trying.If I hadn’t been an intern at Lexis Consultants—the legal advisory firm for Scott Group—I might have caused a scene over this blatant disregard for my time. But I had to keep my cool. My career depended on it. While I fumed on the inside, I forced a composed smile to stay professional.“I’ll check on that, Miss Riley. Please have a seat,” the receptionist replied with a polite smile.With a sigh, I made my way to the couch in the center of the lobby and sat down, tossing my handbag and file onto the cushio
VIVIAN SCOTTI couldn't stop smiling at the different expressions that went through that pretty face as it peeped inside through the gap the non-transparent glass door created when it was pushed open. She wasn't just pretty; she was gorgeous. Breathtaking! I hadn't seen a more beautiful face in the long past.I knew how good I looked; it never was less than a pleasure to get complimented for the physique I inherited from my father. Like him, I towered more than six feet, and I was blessed with a natural athletic body. But today, seeing a beautiful woman unknowingly adore my body gave me an adrenaline rush. I so badly wanted to tease her and watch her reaction! But then, I wouldn't let any of those emotions come up on my face. I was that bastard who could hide any emotions, under any circumstances, at ease unless I wanted it to be shown.Wasn’t she the one who insisted on meeting me even after I canceled the appointment? She must be strong-willed, I thought, my curiosity piqued. I hadn’
ALICE RILEYThe last thing I wanted today was for that insanely hot guy to turn out to be the CEO of Scott Group—the very man I was supposed to meet and persuade to sign the documents. Yet, here I was, grappling with the moment of truth.Vivian Scott.The name had rung with authority and seriousness when I first heard it, conjuring an image of a middle-aged man with wrinkled eyes, greying hair, and an air of reserved professionalism. But instead, standing before me, now fully suited, was him. The man I’d practically made a fool of myself in front of just minutes ago.I was still reeling, frozen in a mix of disbelief and mortification. Of all the people, why him? My mind scrambled for composure, but the weight of the irony was too much. Fate clearly had a twisted sense of humor.Lost in my thoughts, I snapped back to reality at the sound of Mr. Scott’s voice."Yes, Miss Riley, how may I help you today?"Did he just sound… polite? Humble, even? I wasn’t sure if it was my nerves or the wa
VIVIAN SCOTTAfter a long day, finally, I found myself in my penthouse, standing by the window overlooking the city. The lights blinked lazily beneath me, a sharp contrast to the rapid pace my mind was moving. I ran a hand through my hair and exhaled deeply, the weight of the day still heavy on my shoulders. But something else was on my mind now—someone else.Alice Riley. I hadn’t expected her to be the way she was. For someone who worked in the legal field, she hadn’t shown the professionalism I expected. It was like I was dealing with a different version of her altogether—one that didn’t quite match the polished, corporate image she was supposed to present.She was far from what I’d expected, and maybe that’s why she was still in my thoughts. The way she’d fumbled, then found her composure, trying to remain confident even though I could sense her internal conflict. The way she’d blushed when I leaned in too close, the heat in her cheeks almost palpable. That reaction, so unguarded an
ALICE RILEY"You are determined. Beauty with intelligence. Vivian Scott isn’t an easy man. I’m impressed you got the signatures on time."Alexis Segal, the head of Lexis Consultants, praised my work in front of the entire department. I’d just returned to the office the next day after that awkward, yet successful, meeting with Mr. Vivian Scott, the CEO of Scott Group.Only two months into my internship, and I’d already earned enough goodwill with Mr. Segal for him to assign me to assist with the company’s key accounts. He wasn’t always the hard-nosed leader he pretended to be, but when critical clients weren’t handled properly, his wrath was legendary. I knew working at Lexis Consultants was a stepping stone to my ambitious career plans. One day, I wanted to run the best legal firm in the city.Thanking Mr. Segal, I smiled politely and returned to my section. Maria and Sofia, my fellow interns, waved at me as I settled into my seat."How did it go?" Maria asked eagerly."Success," I sai
The news must have spread before the official announcement. "What is it with you and Scott Group, girl? Did I hear you are now the key contact for them?" Maria almost attacked me as I occupied the seat beside her the following morning. Turning on my computer system, I flashed at her proudly. "Hard work pays off." When I said that, I meant it. I was working my ass off to build a career for myself. More girls in Lexis Consultants worked hard, too. But unlike them, I knew how to grab the opportunities. Of course, ethically. Glancing long across the cubicles to the entrance and then to the cabin of Mr. Segal, I turned to Maria, who was engrossed in her system. I asked, “Has he come in yet?” Maria reached before me today, and I hoped she might have a clue if Mr. Segal was in already. I badly wanted to talk to him. I wanted to know if my new responsibilities would mean I was in regular contact with Vivian Scott. “Do you mean the boss? Yes, he is in already. You could get a call anyti
