MIA’S POVI sit at my desk, absently flipping through the presentation slides on my laptop, but my mind is far from work. It’s him again—Alexander.I remember our passionate night together. I think of everything. The memory of his hands on my skin, the heat of his breath against my neck, the way his lips claim mine like they’re made for it. I shiver. He’s not here yet he has the same effect on me.God, it’s been too long. Too long since I’ve let anyone get that close. But Alexander… he’s different.Sadly, he doesn’t want anything serious, and I’ve convinced myself I can handle that. Friends with benefits. No strings. No complications. Just raw passion.What’s the worst that can happen? Right?And it’s not like I’m drowning in offers. I haven’t been with anyone in a long time. Ever since Eric betrayed me, I’ve found it hard to trust any man again. If I have to choose, I’d rather it be him—someone who makes my heart race and my body burn with just a look.I lean back in my chair, letting
ERIC'S POV The conference room is empty. I came early to make a good impression. I wait there, preparing for my presentation. It's an important board meeting with a high end company and I'm here to make a pitch for a merger. My adrenaline is already spiking as I sit at the head of the table, organizing my notes and charts. This is it. Months of preparation, weeks of strategizing—all for this moment. A $400 million deal that will catapult my company into the sky. The stakes are high, but I love the pressure. This is where I shine. The door opens and the first board member steps in. I push back my chair and stand with a smile. “Good morning, Mr. Patterson,” I say, extending a hand. His grip is firm but friendly. “Eric,” he nods. “Looking forward to hearing what you’ve got for us today.” “So am I,” I reply smoothly, gesturing for him to take a seat. One by one, the rest of the board members file in. I greet each of them with a handshake and a touch of small talk. I take
ERIC’S POVI adjust my tie and rise from my seat. My heart is pounding fast but I try to stay calm.This is my moment. I’ve prepared for weeks for this presentation. There’s no room for error.I make my way to the front of the boardroom, feeling the weight of every eye on me.I turn to face the room. "Ladies and gentlemen," I begin "thank you for giving me the opportunity to present my vision for this merger."I launch into my pitch. My slides are well detailed and my points are sharp. I use every strategy in the book to hold their attention. I talk about synergy, growth, and innovation. I see nods of approval from several board members, and my confidence builds. This is going well.When I finish, the room is filled with applause. A couple of board members exchange glances, murmuring to each other. Their smiles are encouraging. I step down and return to my seat, happy. I nailed it.Then it’s Mia’s turn.She stands. Her movements are confident as if she owns the room. Her heels click
ERIC’S POVThe boardroom is suffocating. My suit feels too tight. The air feels too thick, as if the very walls are closing in on me. I shift in my seat, trying to stay composed, though every muscle in my body is tense. I’ve prepared for this day for months but now that it’s here, my mind is racing. The stakes have never been higher.I steal a glance at Mia who’s seated across from me at the other end of the table. She’s calm, collected and I can’t help but admire the way she carries herself. Even now, in the midst of the final deliberations, she doesn’t seem bothered.Mrs Altridge stands up to make an announcement. This is it. The moment we’ve been waiting for“First of all, we want to thank both of you for your incredible presentations” she says “Both of you have shown what true dedication looks like. The level of expertise and effort you’ve put into this project shows how committed you are.”I nod along but all I can think of is Mia. She doesn’t show any signs of nervousness.“And
MIA’S POVThe night of the auction arrives, and I stand before the mirror as my glam team puts the finishing touches on my look. The velvet red dress they’ve chosen clings to my body like a second skin. It’s high slit gives the dress a sexy look. Pearls adorn my neck, shining in the light. I complete the look with a pair of velvet gloves. "Perfect," one of the stylists murmurs, stepping back to admire their handiwork.I glance at my reflection and feel confident. Tonight, I am every inch the woman I need to be.I smile at my reflection. I won the merger and this auction is the perfect opportunity to celebrate.When I’m done getting dressed, I grab my purse and walk down the staircase. As I move, I hear the faint murmur of Alexander’s voice. He’s on his phone. The sound of my heels grab his attention.When his eyes lift to meet mine, the world seems to slow.Our gazes lock, and it’s as if nothing else exists in this moment. His blue eyes hold mine. I can see several emotions in them
MIA'S POVThe room is filled with excitement as the auctioneer taps the gavel, signaling the start of the auction. I clasp Alexander’s hand tightly. I'm so excited that I practically hop. He leans in close, whispering in my ear. “Relax, Mia,” he says with a chuckle. “It’s just an auction.”I smile at him "I can't help it" Across the room, I can feel Julia’s eyes on me. She glares at me so hard that I can feel it without even looking at her. I don’t have to look to know she’s watching.But, of course, I do look. I meet her gaze head-on, and for a moment, we’re locked. None of us is willing to back down. She arches her brow and if she has something to prove, she turns her attention to Eric.Eric.She wraps herself over him. Her arm slides possessively around his shoulders. Then, just to drive the point home, she presses her lips to his in a kiss.I laugh softly but Alexander hesrs it. “What’s so funny?” he asks. “Nothing,” I reply, but my gaze goes back to Eric. He’s stiff as a boa
