(Gideon’s Pov)I hated the fact that she kept lying to my face, she had promised to not meet him up. But yet she went behind my back and did the opposite.What if he had hit her, why would she even give ears to what he had to say?“Gideon, are you okay” she asked as I drove in silence. I had waited for Edward to leave to drive her home since she wanted to keep our relationship secret.“Am fine” I lied, “I know you are angry about Edward but I can explain” she trailed in.“Explain what? You lied to me this morning when I asked who was on the phone, why didn't you tell me” I questioned,Harper said nothing, her eyes stared at my face but she quickly turned away.“Why can't you give me a reason, do you still have feelings for Edward” I asked I hope that was not true, I hope it was just my useless thinking and not true, please say something, Harper, and assure me that there's nothing at all.“Let me explain George” She repeated I hit the steering wheel so hard, causing the car to honk
(Alice’s Pov)As I entered the room, the overpowering odor of alcohol assaulted my senses, indicating that Edward had drowned his frustrations in liquor.Advancing further into the room, my gaze fell upon Edward sprawled on the bed, accompanied by two unclothed women beside him.While I had been tirelessly working to resolve his issues, here he was reveling in the company of other women, hosting parties. The question lingered in my mind: where did he even find the resources to throw such extravagant gatherings?Heading to the kitchen, I poured myself a glass of water, mustering the courage to confront Edward. Returning to the room, I hurled the water at him, breaking the glass as it shattered on the floor."What the hell!" he exclaimed, his gaze locking onto me."Are you sober now?" I demanded, discarding the glass with a resonating crash.The women looked at me in shock, their expressions betraying a mix of fear and disbelief. Perhaps I was on the brink of insanity dealing with this
(Harper’s Pov)I stared at Alice as she stood there, a little luggage bag in her hand, confused, I leaned on the door.“Mind explaining what's going on,” I asked trying to understand what she was doing here.“I need a place to stay for a while,” she said.I arched a brow at her statement, was she real, after everything she had the guts to stand in front of me saying all this.“What happened to your dorm room, did you cause trouble again” I questioned waiting for her to respond.Alice laughed crazily, her hand grabbing her suitcase, Has she finally gone crazy, why should I even be concerned about her, she was practically the cause of her problem.“Of course, it is always Alice causing trouble, my perfect too-good sister is always innocent” she glared at me.“Are you here to argue or get on nerves?” I askedShe rolled her eyes, digging her fingers into her already messed-up hair before speaking. “Are you going to let me in or not”“Do you have any right to act up right now, or give opti
(Harper’s pov)It has been two fucking days of hell, from my work and home, Alice was getting on my nerves and I couldn't take it anymore.She creates messes around the house and acts nonchalant and uses her pregnancy as an excuse, like why do I give a fuck. I didn't get her pregnant so why should I be suffering from a mistake she dragged herself into not to mention Edward?I groan, I get annoyed just thinking about him, he has turned the whole office upside down and I get the side-eyed looks from everyone because they all still think am engaged with him.Since Edward goes around lying about me begging him to take me back after he called off our engagement, the nerve of that good-for-nothing guy.He was always making mistakes and and the end of the day we the junior staff always get scolded for his errors.I have been up and down cleaning his mistake to avoid more eyes and insults from the other staff and all he does is yell and take a one-hour break.“Here are the documents,” I said
(Edward’s pov)At that moment, a surge of anger swept over me, fueled by the embarrassment of feeling foolish. The door flung open abruptly, hands yanking me away from her.My eyes widened in the realization of my actions. What had I done? I stared at my hands, then walked over to where Harper sat on the floor.She winced, her hand gently pressing against her neck as she coughed, trying to alleviate the pain. Ava knelt beside her, patting her back in a gesture of solace.“Harper... I...” I attempted to speak, but before I could utter a word, I was interrupted.“Don't come near me!” Harper's yell reverberated in the room, drawing the attention of the gathered crowd.As murmurs and curious stares shifted from me to Harper, Mr. Sterling entered the scene, his gaze flicking between the two of us.“Mr. Pierce, care to explain what's happening here? Have you resorted to physical harm against a colleague?” Mr. Sterling's inquiry hung heavily in the air, all eyes fixed on me awaiting a respon
~Gideon's POV~ The drive home from the airport was exhausting, the hours of travel leaving me drained. Two weeks away from back-to-back business meetings had been more than enough. As Joshua, my assistant, navigated the car through familiar streets, he filled me in on updates from the firm. The most notable one? Edward. He had started working at the company and already managed to cause a scene. "He hit Harper," Joshua said, his voice laced with disdain. "Right in front of her coworkers." Of course, Edward would pull something like that. Hopeless and reckless—he would never change. "Was he dealt with properly?" I asked, my tone sharp. "Yes, sir." Joshua handed me his phone, showing me photos of the results. I stared at them for a moment, a flicker of satisfaction breaking through my exhaustion. Edward deserved every bit of it. "Good. Next time he lays a hand on Harper or anyone else in the firm, he'll face worse." "Yes, sir," Joshua said. "Inform payroll to send him on
