One Week After The project with Jourdan was going well, Kat made sure whatever happened during the field trip didn't hinder what she was at GreyCorps to do. She shortened any conversation or meeting that would lead to Levi bringing up the matter.And as expected, rumors flew around that Kat and the boss had some unsolved past and probably knew themselves before. Everytime Kat walked out of Levi's office, she was usually met with the expectant eyes of the rest of the team.As if they were waiting for her to say “hey guys, Mr Grey and I are actually exes and blah blah blah.”“Don't tell me you're single Kat!” Susie and Daya said and looked at each other. “Someone as beautiful as you are is definitely not supposed to be single.”“Or anybody in mind?” Daya asked, tugging Susie playfully. “Like…” her eyes signaling to Levi's office.Kat looked at the two women in surprise. They were being silly. “Nope! I'm happy being single. Besides, I can do whatever I want without having to worry about
The lights flickered in a tattered room. The walls had almost faded and peeled off and the concrete floor had almost chipped off, revealing the sandy texture underneath. A little bed laid on the floor in a corner with distorted looking pictures drawn on the wall above. On the side were pictures pinned to the wall and newspaper stories with strings tied on each pin as if tracing each picture for a clue. “Have you found him?” The male voice asked as the door creaked open. He was dressed rather formal and clean for that kind of tattered place. A man appeared from the corner into the dimly lit center. His long hair covered his face together with his full mustache. He looked over his slouched shoulders at the wall and back to the man in front of him. “You shouldn't be asking questions like that.” He spoke, dragging a chair and sitting down. “Your guy wasn't easy to find at all.”“Isn't that why I paid you? To do your job whatever it takes and not complain?” The man's voice was bitter a
Kat stood in the narrow hallway outside Levi's room, gripping the edge of a laundry basket she had hastily grabbed from the utility closet. Her heart hammered so loudly she swore it would alert the entire building. Just act normal. It’s laundry. Everyone does laundry, she told herself, though she couldn’t remember the last time she’d ever voluntarily done a load. Through the slightly ajar door, she could hear the faint sizzle of something cooking and…was that humming? Kat peeked inside, and there he was—Levi Grey. Barefoot, wearing a snug white t-shirt and a black apron that somehow made him look even more annoyingly attractive. His hair was messy, his jawline sharp, and when he turned slightly, she noticed the faint shadow of stubble. She froze, her thoughts racing. How did my clothes end up on the floor last night? And why am I wearing his shirt? Did…did we… Her cheeks flamed as her brain conjured all sorts of wild, inappropriate scenarios. “Morning,” Levi called out, his de
Kat pushed open the door to Rosa’s apartment, a cozy mix of chaos and charm that always felt like a second home. She was clutching a bag of snacks and wearing her trademark "I’m-about-to-overshare" expression. Rosa glanced up from her spot on the couch, her laptop balanced on her knees. “Uh-oh. That face. What did he do now?” Kat tossed the snacks onto the coffee table and flopped dramatically onto the couch beside her. “Why do you automatically assume it’s about Levi?” Rosa arched a brow. “Because you’ve been acting like a lovesick teenager all week. Now spill.” Kat groaned, grabbing a pillow and hugging it tightly. “Okay, fine. Something happened.” Rosa perked up, shutting her laptop with a loud snap. “I knew it. Did he finally confess his undying love for you?” “Rosa!” “Did he serenade you under the moonlight? Propose with a bouquet of tacos?” “Stop it!” Kat smacked her with the pillow, but her cheeks were already turning pink. Rosa grinned. “Alright, alright. Wha
The elevator doors opened and Freya Jordan strode in gallantly. All eyes were on her – of course, who wouldn't be. As she stepped through the glass doors, a collective gaze swept across the office, drawn to the vision of elegance that had just entered. She was Freya, a woman who embodied the very essence of style and sophistication.Her long, slender legs seemed to go on forever, clad in a fitted pencil trouser that hugged her curves in all the right places. The trouser was a deep, rich blue that seemed to shimmer in the fluorescent lighting, like the still waters of a summer lake.She smiled, waving cutely at the awestruck people looking at her and then disapoeared behind the doors to Levi's office. “Kat! Kat!” Susie squealed as she wrapped her hands around Kat.“What's that?” Kat asked, stopping to look at her. “You can't believe what just happened!” “You're getting a tat?” Kat snorted.“No silly… Freya is here.” “What do you mean Freya is here?” Kat asked, quickening her pace.
