SusanThe gala was every bit as extravagant as I’d imagined...maybe even more so. The moment I stepped out of the car, I was greeted by a sea of flashing cameras and perfectly coiffed people who looked like they’d stepped straight out of a high-fashion editorial. I adjusted the sleek, floor-length black dress Meera had somehow managed to arrange from an exclusive designer. The fabric hugged my curves in all the right places, and the confidence boost was necessary, considering I was about to walk into Elliot Prescott’s world.Elliot stood by the entrance, looking maddeningly perfect in a tailored tuxedo. The way his sharp jawline was highlighted by the golden light made me question my life choices for a second. But then he smirked...a trademark, infuriating smirk...and I remembered why I wanted to strangle him half the time."You clean up nicely," he said, his green eyes sweeping over me with an intensity that made my stomach flutter."So do you," I shot back, lifting my chin. "Though
Elliot-flashback I should’ve just kept walking. Minded my own business. But the sight of her standing there with some guy, laughing softly under the faint glow of the streetlights, froze me in my tracks. I didn’t recognize him...some tall, broad-shouldered guy with an easy smile and an irritating air of familiarity. He leaned toward her just slightly, like they were sharing some inside joke, and she didn’t pull away. She smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear, and it hit me like a punch to the gut. I wasn’t supposed to care. I had no right to. But damn it, I did. I could feel my pulse quicken, a tightness creeping into my chest. I clenched my fists, trying to convince myself to let it go. It was probably nothing. Just a casual conversation. But my feet had other plans. Before I knew it, I was striding across the courtyard, closing the distance between us in what felt like seconds. She noticed me first. Her smile faltered, her eyes widening in surprise. "Elliot?" The guy turned
SusanThe ride home was a silent, frustrating ordeal. The driver, arranged by Meera, focused on the road, giving me plenty of time to stew in my thoughts.Elliot Prescott was infuriating.All night, his piercing green eyes followed me like a storm cloud threatening to ruin my carefully planned evening. At first, I thought I was imagining it, but then I caught the slight narrowing of his gaze every time another man approached me.And Vanessa.What annoyed me more...her exaggerated laugh or the way she clung to Elliot’s arm as if she were staking a claim? Every time she leaned closer, I felt a strange pang in my chest. It was ridiculous. I shouldn’t care what he did, who he flirted with, or how many times her laugh sounded fake enough to echo.But I did care.I had tried to ignore him, throwing my attention to casual conversations with a young investment banker named Liam who had approached me with a drink. He had been kind and polite, complimenting my dress and asking about my work.It
Susan By the time I made it to Gerald’s office for the morning briefing, I had finally managed to shove the events of the gala into the recesses of my mind. Or so I thought. I stepped into his office with my notebook in hand, ready to discuss the day’s agenda. "Good morning, Ms. Hart," Gerald greeted me with his usual professional tone. "Morning, Gerald," I replied, taking a seat across from him. "What’s on the agenda today?" He shuffled a few papers on his desk, adjusting his glasses. "Before we get into today’s work, I have some news." I frowned. Gerald wasn’t the type to get off track, so this was unusual. "News?" He nodded, clearing his throat. "Mr. Prescott has ordered that you be given a private office in the building." My eyes widened, and I blinked at him. "A private office? Why?" Gerald adjusted his glasses again, clearly uncomfortable with my reaction. "I assume it’s for efficiency and convenience, given your ongoing work with the company." "Right," I said slowly, p
SusanThe morning sun streamed through the blinds in my new office, but the brightness only added to the headache pulsing behind my eyes. A new office...one I hadn’t asked for, didn’t want, and was now forced to occupy.I stood by the window, gripping a coffee cup that was still too hot to drink. The view was stunning, I had to admit. The city sprawled out before me, glittering and bustling with life. But no amount of scenic inspiration could drown out the irritation boiling inside me.Why did Elliot Prescott think he had the right to decide where I worked? A private office was unnecessary. I had been perfectly fine in the shared workspace with the team. I didn’t need a sleek desk, plush chairs, and a coffee machine all to myself.And worst of all, it was right next to his office.It wasn’t just the proximity that bothered me...it was what it implied. He wanted to keep an eye on me. Micromanage me. Maybe even unnerve me. Well, it was working.A knock on the door jolted me from my spir
ElliotI'll never forget that night-the first time I felt her entirely mine. It started with nothing more than a shared evening of studying in my tiny off-campus apartment. She was wearing one of those oversized sweaters that she claimed was comfortable, but to me, it was pure temptation. The neckline dipped slightly, revealing just enough of her collarbone to make me want to trace it with my lips.She sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by an explosion of notes, highlighters, and textbooks. I was half-heartedly pretending to work on my laptop, but my eyes were locked on her. The way her lips pressed together when she was concentrating, the faint furrow of her brows, the occasional tilt of her head... it all drew me in like gravity."You're staring," she said without looking up, her voice carrying that teasing lilt that always got under my skin."Can you blame me?" I replied, leaning back on the couch, a smirk tugging at my lips.Finally, she glanced up, her eyes meeting mine. T
