FAITHCuriosity bubbled up inside me, and without overthinking, I held the photo up to Blaze. “Who is she?”Blaze didn’t even glance up from whatever he was doing. “Probably some interview candidate or something,” he said dismissively.I frowned, studying the photo again. “No, this isn’t just some random picture. It’s laminated, Blaze. Look at it.”At my insistence, he finally looked up. The second his eyes landed on the photo, his entire demeanor shifted. His posture stiffened, and his eyes widened in surprise, maybe even alarm.“What is that picture doing here?” he muttered under his breath before striding over and snatching it out of my hand.I blinked at his abruptness but couldn’t help the teasing smile that crept onto my lips. “Ooh, is that your ex?”Blaze’s jaw tightened as he crumpled the photo in his hand and unceremoniously tossed it into the dustbin. “Doesn’t matter,” he said flatly.I raised an eyebrow, folding my arms across my chest. “Doesn’t matter?” I echoed, my voice
FAITHThe soft glow of morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm golden hue across my bedroom. I blinked groggily, trying to piece together where I was and what time it was.My gaze shifted, and my breath caught slightly when I saw Blaze beside me. He was sitting upright, his back resting against the headboard, his head tilted to one side, and his eyes closed in what seemed to be an unusually peaceful sleep.It wasn’t a sight I was used to—Blaze looking so... relaxed. His usual sharp edges seemed to soften in the morning light, and I found myself admiring the way his jawline caught the sunlight and the way his chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm.‘How does someone look this perfect even while sleeping?’ I thought, shaking my head at my own musings.Suddenly, a wave of nausea surged through me, pulling me violently from my thoughts. My stomach churned, and I barely had time to swing my legs over the bed before I bolted for the bathroom.The moment I reached th
FAITHThe car hummed along the road, sunlight streaming through the windows as I leaned back in my seat, my head bobbing slightly to the beat of the music. The warm rhythm of our favorite song filled the space, and I smiled.“Mike!” I called out, my voice light with excitement. “Blast our favorite song!”Michael, sitting up front, gave a small nod and turned the volume up. The familiar melody spilled out of the speakers, and I couldn’t help but start humming along. I recently started calling him ‘Mike’ because I bonded really well with him. “Mike, this is it!” I said, swaying in my seat. “Come on, sing with me!”But when I glanced at Michael through the rearview mirror, he wasn’t joining in. His eyes darted briefly from the road to me and then shifted uneasily to the side.I frowned, my vibe thoroughly interrupted. Turning my head, I followed his gaze to Blaze, who sat beside me, arms crossed and looking like he’d rather be anywhere else.“It’s all because of you,” I said, narrowin
FAITHThe sound stopped me in my tracks—a sad, haunting melody that seemed to float through the corridor like a ghost. The soft yet deliberate notes of a piano filled the air, each one carrying a weight of unspoken pain. I felt the music reach inside me, tugging at emotions I couldn’t quite name. It was the kind of tune that made the world seem quieter, slower, as if it demanded your full attention.My curiosity drew me toward the source. Peeking through the door of the music club, I found the room dimly lit, the air tinged with an almost sacred stillness. At the piano sat a figure I recognized instantly, even from behind.His chestnut curls fell slightly over his neck, catching the faint light. His broad shoulders, tense but steady, moved subtly with the rhythm of his playing. Austin’s fingers glided over the keys, his touch tender but deliberate, like he was pouring his soul into every note.I stepped inside, the sound of my footsteps almost nonexistent against the wooden floor.
