The Aurelius Hotel was bathed in golden morning light when Nina strolled in, carting two cups of coffee.
Chloe sat on the couch, surrounded by papers, notes, and her laptop, a deep crease on her forehead as she muttered under her breath. “Good morning, Bennett Princess.” Nina teased, tossing a cup onto the table. “You look like you’re trying to solve world hunger.” Chloe groaned, rubbing her temples. “I feel like it.” “You’re overthinking.” Nina plopped down beside her. “It’s just a meeting.” Chloe shot her a look. “With Damien Cross.” Nina rolled her eyes. “Okay, can you stop saying his name like that?” “Like what?” Chloe raised her brows. “Like he’s some kind of fucking tyrant mafia… geez.” Chloe exhaled, leaning back. “It’s not just him. It’s my father. He’s counting on me to handle this, to prove that I can. But if I fail…” Her fingers tapped her keyboard. “I can’t fail.” Nina sipped her coffee, watching her. “You know, stressing about it isn’t going to help.” “And what will?” “A little fun. Distraction. Maybe tell me more about the mysterious guy you had a one-night stand with. You promised to give me all the details.” Chloe groaned, throwing a cushion at her. “Stop.” Nina grinned. “I’m serious. You haven’t told me much about him. Except that he was, and I quote, ‘ridiculously good-looking and kind of an arrogant ass.’” Chloe snorted. “Well, he hasn’t changed much since then….I met him again.” Nina’s eyes shot open. “Come on, Chloe… spill.” She sat up in her chair, ready for the gist. “On the rooftop,” Chloe said, pointing toward the ceiling, a smirk crossing her lips. “Oh, you little slut…” Nina growled, taking in every bit of the conversation. “It wasn’t like that… he just—he just wanted what I wanted.” Chloe tugged at the button on her blouse. “And what is that?” Nina paused. “Another night of desperate intimacy?” “No… just peace. Away from the weight of… everything.” “Oh wow. So you have a stalker now? And someone who relates to you? Because I definitely don’t.” Nina took a sip from her cup. Chloe chuckled, turning to face her closet, eyes scanning the rows of neatly pressed blouses and tailored skirts, trying to pick the perfect outfit. She wasn’t just preparing for a meeting—she was preparing to face him. Her father’s greatest rival. Even though she had never met Damien Cross, his reputation preceded him. Ruthless. Cold. A businessman who played to win. And she needed to match that. “Go for the pink suit,” Nina said, watching Chloe get lost in thought. “It’ll look good on your skin.” She walked toward her and whispered in her ear. “You’re going to do great.” She planted a quick kiss on Chloe’s cheek. “I gotta go. Talk to you later. Good luck.” Chloe stared at the pink suit. She would look good in it. Her gaze flicked to the corner of the bed, where his jacket lay. The memory of him in it—confident, powerful—lingered in her mind. Maybe confidence and power were exactly what she needed right now. Damien Cross left the Aurelius before the world woke up. Today was a day he had been waiting for. Today was a step closer to what he’d always wanted. Fastening the cuffs of his crisp black shirt, he rolled his shoulders and glanced at the time. Almost there. He had planned for this moment. In two hours, Chloe Bennett would be walking into his world. His mind replayed last night’s rooftop encounter—her dress, her body, the way the wind moved in her hair. The way she quivered every time he leaned closer. Damien chuckled. She didn’t know who he was yet. He would enjoy watching the realization dawn in her eyes, the way her face would fall the moment she understood. Ethan Graves stood near the doorway, raising a brow. “You’re enjoying this too much.” Damien smirked. “Of course I am. She walked into my club like a pretty little pawn, and now she’s here, sitting across from me in a boardroom, thinking she’s playing the game.” Ethan sighed. “She’s not the one you’re after.” “No,” Damien agreed, turning to face him. “But she is the one I get to use.” Ethan exhaled. “And the deal?” “Oh, I’ll close it,” Damien said easily, slipping on his watch. “But nothing comes without a price.” He grabbed his suit jacket and headed for the door. Ethan crossed his arms, watching him revel in his thoughts. “You sure about this, Mr. Cross?” Damien smirked. “I’ve never been more sure.” A slow, deliberate smirk curled his lips. “Can’t wait to see the look on her face,” he murmured. Sliding on his shades, he strode forward. “Is the car ready, Graves?” “Yes, sir.” Ethan nodded. “Follow me.” “We’re outside the building of Cross Corp, where CEO Damien Cross will finally be making a public appearance for the first time in five years.” Damien heard the words on the radio as his limo cut through the city streets. People were so obsessed with relevance. Left to him, he could stay in the shadows forever. His name alone wielded enough power. What was the need for a face? But today was important. This meeting would