Elliot Day two of the plan, and I was already restless. Patience was never my strong suit, but if I wanted Susan to trust me again, I had to play the long game. Yesterday’s coffee delivery had gone better than expected. She didn’t outright refuse it, and that was a win in my book. Today, I had something more subtle in mind. I sat in my office, going over the agenda for the day. Meetings, reports, the usual chaos. But my focus kept drifting to the fact that Susan’s office was just a few doors down from mine. Every now and then, I found myself glancing at my watch, calculating the best time to make my next move. “Mr. Prescott,” Gerald’s voice came through the intercom, snapping me out of my thoughts. “The proposal for the new campaign has been finalized. Should I send it to Ms. Hart for review?” I leaned back in my chair, my fingers tapping lightly on the desk. This was perfect...an opportunity to involve Susan in a high-profile project, one that would not only highlight her s
Elliot The moment I stepped out of Susan’s office, I couldn’t help the faint smile tugging at the corners of my lips. It was subtle, but I saw it. That flicker of emotion in her eyes. The way she hesitated before thanking me. The crack, small as it was, in the wall she’d built so carefully around herself.This wasn’t going to be easy...getting through to Susan never was. But today felt like a win, however small.Walking back to my office, I replayed our interaction in my head. The way she looked at me, guarded yet attentive. The slight shift in her tone when I told her I believed in her. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to tell me that I was getting under her skin.And that was the plan, wasn’t it? To remind her of the man I could be...the man I was trying to be now. The man who wouldn’t walk away this time.As I sat at my desk, I let out a long breath, leaning back in my chair. Susan was no fool; I knew that much. She’d see through any obvious attempts to win her over, which meant
Elliot I’d barely stepped into my office when Gerald appeared in the doorway, a stack of files in his hands and a look that told me my schedule for the day was about to be anything but pleasant. “Morning, sir,” he began, placing the files on my desk. “Your nine o’clock with the board is confirmed, the budget meeting is at eleven, and lunch is with Mr. Vaughn to finalize the partnership terms.” I nodded. “And Ms. Hart’s integration into the marketing team is proceeding smoothly,” Gerald added, pulling me back to the conversation. My eyes flicked to him. “Any concerns?” “None so far. She’s efficient, confident. I’d say she’s exceeding expectations already.” A hint of pride swelled in my chest, but I kept my expression neutral. “Good,” I said casually. “Keep me updated.” The truth was, I didn’t need Gerald to tell me how Susan was doing. I’d already checked in with her team lead, glanced at her initial reports, and overheard more than one colleague singing her praises. Su
Elliot The morning sunlight poured through my office window as I leaned back in my chair, steepling my fingers. Yesterday had gone better than I expected. Susan hadn’t outright rejected the notebook I gave her, and though she’d put up her usual defenses, I’d seen the flicker of something in her eyes. Nostalgia? Uncertainty? I wasn’t sure, but it was progress. Today, I had to keep the momentum going. This wasn’t just about grand gestures—it was about consistency. Susan needed to see that I wasn’t the man who walked away ten years ago. “Mr. Prescott,” Gerald’s voice broke through my thoughts as he entered my office. “Here’s the updated agenda for today. You’ve got a team briefing at 11, followed by a lunch meeting with the investors at 1.” I nodded, glancing at the papers in his hand. “And Susan? Anything on her schedule I should know about?” Gerald frowned, puzzled. “Not that I’m aware of. Do you want me to check?” “No,” I said quickly. I didn’t want Gerald poking around to
Elliot The day started off perfectly. I had my plan: charm Susan with humor. She always used to say my jokes were terrible, but they made her laugh anyway. If I could get her to crack a smile, it would be progress. So there I was, striding into the office like a man on a mission. I’d spent the night rehearsing a few jokes in front of the mirror, determined to test them out today. After all, laughter was the best medicine—or, in my case, the best way to win back the love of my life. First attempt? The elevator. Susan was waiting by the doors when I spotted her. Perfect timing. As I stepped in beside her, I gave her my best grin. “Morning,” I said, keeping it casual. “You know, elevators are like relationships.” Her eyebrows shot up. “Oh, really? How’s that?” “They have their ups and downs.” She blinked at me, her expression completely blank. I swear I heard the elevator itself groan at my attempt. “Wow,” she finally said, deadpan. “That was... something.” Okay, mayb
ElliotI arrived at the office feeling particularly bold, armed with my secret weapon: a bright pink tie covered in cartoon dinosaurs. It was an absolute eyesore, clashing so violently with my tailored gray suit that it could probably be seen from space.But I didn’t care. This tie had a purpose...it was a conversation starter, an icebreaker, and, hopefully, a surefire way to get Susan to crack. After yesterday, when I managed to get her to laugh, I was eager to push the boundary just a little further.As I walked through the office, I could feel the eyes on me. Whispers followed my every step. Someone at the water cooler actually choked on their drink. I straightened my tie, ensuring it was prominently displayed.When I passed Susan’s office, I slowed down just enough, glancing her way. She was seated at her desk, head bent over her laptop. She didn’t even look up.I paused. Was she ignoring me? Surely, she noticed the tie. How could she not?“Good morning, Susan,” I said brightly,
