Chapter 4

ELOISE

Mr. Suit looked even more stunning than last night, like a knight in shining armor with his angelic face and princely stance. My eyes hurt seeing him shining so brightly, like staring at the sun. His ocean-blue eyes were light and deep, drawing me in and making me want to be lost in them. And there was something about him, an irresistible charm that could make any woman feel butterflies in her stomach and a tingle between her legs. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored gray suit, looking sharp and clean. He had an air of formality that would make anyone think twice before accidentally bumping into him.

But then, he raised an eyebrow. 

What the heck was he doing here in the office? And it looked like he came to see Chase. Did they know each other? How was that even possible? I’d been working at this company for a year, and I’d never seen Mr. Suit around before.

Hold on. What if he came here on purpose to get back at me for what happened last night? Nah, that couldn’t be true. I never told him where I worked unless I blurted it out when I was drunk or something.

Either way, I needed to figure out how to get out of this situation. Having these two guys in the same room was the last thing I wanted.

How on earth was I going to escape this mess?

Chase cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “Adam,” he said, talking to him. “I’ve been waiting for you. Let me introduce you...”

Oh no. Chase better not spill the beans and tell everyone that he’s my ex.

“I already know him, thanks,” I interrupted. “We’ve met before.”

Chase looked puzzled. “You did?”

“A pretty interesting encounter, but yeah.” Adam smirked playfully like he was pleased about something.

“See? But to make it official, I’m Eloise Walker, one of the junior art directors here.” I reached out my hand to shake his.

He shook my hand, and it immediately burned my skin. Oh, God.

“Adam Sebastian.”

Adam... Sebastian? Was he saying he was Adam Sebastian, CEO of Sebastian Pictures? This firm’s new owner and one of those famous and billionaire Sebastian brothers who owned the Sebastian Entertainment Group? This had to be a dream!

I didn’t mean to seem all high and mighty, but I had to avoid this awkward moment of getting any worse. Last night was already one of the most embarrassing moments of my life, right up there with the tantrum I threw in the middle of the parking lot.

I glanced at Chase, who appeared surprised. “Adam is our boss from Sebastian Pictures HQ. How do you two know each other?” he asked, curiosity marked in his voice.

Stupid Eloise Walker couldn’t keep her mouth shut. Of course, he would ask. Talk about the worst day ever.  

Wait, what about Zoey? If Chase was here, and so was she, right?

“I don’t think I can explain how we met,” I stammered, hoping to deflect the question.

Adam stared at me, his smile barely contained. I felt like I was triple dead. I discreetly clenched my fist in embarrassment.

“I see,” Chase replied, his tone icy. “Oh, Zoey is on her way. She just needs to drop off Kyle at the nursery,” he informed Adam.

Kyle? Nursery? They have a child? Kenneth didn't mention that.

My heart clenched. I should've been more guarded and expected this.

Suddenly, my knees felt weak, my vision blurred, and I struggled to focus. All I could feel was the lingering hangover and a pain in my chest. 

After all this time, I still hadn’t moved on. Now that they had a kid, I felt like I was finally breaking down. Again.

“Are you okay?” Adam asked suddenly, gently touching my elbow. “You’re sweating.”

I nodded, unaware that I was almost collapsing. 

“I’m fine. I’m okay.”

“No, you don’t look okay,” he insisted.

“I’m fine. It’s nice to meet you here, Mr. Sebastian. Let me know if you need anything. I’ll just be on my desk,” I told them, glancing at Chase.

His breath grew heavy as his eyes fixed on Adam’s hand on my elbow. 

I retracted quickly. The room was abruptly charged with an intense atmosphere.

“We’re not finished, Eloise,” Chase said. “Adam, could you please excuse us? I still need to have a conversation with her.”

Fuck him! He could have chosen a more considerate way to say that, especially in front of our boss, although it was obvious they were close.

“Sure, but I still need to have a conversation with you about something later,” Adam stated, briefly pointing a finger at Chase.

“I understand. I’m sorry,” Chase said.

With that, Adam exited the office, closing the door behind him.

“You shouldn’t have asked him to leave. Now he’ll definitely think something is going on between us.”

“There’s something else I need to tell you. You have no idea how tormented I felt when I learned about your accident, the one that nearly took your life. I’ve never stopped blaming myself since then,” he confessed, and strangely, I sensed no lies in his tone.

But I had to mask my building weakness with sarcasm. “And yet, you have a child with Zoey. How can you say that when you’re the one who left me?”

“No, you left me first, and you know that!” Chase accused me, but the guilt was still written on his face. 

What did he want from me? 

“You still love me, Eloise. I know you do,” he mumbled. 

Do I still love him? Perhaps, but my hatred for him was so overwhelming that it overshadowed any remnants of love. He was my first love, and he knew it. Zoey knew it, too, yet they both betrayed me.

“I hate you so much that I never want to see your face again. I’ve found peace and happiness working in this company. Of all the places, why did you have to end up here?”

“I didn’t know you were here, but seeing you again made me realize that there’s still unfinished business between us,” he said.

“There’s no unfinished business between us, Chase. And let’s be clear. It was over the moment you left me in tears on that street, looking at me like I was nothing but trash while Zoey clung to you. I begged you, Chase. More than once.”

Chase let out a heavy sigh. “You don’t know the whole story. I’ve been wanting to tell you all this time. Leaving you was a terrible mistake, but Zoey got pregnant.”

“See? So it wasn’t just about the money. You really did betray me—”

“I’m not finished,” he interrupted. “It wasn’t just about the money. Zoey manipulated me. I was drunk, and she took advantage. It was dark, and she smelled like you. When I woke up in the morning, I saw her face. I can’t remember much.”

My heart sank. So that’s why Zoey threw my empty perfume bottle at me and thanked me. Everything made sense now.

“Why are you telling me this?” I whispered, my voice trembling. “It’s too late for that.”

“I’ve been living in misery because I was a coward. I stayed with her for Kyle. But I want you. I still want you,” he said, looking at me sincerely.

The same eyes that once gazed at me with passion. But I needed to escape from this. It was the best course of action.

“You can’t do this, Chase.”

“Why not?”

“Because things will only get more complicated.” I raised my chin and straightened my shoulders. “Expect my resignation on your desk tomorrow.”

“Stop. I won’t accept it,” Chase insisted.

I shrugged, maintaining my resolve. “My work here is done.”

I turned around, opened the door, and swiftly exited his office.

“Hey,” a deep, oh-so-sexy voice suddenly echoed behind me.