MILAI stirred, the sounds of birds and a soft breeze teased my skin. Warmth enveloped me from behind, the heavy weight of an arm slung around her waist, fingers splayed possessively over my stomach.My eyes blinked open slowly, and for a second, I wasn’t sure where I was–until the scent hit me.Gabe. Earthy, masculine, a hint of pine and spice.Oh, hell no.My gaze dropped down my body, and that’s when the realization sank in. I was human now. And naked. Wrapped up in Gabe’s equally bare body like I belonged there.Rayne was smugly quiet in the back of my mind, clearly enjoying every second of my slow-burning horror.What the hell happened?Mila,” Rayne purred. “And you were worried about me.”“Okay, okay. No big deal.” Just… sneak out of his arms. Pretend this never happened.I sucked in a breath and carefully began to untangle myself, moving as slowly as possible. Gabe’s chest rose and fell in deep, even breaths, his dark lashes resting against his cheekbones. Relaxed. Peaceful. To
ARIJust great. The two people I didn’t want to see today. I paused in the doorway of my office, swallowing down the lump rising in my throat. The past couple of weeks have been hell with Randall’s death taking up the main news and the council taking more interest in our family than usual.The only upside was Gabe, who was acting a bit more subservient than before. My father was sitting in my chair like he owned the place–which, to be fair, he acted like he did–while my stepmother perched delicately in the chair across from him. I closed the door behind me, careful not to let my hand tremble on the knob. “Well, isn’t this an unwanted family surprise.”“Not in the mood for jokes, Arianna,” my father grumbled. “This mess of your friend doesn’t look good for the family.”I walked around the desk slowly, keeping my head high though my palms were sweating. “What do you want me to do, Father? Tell Randall not to die next time?”His hand came down on the desk with a loud bang, making me ju
TYLERI didn't bother knocking as Mila’s door slammed opened, hitting the wall with a loud thud, but I didn’t care. Not after what I’d heard from Camila about the party. Not after almost a week of silence from Mila. I needed to see her.She looked up from the tablet in her hand, her soft music playing in the background. And just like that, the breath in my lungs stilled. She sat curled up on the couch, her bare legs tucked beneath her, a loose blouse slipping off one shoulder, exposing smooth, brown skin. Her afro pulled into a high bun, a few unruly strands escaping to frame her face. Even in the dim glow of the lamp, I could see exhaustion in her eyes—deep brown, flecked with hints of amber, like a sunset right before night took over. She was beautiful. “Tyler, what are you–woah!”Before she could finish, I was across the room in a flash, closing the distance between us and pulling her into my arms. The tablet nearly slipped from her hand as I held her tighter than I should’ve, bu
GABEIt didn’t take long to access the hidden chamber. Alpha Gregory’s ring fit seamlessly into a panel behind a bookcase, triggering a quiet mechanical shift. The entire shelf groaned before sliding aside, revealing a narrow passageway leading to a secret room.“Cliché,” I muttered.Mila moved like a shadow, her slim frame clad entirely in black. I couldn’t help but watch her–so focused, so damn cute in her element..“Someone’s been watching way too many spy movies,” I smirked.“What? I like wearing black,” she said, her tone defensive but playful.“You know you don’t have to dress up to sneak around, right?” I said, eyeing her massive afro that completely betrayed any attempt at subtlety.She rolled her eyes. “Habit I guess. Besides, I still don’t want your wife to know I’m here.”Wife. That word was a sharp reminder that Arianna still hasn't signed the divorce papers. Rumors were already circulating, thanks to a well-placed article online, but she was holding on–for what, I wasn’t
MILAI walked up the steps to the orphanage, the scent of fresh paint and sawdust clinging in the air. Despite the faint ache simmering in my chest I allowed myself to feel satisfied at how the improvements were coming along. New windows, the creaking porch reinforced, and the overgrown lawn trimmed down to something almost respectable. The fact that Jenna was dedicated to turning this back into the orphanage it once was was admirable. Also, the only reason I was funding it. Nanna Gertie would’ve wanted this, and she deserved this and more after everything she has done for me. The front door creaked open, and there he was.Alex.He froze the moment he saw me, his body tensing like I’d slapped him. His shirt was damp with sweat, his hair a disheveled mess like he’d been working non-stop. For a long second, neither of us moved. The air between us felt thick enough to choke on. So I did what I did best–ignored it.I walked right past him without so much as a glance.“We have nothing to
MILAFinally something else I could focus on besides the files we found in Alpha Gregory’s office. I didn’t have a beach to work with for this event, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t create one. Every inch of this event had been designed to perfection, down to the placement of the lighting and the subtle gold detailing on the tables, and the diamonds on display. I’d walked through this space too many times to count, checking for any weak points Arianna could exploit. Then, to be extra cautious, I made sure not to invite her.Of course, Camila had questioned that decision. “Maybe you should invite her,” she had suggested with a knowing smirk. “Better to have your enemies where you can see them.”She was right. Because as much as I tried to enjoy tonight, something felt off. No amount of polite praise from the guests or the slight smile on Mister Deveaux’s face could shake the unease prickling at the back of my neck.“Lovely event.”The voice was smooth, deliberate. I turned, already bra