~HARPER’S POV~The drive home was peaceful, the hum of the car engine blending into the night’s silence. Honestly, everything about tonight had been amazing. Gideon had a way of making even the worst days feel lighter. But deep down, the lingering weight of earlier events refused to lift. My run-in with Edward at the office replayed in my mind like a broken record. That jerk dared to lay his hands on me in public. It wasn’t like it was the first time, but it didn’t make it any less humiliating—or infuriating. I felt shaken, the way I hadn’t since the night my parents died. I clenched my hands into fists, the old anger simmering under my skin. I would never forgive Edward for that. Never. “Are you okay?” Gideon’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I turned to face him, forcing a small smile. “Yeah, I’m fine… just thinking. Old memories,” I said quietly. “Edward?” he asked, his tone steady but his grip tightening slightly on the steering wheel. Even though his eyes stayed
~Harper’s POV~The drive back to my house was quiet, and for once, I welcomed the silence. It felt like a relief to finally share how I had dealt with my parent’s death. It hadn’t been easy, but somehow, I pulled through. When Gideon pulled into the driveway, my eyes shifted from him to the faint glow of light coming from the house. I sighed deeply. Alice must be home. The thought of seeing her face made my stomach churn. Just two days under the same roof with her felt like an eternity in hell. “You have a guest?” Gideon asked, his eyes darting between me and the house. “It’s Alice,” I said, the name bitter on my tongue. Even saying it aloud felt like admitting defeat—especially to someone who knew how broken my relationship with her was, not to mention what she’d done. Gideon raised an eyebrow, his fingers drumming on the steering wheel. “I never pegged you as the forgiving type.” “That’s because I’m not,” I shot back, my voice laced with frustration. But I could fee
THE NEW DEAL~EDWARD’S POV~I watched Chanel carefully. She was all glossy lips, high-end perfume, and a smile that could make a man forget himself. But I wasn’t about to forget anything. Not now. Not with Gideon’s threat still ringing in my ears. ‘If he wants to play games… he’s not very good at them.’I clenched my jaw, my fingers twitching at my sides. Fine. Let’s play. Chanel tilted her head at me, her dark eyes curious, maybe even a little dangerous. “Your sister isn’t exactly subtle,” she said, running a manicured finger along the frame of a painting by the hallway. “I can see why you two don’t get along.” I smirked, stepping closer. “Jessica doesn’t know how to mind her own business.” “Hmm,” Chanel hummed, trailing her gaze back to me. “And what about you, Edward? Do you mind your own business?” “Never,” I said, matching her stare. “Especially when there’s something I want.” She gave a low, amused chuckle. “And what is it you want?” I didn’t answer right away.
THE HOT GUEST ~EDWARD’S POV~I strolled toward my mother’s kitchen, heading straight for the fridge. Grabbing the handle, I swung it open and pulled out a jug of orange juice. Reaching for the nearest glass, I poured myself a drink and took a slow sip. That’s when I noticed her. Sitting in my mom’s living room like she owned the place. I arched a brow. Who the hell was she? Placing the glass quietly in the sink, I made my way out of the kitchen and toward the living room. No one told me we had company. And especially not a stranger. “And who are you?” I asked, my eyes sweeping over her as I took in every detail. She smelled expensive. Looked expensive. Legs that belonged on a runway, hair that shimmered like it belonged on a magazine cover. She was hot. Very hot. “Oh, hello,” she greeted me, her voice smooth, accompanied by a slow, practiced smile. “You must be Jessica’s older brother. She talks a lot about you.” “I hope it’s the good stuff,” I replied with a lazy smi
LET THE GAME BEGIN~GIDEON’S POV~I stared at my phone, a slow smile spreading across my lips. Tonight would be special. A night she’d never forget. I set the phone down on the table in front of me, shifting my attention to the man sitting opposite me. Joshua, standing silently behind me, handed me the file I’d requested. I opened it without a word, flipping through each folder, and scanning page after page. My fingers brushed absently across my lips in thought. Finally, I lifted my gaze to Noah. He was practically shaking. I knew he’d screw up eventually. I just hadn’t expected him to fold this fast. “Do you have anything you’d like to tell me, Noah?” My voice was calm. Collected. Deceptively patient. Noah let out a nervous laugh, his hand trembling slightly as he picked up his glass of iced tea and took a long drink. I watched him closely, unmoved. Weak men always showed their fear in small ways first. I let my gaze drift, surveying the restaurant around us. A pai
