**************CHAPTER 42~Kaia’s POV~The afternoon air did little to cool the fire burning inside me as I stormed out of the restaurant, my heels clicking furiously against the pavement. I couldn’t face Blaze for another second, not after his possessive display and that maddening kiss.But going home wasn’t an option either. Not with the storm of emotions twisting through me. I just didn’t want to encounter him and I knew going to my parents or even my best friend's would be like hiding in plain sight. I wanted space and I was going to get it.I flagged down a taxi that pulled up almost instantly. “Taxi!” I slid into the backseat, slamming the door shut behind me.“Where to, miss?” the driver asked politely.“Anywhere but here,” I said curtly, then sighed. “Actually, take me to the Platinum Crest Hotel.” It was far enough from the restaurant and from everything else weighing me down.The ride was silent, giving me too much time to replay the scene with Blaze. The way his gaze had
**************CHAPTER 43~Kaia’s POV~The moment the door creaked open, my heart froze.Blaze.Standing in the doorway, his tall figure created a shadow that filled the entire room. His bright blue eyes burned with anger, and his lips were pressed into a tight, harsh line.I swallowed nervously and stepped back, but it felt pointless against the intense energy radiating from him.“Blaze…” I began, my voice faltering as I tried to piece together an explanation.He didn’t immediately respond. His eyes swept over me, taking in my casual clothes, the plush luxury of the hotel suite behind me, and the phone clutched tightly in my hand.“What’s the matter?” I finally asked, trying to keep my voice steady, though my racing heart betrayed me.Thankfully, he didn’t have such perfect hearing to discern such.“What’s the matter?” he repeated in a dangerously low voice. “Would you be willing to explain the widespread belief that my wife is cheating on me?”I felt a mix of guilt and anger. I knew
**************CHAPTER 44~Blaze’s POV~Kaia’s lips collided with mine, and the heat of her sudden boldness shocked me. Kaia wasn’t supposed to do this. She wasn’t supposed to be taking control, yet here she was, grabbing the reins with ferocity I didn’t expect.For a moment, I froze, my mind grappling with the whirlwind of emotions and sensations. But then instinct took over, and I kissed her back with equal intensity.My hands found her waist, pulling her closer as the kiss deepened. Every thought, every lingering trace of anger, dissolved in the electrifying connection between us. I was the one who she was kissing and not David. It was also proof that she was mine. Kaia’s fingers trailed down my chest, her touch sending sparks shooting through me.I groaned softly against her lips, feeling the tension in my body coil tighter. Just as I thought I had her, she pulled back, her hand splayed against my chest to stop me from closing the distance again.Her eyes locked onto mine, a mix
**************CHAPTER 45~Kaia’s POV~The next day at the office, the usual buzz of activity did little to settle the storm still brewing in my chest. Blaze’s actions last night lingered in my mind, but I wasn’t going to let him dictate my day. No. I tried my best and focused on every document that needed my attention, down to every meeting I was involved in which took a lot of mental effort not to think about the kiss I initiated and his response when he tried making David jealous over the phone.By mid-morning, a message pinged on my phone.David Mercer: I’m at Apex Global. Thought we could continue our conversation from yesterday.I stared at the text, my heart skipping a beat. Kaia: I’m sorry. Work calls. We can discuss this later when I have an answer for you.I sighed, happy to have chased Blaze’s bane from his company before the ever-jealous territorial CEO made my lips his public delightful threat. David Mercer: I understand. But I am not just here for you. I intend on pa
**************CHAPTER 46~Blaze’s POV~The only sound filling my office was the low sound of the air conditioner as I sat at my desk, my jaw clenched in frustration. Without asking, I had planned on taking care of the scandal for Kaia, and I did. After we left the hotel, I sent a message to my informant, one of the best hackers I knew, to track down the server and find out who had posted the news. The scandal involving Kaia and David Mercer had escalated beyond my initial expectations, and my patience was waning.Across from me, Dristan Reed, my lawyer and closest confidant, leaned back in his chair, reviewing the latest findings from our investigation. His sharp gaze darted over the report in his hands.“Your informant was thorough,” Dristan expressed calmly. “The original post was traced to Summer. She used a hacker to fabricate the narrative, and then she paid a journalist to ensure it gained traction.”My hands tightened into fists. “She orchestrated all of this. Good. Thankfu
**************CHAPTER 47~Blaze’s POV~The quiet crackle of the fireplace was the only sound in my study as I leaned back in my chair, flipping through the latest headlines in the business section of the paper. The world loved a good scandal, but they loved it even more when the powerful struck back.The news of the lawsuit had spread like wildfire. Summer’s smear campaign was unravelling, and my move to protect Kaia was already reshaping the narrative. The CCTV footage showing us leaving the hotel together had been instrumental in shutting down most of the whispers.Furthermore, the picture of Kaia and David eating at the restaurant showed some persons that Summer had been stalking, looking for a way to fabricate evidence to use against Kaia.Still, the fallout lingered, and I couldn’t shake the tight knot of frustration in my chest.A knock on the door broke my train of thought.