ALEXANDER’S POVThe moment I see her smile, it feels like the world stands still. Mia looks radiant and it’s not just because of the soft golden light in the gallery. She’s holding the painting close. Her cheeks are flushed with excitement as she turns to me.“You bought it!” she exclaims.I nod. I can’t stop the smile that’s on my lips. “Of course, I did. It’s beautiful. Just like you.”She laughs. Before I know it, she’s wrapping her arms around me, again then she leans up to place a kiss on my cheek.“Thank you, Alexander,” she says “This means so much to me.”I shrug, playing it cool, but inside, it feels like I’m floating. “If it makes you happy, it’s worth it”It really is. I’d buy you a hundred more if it meant seeing that smile again.She pulls away and excuses herself, saying something about needing to use the bathroom.As she disappears down the hallway, I make my way to the bar. I need something to calm the emotions inside me. This wasn’t part of the plan. I’d convinced mys
ALEXANDER’S POVThe office feels suffocating. There’s a literal mountain of files on my desk. I lean back in my chair, massaging my temples, when Lily, my secretary, walks in. She’s wearing a blouse that’s unbuttoned just enough to make her intentions obvious, and as she bends down to place a file on my desk, her cleavage is practically on display.I roll my eyes. This isn’t the first time she’s pulled something like this.“Is there anything else you need, Mr. Alex?” she asks.“No” I say.She drops a file on the floor ‘accidentally’. She bends so that her ass faces me. Her skirt is lifted up and I can see her panties. At this point, I’m not even angry, I’m just irritated.She gets up and clears her throat “You’re sure there’s nothing you need, sir?”Without even looking up, I reply “No. And you’re fired.”There’s a stunned silence before she stammers, “W-what?”I finally meet her wide-eyed gaze “You heard me. Get out.”She hesitates for a moment. Her mouth opens and closes as if searc
CAMILLE'S POVI sit back in the armchair of my private suite with the stem of my wine glass resting between my fingers. I take a sip of my wine, savoring the taste of it. The night has been... productive. Every move, every subtle nudge, has sent Mia closer to the edge. Watching her squirm under the pressure of her fear is intoxicating.It’s almost too easy.A soft laugh escapes me as I swirl the wine in my glass. Poor Mia. Always trying to play the good girl, the noble heroine, protecting everyone she loves. But heroes don’t survive games like this.From the adjoining room, the sound of hushed giggles and low whispers pulls my attention. Two women appear in the doorway. Their bodies are dressed in loosely in silk sheets that barely cling to their curves. Their eyes are filled with mischief as they walk toward me. “Camille,” one of them purrs “You’ve been working too hard.”“Come back to bed, honey,” the other adds, her lips curving into a wicked smile. “We’ll help you unwind.”I tak
ALEXANDER'S POVI’m on edge from the moment we step into the gala. The ballroom is alive. The sound of laughter, and the soft clink of champagne glasses fill the air, but none of it touches me. My senses are on overdrive. Every nerve in me is screaming that something isn’t right.My eyes dart to Mia. Her laughter lights up the room. She’s stunning tonight. Her golden dress makes her eyes shine brighter than the chandelier . But the smile she wears doesn’t fool me. Beneath her composed exterior, I can see the tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers tighten around her glass when she thinks no one is watching. She's scared and I hate it. I want nothing more than to keep her safe. Mia means more to me than I ever thought was possible. The thought of anything happening to her is unbearable. The delivery earlier in the day is still fresh in my mind—James’ necklace delivered with a note. That kind of delivery, that level of planning, isn’t the work of an amateur. My gut clenches at th
MIA’S POVI lean back in my chair, deep in thought. y fingers trail over the edge of my desk as I stare at the Paris skyline captured in a photo on my phone. It’s only been a few days since Alexander whisked me away, and I still can’t stop thinking about it. Paris. The city of lights and love. It had been breathtaking. It was a literal whirlwind of romance I didn’t think he had in him.Alexander had planned every detail: the private jet, the candlelit dinner overlooking the Eiffel Tower, the way he’d held my hand as we strolled along the Seine like we were the only two people in the world. He had been perfect. Sweet, even.But now, back in the office, the glow of those days feels... fragile. I try not to overthink it, but my mind keeps circling back to the one thing that hangs in the air between us. He hasn’t said a word about changing his mind when it comes to our relationship.I sigh and turn my focus back to my computer screen. Work. Work will keep my thoughts from spiraling. If Al