ALICE RILEY Is this for real? I questioned myself as I took long and quick strides to the office of Vivian Scott on the fifteenth floor of his Head Office. Kate, his assistant, directed me to his cabin this time instead of the conference room like earlier. As I neared the door of his office room, I remembered my last visit and all of the stupidity that followed later. How on earth did I think I would never have to face this man again? Fidgeting my fingers nervously, I stood there a moment and started contemplating escape opportunities, which were none, of course. Taking a moment to pull myself together, I knocked on the non-transparent glass door. “Come in,” the deep voice of Vivian Scott hit my ears pleasantly. Using my right-hand fingers, I pushed the door just enough to squeeze my body inside. The scent of premium leather and polished wood filled the air. Dressed in a cream-colored suit, Vivian Scott sat behind the long table, browsing his phone. His soft and silky light bro
ALICE RILEYMonday morning arrived too soon. Standing in front of the mirror, I adjusted the collar of my blouse, making sure everything looked perfect—even if I didn’t feel that way inside. The extra day off had given me time to clean my apartment, but it had done nothing to declutter my mind. No matter how hard I tried, the emotional turmoil of my past continued to churn within me, relentless and consuming, keeping my mood a little off.I shook my head, determined to focus on work. No distractions. No complications. Grabbing my bag, I stepped out of my apartment, expecting to see the usual sedan waiting to pick me up. But the sight that greeted me made me freeze.A sleek black luxury car sat in its place, polished and intimidating, the kind of vehicle that turned heads.My brows furrowed. Was this some kind of mistake?As I stood there confused, a man in his late thirties, dressed in a crisp black suit, stepped forward and nodded politely.“Good morning, Ms. Riley. I am at your serv
ALICE RILEYBy the time Vivian pulled the car onto the curb outside my apartment building, it was well past midnight. The quiet hum of the engine stopped, and for a moment, neither of us moved. The night hung heavy with exhaustion, yet the events of the day still lingered in my mind.Vivian turned to me; his expression softer than usual. “I’m sorry, Alice,” he said quietly. “For ruining your weekend and making you wait so long at the hospital. You didn’t sign up for any of this.”I shook my head, offering him a reassuring smile. “Don’t apologize. I’m glad I got to meet Tristan,” I replied. “He’s an adorable kid, and it’s easy to see how much he looks up to you.”His brows lifted slightly at my words, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Adorable isn’t usually a word people use to describe him,” he said, chuckling softly.When we finally stepped out of the car, the cool night air wrapped around us. I led the way upstairs to my apartment, unlocking the door and pushing it o
ALICE RILEYTristan shifted on the hospital bed, wincing slightly as he adjusted his position. The bruises along his jaw and the cut near his eyebrow were stark against his pale complexion, but his demeanor was anything but weak. He carried himself with the quiet confidence of someone who had already decided he wouldn’t be beaten—not by the pain, and not by the situation that landed him here.“Do you know what happened?” I asked softly, not wanting to push but feeling curious.Tristan shrugged; his nonchalance almost convincing. “Just a stupid fight. A couple of guys thought they could mess with me. Guess I proved them wrong—mostly.”The “mostly” hung in the air, a bitter reminder of the hospital bed he was currently confined to.“They shouldn’t have messed with you in the first place,” I said firmly. “No one deserves that.”His lips quirked into a half-smile. “You sound like Vivian.”At the mention of his brother, my gaze flickered to the door. Tristan noticed, his smirk deepening. “
ALICE RILEYThe drive to the hospital was quieter, just as I expected it to be. What truly surprised me, though, was Vivian's decision to bring me along. I had assumed he would drop me off—perhaps at my apartment or somewhere nearby—before heading to handle his family matters. Instead, he drove straight to the hospital, his expression unreadable and his focus unwavering on the road ahead.When we arrived, he didn’t hesitate. He parked, got out, and gestured for me to follow. I wasn’t sure what to expect as I walked beside him into the brightly lit hospital lobby, but I could feel the tension radiating off him in waves. Whatever lay ahead, it mattered deeply to him.We made our way to the room where Tristan was admitted. I braced myself, not knowing what state we’d find him in. When we stepped inside, the sight of the boy on the bed caught me off guard. Tristan looked strikingly like a younger version of Vivian—same sharp jawline, same piercing eyes, though his face was slightly bruise