“Come in,” I called, setting the paper aside.The door creaked open, and Kaia stepped inside. Her hesi
**************CHAPTER 48~Kaia’s POV~I could still feel the imprint of Blaze’s lips on mine, the heat of his touch lingering as he leaned closer, his smirk growing more insufferable by the second.“Wifely duties?” I echoed, raising an eyebrow and folding my arms across my chest. “You must have hit your head, Blaze Black, because I don’t remember signing up for that part of the contract.”His smirk widened, his gaze dropping to my lips briefly before returning to meet my eyes. “Oh, it’s in there. Probably in the fine print. You should read the clauses more carefully.”I scoffed, stepping back, but he didn’t let me get far. His hand shot out, capturing my wrist again. The way his fingers wrapped around me was firm but careful like he was afraid I’d vanish if he wasn’t careful enough.“You’re not funny,” I muttered, tugging my wrist half-heartedly.“I’m not trying to be, Kaia. You are my wife. It’s not a joke.”There was something in his tone—serious and raw—that made my heart skip a
**************CHAPTER 49~Kaia’s POV~The D-day arrived. The conference room was filled with anticipation as we took our seats. Today was the second round of the city project bidding—a make-or-break moment for Apex Global.Blaze sat beside me, exuding his confidence. I, on the other hand, was trying to keep my nerves in check. The stakes were high, and the competition was fierce.Across the room, I spotted David Mercer seated with his team. His eyes met mine briefly, and he offered a polite nod. I returned the gesture, keeping my expression neutral. The last thing I needed was Blaze catching wind of anything and turning this meeting into another unnecessary power play.And trust me, that man’s ego was something else.The government official leading the project stepped forward, clearing his throat. “Ladies and gentlemen, today’s presentations will determine the finalists for the city project. Each company will present its detailed proposal, after which our panel will deliberate. The
**************CHAPTER 55~Kaia’s POV~The moment I stepped downstairs, I could feel the shift in the air.Blaze stood at the bottom of the staircase, dressed in a black tuxedo, his hair styled just enough to look effortlessly put together. His blue eyes flickered up, and for the first time tonight, his usual cocky smirk vanished.His gaze raked over me, from the deep emerald silk gown hugging my figure to the high slit that teased my thigh with every step I took.I knew I looked good.And from the way Blaze’s jaw clenched slightly, I knew he knew it too.I descended gracefully, keeping my expression composed. “Are we late?” I asked as I reached the last step.Blaze blinked once before schooling his face back into its usual unreadable mask. “No,” he said, offering me his arm. “But you sure know how to make an entrance.”I smirked and looped my hand around his arm. “That’s the idea.”With that, we headed out.**************~At the Event~The venue was a masterpiece—elegant chandeliers
**************CHAPTER 54~Kaia’s POV~Shyne.I knew that name.At Blaze’s uncle’s birthday celebration, I had seen her approach Blaze, a woman too poised, too familiar, and clearly accustomed to getting attention. Even then, I had noticed how his entire demeanour barely shifted the second she appeared—his features hardening, his irritation barely concealed.Back then my anger or jealousy didn’t make me see it, but later, when I thought about it, he masked it, which was why I thought he was entertaining her.And now, here she was, calling at this hour.I wasn’t sure what to think.Was she just some annoying family friend? Someone his father had imposed on him? Or was she—I cut off the thought before it could fully form.Blaze hadn’t even responded yet. He just sat there, his grip on his phone tightening.I suddenly felt like an intruder in a conversation I wasn’t supposed to be a part of.“I’ll leave you to it,” I murmured, stepping back and smoothing the creases of my apron, as if
**************CHAPTER 53~Kaia’s POV~Blaze’s phone call lasted longer than I expected. He had walked out of the kitchen, irritation across his face as he answered. I lingered for a moment, listening to the deep rumble of his voice before deciding to focus on dinner.The aroma of roasted chicken, buttery mashed potatoes, and garlic-buttered asparagus filled the kitchen. I plated everything carefully, setting the table like nothing happened even though my mind kept circling back to Blaze’s tense expression.As soon as I was done, I wiped my hands on a napkin and made my way to his room. Just as I reached his door, it swung open, and Blaze stepped out.