Kelly’s POVThe morning air felt heavy, almost oppressive, as I walked through the halls of the mansion. Alex had been unusually quiet these past few days, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was weighing heavily on his mind. His stoic demeanor hid it well from everyone else, but I could see through the cracks in his armor.It wasn’t just the recent ambush or the looming threat of the Black Bullet Clan; it was something deeper, more personal. I wanted to help him, to ease some of that burden, but I wasn’t sure how.I caught sight of Daniela in the library, her long black hair tied back as she flipped through a thick leather-bound book. If anyone would know how to get through to Alex, it was her. Daniela had been by his side for years, and though she rarely spoke of it, I knew she had insights into the man behind the steely exterior."Daniela," I called, walking over to her.She looked up, her sharp brown eyes softening slightly when she saw me. "Kelly. What brings you here
Kelly’s POVI stood in front of the mirror, scrutinizing my reflection as the morning sun streamed through the tall windows. A dozen dresses were sprawled across the bed behind me, each one more dazzling than the last. Daniela had outdone herself, arriving in my room at the crack of dawn with an entire wardrobe in tow.“Come on, Kelly,” she said, perching on the edge of the bed with a knowing smile. “You’ve got to try this one. Trust me, it’ll drive him crazy.”She held up a stunning white dress. It was elegant yet seductive, the fabric soft and shimmery, clinging in all the right places. Thin straps crossed over the open back, while the neckline plunged just enough to hint at daring without being overly revealing. The skirt was fitted down to the hips, where it flared out slightly, cascading in soft folds that ended mid-thigh.“I don’t know,” I murmured, taking the dress from her hesitantly. “Isn’t it… too much?”Daniela raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “For Alex? It’s not enoug
Kelly’s POVThe morning after the dinner, I woke up feeling a mix of contentment and uncertainty.Last night was beautiful, a rare moment of calm in the storm that surrounded Alex's life. But now, in the light of day, reality crept back in. I couldn’t just sit around in the mansion indefinitely, no matter how safe or cared for I felt. I needed something to do, something that gave me purpose until I figured out my next steps.That was how I found myself standing in Alex’s study, nervously twisting my fingers as he and Daniela stared at me.Things were getting back to normal, and Daniela has been going to the office.“You want to do what?” Alex asked, his brows furrowing as he leaned back in his chair.“I want to work for the company,” I repeated, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “As an intern or even just a front desk girl. Something to keep me busy until school starts; don't think about paying me yet until you feel I'm doing well.Daniela snorted, folding her arms. “Kelly,
Alex’s POVThe morning after Kelly’s first day at the company, I found myself in the kitchen, nursing a cup of coffee while staring out at the vast mansion.“Sir, I could get that for you if you had called.”“Not to worry, I'm okay.”The early light was golden, casting a serene glow over the manicured lawns. It was peaceful, but my mind was anything but.Kelly’s decision to work at the company had surprised me more than I let on. I hadn’t expected her to want to immerse herself in the chaos of my world so soon after everything she’d been through. And yet, she had acted against my better judgment, against Daniela’s warnings.I wanted to shield her, to keep her away from the wolves that circled my life, but Kelly had her own mind, her own determination. That combination of fragility and strength was what made her so uniquely her. And that was what scared me the most.Later that morning, I arrived at the office earlier than usual. My usual stoic expression was firmly in place as I strode
Kelly’s POVThe morning started with a sharp twist in my abdomen, waking me before the alarm could. I groaned, curling into myself as the pain rolled over me like a storm. I checked my calendar app on my phone, and yup, it's that time of the month: “I hate how I feel. I squeezed a little harder. As if on cue, there was a soft knock at the door.“Miss Kelly?” Who was that this early? I thought, not realizing the irritation that comes with my monthly period.I recognized the voice. It was Mara, one of the maids, her voice tinged with concern. “Are you awake?”I sat up gingerly, wincing at the movement. “Yes, Mara. Come in.”“Your dress is ready, ma'am,” she said, placing the dress on my chair. I had asked her to help me press the dress. ”I know you don't like to go to work late; that's why I got it done on time”.She explained as she arranged my stuff cautiously, her usual warm smile quickly replaced by a frown when she saw my pale face. “You don’t look well,” she said, setting a tray o
Alex’s POVI adjusted the cuffs of my brand-new navy blue suit, tailored to perfection by an Italian designer whose name escapes me at the moment. It was paired with a crisp white shirt and a silk burgundy tie that added just the right touch of sophistication. My black Oxford shoes, polished to a mirror finish, completed the ensemble. I looked sharp and felt… lighter."Someone’s been raiding the ‘fresh start’ wardrobe," came a teasing voice from the doorway.Finn stood there, leaning casually against the frame, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. “What’s the occasion, Boss? You’ve been glowing since you walked in. Don’t tell me, did you actually take a day off?”I shot him a warning glance but couldn’t suppress the small smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “Good morning, Finn. Do you need something, or are you here just to comment on my attire?”He sauntered into the room, uninvited as usual, and dropped into one of the chairs across from me. “Oh, yes, boss, I need answers, boss
