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Jaxon’s POVThe scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the interior of my sleek, black Mercedes as I leaned back in the leather seat, my jaw clenched in irritation. I thought buying a hot cup of beverage from a local drive-in would sooth the anger in my chest, but I had been wrong.The dashboard clock blinked back at me—9:23 PM. The streets outside were cloaked in shadows, lit only by flickering streetlights as we drove by.“This is ridiculous,” I muttered under my breath. Steven, who perhaps had the same thought and frustration as I did, glanced at me from the corner of his eye. He knew better than to interrupt my thoughts, especially when I was fuming. I wasn’t supposed to be here. My day had ended hours ago, yet here I was, dragged back to the office because Alexis, the one person I literally cannot say no to, had thrown a fit over her damn Russian cookies that I had forgot back at the office. I’d screamed at her twice in my head today, but as always, I couldn’t bring myself to
Riley’s POVA throbbing ache in my cheek jolted me awake. The pain was sharp and unrelenting, like someone hammering nails into my skull. I groaned, the sound escaping my lips involuntarily as my senses slowly came back to me. My face felt heavy, and when I raised a trembling hand to touch it, my fingertips brushed against something unfamiliar—a bandage. What the hell? Blinking, I tried to sit up, but my body protested, stiff and sore. As my eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, I realized I wasn’t in my apartment. The room around me was massive, the kind of space you only saw in expensive home magazines.Where am I? Panic flared in my chest as my memories rushed back. The dark alley. The three men. Their laughter as they mocked me and took everything.My stomach churned. I searched for my phone, my hands shaking as I finally found it lying on the sleek glass nightstand. Unlocking it, I went to my banking app, my breath hitching. The balance stared back at me: $0.00. Gone.
Riley’s POVWhen I opened my eyes the next morning, the dull aches in my body reminded me that last night wasn’t just some nightmare. Every movement sent sharp reminders through my muscles, and the throb in my cheek made me wince. My hands found the bandage still stuck firmly to my skin, and for a brief moment, I allowed myself to wallow in the helplessness of it all. The events of the night before replayed in my mind—the dark alley, the cruel laughter of those men, and the humiliation of being overpowered and robbed.My fists clenched at the memory, and an anger I rarely let surface bubbled within me. I hated feeling weak. If only I’d been stronger. If only I could’ve fought back. If only I hadn’t been so easy to take down. The thought sent another pang of humiliation through me. But then, another memory crept in, one that felt even more surreal. Jaxon.The man I loathed had been the one to save me. And not just save me—he’d gone so far as to send me... I grabbed my phone
Riley’s POVAs minutes flew by, I froze as Eric’s lips pressed gently against mine. A part of me wanted to stop him, to push him back and remind him that I’d told him before—we couldn’t be anything more than friends But his kiss was so tender, so full of emotion, that I found myself sinking into it instead of pulling away. It wasn’t the kind of kiss that demanded or conquered. It was soft and warm, like the first rays of sunlight after a long, cold night. His hand cupped my cheek, careful to avoid the bruise, and I couldn’t help but notice the way he held me, as though I were something precious. My mind was spinning. This was Eric—kind, caring Eric. The man who had stood by me through thick and thin. The man who had accepted my boundaries when I told him we couldn’t be a couple. Yet here he was, pouring all his unspoken feelings into this kiss. Eric pulled back suddenly, his face flushed. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice shaky. He ran a hand through his hair, avoiding my gaze.