ElliotThe new plan was simple: charm her colleagues. Susan had built a wall around herself, but if I could win over the people she interacted with daily, it might chip away at her defenses.By mid-morning, I had made my move. A catered breakfast for the entire floor...a selection of bagels, croissants, fruit platters, and, of course, coffee. I personally delivered the spread to the break room, ensuring my “generosity” was on full display.“Breakfast is on me,” I announced casually, leaning against the doorframe as the employees gathered around the table.One of the junior staffers, Claire, beamed at me. “Wow, Mr. Prescott! This is amazing. What’s the occasion?”“No occasion,” I replied smoothly. “Just thought everyone deserved a little something to start the day right.”Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Susan walking past, a folder in her hand. She paused for a split second, her gaze flickering toward the break room before continuing down the hall.I smirked. Got her attention. Sus
ElliotWeekends at Prescott Industries were usually quiet, but I had other plans.“An outdoor retreat will boost morale,” I had told Gerald during our morning meeting. “The team’s been working hard...they deserve it.”Of course, the retreat wasn’t entirely about team morale. It was also a perfect opportunity to get Susan out of the office and into a setting where she couldn’t easily dismiss me.After sending out the invitations, I made a point to stop by her office. Susan looked up as I knocked lightly on her open door.“Good morning,” I said, stepping inside.“Elliot,” she replied, her tone cautious but polite.“I assume you’ve seen the email about the retreat tomorrow?”“I have,” she said, leaning back in her chair. “But I wasn’t planning on attending. Weekends are my time to recharge.”I smiled, undeterred. “You should come. It’ll be fun. A little fresh air, some games, good food. Bring Meera, too. The more, the merrier.”For a moment, she studied me, as if trying to decipher my t
SusanThe warmth of Elliot’s body anchored me in place, his arm draped over my waist like he had no intention of letting me go. His breathing was slow and steady, his chest rising and falling beneath my cheek.I blinked against the soft golden light streaming through the curtains, my body still aching in the best way possible from the night before.I should get up.But for once, I didn’t want to move.Not when Elliot’s fingers were lazily tracing patterns along my spine. Not when the scent of him...warm, musky, familiar...wrapped around me like a cocoon.I shifted slightly, but the moment I did, his grip tightened, pulling me back against him.“Where do you think you’re going?” His voice was thick with sleep, rasping against my ear.I smiled, tilting my head back to meet his gaze. His dark hair was a tousled mess, his jaw dusted with stubble, and his eyes...still heavy with sleep...watched me like I was the only thing that mattered in the world.“I need to get up,” I murmured.“No, yo
ElliotI used to believe I was a patient man. That no matter how chaotic life became, I could handle it with control and precision.But Susan was testing me in ways I never imagined.I sat at the dining table, fingers tapping rhythmically against the wooden surface. The clock on the wall mocked me—11:47 PM.She was late, again.Dinner had gone cold an hour ago, and the bottle of whiskey I’d sworn I wouldn’t touch was now half-empty.The moment I heard the front door click open, I tensed. Her footsteps slow. Then, the sight of her...exhausted, her hair slightly messy, dressed in a sleek business suit that reminded me just how deep she had buried herself in that damn foundation.She barely glanced my way as she set her purse down, stretching her neck. “You’re still up?”I let out a slow exhale. “No, Susan. I’m sleepwalking.”Her lips pressed together, and I knew I’d hit a nerve. But I didn’t care.“I had a long day, Elliot.” She rubbed her temples, sighing. “Please don’t start.”I pushe
Susan I barely had time to think before Elliot’s lips crashed into mine.It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t patient.It was raw.Like a man who had been starving for too long. Like someone at their breaking point.I gasped against his mouth, but he didn’t let me pull away. His hands gripped my waist, fingers digging in as if to remind me exactly who I belonged to.I had pushed him away for weeks.Tonight, he wasn’t letting me run.His lips traveled down my jaw, hot and demanding, his breath ragged against my skin. My knees threatened to buckle when his teeth scraped the sensitive spot just beneath my ear."Tell me you missed me," he growled.I shuddered, clutching his shoulders. "Elliot..."His grip tightened. "Say it."I swallowed hard, my pulse hammering. "I missed you."A low curse left his lips before he lifted me effortlessly, carrying me toward the bedroom. My arms wrapped around his neck, and my body molded against his as he kicked the door shut behind us.I barely had time to process
