CHAPTER 5

After six intense years, I have transformed my company into a formidable competitor in the market and I can proudly say I have poured my heart and soul into this journey and I… my trail of thought was cut short when Donna barged into my office like she was on a mission from the fashion gods. “Rachel! You won’t believe this!”

I barely looked up, squinting at the numbers. “Did you finally figure out how to use the coffee machine? Because I’m this close to hiring a barista.”

“No! Even better! Mavericks & Co wants to partner with us!”

My head shot up, my heart racing. “Mavericks? The ruthless empire of Ethan Grey? What do they want with us?” I couldn’t help but picture Ethan in that dark suit, with his piercing eyes and that cocky smile that made my stomach flip—mostly in a bad way.

Donna shrugged, practically bouncing on her heels. “They’re looking for brands that share their uniqueness. They want an interview with the CEO of Elegance & Style!”

“Great,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I can already hear the ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ music playing in the background.”

“Seriously, Rachel! This could be huge!” Donna’s excitement was contagious, but my mind was racing in the opposite direction. What if Ethan found out about the kids? I’d have to keep them hidden, like little fashion secrets I didn’t want anyone to know about.

“Okay, let’s say I’m intrigued,” I said, trying to sound more professional than panicked. “What’s the catch?”

“No catch! Just an interview,” she said, waving her hands like a conductor. “You’ve got this!”

I sighed. “Right. Just a casual chat with the most dangerous man in the industry. No pressure.”

After a few minutes of brainstorming, I decided to play it safe. “I think I’ll need to keep the kids out of sight during this meeting.”

“Smart move. No need for Ethan to have a meltdown when he finds out he’s a father,” Donna quipped, snickering.

“Don’t remind me!” I laughed, though the thought sent a shiver down my spine. I quickly arranged for my friend Mia to watch the twins during the meeting.

As the day approached, I transformed my anxiety into focus. I pulled out my best power dress—something sleek that screamed confidence. I looked at myself in the mirror and thought, “You can do this, Rachel. Just think of it as an awkward first date where you have to talk business instead of discussing N*****x shows.”

The day of the interview arrived, and I was a bundle of nerves, pacing the floor like a caged lion. “Just keep it professional,” I muttered to myself. “No crying, no shouting, and absolutely no remembering how charming he is.”

When I walked into the Mavericks & Co office, the atmosphere was electric. I was greeted by a stern receptionist who looked like she could bench-press a truck. “Do you have an appointment?” she asked, eyeing me like I was a stray cat.

“Uh, yes. I’m here to see Mr. Grey,” I said, channeling my inner CEO.

“Name?”

“Rachel Thompson.”

She typed away, glancing at me with barely concealed skepticism. “You’re on the list. Go right in.”

As I entered the conference room, I took a deep breath and froze. There he was. Ethan Grey, looking even more formidable than I remembered. My heart raced. He was like a movie star and a CEO rolled into one, and here I was—about to pitch a partnership while hiding my entire life.

“Rachel,” he said, that infuriating smirk appearing on his face. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Well, I didn’t expect to see you either, but here we are,” I shot back, trying to sound casual.

He leaned back, assessing me with that intense gaze. “So, you’re the visionary behind Elegance & Style.”

I nodded, feeling a rush of confidence. “And you’re the man behind the ruthless empire. Nice to meet you.”

We exchanged pleasantries, the tension crackling like static. I launched into my pitch, trying to keep my mind off the fact that he was the father of my kids. It was like presenting at a fashion show while knowing your ex was in the front row.

Just as I was getting into the groove, I accidentally mentioned our recent collection’s theme—“Motherhood Meets Haute Couture.” Ethan’s eyebrows shot up.

“Interesting angle,” he said, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Are you speaking from experience?”

I cleared my throat. “Uh, yes! Well, sort of. I mean, you know… the concept.” I mentally kicked myself for almost spilling my secrets.

As the meeting progressed, I managed to keep it professional, cracking jokes about trends and consumer behavior. Ethan played along, but I could tell he was still curious about my personal life. The man had a way of making every word feel like an invitation to spill my secrets.

“Let’s get to the point,” Ethan said, leaning forward. “I think we can work together, Rachel. A contract to share resources and design a line that captures our brands’ uniqueness.”

My heart raced at the prospect. “This sounds promising. But what are the specifics?”

He raised an eyebrow, that signature smirk back in place. “On one condition. We’ll work together on this project, side by side.”

I froze, my mind racing. “You mean… I’d have to see you every day?”

He leaned closer, his voice low and teasing. “Oh, I think it’ll be more than interesting. I have a reputation for making things… unforgettable.”

“Is that so?” I shot back, trying to maintain my composure. “Or maybe you just like playing with fire.”

Ethan’s grin widened, and I felt my resolve waver. “I’ll let you in on a secret, Rachel. I thrive on it.”

I took a step back, crossing my arms. “Well, you better keep your fire contained, because I’m not getting burned.”

“Are you sure about that?” he said, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Because this could be a partnership that changes everything.”

Just then, the door swung open, interrupting the charged atmosphere. A colleague popped his head in, oblivious to the tension, and Ethan straightened up, his expression shifting to businesslike.

“Looks like we have more to discuss,” he said, giving me a look that promised this wasn’t over.

As I turned to leave, my heart racing with a mix of anticipation and dread, I heard Ethan’s voice behind me. “Oh, and Rachel? I’ll find out everything. You can count on it.”

I paused, a chill running down my spine. What did he mean by that? Was he really going to dig into my life?

As I stepped out of the office, my thoughts raced. I was entering a partnership with the man I’d been trying to avoid, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that everything was about to change. Would he uncover my secrets before I was ready to share them?

And as I walked away, I realized I had just stepped into a game I wasn’t sure I could win.