FAITHI scoffed, rolling my eyes as I crossed my arms, trying to ignore the unsettling feeling Austin had left behind. “No, obviously not. How stupid do you think I am?” I gave Blaze a sharp look, a frown tugging at my lips. I wasn’t about to let him think for a second that I’d actually fall for Austin’s nonsense again.Blaze leaned back in his chair, relieved, and let out a sigh. “Phew, you better not be. I don’t want my child to get those stupid genes either.” His smirk softened the teasing edge, but I still shot him a glare, even if it didn’t quite reach my heart.“Ugh, whatever,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. “I know not to get back together with an ex just because he says a few sweet words. It doesn’t change what he did.”Blaze nodded in agreement, his arms folding across his chest as he leaned forward, his tone growing serious. “Exactly. He’s trash. You deserve way better than that.”A small smirk tugged at my lips, the feeling of vindication bubbling up inside me. “I know, rig
FAITHThe restaurant was bustling with life, the low hum of conversation and the clinking of cutlery filling the air. The elegant chandeliers cast a warm glow across the room, and the view from the top floor was absolutely breathtaking. Lights from the city below sparkled like scattered diamonds, making everything feel magical.Blaze and I were seated at a cozy table by the window, giving us the best vantage point to take it all in. I toyed with my fork, trying not to look as impressed as I felt.“This place is fancy,” I said, raising an eyebrow at Blaze. “I mean, who knew you had such exquisite taste?”He smirked, leaning back in his chair. “Exquisite taste? I’m pretty sure you picked this place, Faith.”I waved a hand dismissively. “Details. What matters is that you actually brought me here. I half-expected you to flake.”“Flake? Me?” Blaze put a hand to his chest in mock offense. “I’m hurt. You really think so little of me?”I gave him a teasing grin. “I don’t think little of you
FAITHBlaze’s lips crashed onto mine with a heat that stunned me into stillness. His hand, firm and steady, pressed lightly against the small of my back, holding me in place as his other arm braced against the wall beside my head. The kiss was brief, but it carried an intensity that sent sparks dancing along my skin. His lips were soft yet demanding, his touch igniting something deep within me that I hadn’t felt in a long time.For a moment, everything else disappeared. The tension in the air, the dim light of the stairwell, even the looming threat of Austin—all of it faded away. My hands found their way to Blaze’s chest, clutching at the fabric of his shirt as if to ground myself. I was lost in the warmth of him, in the way he tasted faintly of the wine we’d shared earlier, in the way his breath mingled with mine.Then, a sharp, irritated voice snapped me out of my trance.“Get a room, guys. What the hell?”Austin’s voice rang out, dripping with annoyance, as he brushed past us on
FAITHThe room seemed to shrink as everyone’s attention turned to the center of the drama. My hand tightened around Blaze’s arm, and he leaned closer to murmur, “Looks like your ex is about to have the night of his life.”“Shh,” I hissed, unable to look away.Austin’s face was a thunderstorm of rage, and his movements were erratic as he threw a handful of glossy photos onto the table in front of him.The pictures scattered like fallen leaves, and from where I stood, I could make out snippets of what they depicted—Reagan and Samuel, also known as Michael, in various settings.In one, they were seated across from each other at a dimly lit restaurant, Samuel leaning forward with a smile, Reagan looking like she was listening intently. In another, they were in the same car, parked in what looked like a secluded spot. There was one of them laughing together behind the campus building, her hand on his arm, and another in a parking lot, where Samuel was holding the car door open for her. No
FAITHI felt my stomach drop the moment recognition dawned on me.Marcus Weston.Blaze’s grandfather.The Weston patriarch. The man who practically built the empire Blaze now ruled.The man I had heard so much about—powerful, ruthless, and impossible to impress.I instinctively glanced back toward the bed where Blaze was still sleeping, his face relaxed, unaware of the storm brewing just outside his door. Then, forcing myself to breathe, I turned back to Marcus.His expression hadn’t changed—sharp and displeased."Wh
FAITHThe sound of the closet door clicking open made my head turn, and suddenly, all the exhaustion I felt evaporated.Blaze walked out, toweling his damp hair, his movements casual, effortless—completely unaware of the effect he had on me. But that wasn’t what caught my attention.It was the fact that he was shirtless.My breath hitched.I had seen him in crisp suits, in casual button-downs, in gym wear that hinted at the strength underneath—but this? This was different.The way the soft bedroom lighting cast shadows over every sharp plane of his body, the way droplets of water clung to his skin, sliding down the ridges of his mus
FAITHThe first thing I noticed was the heaviness in my head.My thoughts felt sluggish, like they were wading through molasses. My eyes fluttered open, but the room was blurry and dim. Voices echoed faintly around me, muffled as though I were underwater.I forced myself to focus, straining to catch the conversation. Someone—maybe a man—was speaking in a calm, clinical tone.“…the chloroform intake was too high. Combined with the pregnancy, it’s no surprise she hasn’t woken up until now. But her vitals are stable. She needs rest.”I blinked again, my vis
BLAZE“Faith!” I shouted, my voice breaking with panic.My feet pounded against the pavement as I bolted toward the van. Faith’s body was limp, the man shoving her inside with a disturbing lack of effort. Every muscle in my body screamed to move faster, to stop them before they could get away.But just as I closed in, someone appeared in front of me.“Watch it!” they snapped as I collided with them, the force sending me sprawling onto the ground.“Get out of my way!” I barked, scrambling to my feet.By the time I regained my balance, the van’s doors slammed shut, and the engine roared to life. My chest ti
BLAZEJared rolled his eyes so dramatically that I was tempted to grab the nearest object and throw it at him.“You know,” he began, dragging out his words like a know-it-all, “for someone who claims to have everything under control, you really have no idea how to handle this situation.”I rolled my eyes. “What’s your point, Jared?”“My point,” he said, leaning against the desk, “is that you’re dancing around your feelings. Stop playing games with Faith. You either make an effort or let her go.”“Stop with that attitude,” I said, my voice laced with irritation. “I just don’t want to mislead her or make her fall for me when I can’t promise her a future together.”
