No sooner had the thought crossed my mind than my phone rang with an unknown number. My breath caught in my throat - could it be him already? "Hello?" "Miss De Rossi, I hope I'm not disturbing you. It's Charles Campbell." His smooth baritone was unmistakable. "I was wondering if you might join me for lunch today, to further discuss the events of last evening." Intrigue and suspicion warred within me. Against my better judgment, I heard myself reply, "Very well, Mr. Campbell. I accept your invitation. Where shall we meet?" "Excellent, shall we say 12:30 at Bistro La Rue? It's a casual little place just around the corner from my office." My mind raced as I tried to understand Mr. Campbell's intentions. Why had he insisted on escorting me last night, and why was he now asking me to lunch? Still, my curiosity got the better of me. "Bistro La Rue at 12:30 works well for me. I'll see you then, Mr. Campbell." I hung up, my thoughts a swirling storm. What could this man possibly want fr
There was an intensity between us, an attraction I couldn't ignore. Charles was clever and unlikely to expose his genuine intentions at once.After dessert, Charles escorted me to the front of the restaurant's outdoor space. "Thank you again for meeting me today," he said, holding my hand and pressing his lips across my knuckles. "I look forward to continuing our...discussions."I offered him a subtle smile. "So do I. It was an honor, Mr. Campbell."As I turned to go, his fingers softly grabbed my wrist. "Please, call me Charles." His thumb caressed the sensitive flesh within my wrist, causing an involuntary quiver.I caught his focused look and noticed a desire hiding there. "Very well...Charles," I said. With a little wink, I removed my hand from his clasp and went away. Two people might play this flirty game.I had just returned home, exhausted after my experience with Charles, when my phone rang. I didn't recognize the number provided and responded cautiously."Hello?""Agatha, it
Camille looked blankly at Nathan, who also seemed shocked when she showed up out of the blue. When I realized I had the upper hand, I pushed my edge."Come now, girl, cat got your tongue?" I teased her while going around her. "Tell me, how does it feel knowing you're nothing but a pretty little distraction until Nathan tires of you too?"Camille's mouth moved back and forth like a fish's. Nathan quickly stepped in when he saw that she was about to throw a fit. "Agatha, stop right now. Camille is welcome here; she's going to be my wife. “I was shocked and couldn't figure out what Nathan had said. Camille, his wife? It was absurd. She was barely more than a child. Nathan had always been one to chase after youth and beauty, but this was taking it to another level. "Don't be ridiculous, Nathan," I scoffed. "She's barely out of university. You could be her father."Camille's face flushed at that, but she held her tongue. Good, at least the girl had some sense. Nathan, however, was unfaz
I leaned back in my chair, thinking it over as my father watched me patiently. On the one hand, the job sounded like it would keep me busy and allow me to flex my skills. But working so closely with my father also brought up worries. "Won't people think I only got the position because of nepotism?" I asked.My father waved away my worry. "Nonsense. You are more than qualified for the job based on your experience alone. And anyone who knows you and your skills will not question your abilities for a second."I had to admit, the thought of having purpose and independence again was extremely attractive after the chaos of recent weeks. And I knew my father would never coddle or baby me in the role - he would demand nothing but my best."Alright Dad, you've convinced me," I said with a smile. "I accept the job."My father let out a whoop of joy and rushed to hug me tightly. "Wonderful! I knew you wouldn't be able to resist it." He pulled back and looked proudly at me. "You won't regret thi
I startled at the voice behind me, quickly turning to see Charles Campbell. He looked neat and composed, despite the day's events."Mr. Campbell, you scared me half to death!" I clutched my chest, momentarily mistaking him for... well, never mind.He smiled "Oops, didn't mean to play peek-a-boo! Just wanted to give my best wishes before heading off.""Thank you, I'm glad it all came together in the end." I sighed, tiredness suddenly catching up to me.Charles viewed me thoughtfully. "You work far too hard, Miss De Rossi. You must allow yourself to relax and recover on occasion as well."I opened my mouth to protest but he held up a hand to stop me. "Which is why I insist you join me for a celebration drink. One drink and then I'll let you be on your way, I promise."Exhausted from the day's chaos, I couldn't help but be intrigued by the man who'd repeatedly helped me out of jams. Charles Campbell, a name etched surpri
The taxi filled the air as I stared out the window, lost in thought. The city lights sparkled below, like diamonds scattered across a dark cloth. Each twinkling light seemed to hold a story, and mine was taking a surprising turn.The journey felt long, and my mind raced. Charles had challenged the walls I'd built around myself. He was both charming and mysterious, which made me nervous but excited at the same time. As my defenses weakened, I started to wonder if it was safe to let myself be open to him. Old hurts weren't easy to forget.A few days later, Nathan called again. Honestly, at first I wasn't really interested in Charles, I just wanted Nathan's attention back. But now I don't know what to feel about him. When I saw his name on my phone, I felt a mix of things: annoyed, curious, and a little bit sad about the way things used to be.I hesitated before answering. "Nathan?""Agatha, I'm glad you answered," he said quickly. He didn't sound as arrogan