bring him closer to the one person he hated more than anything. And there was no escape for Chloe. The limo pulled up at the back of Cross Corp, avoiding the media frenzy out front. He wasn’t here for the crowd. Or the paparazzi. Or the women who would shriek his name and bat their lashes. He was only here for one woman. Chloe Bennett. And she had arrived. “Miss Bennett, what’s it like taking on this huge deal?” “Miss Bennett, how do you feel about being one of the first people meeting Mr. Cross?” The questions burned into Chloe as she made her way through the crowd. Every step toward that building felt like the world had its arms around her neck. She pushed open the glass doors— And froze. Cross Corp was nothing like Bennett Industries. The sheer vastness of the space swallowed her whole. It was grand. Sleek. Intimidating. The ceiling stretched so high that Chloe had to tilt her head back just to glimpse the intricate lighting fixtures hanging like stars. Glass walls framed the entire lobby, making the space feel both limitless and inescapable. Before she could take it all in, a senior staff member approached. “Miss Bennett?” “Yes?” “This way, please. Follow me.” Chloe followed the man, taking in every sight of the building, her heart drumming against her chest as she was ushered through the halls. She was led into a large boardroom, the table stretching from both ends. “Please take a seat” than man said leaving her all alone. She wandered through the room, tracing her fingers along the cool marble table. Her gaze landed on a framed picture hanging on the wall. She squinted at the name beneath it. Carlisso Cross. CEO of CrossCorp. She recognized it. She had seen the name before when she tried to look up Damien Cross. His father, she convinced herself. Chloe settled into a chair, fingers tapping against the table as she tried to keep her nerves at bay. But then, the door swung open. Chloe’s breath hitched. Her gaze snapped to the threshold— And locked onto the man staring straight at her. It was time.The door swung open and Chloe's breath stopped. She stared at the man at the doorway and let herself breathe. …..It was time. Ethan Graves stepped into the room. "Good morning, Miss Bennett," he said smoothly. "I'm Ethan Graves, lead negotiator for Cross Corp." Chloe exhaled, forcing herself to nod. "Good morning," she replied, her voice shaking. Ethan gave her a curt nod. "Mr. Cross will be with you shortly." She had spent so much time bracing herself for this meeting, for him, and yet, for some reason, her pulse hadn't settled. Instead, a strange anticipation lingered. The seconds stretched as they waited for Damien. Then, finally, the door opened again. Chloe's pulse slowed, just slightly. She put her hand on her chest, hoping to slow down her rapid breathing. A presence filled the room before she even looked up. His footsteps were slow and calculated. Strolling in like he owned the place. Well….he did. Chloe looked up and it felt like her lungs gave
Chloe sobbed in the front seat of her car, her fingers gripping the steering wheel like a lifeline. The heavy rain pelted the windshield, blurring the city lights into streaks of gold and silver. But none of it mattered. It was him. The man from the rooftop. The stranger she thought was nothing more than a fleeting mistake. It was Damien Cross. How could she have been so blind? She sat in silence only to be interrupted by the incessant buzzing of her phone. She glanced at the screen to see the caller. It was her father. James Bennett. For a brief second, she considered letting it ring, maybe even tossing the phone into the nearest trash can and driving off. But Chloe knew better. But ignoring him would only make things worse. With a reluctant sigh, she answered. “Hello.” Her father’s voice was cold and stern. “How did the meeting go?” Chloe swallowed the lump in her throat. “It went fine. I secured the deal. Our office should be in contact with Morelli soon.” A
"Where have you been?" A stern voice spoke from the shadows as Chloe stepped into her apartment. The room was dark except for the study lamp that dimly lit up. "How did you get in here?" she asked, her voice steady despite the unease creeping up on her. From the dark, a figure stepped forward. James Bennett adjusted the watch on his wrist, his expression blank. "Your doorman knows better than to question me." His tone was casual, but there was an unmistakable edge beneath it. Chloe shut the door behind her, masking the irritation flickering across her face. "That doesn't answer my question." Her father merely smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "And you didn't answer mine." She hesitated, debating whether to lie or to deflect. But she knew better. James Bennett didn't ask questions he didn't already know the answer to. She shut the door behind her. "I was out." "Out where?" Chloe met his gaze, refusing to look away. "I don't see how that's your concern.