Kelly’s POVDaniela strolled into Alex’s office, tablet in hand, her trademark efficiency radiating from her every movement. She glanced at him as he scrolled through emails, his posture relaxed yet commanding in his pristine office chair."Good morning, Alex," Daniela began, her voice crisp. "I’ve compiled your schedule for the month. It’s packed, but manageable if you stay on track."Alex looked up, his eyebrows raised. "Let’s hear it."Daniela swiped on her tablet, listing his appointments. "You’ve got the quarterly board meeting next week, a series of client calls in the second week, and..." She paused for effect, glancing up with a sly smile. "the Annual Business Leaders’ Gala on the 28th."Alex leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable."Let me guess," he said, his voice tinged with amusement. "You’re suggesting I bring a plus one this time?"Daniela tilted her head. "You’ve always had me as your plus one for these events, Alex, but this year, well…" She trailed off, a
Kelly’s POVI was trying to act unaffected; I really was. But the moment Alex teased me about being jealous, my face betrayed me. My cheeks burned as I turned away, trying to busy myself with anything that would keep me from looking at his smug grin. YES, I WAS JEALOUS."I'm not jealous," I muttered, avoiding his gaze."Sure you're not," he replied, his tone dripping with amusement."I mean it," I said, crossing my arms over my chest and glaring at him. "Why would I be jealous? She's your ex-wife. That’s ancient history, right?""Ancient?" He raised an eyebrow, stepping closer. "You make it sound like I’m an artifact, but yes, that's ancient history; she doesn't come anywhere close to you, butterfly.""Maybe you are," I shot back, trying to keep my tone light.”Don't patronize me; we both know that woman is pretty good-looking and hot too. Talk about her looking and smelling like old money wealth. I rolled my eyes.He chuckled, his deep, velvety laugh filling the room. "Kelly, you’re a
Kelly’s POVI opened my eyes and found out it was morning.Alex’s arms were still wrapped around me as I stirred awake, his steady breathing tickling the back of my neck.“You’re awake,” he murmured, his voice still husky with sleep.“Barely,” I replied, snuggling closer. “It feels too early to get up.”“That’s because it is,” he said with a low chuckle. “But you have to. Work calls, doesn’t it?”“Why do you always ruin perfectly good mornings with the mention of work?” I teased, turning in his arms to face him.“Because I’m the responsible one here,” he said smugly, brushing a strand of hair away from my face.I rolled my eyes. “Right, Mr. Responsible. Weren’t you the same person who tried to convince me to skip work last week for a spontaneous road trip?”“Guilty as charged,” he admitted, grinning. “But that’s because I wanted to spend more time with you.”“And now you’re rushing me out of bed. Make it make sense, Alex.”He laughed, his blue eyes sparkling. “Fine, stay in bed. But d
Kelly’s POVI lay sprawled on the bed, fresh from the shower, my damp hair clinging to my shoulders. The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast a warm hue over the room, while the faint hum of night crickets filled the air. My fingers trailed lazily over my phone screen as I scrolled through a few work emails, though my mind wasn’t fully engaged.Tomorrow was going to be another busy day at work, and I was debating whether to wear the cream blouse with the floral pencil skirt or stick with the classic black dress that never failed me. I sighed, tossing my phone to the side and staring up at the ceiling, pondering the endless decisions that came with adulting.The knock on the door startled me slightly, pulling me out of my thoughts. Before I could respond, Alex pushed the door open, a boyish grin on his face.“Do you ever wait for an invitation?” I teased, sitting up and pulling the blanket over my legs.“You don’t seem like the type who’d turn me away,” he shot back, stepping fully into
Alex’s POVI sat across from Kelly, watching her sift through the shopping bags scattered across the floor. She had an almost childlike excitement, carefully pulling out each item as if she were rediscovering them. "How many more bags do we have?" she asked, tossing a playful glance my way. "Too many," I replied, grinning. "But every single one was worth it." She held up the shimmering silver gown, the one that had everyone in the boutique staring. "This one... I still can't believe you picked it." "Why not?" I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. "It’s you. Bold. Stunning. Unforgettable." Her cheeks flushed, but she quickly masked it by holding the dress against herself and twirling. "You’re laying it on thick tonight, Alex." "Is it working?" I teased. She shrugged, smirking. "Maybe." Just as she was about to sit, my phone buzzed on the coffee table. The sharp vibration cut through the room's cozy ambiance. Kelly’s eyes flicked to the screen. "Work?" she asked, her