BLAZEThe rhythmic tapping of my pen against the desk was the only sound in the room.My gaze was fixed on the skyline outside my office window, but my thoughts were far away.Faith.Lately, she’d occupied my mind more than I cared to admit. There was something about her—her energy, her stubbornness, her unshakable resolve—that managed to cut through the monotony of my days.She was unpredictable, and maybe that’s what I liked most.A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts.Jared strolled in, his usual air of casual arrogance intact. “You are doing that thing again,” he sai
FAITHThe whole morning passed in a haze. Hillary's words lingered in my mind like a dark storm cloud that refused to dissipate. Blaze’s life still revolves around her. Every time I thought about it, my chest felt tight, like there wasn’t enough air in the room.How could I have been so blind? I had let myself get swept up in this fantasy where I thought Blaze and I had something special, something real. But maybe I’d been wrong. Maybe I was just someone he tolerated, a distraction from the pain of his past.The plans I’d made for Blaze’s birthday—the excitement, the effort—now felt like a cruel joke. Was I just forcing my way into a place where I didn’t belong? Hillary’s words gnawed at my thoughts like an echo I couldn’t silence.He still feels for his first love.No matter how hard I tried to push the thought aside, it kept creeping back, wrapping itself around my heart and squeezing. The fantasy I had built in my head—the little moments, the laughter we shared—felt fragile now
FAITHBlaze paused for a moment, clearly thinking it through before responding with a softness I hadn’t quite expected. “Soft music. Jazz. Or something mellow.”I nodded, feeling pleased with myself. Soft music. That was another piece of the puzzle.“Okay, next question,” Blaze said, now sounding a little more into the game than before. “What’s the one food you can’t stand?”I didn’t hesitate. “Seafood. I can’t even look at it without feeling grossed out.”Blaze’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? That’s a shame. I thought you might like it. ”“Nope, definitely not,” I said with a shudder. “I mean, I’m okay with Italian seafood dishes, but that’s pushing it. Fish? No thanks.”“Fun fact: I dislike it too.” Blaze chuckled softly, and for a second, it felt like we were just two people having a normal conversation, no corporate walls or icy barriers between us.“Your turn,” he said, the game starting to feel more natural now.I leaned back, considering my next question. “Alright, if you
FAITHI couldn't stop thinking about Blaze’s birthday. The idea of making it special for him lingered in my mind, like a quiet buzz that wouldn’t let me focus on anything else. What would he even like? He didn’t seem the type to appreciate a grand gesture or a surprise party, not like the way Jessica always tried to push him into celebrating.I needed to know more about him. I needed to figure out what would make him happy, even if he didn’t admit it. And that meant getting closer to him, observing him—without raising his suspicions.It was tricky, though. Blaze wasn't the type of person you could just casually observe without him noticing. But then again, who said I couldn’t have a little fun with this? Maybe I could sneak a peek into his world, into the things he liked, by simply sticking around more.And so, later that night, I found myself walking down the corridor toward his study. It was quiet, the house mostly asleep, the only sound being the soft tapping of my footsteps ag