PERFECT FAIRY TALE ~HARPER’S POV~Edward’s messages glowed on my screen, demanding attention.“We need to talk. Now.” “It’s about Gideon.”My fingers hovered over the screen, my pulse hammering in my ears. Gideon studied me, his expression unreadable, though I didn’t miss the way his jaw tensed slightly.“Edward?” he guessed.I let out a slow breath, locking my phone. “Yeah.”Silence stretched between us. “Are you going to him?” Gideon asked, his voice calm, almost too calm.I should. I should demand to know what Edward meant, what he knew about the man sitting across from me. I should care.But right now, staring at Gideon, the way he held his glass with an effortless kind of authority, the way his eyes lingered on me as if he already knew my answer…No.I wasn’t running to Edward. Not tonight. I tilted my head, my lips curving in a slow, deliberate smirk. “Wouldn’t that be rude? Walking out on my host?”Something flashed in Gideon’s eyes—approval? Amusement? Maybe both. He leaned fo
TASTING THE WATERS~HARPER’S POV~I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my jaw clenched as the argument with Alice replayed in my head. She always knew how to get under my skin. But what annoyed me most was the way she acted—like she regretted everything. I sighed. It was too early to let Alice’s mess ruin my day. The sudden ring of my phone pulled me from my thoughts. Glancing at the screen, a slow smile curled on my lips. Gideon. The memory of last night’s sex flickered in my mind—the way he took control, the way he owned me. I answered the call, teasing, “Can’t get enough of me?” A deep chuckle came from the other end. “Well, I wouldn’t mind coming over right now… just say the word.” A flutter ran through my stomach. God, this man knows exactly what he’s doing.“As tempting as that sounds, I have to work,” I said, clearing my throat, hoping he wouldn’t hear the effect his words had on me. “That’s too bad,” he mused, and I could hear the disappointment in his voice
(ENEMY WITHIN)~EDWARD’S POV~ “You’re still alive.” Noah’s voice cuts through my thoughts just as I lift another shot to my lips. I needed this drink. Ever since I woke up in that hospital and got discharged, life had been... too much. My mother and sister wouldn’t stop with their demands—loans, money, endless complaints. God, they were parasites, feeding off what little I had left. Dragging me back when all I wanted was to move forward. “You must have some kind of god watching over you,” Noah muses, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “Given how tough you’ve had it this year.” His chuckle grates on my nerves. “You enjoying this, aren’t you?” I snap, my grip tightening around my glass. “Watching me suffer. After all, you’re living the dream.” Noah snorts. “Dream life?” He finally looks at me, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Yeah, right.” That’s the thing about Noah—he’s the kind of guy who always lands on his feet. Good family, great education, sharp mind. Ha
A Night of Passion~HARPER’S POV~I stood there, my heart racing as Gideon's smirk turned into a look of pure, unadulterated desire. His hands felt like a brand on my waist, sending shivers down my spine. I knew at that moment that this night would be unforgettable."You have no idea how long I've wanted to do this," he whispered, his warm breath caressing my ear. His fingers tightened around my waist, and he pulled me closer, our bodies almost touching. I could feel the heat radiating from him, and my senses were overwhelmed by his masculine scent, a mix of musk and something uniquely Gideon."I want to show you something," he murmured, his lips brushing against my cheek as he spoke. "But first, let me take your coat."I nodded, my voice momentarily lost as I struggled to find the words. I let my jacket slide off my shoulders, revealing a simple black dress that hugged my curves. Gideon's eyes darkened at the sight, and he gently took the coat from my hands, hanging it on a nearb
(INTOXICATED SMELL)~HARPER’S POV~I stepped outside, my eyes scanning the parking lot, but Gideon and his friends were nowhere in sight. “Fuck, I miss him,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair. Pulling out my phone, I unlocked the screen and scrolled through my contacts until I found his name. My thumb hovered over the call button as I hesitated. *Should I?* “Well, I already came out here, so what the hell,” I mumbled to myself and pressed the dial. Straight to voicemail. I frowned, staring at the screen. That was strange. “Looking for me?” At the sound of his voice, I turned quickly. Relief flooded through me the moment I saw him standing there. A wide smile spread across my lips as I wasted no time pulling him into a hug. “I thought you left,” I murmured, tightening my grip around him. His scent filled my senses—masculine and intoxicating. “Leave? Without you? Never.” His arms wrapped around me securely. “I had to see my friend off. He was drunk.” I did
(OUT FOR A DRINK)~EDWARD’S POV ~I stood in Danny’s so-called loan shark office, a small, rundown building that looked like it had been taken from some unlucky debtor as collateral. Typical. But that wasn’t my concern. If Danny was really behind my attack and hospitalization, he had a lot of explaining to do. And as far as I was concerned, our deal? It was as good as dead. “Eddy, my man,” Danny greeted, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. “I heard what happened. But seeing as you’re still standing, I guess the beating wasn’t *that* bad.” This bastard. Did he think I was stupid? I *knew* he was behind it. “You must be disappointed, huh?” I shot back, fists clenching at my sides. “Since you sent your men to beat the hell out of me. This just blew a hole in our deal, Danny.” Danny didn’t react. His eyes—cold, calculating—stared at me in silence, making me shift slightly. Danny had always been the scariest one in our circle. The kind of man who made you think twice before