**************CHAPTER 22~Kaia’s POV~I flipped through the document on Blaze’s desk while the air conditioner hum eased my thoughts. The numbers didn’t quite align, and I needed his signature before finalising the report.Blaze sat across from me, his chair reclined slightly as he reviewed another set of papers. His concentration was intense, his jaw set as he scanned the page.“Blaze.” I tapped the document. “You need to look at this.”He glanced up, his piercing blue eyes briefly locking onto mine before reaching for the paper. “What’s the issue?”“There’s a discrepancy in the financial projections for the third quarter,” I explained, leaning over to point out the relevant figures. “If we don’t adjust these numbers, it’ll affect our presentation to the board.”He studied the document for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly. “I see what you mean. We’ll need to get the finance team on this immediately.”I nodded, jotting down a quick note on my tablet. “I’ll schedule a meeting with
**************CHAPTER 23~Kaia’s POV~As we returned to Blaze’s office, the tension between us eased slightly. I was still riding the satisfaction of having dismantled Shawn’s overblown confidence, but I knew better than to let my guard down completely. Shawn wasn’t the type to give up easily, and neither was Summer. It seemed like she has been influencing him. Blaze sat behind his desk, flipping through another folder while I organized my notes. The calm was short-lived, though, as his phone buzzed sharply. He glanced at the screen, his jaw tightening.“It’s my father,” he said flatly, answering the call with a clipped, “Yes?”I busied myself with my notes, pretending not to listen, but his tone made it impossible to ignore."No, that’s not necessary. We have plenty of qualified candidates internally,” Blaze argued. There was a long pause, during which his expression hardened. “Fine. Send over the details.”When he hung up, he leaned back in his chair, pinching the bridge of his n
**************CHAPTER 24~Shawn’s POV~—Coral Bar—I sat slouched in a booth, nursing my third whiskey of the evening while my so-called friend, Dan, sipped his beer across from me.“She made me look like a complete idiot,” I muttered, glaring into the amber liquid in my glass. “In front of everyone. My team, her husband—Blaze freaking Black.”Dan chuckled, leaning back in his seat. “To be fair, Shawn, you kind of walked into that one. Did you really think you’d just waltz in and charm her after what you pulled?”I shot him a look that could kill. “I didn’t pull anything. She’s the one who ran off and married that arrogant bastard. I should’ve been her first choice, not some random guy with more money and power.”“Yeah, well,” Dan shrugged, taking another sip. “You snooze, you lose. Or, in your case, cheat, and you lose everything. That’s just how it works.”I slammed the glass down harder than I intended, drawing a few glances from the other patrons. “Who’s side are you on? Huh? She
**************CHAPTER 25~Kaia’s POV~Having told Blaze my opinion concerning Summer, I simply distanced myself more from his office and focused on the HOF office. However, it didn’t take long for Summer to begin her games.During our first team meeting, she made snide comments about my financial strategies, questioning the validity of my projections in a way that was both condescending and calculated to sow doubt.“I’m just saying,” she said, flipping through the presentation I’d prepared, “these numbers seem… optimistic. Don’t you think we should be more conservative?”I smiled tightly. “Optimism is one thing; accuracy is another. These projections are based on hard data, not speculation. But if you’d like to review the research, I’d be happy to walk you through it.”Summer’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “That won’t be necessary.”Blaze, who had been silent throughout the exchange, finally spoke. “Kaia’s projections are solid. If anyone has concerns, I suggest you address them dir
**************CHAPTER 26~Kaia’s POV~I stared at my phone, trying to piece together Blaze’s message. “Cafeteria. Okay, I’m on my way.”What?I hadn’t even fully processed his words when a ripple of murmurs swept through the cafeteria. My head snapped up, and there he was. Blaze Black, striding toward me with the ease of someone who owned not just the building but the very air inside it.He didn’t slow his pace, his sharp blue eyes locked on mine. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. His perfectly tailored suit hugged his tall, broad frame, and his presence seemed to eclipse everything else in the room.The second my gaze met his, my phone buzzed again. I glanced down just in time to see his reply: “Here.”I barely had time to react before he reached my table, his deep voice cutting through the murmurs around us. “Having lunch without inviting me, wifey?”I sputtered, caught off guard. “I—what—Blaze, this is a cafeteria, not a private dining room.”He raised an eyebrow, a hint of
**************CHAPTER 27~Kaia’s POV~The day had dragged on longer than I expected, and by the time I got home, all I wanted was to bury myself in blankets and forget the world existed. But the sight of Blaze’s car already parked in the driveway jolted me out of my fatigue.He was home.My heels clicked against the floors as I stepped inside. I had stayed longer in my HOF office to get a few things done before heading home. The scent of freshly brewed coffee greeted me, along with the soft music of a jazz playlist coming from the living room. Blaze was lounging on the couch, a coffee mug in hand, his tie loosened and his jacket discarded.“Late evening, wifey,” he drawled without looking up.I set my bag down, kicking off my shoes by the door. “You beat me home,” I muttered, surprised.“Wanted to get here before you did,” he said casually, glancing over the rim of his mug. “Figured we could talk.”His words, while light, carried an undertone that made my stomach flip. “Talk about
**************CHAPTER 28~Kaia’s POV~The world tilted as I felt myself lose balance, the slick patch of water catching me off guard. A gasp escaped my lips, and my hands flailed in a desperate attempt to grab onto something—anything—to steady myself. But before I hit the ground, strong arms encircled me, halting my fall midair.Blaze.Instantly, he spun me upright and held me close to his chest. My heart was pounding, both from the fall and the overwhelming realization that I was cradled in his arms, his scent wrapping around me like a second skin.I stared up at him, my breath hitching as our faces hovered mere inches apart. His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, intensely, and I couldn’t look away even if I tried.“You okay?” His voice was low and concerned, yet there was something else in it that made my stomach knot up.I gulped, nodding slowly. “Y-yeah. Thanks to you.”Blaze didn’t respond right away. Instead, his gaze flicked to my lips, lingering there for a moment too lo
***************CHAPTER 29~Kaia’s POV~The office was quiet, the city lights twinkling through the floor-to-ceiling windows as I stared at my screen. My presentation was due first thing in the morning, and while most of the data was in place, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.“Late night?” Blaze’s voice startled me, and I looked up to see him leaning against the doorframe, his tie loosened and his sleeves rolled up.“What gave it away?” I said dryly, gesturing to the empty office.He walked in, setting a steaming cup of coffee on my desk. “You’re always here late. Thought you could use a pick-me-up.”“Thanks,” I murmured, taking a sip. The warmth spread through me, but it did little to ease the tension knotting my shoulders.Blaze pulled up a chair and sat across from me, his sharp eyes scanning my face. “You’ve been tense all day. What’s going on?”I hesitated, unsure how much to share. “It’s nothing. Just the usual pressure of making sure everything’s perfect.”“
**************CHAPTER 56~Kaia’s POV~Blaze’s voice penetrated through the fog in my mind. The moment the three men turned, a force of raw fury crashed into them.Blaze.I barely had time to process what was happening before Blaze’s fist connected with the first man’s jaw. The sickening crack of bone against bone echoed through the corridor. The man staggered back, blood spurting from his nose.Jesus!Before the second man could react, Blaze spun, delivering a brutal kick to his stomach. He doubled over, gasping for air, but Blaze didn’t stop there.His rage was unchecked.He grabbed the man by the collar and slammed him against the wall so hard the paintings rattled. “Touch my wife again,” he growled, his voice deadly, “and I’ll break you.”The third man, clearly realizing he’d made a mistake, tried to bolt. But Blaze was faster. He caught him by the back of his shirt and yanked him backward, sending his knee crashing into the guy’s gut.The man let out a choked gasp before collapsi
**************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