Chloe rubbed her temples, trying to push back the lingering headache left by Damien's presence. "What do you want, Sienna?" she asked, settling into her chair. Sienna stood in front of her desk, arms crossed tightly over her chest. "You have some nerve, you know that?" Chloe exhaled, already tired of whatever fight Sienna was trying to pick. "What are you talking about?" "Oh, don't play dumb Chloe, you went to see Mom." Of course. Their father must have gone home and put up a fit, spinning the narrative in his favour. Chloe rolled her eyes. "Yes, I went to see Mom. And?" "And," Sienna paused, her expression hardening, "you shouldn't have." Chloe let out a sharp breath, a humourless laugh escaping her lips. "Where do you get off saying shit like that?" Her voice was edged with irritation now, the initial restraint slipping. Sienna's eyes flinched, and she stepped closer to the desk. "You think you can just waltz her back into our life like nothing happened? After all
Ryan adjusted his cufflinks for the third time that evening, but no amount of straightening could steady his hands. His stomach twisted in knots, his mind racing through a hundred different excuses to get out of going to the Morelli auction. "Sienna, do we really have to go tonight?" He tried to keep his voice even, casual, as he watched her slip on a pair of diamond earrings. Sienna scoffed, rolling her eyes at his reflection in the mirror. "Ryan. It's one of the biggest nights in the industry. Everyone will be there." That was exactly the problem. Ryan swallowed hard. He had managed to stay out of Damien Cross's sight for years, always moving carefully, keeping his name under the radar. But tonight, there was no avoiding it. He had overheard the whispers—Damien was coming. He tried again. "I just think we could sit this one out. It's only day one, Maybe—" Sienna turned, her lips pressing together in annoyance. "You're acting weird. What's wrong with you?" "Nothing,"
The hall stood still as Damien made his way to the platform. The chattering, slurping of champagne, and whispers of his presence all came to an abrupt stop. He looked at the audience, carefully picking his next words. When he finally spoke, his voice was laced with just the right amount of confidence to keep the crowd entertained. "Ladies and gentlemen," he began. "It's a pleasure to welcome you all tonight. I see many familiar faces - some of you have been regulars at this event for years, yet still somehow manage to lose every major bid- your persistence is admirable." He said with a light chuckle. Soft laughter rippled through the audience. A few murmurs of mock protest rose, but Damien let them settle before continuing. "Of course, tonight isn't just about winning," he looked up straight at the crowd before his eyes rested on a particular section where Ryan was seated, still and pale. "It's about the thrill of the chase, about knowing when to strike…." He said, his v
Chloe stepped back into the grand room, smoothing her dress as she wove through the mingling guests. Damien didn’t matter, and Noah was overreacting, or so she told herself. Inside the hall, the auction had ended, the formalities settling into an air of celebration. The orchestra played a softer melody, couples swaying gracefully on the dance floor, laughter and the scent of rich wine settling beneath the dazzling chandeliers. She exhaled, steadying herself. She walked slowly to the middle of the room as she sat on the stool at the bar. The night was long, from nearly getting knocked over by Ryan to being left behind by Noah, she wasn’t sure she wanted to indulge in the after-party. “Something strong please,” Chloe ordered as she ran her hands through her blonde hair, then as her eyes lingered across the room. She saw him. Damien. Her gaze locked onto him before she could stop herself. And in that moment it felt like the night they met, only this time, he wasn’t alone,
The night air was thick, pressing down on Ryan like an unbearable weight as he stood on the empty sidewalk. His breathing was uneven, his pulse erratic. His thoughts weren’t his own anymore, just a jumbled mess of memories, fears, and the undeniable truth that he could no longer keep buried. He ran a hand through his hair, gripping the strands tightly at the roots as if the pain might anchor him or stop the spiral. But It didn’t. Sienna didn’t wait for the auction to end. She kept saying he humiliated her and little Miss Bennett doesn’t do well with humiliation. She walked out on him. He barely registered it, barely cared. The argument had ended with her slamming the door of the car in his face, and speeding off into the night, but Ryan wasn’t sure who had walked away from whom. Because he had left her long before tonight. His thoughts, his body, everything was gone ever since he came back. Damien Cross. Ryan held back a groan every time he thought of that name. The nam
