~Nella~I hesitated. Should I walk over? My mind raced, but before I could decide, Ethan’s voice sliced through the noise, pulling me back into the chaos of the night. The bass of the music reverberated through my body as I stood frozen, caught between confusion and the pulsing rhythm. Ethan and Ash were lost in their own world, caught up in the beat, but I couldn’t shake the gnawing unease gnawing at me.Gray’s gaze. That’s what had thrown me off. I hadn’t minded bumping into him at the club, but there was something in his stare that unsettled me. It was like he’d been watching me for longer than I had realized, and when our eyes finally met, I felt exposed—like he knew something I didn’t. I’d told him earlier that I was coming with Ashley, so why did he look at me like that? I hadn’t done anything wrong, had I?"Come on, Nella," I murmured to myself, shaking the thought. "You didn’t do anything wrong."I had made it clear that I was here to have fun. If anyone had a reason to feel o
~Nella~We finally made it to my apartment, and Ethan had just dropped us off. We waved as he turned the corner, his car disappearing into the night. We stepped inside, and there, sitting outside her door with the radio blasting, was Mrs. Helen. She lived downstairs with her granddaughter and had this ritual of sitting outside at this hour, letting the soft tunes drift into the night air."Good evening, Mrs. Helen," we called as we passed by her."Good evening, Nella... Is that Ashley?" Her voice cracked as she struggled to find her glasses."Yes, Mrs. Helen..." Ashley chuckled, "You don't need to wear your glasses. We're just heading upstairs." She smiled warmly at her, and we continued on our way.The apartment was already dim, the only light coming from the flickering glow of the TV that reflected on the door. It was already past 2 a.m., and I wasn’t sure if anyone else was awake, so I quietly unlocked the door instead of knocking."Hey, Nella," Payson greeted as we entered, barely
~Nella~The afternoon had dragged on endlessly as I mindlessly scrolled through my phone, checking every message for a text from Gray. It was as if time had slowed down just to taunt me, and despite all the distractions, my thoughts kept circling back to him."Why don’t you just text him already if you're that desperate to talk?" Ash teased from across the room, clearly noticing my restless behavior.I shot her a playful look. "Nah, I’ll just swing by his place after dinner. No big deal."Not long after, the soft buzz of my phone broke through the quiet, and I grabbed it eagerly, my heart skipping a beat. But as I glanced at the screen, my stomach dropped. The call wasn’t from Gray; it was an unknown number. I paused for a moment, hesitating, but then I quickly wiped my hands on the kitchen towel and answered, thinking it could still be him."Hello?" My voice was tentative."Roy speaking," came the clipped voice on the other end.I instantly straightened. "Oh—hello, sir.""I need you
~Nella~ They pulled out their golf clubs, each of them ready to take their shots. I, along with the other two women, took a step back, watching the scene. A few shots later, we all walked towards what appeared to be an exclusive private lounge in the heart of the golf course. Roy and his colleagues—his congressional friends, no doubt—were seated around a table covered with an assortment of fresh fruit. At the head of the table sat the elderly man, a figure that commanded respect. His demeanor was calm, but there was a striking resemblance he had with Roy. Roy and his colleagues were engaged in quiet conversation, each maintaining an air of high status. I stood a little behind, hesitant, still unsure of my place at such a formal gathering. After a few moments of observation, I was about to move to stand behind Roy, as I had seen the other two secretaries do behind their respective bosses. However, before I could take a step, Roy casually pulled out a chair beside him, inviting me
~Nella~I had been looking forward to a day like this. Can’t lie.Getting an extra day off from work is something everyone would be happy to get but I might as well use it for my project. Finally, I had some time to focus—really focus—on the concealer campaign. It was my first personal project where I would be taking the reins, and I was determined to get it right. I was going to create the perfect concept and execute it flawlessly, alongside the team. Roy wasn't the type to settle for anything less than perfection, and I wasn’t about to show him anything less—especially given the complicated history we shared. Even though we both agreed to act like it never happened, the tension between us was still there.As I opened the door to the house, I hummed a little tune to myself, feeling the sweet relief of having the day off. But as soon as I entered the hallway, I ran right into my mom. She was heading out, a purse slung over her shoulder, her expression full of that "what’s going on?" lo
~Nella~“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice thick with shock. “I— I mean, good evening, sir, but how do you know where I live? And what are you doing here at this hour?” My gaze flickered nervously over my shoulder, ensuring no one was coming down the hallway.Without answering, he reached into his coat pocket and handed me my debit card. “My driver gave it to me earlier. Guess it slipped under the seat in the car this morning,” he said, his voice calm and casual, as if he hadn’t just appeared unannounced at my doorstep in the dead of night.“Oh, okay,” I replied, still bewildered, quickly grabbing the card from his hand as though I could somehow erase the strange tension between us.Before I could process what was happening, I heard my mom’s voice from the living room. “Who’s at the door?”“Uhm—well, it’s no one, just someone not that important,” I stammered, not sure how to explain this odd encounter. “Nothing important. I’ll take care of it.”“Did you just say I’m not impo
