Sophie glided into the office, her gaze scanning the room until it landed on me.Her emerald eyes flashed with distaste, a hint of jealousy simmering beneath."Rachel,i have heard so much about you," she said, her voice laced with venom."I hope it's all good thoughts," I askedEthan's expression darkened, his jaw clenched. "Sophie, what are you doing here?"Sophie's smile was saccharine. "I hoped to surprise you, darling."Ethan's tone was icy. "You're interrupting."Sophie's gaze lingered on me before shifting back to Ethan. "Am I?"Ethan's arrogance faltered for a moment, replaced by irritation."Sophie, we discussed this. I have work to do."Sophie's smile never wavered. "I won't keep you long."The tension between them was palpable.Sophie's face fell, her eyes flashing with anger. "Fine. Keep your secrets, Ethan."Ethan's expression remained unyielding. "This is business, Sophie. Not personal."Sophie's gaze shifted to me, her voice dripping with venom. "I'm sure Rachel understa
"The past few weeks have been a whirlwind. Between juggling pop-up projects, parenting, and keeping my life from imploding, I'm exhausted. And let's not forget the drama-filled cherry on top - Max's confession and Ethan and Sophia's never-ending soap opera. Honestly, I want no part in it. I've worked too hard to build my reputation and meet my deadlines to let their drama derail me. That old mantra, 'Fake it till you make it,' has been my survival motto for years. So, I put on a brave face and push through. Today was a marathon. I spent hours at the office, lost in spreadsheets and reports. Before I knew it, the day had slipped away, and it was already mid-afternoon. As I packed up to head home, Ethan appeared, requesting my presence at a quaint cafe near his shop. 'Follow me,' he said, his expression cryptic. My mind began to wander - what now? That afternoon, Ethan and I sat across from each other in a cosy café near Mavericks & Co. The tension between us crackled like electr
I thought it was about time we learnt about Ethan a little bit more? It was hard to give him more character development,when Rachel doesn't want to have anything to do with him except for their partnership. But as the book progresses you will get to understand why he is like this.********************************************************************************************************ETHAN'S POV: People think being born with a silver spoon guarantees a life of ease. But they're wrong. My life as the heir to a million-dollar corporation has been a never-ending struggle.My father, the corporation's ruthless leader of Maverick's & Co, has made my life a living hell. He's constantly reminded me that I'm not guaranteed the company, that he can give it to someone else if I don't meet his expectations.But that's not even the worst part. My father's verbal and physical abuse has scarred me. I've witnessed him beating my mom, justified by his twisted belief that "women are meant to be submi
Rachel’s Pov.I woke up this morning with the heavy weight of memory pressing down on my chest. It's been fifteen years, but every year on this day, it's like nothing has changed. I still feel them, all around me—their absence. I guess grief doesn’t ever really go away; it just gets a little quieter, a little more manageable. But today, February 18th, it feels like the world has stood still, just like that moment when the phone call came, shattering everything.I didn’t want to be anywhere but there, at their graves. So I packed up the car with the flowers—golden daisies for Mom, because they were her favorite. She loved how bright they were, how they always seemed to stand tall, even when everything around them seemed to fall apart. And purple orchids for Dad. He had a thing for orchids, a quiet admiration for their grace, their elegance. He always said they were like people—you had to nurture them, but once you did, they bloomed in ways you’d never expect. I didn’t understand that u
Ethan's POV - Club MirageI don't usually do this, but tonight something was different. It’s not like I ever needed to put myself out there—women came to me. That’s the way it’s always been. I’m Ethan Grey, after all. I don’t need to chase. They know what I bring to the table, and if they’re smart, they come to me. Simple as that.So when I saw her, I didn’t make a move right away. Nah. I stayed put, like I always do. She was across the dance floor, lit by the neon lights, her figure moving with that kind of grace that turned heads. No rush. Let her come to me.But she didn’t.It was like I wasn’t even there. She was surrounded by other guys, flirting, laughing. Every time she caught my gaze, she’d turn away with that damn playful little smirk like she knew exactly what she was doing. It wasn’t that she didn’t notice me—it was that she was playing the game. And, like always, I hate being played.Liam and Grayson were beside me, making small talk, but I wasn’t listening. My eyes were o
ETHAN'S POV:I wasn’t used to feeling this... restless. But the closer I got to her, the more it gnawed at me. Something about the way she moved—calm, cool, like she knew exactly how to make me wait for her. She wasn’t the kind of girl who needed to rush. She was making me chase her, which, to be honest, I hadn’t planned on.But fuck, I liked it.Her steps were measured, deliberate, like she was savoring the space between us. Each click of her heels against the stairs was like a countdown. I could hear her breathing, even if it wasn’t heavy. And I wondered—just for a second—if she was feeling the same way I was.But I wasn’t about to ask. That wasn’t how I played.We reached the top of the stairs, and she stopped right before turning the corner, just long enough for me to catch up. The hallway stretched out in front of us, dimly lit, the air thick with something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.She turned toward me, her eyes meeting mine. No words. Just that look. The kind of look t