“Dinner’s ready,” I said simply, stepping aside.Blaze hummed in acknowledgement, his usual smirk absent as he followed me to the dining table.For a while, we ate in silence.It was strange. The teasing, the heated moments, the arguments—all of it seemed to have faded into the background, leaving behind an unsettling stillness. I sig
**************CHAPTER 52~Kaia’s POV~“Bingo… a way to tame the hot CEO, Blaze Black.”Tiffany spread her arms dramatically as if she were staring at a billboard showcasing her master plan.From the couch, Bethany raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Yeah, Tiff? And what exactly is Lesson 101 on achieving that?”Tiffany spun around, her gaze locking onto me like a predator spotting prey. “Simple,” she said with a devilish grin. “We bring out the seductress in Kaia and tame the untamable CEO.”I blinked. “Excuse me?”Bethany chuckled, throwing a piece of popcorn into her mouth. “You heard her, babe. Apparently, our resident Ice King needs to melt a little.”Tiffany leaned forward, excitement buzzing in her eyes. “Think about it, Kaia. He’s so used to being the one in control. You, on the other hand, always react to his moves. It’s time to flip the script.”I scoffed, crossing my arms. “And how exactly do you expect me to do that?”Tiffany smirked. “By making him want you even more—but giv
**************CHAPTER 51~Kaia’s POV~If I wasn’t awake, the morning sunlight that streamed through the large windows of my bedroom, did so much to wremove the sleep from my eyes.I had just finished my shower, the lingering scent clinging to my skin as I rubbed body cream into my arms.Wrapped in a towel, I hummed ‘Bad Romance by Lady Gaga’, softly, enjoying the quiet moment. But just as I turned to grab my robe—A knock landed on my door.Before I could respond, the door swung open, and Blaze stepped inside like he owned the place.I gasped, clutching my towel tighter. “Excuse me?!” I snapped, eyes wide. “Do you just barge into people’s rooms without permission?”Blaze smirked, completely unfazed. “Technically, I do own this house. That includes this room.”I scoffed, folding my arms. “Not my room. This is my zone, my space. You don’t get to barge in.”Blaze leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, looking far too smug. “Relax, Kaia. It’s not like I haven’t seen a naked woman be
**************CHAPTER 50~Kaia’s POV~It had been a long day. After the bidding, we returned to the office, where Blaze worked like a maniac.His earlier teasing right now felt liek an imaginary thought I had with how focused he was.Based on what he said, thanks to the presentation, he saw a way to tweak the project to better benefit the masses while also giving the elites of society a way to spend their money and show the masses they aren’t all rich bastards.He called for a meeting with his team. After careful deliberation, the project was adjusted, but not in a way that would affect the results.I sighed, cleaning sweat from my brows. I watched Blaze from a distance. He had a glass of scotch in his hand while typing furiously.He had refused to hand the work over to someone else, and from the looks of things, Blaze was determined to see it through.Standing from my seat with my bag in my hands, I approached him, standing in front of his table. "It's late. I should advise you to c
**************CHAPTER 49~Kaia’s POV~The D-day arrived. The conference room was filled with anticipation as we took our seats. Today was the second round of the city project bidding—a make-or-break moment for Apex Global.Blaze sat beside me, exuding his confidence. I, on the other hand, was trying to keep my nerves in check. The stakes were high, and the competition was fierce.Across the room, I spotted David Mercer seated with his team. His eyes met mine briefly, and he offered a polite nod. I returned the gesture, keeping my expression neutral. The last thing I needed was Blaze catching wind of anything and turning this meeting into another unnecessary power play.And trust me, that man’s ego was something else.The government official leading the project stepped forward, clearing his throat. “Ladies and gentlemen, today’s presentations will determine the finalists for the city project. Each company will present its detailed proposal, after which our panel will deliberate. The
**************CHAPTER 48~Kaia’s POV~I could still feel the imprint of Blaze’s lips on mine, the heat of his touch lingering as he leaned closer, his smirk growing more insufferable by the second.“Wifely duties?” I echoed, raising an eyebrow and folding my arms across my chest. “You must have hit your head, Blaze Black, because I don’t remember signing up for that part of the contract.”His smirk widened, his gaze dropping to my lips briefly before returning to meet my eyes. “Oh, it’s in there. Probably in the fine print. You should read the clauses more carefully.”I scoffed, stepping back, but he didn’t let me get far. His hand shot out, capturing my wrist again. The way his fingers wrapped around me was firm but careful like he was afraid I’d vanish if he wasn’t careful enough.“You’re not funny,” I muttered, tugging my wrist half-heartedly.“I’m not trying to be, Kaia. You are my wife. It’s not a joke.”There was something in his tone—serious and raw—that made my heart skip a
**************CHAPTER 47~Blaze’s POV~The quiet crackle of the fireplace was the only sound in my study as I leaned back in my chair, flipping through the latest headlines in the business section of the paper. The world loved a good scandal, but they loved it even more when the powerful struck back.The news of the lawsuit had spread like wildfire. Summer’s smear campaign was unravelling, and my move to protect Kaia was already reshaping the narrative. The CCTV footage showing us leaving the hotel together had been instrumental in shutting down most of the whispers.Furthermore, the picture of Kaia and David eating at the restaurant showed some persons that Summer had been stalking, looking for a way to fabricate evidence to use against Kaia.Still, the fallout lingered, and I couldn’t shake the tight knot of frustration in my chest.A knock on the door broke my train of thought.“Come in,” I called, setting the paper aside.The door creaked open, and Kaia stepped inside. Her hesi