I stormed out of the restaurant, heart pounding. How dare Nathan warn me about Charles while flirting with his fiancee? And the nerve of him digging up old memories! Did he think I'd forgotten his betrayal? No way was I letting him back in. He'd burned that bridge.But on the taxi ride home, doubts emerged. What if Nathan was partially right? I recalled glimpses of darkness in Charles, moments when his charm faltered. Could he be violent and manipulative? A shiver ran down my spine despite the warm taxi air.By the time I reached home, my head throbbed with confusion. I'd tried to hurt Nathan by getting close to Charles, but the situation was a tangled mess. Truth and lies were blurred. Sleep was impossible. My mind replayed every tense conversation with Nathan and Charles, searching for the truth beneath their words. The next few days were a blur of work, as I ignored calls from both men. I needed space to think clearly. Then, one afternoon, rushing back from a meeting, I bumped int
I thought carefully about what Charles said. Partnering with Nathan's enemy was the best way to hurt him, if that's what I really wanted. And having Charles on my side instead of against could make NexGen even bigger than Dad ever dreamed."I think," I finally said, looking Charles in the eye, "this could be a very profitable deal for everyone involved." I raised my glass of champagne. "To new beginnings."Charles smiled widely, almost like a wolf. He clinked his glass against mine. "To new beginnings," he repeated.His eyes seemed to sparkle under the candlelight, like they were hungry. Maybe it was the wine, but they felt...intense.I hid a shiver and took a big sip of my drink, trying to hide my cheeks turning red. This was it. There was no going back. Joining forces with Charles meant going against Nathan's warnings, but for some reason, I didn't care anymore.I knew who I was fighting for now, and I would do whatever it took to protect them. Tonight was just the beginning. The g
Charles POV:The taste of Agatha’s lips, a bittersweet mix of tears and uncertainty, lingered, a phantom sensation against my own. The air in the hospital room crackled with tension, thick and heavy with unspoken words, unresolved emotions.Nathan’s presence, a ghost I thought I’d banished, hung over us, a shadow tainting the intimacy I craved. His eyes, those that mirrored my own hunger for Agatha, were a constant, irritating reminder of the past, of the bond they shared—a bond I was determined to sever, once and for all.I forced a smile, my hand lingering on Agatha's cheek, a possessive gesture meant to stake my claim, to ward off any lingering hopes Nathan might harbor.“Are you feeling better now?” I asked, my voice a carefully modulated murmur.Agatha’s gaze, usually so sharp, so focused, was clouded with confusion, her eyes darting between me and Nathan, a silent plea in their depths.“I’m… I’m not a critical patient, Charles,” she said, her voice a shaky whisper, her hand fl
Agatha POV:My head throbbed, a dull, insistent ache that pulsed in time with the rhythmic beeping of a machine I couldn't quite place. I blinked, my eyes fluttering open, the harsh fluorescent lights of… a hospital room? … stinging my vision. Disoriented, I tried to sit up, a wave of dizziness washing over me, forcing me back against the starched white pillows.“Whoa, easy there.” A gentle hand pressed against my shoulder. “Just take it easy, Ms. De Rossi. You’re safe now.”A doctor, a young woman with kind eyes and a warm smile, stood beside my bed, a stethoscope dangling from her neck.“What… what happened?” I asked, my voice a raspy whisper, my throat dry and scratchy. “Where… where am I?”“You’re in the hospital, Ms. De Rossi,” she explained patiently. “You fainted in the cafeteria. Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious. Just exhaustion and… well, it seems you haven’t been taking very good care of yourself lately.”Fainted? The cafeteria… Nathan. Camille's baby…The memories of
Agatha POV:The smell of stale coffee and antiseptic hung in the air, a strange mix of comfort and despair. I sat across from Charles, the plastic table a flimsy barrier between us, a bouquet of lilies wilting beside my untouched grilled cheese sandwich. He’d insisted on bringing me here, to this dingy little café across the street from the hospital, after catching me crying in the cafeteria.The news of Camille's baby, of Nathan’s daughter being born with a heart defect, had hit me harder than I expected. It wasn't jealousy, not exactly. It was more like… a painful echo of my own losses, a reminder of the fragility of life, of the dreams that could be shattered in an instant.And then there was the guilt, a gnawing ache in my chest, the constant reminder that I was somehow responsible for this whole mess, for the tangled web of pain and betrayal that had ensnared us all."Agatha, you barely touched your food," Charles said, his voice laced with concern, his blue eyes searching mi
