Rosa’s fingers tightened on the doorknob as her mind slipped further into forbidden territory. She imagined Nate—her impossibly sexy, annoyingly confident boss—grabbing her by the waist, his strong hands lifting her effortlessly onto the counter. The way he’d lean in, his warm breath tickling her neck, his lips just grazing her skin...
Her cheeks flushed at the thought, and a naughty laugh escaped her. Oh, Rosa, you’re such a bad bitch, she thought, shaking her head but unable to stop the daydream from spiraling.
She bit her bottom lip as she pictured him stepping closer, his piercing gaze locking on hers. He’d cup her face, those rough, work-worn hands cradling her jaw, and lean down until their lips were just a whisper apart. Rosa could practically feel the heat radiating off him, her heart racing as she imagined her lips parting, ready to meet his—
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The night had fallen softly over the hotel, the kind of quiet that only happens when everyone’s gathered, and the chatters and noise from all the activities going on. The employees were gathered in the lounge area, the low glow of the lights casting a warm ambiance. The air was filled with laughter, teasing, and the occasional clink of glasses. Games had begun, a few rounds of truth or dare, charades, and finally, the card game that everyone was really waiting for: Kings.Kat sat with her arms crossed, eyeing the glass in front of her with suspicion. Opposite her, Levi’s eyes never strayed far from her. She could feel them on her, a quiet intensity that sent a shiver down her spine every time their gazes met. She focused on her cards, trying to ignore the warmth in her cheeks.“Your turn, Kat,” Susie teased, nudging her. Kat drew a card, and everyone leaned in, waiting for her to read the challenge. “It’s the queen,” she said, cringing at the inevitable.“Drink,” Susie grinned wicke
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
Kat stood in the tiny kitchenette of the office, staring at the teapot as it whistled, the steam curling upward like a taunting reminder of the heat simmering in her life. The Jourdan project was more than just a job—it was her chance to make something significant, to prove herself. But now, Iris had stepped into the picture, weaving her cunning webs and threatening everything Kat and Levi had worked for. She had left everything at Valtara to focus on this project - the project that promised to shoot her career to the top. And she wasn't going to let Iris come and wash away those efforts for nothing. She poured the tea into two cups, her hands trembling slightly. This shouldn’t be hard. It was just a request—a simple date. But Kat knew better. It was a chess move, one Iris had forced her to make. And the piece in play was Levi, the man she loved. The man she had to protect at all costs. Balancing the cups on a tray, Kat took a deep breath and walked to Levi’s office. The door was s
The soft hum of the city accompanied Levi and Kat as they strolled down the bustling street market. Lanterns glowed like fireflies above them, casting a warm golden hue over the stalls. The air was rich with the mingling aromas of grilled seafood, sweet desserts, and spices. Kat smiled as she stole a glance at Levi, who seemed completely out of his element, his sharp features softened by curiosity and an unfamiliar sense of ease. “Still sure about this?” Kat teased, nudging his arm playfully. “Street food isn’t exactly your thing.” Levi smirked, his stormy eyes flickering with amusement. “It isn’t. But you said you’d make it worth my while.” “Oh, I will,” she replied, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she led him to the first stall. They stopped at a grill stall, where skewers of roasted squid sizzled over open flames. Levi hesitated for a moment before taking the offered skewer. Kat watched him intently, biting her lip to keep from laughing. “Go on, try it,” she encouraged
Spending the weekend away from the pressures of work and Iris was a breather for Kat. Rosa made sure she had her visiting restaurants, clubs and shopping. For the months Kat had been away, a lot had changed. Valtara, the café they usually went to for lunch, Rosa, Rowland and everyone at Valtara. Kat missed working there. She missed the comfort and the freedom of not having to worry about getting tangled with the boss or have her name plastered on the gossip of the week. She loved working with Levi - to be honest. But it was overwhelming at times, knowing they couldn't be too close to each other without having one or two said about them. It was enough that nobody knew that they were exes and knew each other before. Although things had changed between them, there was another problem to worry about - Iris was there. Kat pretended not to see Iris’ reminder messages. She was going to tell Levi when she saw him on Monday. Daya was in safe hands. Kat could see Rowland was doing a great j
The moment Kat stepped into the buzzing lobby of Valtara, a wave of nostalgia hit her like a familiar tune she hadn't heard in ages. It smelled the same—coffee, paper, and the faint scent of fresh flowers from the reception desk. The hum of conversations, the clack of keyboards, and the soft murmur of printers churning out reports filled the air. It felt...like home, in a way she hadn’t expected.“Kat!” a familiar voice boomed. Rowland emerged from a side hallway, his grin wide and toothy, his suit grand and fashionable and his tie carefully selected, as always. He strode toward her with long, eager steps, his hand extended. “You’re back!” he exclaimed, clasping her hand in an enthusiastic shake that left her arm tingling. Before Kat could respond, Rowland turned his head and winked at someone behind her. “My heart, can you believe this? Oh my goodness! My queen has graced us with her presence again. Be still, my heart.” Kat snorted, extracting her hand from his grip. “Stop ac