~Nella~"You asked me not to let anyone come into your office without informing you first," I said, my voice steady but tense. "I was trying to stop her so I could let you know she was here."Her eyes flashed with anger, her voice cutting through the air. "Do I look like just anyone to you? You little piece of trash. Listen carefully—if you ever get in my way again, I won’t just leave a mark on your face. I’ll make sure you never have the chance to even step foot in this office again.”“I gave her the order,” Roy said, stepping in with a calm authority. “This is an office. It’s only reasonable to expect you to follow office policy when you're here. Make sure you do next time.” He said as he walked back inside. I stood there, still reeling from the confrontation. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” I said quietly, trying to smooth over the tension.“Excuse me,” she snapped, pushing past me with a haughty air. Her heels clicked sharply against the floor as she made her way into Roy’s office.I took a
~Nella~I hadn’t done anything wrong by embracing my old friend, Lucas. Yet, the intensity of Gray’s gaze as he opened the door left me feeling unexpectedly uneasy.“Hi, Gray,” I said, my voice tinged with surprise as I noticed him standing there. He didn’t respond immediately but flashed a peculiar smile, one I couldn’t quite place.“I’ll be right back. I need to take this call,” Payson announced, breaking the tension as she walked outside. Suddenly, the atmosphere felt charged, with an ex and a current boyfriend now in the same room.“Gray, meet Lucas, my longtime friend. Lucas, this is my boyfriend, Gray,” I introduced quickly, trying to defuse the awkwardness.“I’m Lucas. It’s a pleasure,” Lucas said, extending his hand in a friendly gesture.“I’m Gray. Her boyfriend,” Gray said, his voice firm as he pulled me close, an action that left me puzzled. His grip was a little too tight, too possessive, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.“Well, Nella, would you mind
~Nella~“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended, but I didn’t take it back. He needed to feel it — the sting of his presence. The audacity. The ache he left behind.Gray stood there, unshaken, hands buried deep in his coat pockets like the cold had nothing on him. His eyes — those same stormy eyes that once looked at me like I was his whole world — locked onto mine.“Why are you doing this, babe?” he said softly, like we were still standing in the kitchen last month, laughing over burnt toast and morning kisses. Like he hadn’t shattered me.I flinched. “Please, Gray. Don’t call me that.” My voice leveled into ice. “It’s too late. So again — why are you here?”Before he could speak, Payson’s voice floated from behind. “Who is it? Why are you taking so long?”Her steps neared, quick and light. Then she appeared at the doorway, her eyes widening when she saw him.“Oh. Gray,” she said, confused but polite.Behind her, I heard Mom’s voice — clear, alert. “Is th
~Nella~“Gray, please,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I just want to go home.”He looked down at me, his jaw tightened. “Why are you acting like this?”“Why?” I echoed bitterly. “You bent me over and used me like I was nothing. That wasn’t love. That wasn’t even us.”“You didn’t stop me.”I stared at him in disbelief. “I begged you. That wasn’t consent, Gray. That was fear.”He took a step back like my words slapped him harder than I ever could. For the first time, his eyes faltered.“I— I didn’t mean to hurt you.”“It’s too late for that,” I whispered, brushing past him. He didn’t stop me this time.I walked out the door, the night breeze slapping my face like reality. My ride was waiting, the driver leaning casually against the car door, phone in hand. He opened the door when he saw me.I slid into the backseat, heart pounding. Just as we were about to pull away, the passenger door opened. Gray slid in beside the driver, eyes locked on mine through the rearview mirror.“
~Nella~I heard the front door click, then the soft creak of his shoes against the hardwood. Gray was home.My heart thumped wildly, even though I’d rehearsed what I’d say a dozen times. I had already changed into my dress, packed my things, and stood near the doorway like a woman on the edge—because that’s exactly what I was.He walked in, a little too casually for someone who’d lit my world on fire and left the ashes blowing in the wind.His smile faltered when he saw my bag. “What’s happening? Where are you going?”I didn’t meet his gaze. “I’m leaving, Gray.”He blinked. “Leaving?” His voice dipped lower. “Why?”I stepped past him, determined not to cry—but he grabbed my wrist, pulling me back with enough force that I stumbled slightly into his chest.“What the hell are you doing, Gray?” I snapped, jerking my hand.“What does it look like I’m doing? Answer me, Nella!” His voice cracked, like he wasn’t angry—just… breaking.My throat tightened. “What else do you want from me?” I ask