Ethan’s POV.I wake up with the weight of a headache slamming through my skull. It’s the kind of pain that feels like someone’s taking a sledgehammer to the inside of my head, but I don’t bother complaining. It’s nothing new. I get up, slowly—my eyes flicker to the mess of sheets beside me. A faint trace of her perfume still lingers in the air, mixing with the sharp tang of whiskey. I’m not sure why, but it’s the first thing I notice.The night with her wasn’t planned, but then again, nothing I do ever is. The problem is... I can still smell her. Her scent is all over me, in the air, in the corners of the room, like a ghost that won’t leave. And God help me, I don’t hate it.I drag myself to the bathroom, splash some water on my face, and stare at my reflection. A man who’s got everything, except maybe a clue about why I’m still thinking about her. My hand runs through my hair, slicking it back. Gotta look sharp today. I can’t let some damn woman distract me.I pull open the closet, s
Ethan's POV: Ethan’s DilemmaI stare at my father for a long moment, the words hanging in the air like smoke. He’s calm, as always—too damn calm for my liking. The old man has this way of making everything seem like it’s already set in stone, like I don’t even get a say. He’s the one who built the empire, who carved out a legacy that I’m supposed to carry on, but sometimes I wonder if I’m just the heir to his plans, not a man in my own right.“Who is she?” I ask, my voice low, not bothering to hide the frustration I can’t quite keep down.He leans back in his chair as if he's been waiting for me to ask that question. Of course he has. “Her name is Sophia Greenwood.” He says it like it’s supposed to mean something to me.Sophia Greenwood. I’ve heard the name. Her father’s got his fingers in a lot of pies—real estate, tech startups, and a few other things I won’t get into, but he is ranked Number one (1), in the world and I’m guessing that’s why my father wants to partner with him, for
Rachel stood frozen in front of her laptop, staring at the breaking news headline splashed across the screen: “Star design set to reveal their latest project online" The color drained from her face as she read the subtext: Rumored to feature their prototype of the design. “Unbelievable,” she muttered, slamming the laptop shut. Ethan leaned against the hotel desk, arms crossed, his sharp gaze fixed on her. “This is it. They’ve taken the bait and want to claim it as theirs.” Rachel rubbed her temples, her mind racing. “They’re going to flaunt our work. And worse, they’ll beat us to the market. Everything we’ve worked for is gone.” Ethan straightened, his expression calm but determined. “Not if we outdo them.” Rachel turned to him, her tone biting. “And how exactly do we do that, Ethan? The launch is in a week. We’ve lost our key designs, and now you want to know what? Start over?” “Yes,” Ethan said simply, his confidence unwavering. Rachel gaped at him. “Do you hear you
Rachel sat at the small desk in their hotel room, her laptop open. The screen displayed their immediate team in a grid of video call windows. Ethan stood behind her, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. “I don't think why my team will betray me now," Ethan said as the call kept ringing Rachel looked exhausted, her hair tied up messily. Ethan's face was tense, his jaw clenched. The IT manager, Greg, had just joined the call, blinking sleep from his eyes. Rachel wasted no time. "We’re not here to point fingers, but we need answers. Someone accessed the prototypes without authorization. We need to know who, how, and why." Greg adjusted his glasses nervously. "I’ve been reviewing the server logs since Danny alerted me. The unauthorized login came from an IP address in Europe. It wasn’t from anyone on the team... at least not directly." "Not directly?" Rachel asked, narrowing her eyes. Greg cleared his throat. "It could’ve been someone using stolen credentials. Or... someone
Ethan slammed the door of their hotel room behind him. He tossed his phone on the table and paced the room. Rachel pulled out her laptop, her fingers trembling as she opened the video call app. I quickly sent out a text message. "We need everyone on this call. Now," she said, her voice sharp. ‘Who would have done thatEthan stopped pacing and leaned against the wall. "Do you think it’s someone on the team? That doesn’t sit right with me, Rachel." Rachel didn’t look up. "What else could it be? Designs don’t leak themselves, Ethan, especially when it's your team." The laptop screen blinked to life as Danny's face appeared, her expression already filled with concern. "What’s going on?" "Someone leaked our designs," Rachel said bluntly. Danny gasped. "What? How is that even possible?" "That’s what we’re trying to figure out," Ethan cut in. "Could it have been a hack? Or maybe someone accidentally forwarded something?" Liam joined the call next, his face groggy. "It’s three