Sienna parked her car on a sidewalk ten minutes away from Chloe’s apartment.She couldn’t wrap her head around how Damien had gotten so close to her sister.Something was going on between them—she was sure of it. And as much as she wanted to dig deeper, there was something else pressing on her mind.Ryan.She turned the broken phone over in her hands, the jagged cracks across the screen mirroring the uneasy feeling settling in her chest. A feeling she rarely allowed herself to acknowledge—regret.Letting out a slow breath, she settled back in her seat, trying to clear her thoughts. That’s when her eyes caught a familiar figure in the dimly lit bar across the street.It was Noah.She hesitated for only a moment before pushing open her car door. If anyone could help her find Ryan, it was him.And she was ready to take that chance.______Noah sat slumped over the counter, a half-empty glass of whiskey in his hand. His mind was a storm—anger, frustration, and something heavier he couldn’
It had been two days since Ryan vanished. And Sienna wasn’t the type to worry. She felt it gave her wrinkles and folded her cheeks.But now, she stared at her phone, scrolling through the unanswered messages and missed calls he had left her.She had ignored them all. At first, it was out of anger—she was still furious about the dinner, about how he let Damien humiliate her.She hadn’t been in the mood to hear his excuses. She thought he’d eventually show up at her place like always, trying to smooth things over, but he didn’t.To ease her mind, she grabbed her coat and drove to his apartment. The key he had given her felt cold in her palm. And she hesitated before pushing it into the lock.The moment she stepped inside, her unease deepened. The place was clean. Not just organized, but unnervingly spotless. Ryan wasn’t a slob, but he wasn’t this meticulous either. The air felt stale as if no one had been here in days.“Ryan?” she called out, even though she knew she wouldn’t get an an
Chloe’s breath was uneven as she stormed out of Damien’s penthouse. The elevator doors hadn’t even closed behind her before she was pacing down the quiet street.Her body still pulsed from where he had touched her—where he had almost taken her. She could still feel the touch of his fingers, the way he had teased her, controlled her, made her want things she wasn’t supposed to want.She sucked in a sharp breath, gripping her arms as she came to a halt outside the penthouse. The city was still alive in the distance, but here, in front of his towering penthouse, there was nothing but silence.Her mind screamed at her for what she had almost done.But her body… her body begged her to go back.Why did I let him touch me? She thought to herself.Her eyes flickered down to herself. She could still feel his hands on her thighs, the pressure of his fingers gliding higher, the way his voice had made her tremble.She looked back.The penthouse loomed above her, the high-rise windows dark and inv
Chloe sat cross-legged in Nina’s apartment, holding a bowl of oatmeal. “So let me get this straight,” Nina said, reclining against the armrest. “Noah kissed you, and you just… what? Sat there?”“I didn’t sit there. I was— I don’t know, I was shocked. It wasn’t exactly something I saw coming.”“Girl, you’re acting like Noah is some stranger.” Nina waved a dismissive hand. “You two have history, and let’s be honest, you could do worse.”Chloe rolled her eyes. “That’s not the point.”“Then what is?” Nina smirked. “Is this about him?”“Who?” Chloe asked.“Damien! I mean what’s going on with him anyway?”Chloe shot her a look, but Nina just waggled her eyebrows.“Chloe, think about it. Damien isn’t exactly relationship material, but the man is sin-walking,” Nina continued, swirling the wine in her glass. “And you’ve already been there once, so why not try it again? No strings, no drama. Just fun.”Chloe scoffed as her fingers intertwined around her bowl. “I’m not thinking about Damien.” S
Ryan Hastings was a man hunted—not just by Damien Cross, but by his guilt and paranoia. The shadows in his rambling apartment emerged larger these days, whispering Damien’s name at every corner. His eyes darted towards the clock every few seconds, it had been days since he’d last heard from Damien.And for those days, he’d been living on the edge, waiting for the inevitable. The silence was worse than an outright attack. It meant Damien was planning, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And that was far more terrifying than any impulsive act of violence.Ryan sat in his dimly lit house, a half-empty whiskey bottle on the table, glasses piled up in the sink, untouched food sat at the counter—he was falling apart in plain sight, but he didn’t care. Each sip of alcohol was an attempt to quiet the dread, but it only intensified it.Dozens of unanswered calls and texts stared back at him—contacts who had once been allies were now too afraid to associate with him. He had no one left.