Daya waved excitedly at Kat with two big shopping bags as she stood by the entrance of GreCorps. Kat got off the turquoise blue camry and folded her arms. She had told Levi that she wouldn't be coming home for the weekend because she had to prepare her report for Valtara. There was no need telling him about Daya coming with her too. Kat had been caught between telling Levi about what happened with Iris or not. Telling him would make things awkward, who knew what he might do? He might decide to have Iris leave and that wouldn't spell good at all. Not telling him might cause problems for Levi and the project if she didn't do what Iris wanted. The rest of the week had been overwhelming. Iris had her eyes hawking at Kat, watching her move everytime she went in to Levi's office or whenever they were together. It was tiring. “How was your day Kat? “ she asked sweetly, flashing her with cute smiles. “What's wrong with you?” Kat teased as she collected one of the bags from her. “Did you
Kat’s plans had not included a showdown with Iris. Yet here she was, perched on the edge of a café chair across from the drama queen herself, who sat like she owned the place, sipping a latte with all the grace of a Bond villain plotting world domination. Kat’s fingers tightened around her coffee cup as Iris delivered her opening line with a smile sharp enough to cut glass. “Kat, darling, I’m going to cut right to the chase. We need to talk about Levi.” Kat blinked, then groaned internally. Here we go. She should have known that agreeing to meet Iris was like signing up for emotional dodgeball—only the balls were flaming and aimed at her head. “What about Levi?” Kat asked carefully, keeping her tone light, even though her heart was doing an unplanned cardio session. Iris leaned in, her perfectly manicured nails drumming on the table with a rhythmic tap-tap-tap. “Oh, don’t play dumb with me,” she purred. “I see how he looks at you. It’s cute, really, but let’s not pretend you d
Kat beamed with smiles as she fiddled with the pen she was holding, her eyes didn't leave Levi's office as she watched him engrossed with what he was doing. Last night had been unexpected, yet a blast. They spent the rest of the night cuddling before finally falling asleep in his arms. “You've been smiling to yourself for almost twenty minutes now.” Susie said, interrupting her wild thoughts session. “What? No, I was ermm…thinking about something funny.” Kat lied, turning her eyes away from Levi and facing Susie. “And you've been looking… there.” Susie pointed to Levi's office. “tell me Kat, is there something going on between you and the Mandrake?” her voice was low as she leaned close to Kat's desk. “What the hell are you talking about Susie? It's just 11:28am and you're already hallucinating?” “Hallucinating? Kat! You know I don't even drink.” Susie playfully hit Kat's hand. “You guys are up to something and you're not telling me.”“Me? Who?” “You've been staring at the boss
Kat arrived home to the sweet smelling aroma of the food Levi was cooking. She had gone to sort out some things at her apartment that she would be taking to Valtara over the weekend. She had promised to bring some new clothes for Rosa as well as a gift for Rowland, her old boss. Kat settled the brown box she was carrying on the living room table and sank into the sofa. Her feet were aching and her stomach made angry sounds. “You're back!” Levi said with some excitement in his voice. He was holding a spoon and the bear patterned apron gave him the perfect look of a chef. “Yup! I guess the aroma didn't let you hear when I got in.” Kat joked, sitting upright. “So how was your apartment?” “Normal. Thankfully I didn't get a pet.”“You'd bring it here. You gonna leave it locked in there paying the bills or what?”“Why didn't I think of that?” Kat replied, feigning to think.“Woman, you're very heartless.”“That's why I could get this far.” Kat chuckled and got up to carry the box upsta
Iris sat at the far end of the sleek glass conference table, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against the surface as her sister, Freya Jourdan, commanded the room. Freya exuded power, her sharp features framed by a high bun that didn’t dare let a strand of hair escape. She gestured smoothly, discussing the soaring revenue projections for her new clothing line, her voice steady and precise. Iris tried to listen, she really did, but her mind kept drifting. She glanced around the table, her bright eyes catching the awe on the faces of the board members as they hung onto Freya’s every word. Freya paused, her gaze sweeping the room. “Before we wrap up, I’d like to introduce someone special. My sister, Iris Jourdan, has been helping oversee the Jourdan Project at GreyCorps.” Applause erupted around the table, polite yet enthusiastic. Iris plastered on her best smile, standing slowly. She adjusted her fitted blazer—perfectly tailored, of course—and spoke in a soft but clear voice.