MIA’S POVI wake up to the steady rhythm of Alexander’s heartbeat beneath my cheek. The soft sound of the jet engines is soothing, but the warmth of his arms around me is what truly makes me feel safe. Slowly, I blink my eyes open. The golden light coming through the windows tell me that it’s no longer afternoon.“Good morning, sleepyhead,” Alexander’s deep greets me.I tilt my head up to look at him.“Hi Alex” I mumble, still half-asleep.He brushes a strand of hair away from my face. “We’re here.”That wakes me up completely. “Here?” I echo, sitting up straighter. “Where’s ‘here’?”Alexander smirks but doesn’t answer right away. Instead, he takes my hand and gently pulls me to my feet. His touch is warm, steady, and makes me feel safe as usual.“Come on. You’ll see.”We step out of the jet, and the moment I see where we are, my breath catches in my throat. The Eiffel Tower stands proudly in the distance. Its iron lattice work shines under the soft light of the sunset. The busy stre
MIA’S POVI’m sitting in my office, getting some work done. I try to distract myself with as much work as possible. My hands tremble slightly as I sort through the files, but I force myself to focus. My mind won’t stop racing. Every little noise outside the door or creak of the building feels like a threat. Someone is watching me—I can feel it in my gut. Everything that has been happening lately makes me on edge all the time. It feels like someone can jump out and grab me any minute. It’s scary, really. The thought of it alone makes my chest tighten.My daughter, Wendy. My heart clenches as I think of her. If someone is targeting me, what if they go after her? I’ve done everything I can to protect her, but the feeling that it might not be enough keeps disturbing me.I’m so lost in my thoughts that I barely notice the door to my office opening. Gina steps into my office with a smile.“Hello Ms Mia” she says “I’ve been knocking”I sigh “I’m sorry, Gina. I didn’t hear you. Is there an is
ELI’S POVmille ConfrontationAxThe folder Camille left sits on my table. I look at it and it feels like a ticking bomb. I can’t stop looking at it, even though I’ve already gone through every page. Coloured and black-and-white photographs glare back at me. Camille caught me in every angle I can think of. Every photo is a snapshot of my worst mistake. James. What I did to James. The images haunt me. It seems like a slow motion nightmare that plays in my mind whenever I close my eyes.I lean forward, elbows on my knees with my hands pressed against my temples. How did Camille get this? How? I never left any loose ends. I made sure of that. And yet, here it is, damning evidence, right on my table.I did this in the privacy of my basement. She must have been watching me. But how? And why? How did she know I was going to kidnap James? She must have been keeping tabs on me from the very beginning and I don’t know what her motive is. It scares me.Her parting words echo in my head “I’d ha
MIA’S POVI can barely breathe as I stare at the reports Alexander handed me. A breach in the west wing. My heart races. Someone tried to infiltrate the mansion. Again. My hands shake as I set the papers down.“They weren’t amateurs,” Alexander says. He’s standing by the doorway with his arms crossed. His presence should calm me but his expression only deepens my anxiety. “They knew the layout well enough to avoid most of the cameras.”I nod numbly. His words play repatedly in my head. I’m scared for Wendy.“But they didn’t make it inside?” My voice cracks, and I hate how small it sounds.“No,” he confirms “We intercepted them before they got past the garden.”The garden. That’s too close. Way too close. I grip the edge of the table to keep myself still. My mind started spinning with possibilities. Who are these people? What do they want? And why won’t they stop?“Mia.” Alexander’s voice is firm, snapping me out of my thoughts. “We’ve increased security tenfold. Still, I’m looking for
ELI’S POVThe moment the woman walks into my living room, my heart sinks. She looks around, acting like she owns the place. She even touches one of the photos.She sits on the couch and crosses her legs. Her aura is a calm one but it’s the kind of calm that puts you on edge. Her confidence basically radiates off her and I know immediately she isn’t here by accident. How can she be? She practically knows my name?“Who the hell are you?” I snap “What are you doing here? How do you know my name?”She doesn’t answer right away. Instead, she tilts her head slightly, like she’s studying me. Finally, she speaks with a smile “I’m Camille.”“Camille?” The name means nothing to me. “What do you want?” “What I want, Eli, is to have a little chat.”A little chat? My stomach twists. The last time someone wanted to “chat’, it didn’t end well. I think of James. My chest tightens. Does she know? Is she a cop? Or worse?“Get out of my house,” I say through gritted teeth. I step closer, trying to inti
ALEXANDER’S POVAfter Mia falls asleep, I slowly untangle myself from her arms and slip out of her room. I can still feel the warmth of her touch on my skin but my mind is too restless to stay. The shattered window disturbs me. It’s a bold statement that I can’t afford to take lightly. The estate is always secure, guarded by the best men I could find, yet somehow someone breached it. I need answers.In my office, the glow of the monitors is the only light in the room. I get to work immediately. I go over the security footage. My eyes scan every frame over and over again. Static fills the screen at the crucial moments.I have so many questions. How did they get in? Who could have orchestrated this?A knock at the door breaks my concentration.“Come in,” I call.The door opens and Thomas steps inside, holding a folder.“Thomas,” I say, leaning back in my chair. “Tell me you have something.”He nods, placing the folder on my desk. “I’ve been digging into Julia, as you asked. Here’s what