Jaxon’s POVFew hours agoThe aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the room as I walked down the grand staircase of my mansion, the polished marble floors cool beneath my bare feet. My butler, Gregson, was waiting for me at the dining table, setting down a steaming cup of black coffee. “Good morning, sir,” he greeted, his tone formal as always. “Morning,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair and taking my seat. The warmth of the cup was a welcome comfort as I brought it to my lips. Before I could enjoy the first sip, Alexis waltzed into the room, her loose robe trailing behind her. Her hair was slightly scattered, a testament to her casual attitude, but her sharp blue eyes were as alert as ever. “Good morning, sunshine,” she chirped, sliding into the chair opposite me. “Morning,” I replied with a smirk. “Gregson, could you get me a coffee too?” she asked sweetly. Gregson nodded without hesitation. “Of course, ma’am.” As Gregson disappeared into the kitchen, A
Jaxon’s POVThe tension in the air was almost palpable as Alexis and Eric exchanged light banter, their voices weaving an odd contrast to the storm brewing inside me. My eyes moved between Riley and Eric, lingering on the subtle way Riley shifted closer to him, as though drawn to his presence. My jaw clenched. Something had happened between them. I didn’t need confirmation; the signs were all there. The slight redness in Riley’s cheeks, the way Eric glanced at him like he was the only person in the room, and, of course, the damned shirt. Riley’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Would you two like to have anything? I mean, since you’re already here.” It was a casual invitation, polite on the surface, but there was something deliberate about it. I opened my mouth to decline, already envisioning the torture of sitting in their space, but Alexis nudged me in the side, her elbow sharp against my ribs. “We’d love to, but not right now. I like having my coffee rest in my stomach f
Riley’s POVI returned to the living room with the stack of high school yearbooks in my hands, carefully avoiding making eye contact with Jaxon as I handed them to Alexis. She took them with an excited grin, flipping the first one open immediately. “Oh my God, Riley!” she exclaimed, pointing at one of the photos. “Look at you here! You were so cute back then. Look at those cheeks!” My face burned as I glanced at the picture. It was one of those cheesy spirit-week photos where I was dressed as the school mascot—a giant, fluffy bear. It wasn’t my finest moment, but Alexis seemed to find it absolutely adorable. Eric chuckled beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. “She’s right, you know. You were cute. Still are.” He leaned in, planting a quick kiss on my cheek. I froze, glancing at Jaxon out of the corner of my eye. He didn’t say anything at first, but the slight narrowing of his eyes told me he’d seen the gesture. Then, as though he couldn’t help himself, he rolled h
Jaxon’s POVI sat alone in the conference room, leaning back in the leather chair as my eyes flicked across the screen of my phone. Alexis had texted me earlier with a picture of the newest addition to her life—a golden retriever puppy with floppy ears and a lopsided grin. She always had an habit of buying new things whenever she felt lonely or needed something to take her attention away from her depressing extravagant life."Isn’t he adorable?" she had written, followed by an absurd number of heart emojis. Despite myself, I smiled at the photo. The dog was undeniably cute, its big brown eyes staring innocently at the camera. For a brief moment, I let the softness of the image seep in. But then I remembered where I was—and more importantly, who I was—and quickly wiped the smile off my face. I needed to put my game face on if I wanted my plan to work, and sure enough, I had confidence it will.When the door to the conference room opened and Riley stepped inside, I was all busi
Jaxon’s POV(An Hour Ago)The night was silent, but my thoughts were anything but. I paced my room, unable to shake the gnawing irritation that had been building since the plane ride. Every time I tried to focus on the city skyline outside, my mind dragged me back to Riley. Why this was happening became a complete mystery to me and I wanted it to stop as soon as possible.Something about him unsettled me in ways I couldn’t explain—or maybe I just didn’t want to. Unable to resist the urge, I grabbed my phone and dialed the extension to his room. It rang and rang, but no one answered. My jaw tightened. What was he doing? I tried to brush it off, telling myself I was overreacting, but after a few more minutes, I found myself standing outside Riley’s door. I knocked sharply, my irritation bleeding into my movements. I had expected him to come to the door almost immediately but despite knocking severally, there was still no answer. I knocked again, harder this time. Still nothi
Riley’s POVThe room was quiet now, a sanctuary after the turbulence of the day. I had unpacked most of my things, neatly arranging them in the drawers and closet like I always did—it gave me a sense of control, even if everything else was a chaotic mess. The view from my window was stunning. The city lights of LA sparkled against the backdrop of the night, each one a small fragment of life I wished I could explore. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, the screen lighting up with Eric’s name. I smiled, already anticipating his teasing. “Hey, Eric,” I greeted, answering the call and laying back on the bed. “Riley! Finally! I thought you’d forgotten about me,” Eric said, his tone mock-indignant. I chuckled. “How could I? You’d never let me live it down" I replied with a smile playing on my lips.The conversation flowed easily, as it always did with Eric. He wanted to know everything—how the trip was going, how the city looked, what the hotel was like. “Well,” I began, “the