TYLERA text from some hacker had me following Amira and Lena down the hall into one of the rooms. I knew something was weird about that photographer. This text just proved it. They spent some time inside before leaving, the door was slightly ajar. Sloppy. Either they were careless, or they didn’t think anyone would question them being here.I stepped inside, eyes scanning the monitors that displayed the cameras covering the event. Nothing immediately stood out–until I saw a folder labeled Emilia.My stomach clenched as I reached for it. Flipping it open, I expected to see outtakes from the shoot. Instead, I found something worse—secrets. Photos that had nothing to do with modeling and everything to do with blackmail.The first image stopped me cold. Francesca, wrapped around an infamous therapist to the elites. His name alone was scandalous, tied to more than a few high-profile breakdowns. And beneath the photos, a mention of a video. My pulse hammered.Before I could flip through th
MILAEverything started out great. Until it wasn’t. It all happened so fast. First, the speech. I stepped onto the stage, ignoring the confident look on Arianna’s face. “This collection isn’t just about fashion," I announced. "It’s about the celebration of freedom. The freedom to take up space, to embrace every curve, every edge, every part of yourself without apology. For too long, we’ve been told to hide–to shrink, to fit into boxes that were never meant for us. But not anymore.”I gestured toward the models as they stepped forward, their confidence radiating with every stride. "Summer is about feeling light, unburdened, alive. Not weighed down by expectations or secrets we’ve been too afraid to let go of. This collection is about owning your truth–wearing it boldly, beautifully, without fear."Second, the show. The crowd erupted in applause as the models strutted forward, showcasing designs tailored to flatter and empower. Camila queued up the video of men and women wearing my cl
MILAFrances and his assistant poured over the portfolio like it was a rare manuscript. I shifted in my seat, resisting the urge to glance at my watch again. There was too much riding on today–too much to still do.Frances finally looked up, his eyes twinkling behind those sleek, gold-framed glasses. “This is truly something special,” he said, tapping the edge of the page. “And the technology?”I straightened a bit, proud. “Smart fabric. Reactive threads that shift color based on light exposure and body temperature. The effect is subtle, elegant—like your vintage diamond collection. Sophisticated, but with presence.”Across the table, Emily’s jaw tensed. I caught the flicker of annoyance in her eyes and smiled, just a little.Frances chuckled. “Indeed, Mademoiselle. You’ve captured the season in a way that feels... alive.” He flipped another page, his gaze sharp but admiring. “I must admit, I’m surprised. After everything that’s happened lately, I expected something more... reserved.”
MILAThere was no gentle buildup this time. No teasing smile. No calculated flirtation. Gabe kissed me like he meant to ruin me–with a hunger that stole the air from my lungs. One hand tangled in my hair, tugging just enough to make my body jolt with need. I gasped, but he swallowed the sound, deepening the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine in a battle I was already losing.He lifted me effortlessly from the chair, setting me down on the desk as if he’d been waiting to do it since the moment he walked in. His body pressed against mine, all muscle and heat and quiet dominance.“See?” he murmured against my lips, voice dark and full of promise. “You like it when I take control. Don’t you?”And damn him–I did. My body answered before my mouth ever could, arching into him, fingers clawing at his shirt to pull him closer.“Answer me, Mila.”“I… do,” I breathed, the words escaping like a confession.Those words cracked something open in him. He kissed me again–deeper, rougher–his hands
MILATyler was, somehow, unexpectedly my hero.Not only did he make sure the publication printed the correct draft of the Aliz magazine–the one with my real Summer collection and not the tragic sabotage Lena tried to pass off–but he also made sure Lena got demoted. Now she was stuck shooting staged waterfalls and hotel breakfast buffets for the travel catalogue division. Honestly? Served her right for trying to cross me.Apparently, I had Amira to thank for that little coup.I still didn’t know how I felt about her. The woman switched sides like it was Fashion Week and loyalty was just another trend. But one thing I did know? She was in love with Tyler. Hopelessly, painfully in love. That might’ve made her dangerous–but it also gave me leverage. And I wasn’t above playing that card if I had to.“So… you think this will work?” Camila’s voice broke through my thoughts and I remembered what I was doing… or trying to do.“I don’t know,” I sighed, moving all the mockups for my fall collect