lThe morning breeze drifted through the hotel’s dining terrace, carrying the scent of fresh pastries and espresso. Rachel and Ethan sat at a table overlooking a charming courtyard, where vines climbed the walls and birds chirped softly. It was serene, far from the chaos of the previous night but Rachel’s mind was already racing with business ideas. "Alright," Rachel said, pulling out her tablet and stylus. "We can use this time to finalize the presentation. I also want to review the designs again and.." Ethan held up a hand, cutting her off mid-sentence. "Rachel," he said firmly, "we’re not diving into work today." She blinked, surprised. "What do you mean? This is why we’re here, Ethan. We have so much to prepare for " Ethan leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee leisurely. "And we will. But first, we’re taking three days to enjoy Italy before the madness begins." Rachel frowned, clearly taken aback. "Three days? Ethan, we don’t have time for a vacation!" “We do,"
By the time we arrived at the De’Lanor Hotel, the streets of the small Italian town were bathed in the soft glow of midnight. The boutique hotel was as elegant as I had imagined, its classic façade adorned with ivy and softly lit lanterns. Ethan and I walked into the sumptuous lobby together, both feeling quite weary after the arduous trip.The receptionist smiled at us with an exhausted but gracious mouth. "Good evening. Welcome to De’Lanor Hotel. May I have your name, please?"Ethan Gray," he answered (his tone steady into the night of the hour)," he said.The receptionist entered into her computer and then frowned a little. "Ah, yes. We have your reservation here, Mr. Gray However..."Ethan’s brows furrowed. "However?"She glanced up, a hint of embarrassment on her face. "It seems there was an error in the booking. We only have one room reserved under your name.""What?" Ethan and I said in unison, our voices rising slightly"I deeply apologize for the inconvenience," she continued
As I stepped into Ethan's office, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness about our upcoming trip to Italy. Earlier that morning, I had shared the thrilling news with my closest friends, Mia and Alex, about the monumental project that would take me abroad. "I'm telling you, guys, this is a game-changer for my company," I explained over coffee. "We're on the cusp of going global. Our brand will be recognized internationally, and our reach will expand exponentially." Mia's eyes sparkled with amusement. "I hope you won't forget about us little people when you're a global mogul." I chuckled, feeling grateful for their unwavering support. "Of course not, Mia. You'll always be my go-to crew." Alex, ever the practical one, asked, "So, how long will you be away?" I hesitated, considering the timeline Ethan and I had discussed. "Not too long, I promise. I'll be back before you know it." Mia and Alex exchanged a knowing glance, and I could sense their quiet pride in m
Ethan's POV: Ethan’s DilemmaI stare at my father for a long moment, the words hanging in the air like smoke. He’s calm, as always—too damn calm for my liking. The old man has this way of making everything seem like it’s already set in stone, like I don’t even get a say. He’s the one who built the empire, who carved out a legacy that I’m supposed to carry on, but sometimes I wonder if I’m just the heir to his plans, not a man in my own right.“Who is she?” I ask, my voice low, not bothering to hide the frustration I can’t quite keep down.He leans back in his chair as if he's been waiting for me to ask that question. Of course he has. “Her name is Sophia Greenwood.” He says it like it’s supposed to mean something to me.Sophia Greenwood. I’ve heard the name. Her father’s got his fingers in a lot of pies—real estate, tech startups, and a few other things I won’t get into, but he is ranked Number one (1), in the world and I’m guessing that’s why my father wants to partner with him, for
Ethan’s POV.I wake up with the weight of a headache slamming through my skull. It’s the kind of pain that feels like someone’s taking a sledgehammer to the inside of my head, but I don’t bother complaining. It’s nothing new. I get up, slowly—my eyes flicker to the mess of sheets beside me. A faint trace of her perfume still lingers in the air, mixing with the sharp tang of whiskey. I’m not sure why, but it’s the first thing I notice.The night with her wasn’t planned, but then again, nothing I do ever is. The problem is... I can still smell her. Her scent is all over me, in the air, in the corners of the room, like a ghost that won’t leave. And God help me, I don’t hate it.I drag myself to the bathroom, splash some water on my face, and stare at my reflection. A man who’s got everything, except maybe a clue about why I’m still thinking about her. My hand runs through my hair, slicking it back. Gotta look sharp today. I can’t let some damn woman distract me.I pull open the closet, s
ETHAN'S POV:I wasn’t used to feeling this... restless. But the closer I got to her, the more it gnawed at me. Something about the way she moved—calm, cool, like she knew exactly how to make me wait for her. She wasn’t the kind of girl who needed to rush. She was making me chase her, which, to be honest, I hadn’t planned on.But fuck, I liked it.Her steps were measured, deliberate, like she was savoring the space between us. Each click of her heels against the stairs was like a countdown. I could hear her breathing, even if it wasn’t heavy. And I wondered—just for a second—if she was feeling the same way I was.But I wasn’t about to ask. That wasn’t how I played.We reached the top of the stairs, and she stopped right before turning the corner, just long enough for me to catch up. The hallway stretched out in front of us, dimly lit, the air thick with something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.She turned toward me, her eyes meeting mine. No words. Just that look. The kind of look t