Noah Sinclair had always been the guy people could rely on. The dependable one. The one who had a plan, a strategy, an answer for every problem. It was why he was good at what he did—consulting for Bennett Industries, ensuring everything ran smoothly, and finding solutions before problems even arose. It was a skill that had taken him far in his career. But when it came to Chloe Bennett, things had never been simple. He met Chloe back in college. She had walked into his life with a solid presence without even trying. Sharp-tongued, brilliant, and ambitious—Chloe had never needed saving, never needed anyone to fight her battles. And yet, Noah had always found himself wanting to stand by her, wanting to be the person she could lean on if she ever allowed herself to. They had been friends, close ones. The kind of friends who stayed up late talking about everything and nothing, who understood each other in a way that made words almost unnecessary. But there had been a time when
It had been a long day for Damien. Meetings. Business deals. The final day of The Morelli Auction. A headache that refused to go away. He had thought that drowning himself in work would keep his thoughts occupied, but it hadn’t. Damien was still fuming from his last phone call with Ryan. How dare he ask him if he was playing games?Did anything look like a game to him?Before Damien could entertain more aggressive thoughts, his phone vibrated against the desk.A single glance at the screen made the night take a different turn for him.Chloe? Chloe had never called Damien since the day they met, so why was she doing so now?He stared at the phone, the call ringing out as he sat motionless.He didn’t answer.Seconds passed and the ringing stopped.And then, a voicemail notification popped up.Damien hesitated before pressing play.“Damien… it’s me….Chloe.” A shaky voice started. Damien listened to the voicemail until the end. A deep frown creased his forehead as he replayed the messag
The tension in the room heightened as Chloe pinned Sienna against the wall. Her eyes weren’t the same as they used to be. The soft gentle look that she had, now turned into something much darker.Sienna’s eyes flashed, but her smirk didn’t waver. She had not expected Chloe to come off this strong but she couldn’t let her guard down either.“Get your slimy hands off me,” she snapped pushing Chloe as much as her strength could.Chloe staggered, trying to steady herself.“Is this what you do? Go ahead being a nuisance in everyone’s lives.” Her voice thundered across the room.“No Chloe, just yours.” Chloe rubbed her fingers against her forehead.“I can’t believe you.”“Oh, please. Drop the act, Chloe.” Sienna stepped closer, voice dropping to a whisper, anger laced in every word.“You know what? I’m tired of you. It must be exhausting, pretending to be something you’re not. That perfect little daughter. That strong, self-made woman.” She tilted her head. “You want to know what’s pathet
The night stretched on, but for Damien, It was far from over. Midnight had settled over the city like a heavy cloak, muffling the usual hum of life. The streets below Damien’s penthouse were quiet. Only the occasional glitching of a streetlight captured attention. The distant howl of wind rushing between buildings. The city outside had gone into a quiet still, but Damien was more on edge than ever. Damien stood by his window, hands crossed behind his back, his reflection a shadow against the glass. He had been staring out at nothing for the past few minutes but in his mind? His mind was a mess. His patience was wearing thin. As the weight of the night settled into his bones, Damien felt a sharp pain strike his chest. Enough was enough. Ryan had made unforgivable mistakes and now he was going to pay for it. A sharp vibration broke through the silence. Ethan’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced down at the screen before lifting his eyes to Damien. “Well?” he asked,