ALICE RILEYSilence took over the space between us as we sped away from the resort. The evening sky was darkening, and the soft glow of headlights illuminated the empty road ahead. I sat quietly in the passenger seat, sneaking glances at Vivian. His usual calm demeanor was replaced by something I hadn’t seen in him before—worry, perhaps even frustration. His fingers gripped the steering wheel tightly, and his gaze was fixed on the road, his jaw clenched.It was strange to see him like this. Vivian was always in control, always so composed. Now, he looked like a man carrying the weight of something heavier than he wanted to admit.“Vivian,” I said softly, breaking the silence. “Are you okay?”He didn’t respond immediately, as if debating whether to answer or brush it off.Finally, he sighed, his voice quieter than usual. “I’m fine.”Fine. The word was unconvincing, and I could tell there was more beneath the surface. His eyes didn’t leave the road, but there was a flicker of something—
ALICE RILEYAfter spending hours wandering the resort and soaking in the quiet beauty of the surroundings, we returned to our private villa, both of us slightly tired but content. As I stepped inside, my mind still lingered on the moments we'd shared by the lake, on the boat, and in the gardens. There had been laughter, easy conversation, and an unspoken connection between us that felt almost too perfect.Vivian walked in behind me, but as soon as we crossed the threshold, his phone rang.I saw the shift in his posture—the familiar way his eyes narrowed, signaling a call he couldn’t avoid.“Sorry, I’ll take this,” he said, his voice apologetic but already distant. He made his way to the other side of the room, his focus shifting entirely to the call.I nodded and took the opportunity to slip outside for a walk. The air was cooler now, the sky painted with hues of pink and purple as the sunset. I wandered aimlessly at first, enjoying the peaceful isolation. Something was calming about
ALICE RILEYThe morning light filtered through the curtains, casting soft beams across the room. I stretched, my body still feeling sore from last night’s intimacy. My muscles felt tender, my skin still tingling from where his hands had roamed, his touch seared into my memory.The air carried the faint scent of him—an intoxicating mix of his cologne and the warmth of his skin. It was a scent I hadn’t realized I’d begun to associate with comfort. As I shifted, the sheets, soft against my bare skin, reminded me of how completely I’d given myself to him.Vivian was already up, standing by the window, wearing only a pair of shorts that hung low on his hips. His bare chest was bathed in the morning sun, each defined line of his torso catching the golden light. In one hand, he held a steaming cup of coffee, bringing it to his lips for slow, measured sips as his gaze lingered on the view outside.I simply watched him for a moment. There was something about the way he moved, the confidence wi
ALICE RILEYThe car rolled to a stop in front of the resort, its grandeur glowing against the night. The manager, a well-dressed man in his forties, stood at the entrance, his posture poised and welcoming.“Mr. Scott,” he greeted with a courteous nod as Vivian stepped out of the car.“Everything has been arranged as per your instructions. The private villa is ready for you.”Vivian returned the nod, his voice smooth and composed. “Thank you. We’d appreciate some privacy for the night.”“Of course,” the manager said, glancing briefly at me before stepping aside. “If there’s anything you need, just let us know.”Vivian walked around to my side of the car and opened the door, his hand outstretched. I took it, letting him guide me out into the crisp night air.As we followed the manager toward the villa, I couldn’t help but take in the beauty around me—the soft glow of lanterns lighting the path, the perfectly manicured gardens, and the quiet elegance of the resort.The manager stopped at
ALICE RILEYThe car rolled to a stop in the well-lit parking lot of a shopping mall, its sleek glass facade gleaming under the overhead lights. I glanced at Vivian, my brows furrowing slightly.“Why are we stopping here?” I asked, though I already had a guess.He turned off the engine and looked at me, a small, mischievous smile tugging at his lips. “You said you didn’t pack anything. This is where we fix that.”I blinked at him, caught somewhere between annoyance and amusement. “You can’t be serious. It’s nearly midnight.”“I’m always serious,” he replied smoothly, already stepping out of the car. Before I could argue, he was on my side, opening my door like it was second nature.Reluctantly, I climbed out, the cool night air brushing against my skin. “You could’ve warned me,” I muttered.“And miss your reaction?” He chuckled, shutting the car door. “Come on. I’ll even carry the bags.”I shot him a skeptical look but followed him inside.The mall was quieter at this hour, with the us