Elliot I woke up alone again.The other side of the bed was empty, the sheets cool to the touch. I ran a hand through my hair, irritation already simmering beneath my skin. This had become a pattern...Susan leaving at dawn before I even got the chance to hold her, to talk to her, to feel like we were still us.I sat up and reached for my phone.No messages. No missed calls. Nothing.With a sigh, I tossed the device onto the nightstand and stared at the ceiling.She had promised this wouldn't happen. That her new position at the foundation wouldn’t consume her, that she wouldn’t lose herself in proving a point to my mother.Yet, here I was. Alone. Again.My patience was wearing thin.I climbed out of bed, threw on some sweatpants, and headed to the kitchen, where I found Gerald waiting for me. He was standing by the counter, sipping coffee, his expression unreadable."You look like hell," he noted dryly."Good morning to you too, Gerald," I muttered, grabbing a mug and pouring myself
ElliotThe first time Susan missed dinner, I let it slide.She texted me last minute, saying she was caught up at work, something about an urgent report she needed to finalize before the morning. I replied with a simple Okay, don’t stay too late.But then it happened again. And again.At first, I told myself she was just adjusting to the new job. She wanted to prove herself, show that she was more than just the CEO’s girlfriend playing charity director. And I admired that about her.But admiration turned into irritation real quick.By the fourth night in a row of her coming home past eleven, barely speaking two words before collapsing in bed, I was done being understanding.Tonight, I didn’t bother preparing dinner. What was the point? I sat in the dimly lit living room, glass of whiskey in my hand, staring at the front door like a damn abandoned husband waiting for his wife to return from war.The sound of the key turning in the lock made my jaw clench. The door creaked open, and the
Susan I took a deep breath as I stepped into the headquarters of the Prescott Foundation. The towering glass doors reflected the morning sun, casting a golden glow over the entrance. This was my new beginning, but not in the way Mrs. Prescott had envisioned.The receptionist, a woman in her late thirties with sharp eyes behind black-rimmed glasses, looked up at me and stiffened slightly. "Good morning, Ms. Hart," she said, her voice polite but laced with curiosity.It was clear...everyone here knew who I was. Not as Susan Hart, the new employee. But as her. The woman Elliot Prescott was involved with. The one who had seemingly walked into this job with privilege wrapped around her like a designer coat.I straightened my shoulders, let them think what they wanted. I would prove them wrong."I'm here for my first day," I said with a calm smile.Her eyebrows lifted ever so slightly, but she nodded and picked up her phone. "Mr. Castillo will be with you shortly."I knew of Mr. Castillo..
Susan The morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a soft glow across Meera’s apartment. I blinked awake, the events of last night crashing down like a tidal wave. My head throbbed, not from the wine but from the weight of my choices.I had betrayed Elliot’s trust.And worse...I had done it knowing exactly how much it would hurt him.I turned on my side, expecting Meera to still be asleep, but she was already sitting up against the headboard, scrolling through her phone.“Morning, traitor.” She didn’t even look up as she spoke, but the sarcasm was thick in her tone.I groaned, burying my face into the pillow. “I don’t need the judgment this early.”“Well, too bad,” she snapped, tossing her phone onto the bed. “Elliot called me twice.”That got my attention. I shot up, my heart beating rapidly. “What?”“And texted,” she added, handing me her phone.I hesitated before reading.Elliot Prescott: Where is she?Elliot Prescott: She’s not at the penthouse. If she’s with you, tell
Susan I walked out of Elliot’s office without looking back.I could still hear his voice...sharp, cutting, and desperate...“Don’t do this, Susan.” But I had to.Because in the end, love wasn’t enough.Not when his mother still saw me as an outsider. Not when the world still whispered about how I wasn’t good enough for Elliot Prescott. Not when, no matter how much I tried to prove myself, I still felt like I was fighting a battle I was destined to lose.And if signing my name on a damn contract was the price for being accepted into his family, for securing a future where his mother wouldn’t look at me like I was nothing, then so be it.I ignored the sting in my chest and walked down the halls of Prescott Enterprises with quiet determination. My heels clicked against the marble floors, my heart pounding with every step toward the woman who had made me feel small for so long.Mrs. Prescott was waiting for me.She sat behind a grand mahogany desk, poised and elegant, a picture of unshaka
Susan The message stared back at me like a challenge. Eleanor Prescott requests your presence for lunch. One o’clock. Prescott Tower, 45th floor. I didn’t need to think twice. This wasn’t an invitation...it was a summons. Elliot’s mother had spent years pretending I didn’t exist, treating me like a temporary inconvenience that would eventually disappear. But now, after everything that had happened...the scandal, Elliot’s return, the press conference that rocked the business world...she was suddenly willing to sit down with me? I stepped out of the cab and took a deep breath before walking through the grand entrance of Prescott Tower. The lobby was pristine, with marble floors and golden accents, exuding the kind of wealth that was meant to intimidate people like me. But I wouldn’t be intimidated. The elevator ride to the 45th floor felt both too long and too short. When the doors slid open, I was met with an airy, sunlit dining area. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcased the city