Jaxon's POVThe moment I stepped into my hotel suite, I allowed myself a brief sigh of relief. It was as if I had just returned from a long journey and I needed to rest my body, as well as my mind, from the gruelling ordeal I had endured on the way.The space was nothing short of magnificent—floor-to-ceiling windows that offered an unparalleled view of Los Angeles, a sprawling king-sized bed adorned with crisp, white linens, and sleek, modern furniture that exuded quiet luxury. If there was one thing my assistant had managed to do right, it was booking this hotel. The city stretched out below me, a glittering tapestry of lights and movement. From this height, it looked almost serene—ironic, considering how chaotic my thoughts were. I loosened my tie and wandered to the windows, letting the cool glass press against my palm. I loved this feeling of brief liberation, even though it felt alien a few moments later.“Not bad,” I muttered to myself, taking in the view. After a few
Riley's POVThe plane’s wheels touched down with a slight jolt, and I couldn’t suppress the smile that stretched across my face as I looked out the window. We were finally out of the air and now in Los Angeles. The city of stars, sprawling beaches, and endless opportunities. Even though I was here for work—and under less-than-ideal circumstances—I couldn’t help but feel a wave of excitement wash over me. It was my first time being here and I almost couldn't control the constant smile plastered on my face.As the plane moved to the gate, I glanced over at Jaxon, seated several rows ahead in first class. His posture was rigid, and he looked as unapproachable as ever. I sighed. If there was one cloud hanging over this otherwise perfect day, it was him. After collecting my carry-on bag, I made my way off the plane and into the bustling terminal. The energy here was electric, the kind of vibrant chaos that only a city like LA could offer. Jaxon and his assistant were already waiti
Jaxon’s POVMy assistant cleared her throat awkwardly, clearly trying to diffuse the situation. “Mr. Steele, Ms. Carver specifically mentioned that Riley would be the best fit for this trip given his involvement in the marketing project. She trusted him to represent the department.” I didn’t look convinced. “There had to be someone else.” “I’m here now,” Riley said, a little sharper. “And I’m not going to back out last minute. This trip is important for the company.” My jaw tightened, my stare boring into him.“This trip doesn’t concern you.” “It does now,” he countered, standing his ground. “Unless you want to waste time finding someone else to replace me. I doubt the plane will wait for that.” For a moment, we both became quiet as we stared down at each other. I was waging an internal battle, my lips pressed so tightly together I thought they might disappear entirely. Finally, I exhaled sharply, my voice low and cold. “Fine. But stay out of my way.” I'm sure the wor
Jaxon’s POVI glanced over at the open suitcase on my bed, half-filled with meticulously folded clothes and travel essentials. Alexis stood at the foot of the bed, rolling her eyes as she refolded a shirt I had just tossed in. “Honestly, Jaxon,” she said with mock exasperation, holding up a pair of socks I’d balled together. “You run a multi-billion-dollar corporation, but you can’t pack a suitcase to save your life.” I let out a low grunt, leaning against the doorframe with my arms crossed. “I didn’t ask for your help, Alexis.” She smirked, unbothered by my tone. “No, but you need it. And you know it.” I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Alexis had been one of the few constants in my life, and while her meddling could be irritating, I couldn’t deny she was right most of the time. As she folded yet another shirt with precision, she glanced up at me. “You’ve been different lately.” I stiffened, my expression hardening. “What are you talking about?” I asked, curio
Riley’s POVEric and I sat together on the couch, the television humming softly in the background, though neither of us was paying attention to it. He had his arm placed casually over my shoulder, his fingers lightly tracing patterns on my skin. “Babe,” Eric started, his tone light but tinged with excitement, “I’ve been thinking. We should go on a vacation.” I shifted slightly, glancing up at him. “A vacation?” “Yeah,” he said, his eyes lighting up. “We both have been through a lot this past couple months. We deserve a break. Just us, somewhere far away.” The thought of a getaway should have thrilled me, but instead, a knot formed in my stomach. A vacation sounded great in theory, but with everything going on in my mind—particularly Jaxon’s distant behavior—I couldn’t see myself enjoying it. “I don’t know if it’s the right time, Eric,” I said hesitantly. “Why not?” he asked, sitting up straighter. “It’s the perfect time. Work has been stressful for you, and I’m tired of
Jaxon’s POVThe conference room was filled with the quiet hum of muted voices and the rustle of papers. I had entered the room with my usual air of authority, followed closely by my personal guards. My gaze swept over the occupants, assessing their presence, before settling momentarily on Riley Matthews. He was setting up the presentation slides, his focus on the task at hand. For a fleeting moment, my chest tightened. Seeing him again after weeks of silence was harder than I expected. He looked different—freer, lighter. And yet, there was still something about him that stirred a deep, inexplicable ache inside me. I forced myself to look away, reminding myself why I had made the decision to end things. As much as I wanted to be a heartless bastard, I wasn't going to destroy the love that I had seen between Eric and Riley. It wouldn't be fair to any of them if I came in-between them just because I felt like having fun.My father, as annoying and evil as he was, had been right a
Riley's POV Weeks had passed since Jaxon had ended our agreement, and I couldn’t deny the newfound sense of freedom. No more annoying messages summoning me at odd hours, no more tense dinners where every word felt like a gamble. No more having to deal with his manipulative and annoying father who was actually just an evil person.It just felt like I had gotten my life back and I was now the only one in control of everything that happened, instead of feeling like I was a puppet being moved around by strings.Yet, amidst this freedom, there was something hollow, like the echo of a song that had once filled the room but now only lingered in memory. It seemed like something was missing, something that always kept me on my toes and sort of gave me purpose, a reason to keep on fighting.I couldn't exactly explain it so I did my best to push such alien feelings down into the depths of mind so as not to ponder too much on it.The last thing I needed was to be too distracted to do what I n