Elliot The rest of the day felt like a blur, but Susan’s expression from earlier...the way her eyes had darkened, the tension in her posture...lingered like a bad dream. I hadn’t seen her since she stormed out of my office. Despite my better judgment, I kept checking the clock and glancing at the phone on my desk, half-hoping she’d come back or call, and half-dreading that she might. Why did it matter so much? Leila’s unannounced appearance had been nothing short of a disaster. I knew what it must have looked like to Susan, and I hated that I hadn’t been quick enough to clear up the misunderstanding. I leaned back in my chair, letting out a frustrated sigh. It wasn’t like me to let personal matters interfere with work, but Susan had always been the exception. There was a knock at the door, and I sat up straighter, a flicker of hope sparking to life. But when the door opened, it was Adrian who walked in, looking far too amused for my liking. “You look like someone ran over your
Susan I grabbed my planner from my office, trying to distract myself from the way my stomach churned after that elevator encounter. Why did Elliot always have the power to leave me so off balance? One look, one word, and my carefully constructed defenses crumbled like they were made of paper. I was walking back toward the elevator when I realized I’d left my pen on my desk. “Get it together, Susan,” I muttered to myself, turning back for the second time in five minutes. As I stepped into my office, I froze. On my desk was a small box with an elegant cream-colored envelope resting on top. My name was written in bold, confident strokes...Elliot’s handwriting. My pulse quickened as I picked up the envelope and slid my finger under the seal. Inside was a note, short and to the point: “Dinner. My treat. Friday at 7 PM. Don’t say no.... Elliot” I stared at the words, my emotions swirling into a confusing mix of anger, curiosity, and something I didn’t want to admit felt dangerously cl
ElliotWhen I finally walked into the boardroom, their faces looked like some overfed monkeys.The long mahogany table was filled with familiar faces...men and women who had sat in those same seats for years, acting like they ran the company.They didn’t.I did, I've always been the one.I took my time, adjusting my cuffs as I strolled to the head of the table. No one spoke. They were just waiting, and watching. Gerald sat near the end, flipping through a report, his expression neutral. He wasn’t the enemy, but he wasn’t my ally either...not yet.I finally took my seat, leaning back in the leather chair, letting the silence settle."Let's not waste time," I said. "I know you’ve all been waiting to air your concerns, so go ahead. Entertain me."The CFO, an older man with sharp eyes, cleared his throat. "Mr. Prescott, while we respect your leadership, your abrupt departure created instability. The stockholders...""The stockholders are relieved that I’m back." I cut him off smoothly. "
ElliotThe moment I stepped off that stage, the tension in the air was so thick one could cut it's edge with a knife..I barely made it into the hallway before Gerald caught up to me, his voice low but urgent."Sir..." He hesitated, carefully choosing his words. "That was unexpected."I smirked. "Was it?"Gerald sighed, running a hand through his neatly combed hair. "You know what I mean. I respect your decision, but the board was hoping for a... smoother resolution.""A resolution that involves me selling my personal life to fix their mess?" I turned to face him. "Tell me, Gerald....do I look like a man who needs to marry for the sake of PR?"He shook his head quickly. "Of course not, sir. I just..." He exhaled. "I just want you to come back. The company needs you."I studied him for a moment. Gerald wasn’t like the others. He wasn’t power-hungry, nor did he manipulate situations for personal gain. He was loyal...to the company, to my father’s legacy, and even to me.But loyalty woul
Elliot By the time the sun rose, I knew exactly what I needed to do. Susan was still asleep, her body tangled in the sheets, her breathing soft and steady. The night had been raw, and intense...a collision of emotions and desire that left no room for doubt. She loved me. I loved her. And I was done letting anyone question that. I slipped out of bed carefully, grabbing my phone as I stepped onto the balcony. The city stretched before me, but my focus was sharp...on one goal, one decision that would change everything. I dialed the number. Gerald answered on the second ring. “Mr Prescott.” His tone was clipped, unreadable. “I assume you’ve thought things through.” I exhaled slowly. “I’m holding a press conference.” There was a beat of silence. Then, “I see. So you’ve come to your senses.” I almost laughed. “Not in the way you think.” “Enlighten me.” I leaned against the railing, my grip tightening around the phone. “I’m not doing this on your terms, Gerald. I’m not using my