~Nella~How could I have forgotten about the lingerie?I had carefully picked it out from the popular Diva store, lured in by the red satin set that promised seduction and elegance all in one. I wanted everything about this weekend to be unforgettable—perfect. Not just because it had been long overdue, but because I needed the space and mood to talk about something more… something deeper. Like us. Like marriage.Sex was Gray’s language of love. He didn’t play around with it—ever.He walked out of the bedroom into the living room, carrying two wine glasses, each filled halfway with deep red wine that shimmered under the dim lights.“Here, babe,” he said, handing me a glass and settling beside me on the couch. I smiled as I accepted it, and we both took a quiet sip.Then, he leaned in and kissed me—slow, sweet, tasting of wine and warmth.“Hmmm… you actually taste better, you know,” he teased with a grin that made me giggle.Just when I was sinking into the comfort of that moment, he lo
~Nella~The rest of the ride to Gray’s apartment was light and easy. We chatted about our week, gossiped about our friends, and debated over the best late-night movies to binge. He joked about my obsession with spicy noodles, and I teased him for always ordering the same boring coffee. We laughed so much, I barely noticed we’d arrived until the car slowed in front of his building.Stepping into his apartment felt like walking into a surprise. The fridge was packed, the air smelled faintly of cinnamon, and on the kitchen counter sat a tiny basket filled with scented candles, satin scrunchies, and my favorite snacks.I laughed, unable to hold it in. “Oh my God, how long have you been preparing for this?”Gray looked proud of himself. “I’ve really missed you. What did you expect? There’s no way I was letting this weekend be a normal one. I planned everything down to the last pillow.”I shook my head, heart fluttering. “Okay… I’m here for all of it,” I whispered, pressing a soft kiss on h
~Nella~“But what if Roy’s actually serious about all of this?” Ash said, her gaze still fixed on the ceiling. “And now there’s Gray… you’re not seeing how messy this could get?”I lay still, watching the slow spin of the fan blades above. “There’s no mess, Ash. Gray’s my boyfriend. I have nothing going on with Roy.”She turned her head slowly, giving me a look that was somewhere between amused and skeptical.“I’m serious,” I added. “I love Gray. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him.”“Yeah, yeah. But Gray’s been kind of… a bit too much lately and I want you to make the right decision when you’re still single,” Ash said. “And don’t act like you didn’t talk about Roy more than you should’ve after that night. One night stands don’t usually linger in conversation like that.”I shifted, cutting her off. I’m going to see Gray tomorrow anyway — spend the weekend with him. Just… drop it, Ash.”She nodded, quiet for once, and I turned over with a sigh. I closed my eyes, hoping f
~Nella~“Come on, babe, you know I have no idea what’s going on,” I said, grabbing a plate and serving myself breakfast. “Yeah, he said something about loving me, but I figured it was just another one of his games—like what he does with every other girl.”I walked over to the couch and sank into it while Ashley perched on the edge of the bed with her own plate.“But this doesn’t feel like some casual game,” she started, her tone thoughtful.“Ash,” I cut her off, looking at her pointedly. “Roy is filthy rich. Dropping cash like this is nothing to him. If wasting thousands is all it takes to mess with a girl’s head, then yeah, he’s probably done it a hundred times.”She opened her mouth to protest, but I didn’t give her the chance.“I have a boyfriend,” I said, more to myself than to her. “Let’s just drop it. He helped, fine—but I don’t want to be late for Lauren.”I stood and headed for the bathroom, trying to shut down the entire conversation.“Well,” she called out with a teasing lil
~Nella~I couldn’t quite make sense of what I was saying—I could barely understand myself. The words tumbled from my lips like water slipping through cupped hands. Then everything faded. My eyelids drooped, the room spun gently, and darkness wrapped itself around me like a blanket.When I opened my eyes, I gasped.I shot up with a start, my heart hammering in my chest. My head pounded like someone was playing drums inside it. I turned to see Ashley fast asleep beside me, her hair a mess, her mouth slightly open, snoring softly. Panic surged through me.Wait… this wasn’t my bedroom. And it sure as hell wasn’t hers either.“Ashley,” I whispered, giving her a gentle nudge. She groaned and turned to the other side, trying to get more comfortable.I tapped her harder. “C’mon girl, wake up.”“Oh no… please,” she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.“Ash, seriously. Where are we?” I asked, sitting up straighter and scanning the unfamiliar room. Plush sheets, clean white walls, expensive curt
~Nella~Roy was the last person I expected to see.I blinked hard, trying to shake off the haze clouding my vision. The alcohol had already settled deep in my system, and everything felt just a bit too loud, too bright. I turned slowly, confusion written all over my face as my eyes finally focused on him."Why are you here?" I asked, my voice slightly slurred but laced with curiosity.He gave a half-smile, his voice smooth and annoyingly charming. "Because I knew you'd be here... and I wanted to see your face outside of work.""What?" I blinked again, trying to focus, then hiccuped. My eyelids drooped despite my efforts to keep them open."I'm just kidding," he said, flashing a quick, boyish grin that made my stomach flutter for reasons I couldn’t explain. Another hiccup escaped me."Here," the bartender said, sliding a glass of mixed wine toward me."Thank you," I mumbled, taking a sip and letting the sweet burn coat my tongue.I turned back to Roy, squinting at him like he was a puz