Kat stared at her reflection in the mirror, adjusting her blazer for the third time that morning. She’d made up her mind the night before—any encounters with Levi would be strictly professional from now on. No playful jokes, no lingering stares. Nothing. Especially not after hearing Freya Jordan’s sister, Iris, was joining GreyCorps. That revelation had been the final push she needed.So, when Levi called earlier to say they needed to pick Iris up from the airport, she agreed without a word of protest. No arguments, no questions. Just professionalism.The drive to the airport was quiet, the silence between them was heavier than usual. Levi glanced at her briefly as he steered through the morning traffic.“You didn’t show up last night,” he said casually, his eyes on the road but his tone probing.“I had things to do,” Kat replied, her voice even, her gaze fixed out the window.“Things?” he asked, trying to coax more out of her.“Work-related things,” she said briskly. “Can we focus on
The day had stretched painfully long, filled with Iris’s constant hovering around Levi like a bee buzzing around its favorite flower. Kat tried to keep her head down, focus on her designs, and ignore the soft laughter that seemed to follow Iris everywhere she went. At her desk, Susie, Daya, and Gwen were huddled together, their voices low but their expressions anything but subtle. Daya leaned in, her eyes narrowing as she watched Iris hand Levi a file with a coy smile. "Do you think she’s capable of walking without swinging her hips like that? It’s like she’s auditioning for a commercial." Susie snorted, barely able to contain her laughter. "Forget her hips. Did you hear how she spoke in the meeting earlier? 'Oh, Levi, the app needs to be more romantic.' Who even says that in a professional setting?" Gwen, twirling a pen between her fingers, chimed in with mock sincerity. "Maybe she’s trying to 'manifest' romance into her own life. You know, by hanging onto the boss like he’s th
“Here are the revisions on the draft Iris talked about.” Kat said to Levi and handed him a file. It was Saturday, the afternoon sun brightened the walls of the study, making them look livelier than usual. Kat had successfully prevented her jealousy from showcasing all through the week and finally there was a moment where Iris wasn't everywhere. Levi studied the files and nodded. Relief swept through Kat immediately. Iris had been a pain in the ass. It was either she was doing it deliberately to get to Kat or she was just plain wicked. Kat had revised the draft more than four times that week and everyone of them kept getting rejected as not being warm enough. “It's okay. I'm sure Miss Iris will like this one.” Levi said with a smile creasing from his eyes. Kat rolled her eyes. Miss Iris indeed. The only thing you ever called me was Kathleen as if i have a big brother. “I guess that's all.” Kat cleared her throat, taking steps back while facing him. “Hmm, yeah… have you had lunch
Wren's tiny studio apartment felt more claustrophobic than ever, suffocating her with the weight of impending doom. Clothes were scattered across the bed, half-packed into a battered backpack. She moved with frantic energy, hands shaking as she double-checked her flashlight. Her lips were pressed into a grim line, betraying the dread bubbling beneath her surface. Raya, her best friend, leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, worry etched deep into her features. “Are you sure that’s the best idea, Wren?” she asked cautiously. “I don’t know.” Wren’s voice cracked as she zipped her bag halfway. “But either way, he’s gonna have my head on a plate. I’ve tried everything, Raya. He’s not going to listen to any more excuses.” She shoved a pair of sneakers into the bag with trembling hands. “I can’t just sit here waiting for them to come. Running might be the only shot I have.” Raya sighed, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. “Wren, this isn’t just some random guy we’re talking abou
Wren's tiny studio apartment felt more claustrophobic than ever, suffocating her with the weight of impending doom. Clothes were scattered across the bed, half-packed into a battered backpack. She moved with frantic energy, hands shaking as she double-checked her flashlight. Her lips were pressed into a grim line, betraying the dread bubbling beneath her surface. Raya, her best friend, leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, worry etched deep into her features. “Are you sure that’s the best idea, Wren?” she asked cautiously. “I don’t know.” Wren’s voice cracked as she zipped her bag halfway. “But either way, he’s gonna have my head on a plate. I’ve tried everything, Raya. He’s not going to listen to any more excuses.” She shoved a pair of sneakers into the bag with trembling hands. “I can’t just sit here waiting for them to come. Running might be the only shot I have.” Raya sighed, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. “Wren, this isn’t just some random guy we’re talking about.