Alex’s POVI stood by the dining table, watching Kelly prepare her plate, completely unaware of the thoughts swirling through my head. She looked radiant, even with her hair slightly disheveled and her morning robe loose around her shoulders. Moments like this reminded me of why I fought so hard to keep her in my life."Are you going to just stare, or are you actually going to eat?" she teased, flashing me a mischievous grin as she stabbed a piece of toast with her fork.“I was just wondering how someone could look so beautiful and innocent, not that you're so innocent ,” I replied smoothly, pulling out a chair and sitting beside her.“Flattery, you know I sometimes don't see this beauty everyone sees; you know I feel cute from time to time, but sometimes I feel you all just exaggerate how I look,” she said, though I caught the blush rising in her cheeks.We started eating in silence, though Kelly’s idea of eating seemed to involve finding creative ways to make me laugh.“Here,” she s
Kelly’s POVAs I walked back into the mansion, my heart was still racing from the confrontation with Gina. Every word of our exchange replayed in my mind like a warning siren. I couldn’t let her get to me or Alex. My resolve was firm, but I couldn’t ignore the sense of foreboding creeping up my spine.I pushed open the door, determined to shake off the unease. To my surprise, Alex was standing by the doorway, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. The intensity in his eyes made my steps falter.“Alex,” I said softly, my voice betraying my nervousness. “I didn’t know you’d be waiting here.” Was he listening all this while?He didn’t respond immediately, his piercing gaze locked on mine. My heart sank. Had he heard? “Say something,” I screamed in my head.“You called Gina,” he said evenly, though there was an edge to his tone.I froze, the blood draining from my face. “You—uh—you heard?” I made myself walk closer in order to not show how shaken I am thinking he's about to pick an offe
Kelly’s POVThe day after the attack was chaotic, yet there was a strange sense of normalcy in the routine. At least, on the surface. I had spent most of the morning engrossed in my work at the front desk, filing appointments, organizing schedules, and handling client correspondence. The attack was still fresh in my mind, but Alex had assured me that it was under control. He hadn’t gone into detail, though, and I didn’t press him. After all, I had enough on my plate already.By the time lunchtime rolled around, I decided to surprise Alex and Daniela with an order from their favorite restaurant. I picked up my phone and placed the order quickly, hoping it would cheer Alex up. He’d been distant, his mind clearly elsewhere.Once the food arrived, I carried it up to Alex’s office. Daniela was already there, seated on the couch, her laptop balanced on her knees.“Lunch break!” I announced, placing the bags on Alex’s desk.“Finally,” Daniela said, stretching. “I was starting to think I’d ha
Alex’s POVThe morning after the attack, I woke to the quiet tension that had filled the house. Kelly was still asleep, her figure serene in the soft morning light. For a moment, I let myself breathe. I needed this—the calm before the storm.Downstairs in my office, Marcus and Daniela were already waiting for me. The air was charged with unspoken thoughts.“Boss,” Marcus began, “we finished going through the car and found this.”He handed me a manila folder.I flipped it open, scanning the contents. My stomach twisted into a knot as I read the message inside:“Hello, Alex. You thought I’d fade into the shadows, but I always leave a trail. Evidence of your little empire’s skeletons is in my hands. I’m not looking to sell it to the authorities yet... but I want you to think carefully about what I can do with it. Choose wisely, darling. Gina.”Attached were photos of documents—some real, others fabricated—that painted a damning picture of my business dealings. She had also included incri
Alex’s POVThe soft hum of my office heater was the only noise as I leaned back in my chair, reviewing our latest quarterly reports. My focus was razor-sharp; after all, I had an empire to run. I didn't want this to be a front anymore; I want something more legal for Kelly's sake. Yet, as always, thoughts of Kelly lingered at the edges of my mind.Her birthday had been a success. She was radiant, happy, and, most importantly, by my side. Everything I did was for her, whether she realized it or not.The intercom on my desk crackled, breaking my concentration. "Mr. Bloodhound" came from the voice of Paul, one of the security guards stationed downstairs."Yes?" I responded, sitting up straight."Sir, there’s a situation with your car. One of the rear tires is punctured. It looks deliberate," he said, his voice unusually tense."Deliberate? How certain are you?""Very certain, sir. Should I have it inspected further?""Stay there. I’ll send someone to check it out," I said, immediately en
Kelly’s POV"Kelly! Kelly, wake up!" Alex’s voice jolted me out of a dream I couldn’t quite remember. His hand was warm on my shoulder, shaking me gently.I groaned, rolling over. "Alex, it’s still dark out. What are you doing?""It’s 8 a.m., Angel," he said, his tone playful but firm. "Come on, get dressed. We have somewhere to be."I sat up, blinking. "Somewhere to be? On a Sunday? Alex, I had plans to sleep in and maybe binge-watch some crime drama."He grinned. "Well, your plans just changed. Trust me, you’ll love this.""Do I at least get a hint?""Not a chance," he said, tugging the blanket off me. "Now hurry up. I’ll be downstairs. You have twenty minutes."I groaned again but swung my legs off the bed. "Fine, but this better be worth it."By the time I made it downstairs, dressed in jeans and a cozy sweater, Alex was leaning against the kitchen counter, sipping coffee. He looked up and smiled. "Ready?""As ready as I’ll ever be," I said, grabbing the cup he’d set out for me. "