Elliot The whiskey burned as it slid down my throat, but I barely felt it. I wasn’t the type to drink when I was angry, but tonight? Tonight was different. Susan’s words still echoed in my head, cutting deeper than I wanted to admit. "Maybe for once, you should consider what I need too." She thought I was being selfish. That I didn’t understand what it felt like to want something so badly, to fight for it, to sacrifice for it. But what she didn’t see...what she refused to see...was that I was already sacrificing everything for her. And I’d do it a thousand times over. The living room was dim, the only light coming from the city skyline was through the windows. I had left the bottle of whiskey on the coffee table, the amber liquid swirling in the glass I gripped in my hand. I leaned back against the couch, my head tilting against the cushion, my mind a storm of frustration, love, and raw, aching need. The sound of the bedroom door opening made my muscles tense. Footsteps,
Susan The ride home was suffocating. Elliot’s grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuckles white from the pressure. He hadn’t spoken a word since we stormed out of Gerald’s office, and the silence between us was deafening. I stole a glance at him...his jaw was clenched, his brows furrowed in deep frustration. He was mad. Mad at Gerald, mad at the situation. Mad at me. But I was mad too. I crossed my arms, staring out the window as the city lights blurred past. My mind was spinning with a mix of emotions I couldn’t contain anymore. The moment he pulled into the driveway and turned off the engine, I unbuckled my seatbelt and turned to him sharply. “Why did you do that?” Elliot exhaled through his nose, rubbing a hand over his face before looking at me. “Do what?” “You didn’t even listen.” My voice wavered with frustration. “You just shut it down.” He turned fully in his seat, his piercing eyes locking onto mine. “Because it was bullshit, Susan. Gerald is using you. He’s
Elliot I knew Gerald was ruthless, but even I underestimated how far he’d go to get what he wanted. The moment I walked into his office, I could feel the weight of his agenda pressing down on me. The atmosphere was thick with tension, the kind that comes before an earthquake...silent, still, but deadly. Susan sat stiffly in one of the leather chairs, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her posture screamed discomfort, but she kept her chin high, refusing to show weakness. Gerald stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, the city skyline stretching endlessly behind him. He turned slowly, hands in his pockets, and gave me a smug, annoying smile. “You’re finally here,” he said smoothly. “I take it you’ve heard about the situation.” He didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, he strode over to his desk, picked up a file, and tossed it in my direction. “Take a look,” he said. I glanced down. Front-page headlines. Scandals. Speculation. Rumors that the company was in turmoil because of my
Elliot I should’ve known peace wouldn’t last. For weeks, I had pushed aside every thought of the company, every reminder of the life I left behind. With Susan by my side, I’d convinced myself that we were untouchable and free from the outside world. But the past had a way of catching up. I stood in our penthouse living room, gripping my phone so tightly my knuckles turned white. The screen was flooded with notifications...calls from Gerald, unread messages from former board members, headlines flashing in bold capital letters: "PRESCOTT CORPORATION FACES CRISIS: FINANCIAL IRREGULARITIES, CEO MISSING IN ACTION." Another headline followed. "ELLIOT PRESCOTT ABANDONS COMPANY AMID CONTROVERSY—CAN THE FAMILY DYNASTY SURVIVE?" My jaw clenched. They made it sound like I had disappeared, like I had run away and left the company to burn. As if my departure wasn’t my own damn choice. I knew Gerald well enough to understand that a scandal of this magnitude wouldn’t have made headlines un
Elliot The air was thick with heat, the scent of her...our desire...filled everywhere. The city lights outside flickered through the curtains, painting golden streaks across her bare skin.Susan lay beneath me, panting, writhing, and waiting.She was a masterpiece...a fucking temptation I could never resist.I traced my fingers down her stomach, feeling the way her muscles clenched at my touch. She was so sensitive, so responsive, so perfect. And she knew exactly what she did to me.Her lips parted as I kissed a slow, burning path down her throat, across her collarbone, down...down.She gasped, her back arching, her legs trembling as I took my time, teasing, tasting, and torturing her with pleasure.“Elliot,” she whimpered, fingers digging into the sheets.I exhaled against her skin, loving the way she shivered. “Say it again.”Her breath hitched. “Elliot...”I didn’t let her finish.I flipped her onto her stomach, pulling her hips up until she was exactly where I wanted her. A delic
The world outside ceased to exist. Here, in this sun-drenched villa, nothing mattered but the man lying beside me—Elliot Prescott. His bare skin was warm against mine, his steady breath fanning over my shoulder as he trailed his fingers lazily along my spine. I stretched beneath the sheets, my body still thrumming from the pleasure he’d given me moments ago. The air smelled of salt, sex, and him—a scent that had become intoxicatingly familiar. His arm tightened around my waist, pulling me closer until my back was flush against his chest. “Where do you think you’re going?” His voice was husky, still thick with sleep and satisfaction. I smirked. “Nowhere.” He hummed in approval, pressing a lazy kiss to my shoulder. “Good.” We had nowhere to be. No responsibilities. No work emails, no board meetings, no deadlines. Just this—us tangled in white sheets, indulging in every wicked fantasy we had ever suppressed. His hand slid lower, teasing the curve of my hip. I shivered. “Elliot…”