ARIThe diamond necklace with the crystal pendant glinted in the mirror, catching the light like it still mattered. Like it still meant something. Gabe had given it to me for a birthday present. Placed it around my neck himself. Told me I looked like someone no one would dare cross. It had to mean something, right? A gift that rare didn’t come without weight.So I wore it today–not for sentiment, but strategy.Let him see it. Let him remember. Let him regret.But he didn’t. He barely blinked. No hesitation, no flicker of guilt. Just another command over the phone and a condescending smirk on his lips.“Nothing a blow dryer can’t fix,” Gabe said, like I was already a mistake he was eager to forget.I could’ve slapped him. I should’ve. But I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction. It would’ve meant I still cared.I’d lose a hundred battles before I let him see me lose the war.When I stormed into my father’s office, he didn’t even glance up from his damned ritual–always washing his hands
GABEI barely heard the door open behind me before Arianna’s scent hit the air–a soft, artificial sweetness that never sat right. I didn’t turn around. I was on the phone, my voice quiet.“Just put on a suit. I need you to go over there and fix this. She doesn’t need to deal with this right now. So please handle it.”Arianna moved closer as I flushed the urinal and moved to the sink to wash my hands.“You know the symbols on the outside of the door are there for a reason,” I said, not glancing at her.“Were you talking about Mila just now?” she asked, arms crossing as she leaned against the door. I ignored her and walked towards the office. It's been a busy couple of days with the move back to the Mora company. “You’re really moving on that fast, huh?” Arianna asked, following me. “The ink on the divorce papers is still wet.”“Nothing a blow dryer can’t fix,” I smiled, hoping to get rid of her, but the look on her face told me otherwise. “Arianna, don’t start.”Her lip curled. “Disg
MILAI stared between the both of them before Lena spoke.Lena’s eyes widened. “You. Why–why are you here?”“Oh, relax,” I said, stepping inside and locking the door behind me. The click echoed louder than I expected. “How convenient. Two traitors. One hotel room. The universe really said, ‘Here you go, babe.’”Neither of them had time to react before I walked straight to Lena, grabbed a fistful of her hair, and slammed her face into the wall. Hard enough to sting, soft enough to not get us arrested for homicide. Balance.She gasped, tried to say something. I yanked her back, then shoved her forward again.“Don’t speak,” I hissed. “You’ve already said enough with those sabotage photos.”Behind me, I heard Amira shifting toward the door. I didn’t even turn around.“Take one more step and I will throw you out that window. I’m not saying you’ll die, but gravity’s a bitch and bones snap real easy from the ninth floor.”Amira froze.“Smart girl,” I said.Honestly from this height, it would
MILA“…just waiting for answers. Why did this have to happen? What could have prevented an incident that took two of the most important people in my life?” Alpha Gregory’s voice cracked just enough to sound human. He gripped the podium like it might run away if he let go, flashes from the cameras popping like fireworks behind a funeral. Arianna stepped up beside him, touched his arm–perfectly timed, perfectly staged. A father-daughter moment, photogenic grief included.But I didn’t care about them. My eyes drifted past them to Gabe. He stood stiffly off to the side, holding Noah like the only anchor he had left. He looked like he’d rather be anywhere else–expression blank, shoulders tight. I hadn’t seen him since he left the orphanage a couple weeks ago. No calls. No updates. We were both busy–him with God knows what, me trying to salvage my image from the dumpster fire of the fashion show. Oh, and also: still no sign of my dad. The meeting with Emily that was supposed to bring ans
MILAI stirred awake to the sound of birds and the sensation of warmth that had me feeling so good. A strong arm draped over my waist, the steady rise and fall of a familiar chest beneath my cheek. My heart stuttered as the scent of spice and dark chocolate filled my lungs–Gabe. It was oddly comforting, dangerously so. A moment of peace I had no business indulging in.Something tickled my nose. I cracked one eye open to find yellow flowers brushing against my face. That was when the realization hit.We were lying in a flowerbed.Panic jolted through me. I shot up, sending Gabe’s arm tumbling off of me. My breath came fast as I scanned our surroundings. Shit. Jenna’s going to kill me. Gabe groaned, shifting onto his back, his hand searching for mine. “Five more minutes,” he mumbled, his voice sleep-heavy, unbothered.I smacked his chest, ignoring the way my fingers tingle from the contact. “No, no, no. Get up. We fell asleep in a flowerbed. Jenna’s going to be pissed we messed up her
GABEOnly a bit of rain poured down on us. Just enough to soak through our clothes, but not subduing the heat between us. Each drop was a reminder that this moment–this reckless, inevitable moment–was real. That she was real.I wasted no time, removing my suit and tie and watched as Mila took a step back, letting the dress slip from her shoulders, pooling at her feet. Fuck, she was beautiful. The rain clung to her, tracing every curve, turning her rich, dark complexion into something luminous, like she was carved from the night itself. Her hair, wild and untamed, framed her face like a crown she never asked for, and yet, it was rightfully hers. Her lips, now swollen and soft from our kiss, looked as if they were made for nothing more than temptation. She was temptation, standing there with the storm raging around us, and I had never wanted anything more.I stepped forward, closing the distance, my hands cupping her face as I pulled her into a kiss that shattered whatever restraint I