Charles POV:The sight of Nathan Richards slumped on the hospital floor, his shoulders shaking, his face buried in his hands, should have filled me with satisfaction. This was what I’d been working towards, wasn’t it? To break him, to strip him of everything – his company, his family, his pride. To expose him as the weak, selfish fool he truly was.But as I stood there, watching him crumble, a strange, unexpected emotion flickered within me. It wasn’t pity, not exactly. It was more like… a hollow ache, a recognition of a shared humanity I’d long forgotten.The hallway was empty, the usual bustle of nurses and visitors absent in this quiet corner, the only sound Nathan's ragged breaths and the faint hum of the vending machine down the hall.I walked towards him, my footsteps echoing on the floor. He didn't look up, his body curled in on itself, a picture of defeat. I remembered a different Nathan, the arrogant, cocky kid who'd ruled the hallways of our prep school, the charismatic
Nathan POV:I burst through the door of Camille’s hospital room, sweat dripping down my face, my chest heaving. The sterile smell of the place, usually a calming scent, only fueled the rage that was burning inside me.“Nathan? What… what are you doing here?” Camille’s voice was a mix of surprise and… was that disgust?“What the hell do you think I’m doing here?” I snarled, the words exploding out of me. “Our daughter was just born, and you… you just walk out, leaving me with nothing but a stupid note?”I was a mess. My hair was a mess, my clothes were wrinkled, and my face probably looked like I’d been through hell. But I didn’t care. I was furious. Camille had left me, announced to the world she was raising our kid alone, and I’d almost missed the birth of my own daughter because of it.“You look awful, Nathan,” Camille said, her voice flat, cold. She looked me up and down, her lip curling in a sneer.“Thanks,” I muttered, the anger turning inward, leaving a bitter taste in my m
Charles POV:I watched Agatha across the hospital cafeteria, my chest tightening at the sight of her slumped figure, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. It should have been a moment of victory, a confirmation that my plan to break Nathan and Agatha was working. But a strange ache pulsed in my chest, a feeling that had nothing to do with winning and everything to do with… her pain.Damn it, Agatha. Why do you have to make this so complicated?I knew what had happened. Overheard Nathan’s assistant gushing on the phone about the birth of his child.“The Richards family is officially cursed!” she'd whispered, barely able to contain her glee. “The poor thing was born with some… problems. It’s really sad, but the grandparents are already talking about disowning her. You know how they are about the Richards’ bloodline.”She'd cleared her throat then, her voice back to its usual professional tone, completely oblivious to my presence.It was a cruel twist of fate, a tragedy for a child
Agatha POV:The hospital air felt heavy, thick with the smell of antiseptic and a quiet kind of panic. Every beep of a machine, every muffled cry from somewhere down the hall, every hurried whisper from the nurses, made the fear inside me grow stronger.Dad was still unconscious. The only sign he was alive was the steady rhythm of the ventilator. His face, usually so full of life, looked pale and weak. The worry lines were etched deep into his skin.I had been praying that he’d wake up. I clung to the hope that his strong will, his fighting spirit, would pull him through. But the doctor’s words, even though he tried to be gentle, kept echoing in my mind: "Critical condition." It was a constant reminder that Dad was hanging on by a thread.I was exhausted. My eyelids feel heavy, my head dizzy. I needed coffee, something to keep me going, to keep the darkness away.As I walked down the long hallway towards the cafeteria, I saw him. Charles.He was arguing with the receptionist, hi
Charles POV:“It’s been a whole day, Jasmine! Not a single call, not a text. Nothing!” I paced my office like a caged lion, my phone clutched in my hand. “Something’s definitely off.”Jasmine sighed on the other end of the line, that long-suffering sound I’d gotten used to over the years. It always made me smile, even when I was irritated.“Charles, you’re acting like a lovesick teenager,” she said, her voice a mix of amusement and exasperation.“It’s been one day. One very stressful day, I might add. Her dad is in the hospital! She probably has other things on her mind besides your… performance.”“But we were… intimate.” I lowered my voice, a smug grin spreading across my face even though I knew she couldn't see it. “Last night. After… you know, the whole Richards mess.”“You slept with her?” Jasmine’s voice was sharp, like she’d just tasted something sour. “Charles, are you serious? The woman’s father is practically dying, and you thought that was the right time to jump her bon
Agatha POV:The silk sheets clung to my bare skin, still warm from the heat of our bodies, the scent of Charles’s cologne a lingering reminder of the night we’d just spent… entangled. My heart thumped against my ribs, a frantic drum solo against the silence of his bedroom.My mind replayed the events of the previous night, a confusing mix of shock, anger, fear, and a desire I hadn't expected.It all started after Charles had punched Nathan, his fury terrifying, his possessiveness almost suffocating. Seeing Nathan’s face, bruised and bloodied, had twisted something inside me, a mix of anger at Nathan, fear of Charles, and a desperate yearning for… something I couldn't name.And then, Charles, his anger fading as quickly as it appeared, had turned to me, his eyes filled with a tenderness that felt both genuine and calculated.“Let me take care of you, Agatha,” he’d murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine.He'd led me upstairs, his hand a gentle pressure on my