Wren's tiny studio apartment felt more claustrophobic than ever, suffocating her with the weight of impending doom. Clothes were scattered across the bed, half-packed into a battered backpack. She moved with frantic energy, hands shaking as she double-checked her flashlight. Her lips were pressed into a grim line, betraying the dread bubbling beneath her surface.Raya, her best friend, leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, worry etched deep into her features. “Are you sure that’s the best idea, Wren?” she asked cautiously.“I don’t know.” Wren’s voice cracked as she zipped her bag halfway. “But either way, he’s gonna have my head on a plate. I’ve tried everything, Raya. He’s not going to listen to any more excuses.” She shoved a pair of sneakers into the bag with trembling hands. “I can’t just sit here waiting for them to come. Running might be the only shot I have.”Raya sighed, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. “Wren, this isn’t just some random guy we’re talking about. Thi
His hazel eyes darted around me like a predator meeting its prey, his arms folded as he rested on the wall scanning my body with interest and attention. I swallowed hard, my heart beat was faster than normal and I felt weak in the knees. I could feel his gaze all over my body as the hairs on my body rose up pointily. I literally had goosebumps. He was deadass handsome, even a hundred times better than the pictures and tabloids of him. His physique was gallant and exactly as he was described BUT - he'll be your worst nightmare if you ever cross paths. "What is this Asia? I told you I'm not interested in little virgin girls," He didn't stop looking at my body and then his eyes rested on my chest. He bit his lower lips and scanned me down again "they make too much noise in bed." "Be respectful brother. I told you I was gonna hire you an assistant and here she is" Asia stood next to me, her hands around my shoulder as I stood stiffly in shock. I was so glad she was there with me. Th
She lowered the book, staring down at its bold black cover. “You don’t even know what the hell is in this thing,” she muttered under her breath. Her voice was barely audible, but even that felt too loud in the oppressive silence. She flinched, looking around to make sure no one had noticed. No one seemed to. The workers kept moving, heads down, hands busy. But the eerie quiet still pressed in on her. “Okay, Wren,” she whispered to herself, shifting her weight carefully to ease the ache in her bruised ribs. “Be reasonable. Be smart. You can’t die here. Not now.” Her voice cracked slightly, but she forced herself to keep talking. “Play along. Clean floors. Scrub windows. Whatever they want. Just… stay alive.” The cleaning supplies were crude, old-fashioned brushes and rags tossed into a dented metal bucket. Wren grabbed them quickly, her movements stiff and jerky, and dragged them to the nearest corner. Her knees screamed in protest as she crouched down, running the coarse brush
Wren sank onto the bed, wincing as pain flared through her ribs. Her muscles felt like they’d been torn apart and stitched back together with barbed wire. But even through the haze of exhaustion and pain, her mind raced. She wouldn’t survive this place by chance. She had to be smarter, faster, better. And she had to escape before Riven decided her usefulness had run out. A sharp knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts. She opened it to find a tall, scarred man with a permanent scowl. “Work starts now,” he barked, thrusting a thick book into her hands. She barely caught it, its weight nearly knocking her off balance. The words Rule Book were stamped in bold letters on the cover. “You’ve got one job,” the man growled, his voice low and dangerous. “Follow the rules. And don’t make me regret letting you live.” Wren’s grip tightened on the book as the door slammed shut. She swallowed the bile rising in her throat. This wasn’t survival. This was a game. And if she wa
Hey thought the biggest threat was losing the project…But the real danger was standing right beside them. Kat's return to GreyCorps was supposed to be simple—work alongside Levi, keep Iris at arm’s length, and secure the Jourdan Project. But everything changes the day Mr. Gallagher arrives. One bump in the hallway, one careless "accident," and suddenly Kat finds herself in the middle of something far bigger than she could have imagined. Encrypted files. Stolen passwords. Framed for fraud. Someone is setting Levi up to take the fall, and Kat is the only one who sees the warning signs. But as she begins to dig, the cracks in GreyCorps grow wider. Every corner she turns, Gallagher is there. Watching. Waiting. Smiling. And Iris? She’s not just part of the problem—she is the problem. But proving it won’t be easy. Because when Kat finally unearths the truth, it comes with a price. And it might just cost her the person she’s beginning to fall for. In this tangled web of decepti
His hazel eyes darted around me like a predator meeting its prey, his arms folded as he rested on the wall scanning my body with interest and attention.I swallowed hard, my heart beat was faster than normal and I felt weak in the knees. I could feel his gaze all over my body as the hairs on my body rose up pointily. I literally had goosebumps.He was deadass handsome, even a hundred times better than the pictures and tabloids of him. His physique was gallant and exactly as he was described BUT - he'll be your worst nightmare if you ever cross paths. "What is this Asia? I told you I'm not interested in little virgin girls," He didn't stop looking at my body and then his eyes rested on my chest. He bit his lower lips and scanned me down again "they make too much noise in bed." "Be respectful brother. I told you I was gonna hire you an assistant and here she is" Asia stood next to me, her hands around my shoulder as I stood stiffly in shock. I was so glad she was there with me. There
She lowered the book, staring down at its bold black cover. “You don’t even know what the hell is in this thing,” she muttered under her breath. Her voice was barely audible, but even that felt too loud in the oppressive silence. She flinched, looking around to make sure no one had noticed. No one seemed to. The workers kept moving, heads down, hands busy. But the eerie quiet still pressed in on her. “Okay, Wren,” she whispered to herself, shifting her weight carefully to ease the ache in her bruised ribs. “Be reasonable. Be smart. You can’t die here. Not now.” Her voice cracked slightly, but she forced herself to keep talking. “Play along. Clean floors. Scrub windows. Whatever they want. Just… stay alive.” The cleaning supplies were crude, old-fashioned brushes and rags tossed into a dented metal bucket. Wren grabbed them quickly, her movements stiff and jerky, and dragged them to the nearest corner. Her knees screamed in protest as she crouched down, running the coarse brush