The office is dimly lit, and the usual buzz of activity has faded. Olivia finishes typing, glancing at the clock. It’s late, and everyone has left for the day. She gathers her things, slipping on her coat and moving toward the door. Just as she reaches for the handle, she hears the rain—a downpour, relentless and heavy against the windows. Olivia sighs and stares out, her heart sinking as she realizes she has no umbrella. The rain is so intense she can barely make out the street below. Resigned, she turns back to wait it out. Olivia makes herself a cup of coffee in the small lounge. The sound of footsteps behind her makes her jump. She turns to see Alexander approaching, his hands casually in his pockets. " Didn’t expect to see anyone else still here" Alexander said. "Same here. I didn’t know you were still working" Olivia said. Alexander glances at the window and smiles, nodding toward the rain. " Looks like we’re stuck. Quite the storm" Alexander said. They exchange a loo
The office was eerily quiet as Olivia typed away at her laptop, her fingers moving slower than usual. She was nearly done with her work, but her focus had been scattered all evening. The harsh fluorescent lights buzzed above her, and the faint sound of rain against the windows only added to her sense of isolation. A glance at the clock showed it was nearly 10 PM.Her phone sat on her desk, screen dark, but its presence loomed over her like a weight. The anonymous messages had stopped, for now, but their lingering threat echoed in her mind. “See you soon, Olivia.” She shivered at the memory and shook her head, trying to focus.“Burning the midnight oil again?”The voice startled her. Olivia looked up to see Alexander leaning casually against the doorway, his suit jacket slung over his arm. His tailored shirt was slightly unbuttoned, revealing just a hint of his chest. He smiled, and the room seemed to shrink around her.“I didn’t expect anyone else to still be here,” Olivia replied, he
The morning sunlight streamed through Olivia’s curtains as she got ready for her outing with Alexander. The casual yet polished outfit she’d chosen felt just right—neither too much nor too little. As she fastened her earrings, her phone buzzed with a message.Alexander: “Outside your door, sunshine. Take your time, though. I’m enjoying the morning breeze.”She smiled, shaking her head. Stepping outside, she found Alexander leaning against his sleek car, dressed in a crisp white shirt and jeans that seemed tailored just for him. He opened the door for her with a small bow.“You look radiant,” he said, his voice warm and genuine.“And you’re over-dressed for an amusement park,” Olivia teased.He chuckled. “You’ll thank me when we hit the photo booths.”The drive to the park was lighthearted. Alexander played a mix of old-school jazz and upbeat pop, their laughter punctuating the music as they traded stories about childhood amusement park memories. Olivia was struck by how effortlessly h
OLIVIA'S POV The elevator doors slid open, and Alexander led me into his penthouse. The sight was breathtaking—sleek furniture, ambient lighting, and a city skyline stretching endlessly beyond the massive windows. It felt surreal, like stepping into a magazine spread."Make yourself at home," Alexander said, his voice smooth as velvet.I hesitated for a second before moving further inside, setting my bag carefully on the coffee table. My gaze swept the room. Everything about the space screamed wealth and sophistication. I could feel Alexander’s presence behind me, watching my every move.“This place is... beautiful,” I said, trying to sound casual, though the grandeur of it made me uneasy.“I’m glad you like it,” he replied. His tone was warm, but there was an undercurrent of something else.He moved to a sleek bar cart by the wall and picked up a bottle of wine. “Red or white?”“Red,” I said softly. My voice came out smaller than I expected, but I didn’t want to seem ungrateful. He’
ALEXANDER'S POV Rain cascades down the massive floor-to-ceiling windows of my penthouse, blurring the city skyline into a haze of light and shadow. I stand with a tumbler of bourbon in hand, staring out at the chaos below. From up here, the city looks insignificant, like an anthill waiting to be crushed. But tonight, my mind is far from the city. My thoughts are consumed by her. Olivia Harper. I swirl the amber liquid in my glass, savoring its warmth as I replay the moment I first saw her. She was just another face in a crowd of students, sitting in the third row during that seminar. I hadn’t planned on paying attention to anyone, much less her, but there was something about her that snagged my interest. Not her face—it was pretty enough, I suppose, in that fresh, innocent way. But it was her body. The kind of body that doesn’t know its own power. Hidden under dull, modest clothes, her curves still managed to tease, to tempt. She didn’t know it, but every shy glance, every
Sebastian Massimo leaned back in his plush leather chair, the glow of his laptop screen casting sharp shadows across his chiseled features. The numbers on the spreadsheet blurred together, meaningless. Another late night, another silent office. The clicking of the clock was his only companion. This was his life—a successful business built from nothing, yet nothing to show for it but loneliness. At thirty-six, Sebastian had everything a man could desire: wealth, power, and influence. But his sprawling villa in Florence felt like a gilded cage. Until her. He had first seen Olivia at a business seminar in Milan. She wasn’t meant to stand out; just another face in the sea of suits and polished shoes. But the moment she walked into the conference room, Sebastian’s world tilted. She wasn’t like the others. Her demeanor was gentle, her presence understated, yet magnetic. Sebastian watched her from across the room as she nervously adjusted her glasses and tucked a strand of hair behind h
The rain poured mercilessly, drenching the streets in a glossy sheen. Sebastian moved swiftly, carrying Olivia’s unconscious form in his arms. Her face was pale, her lips trembling from the cold. He ignored the water soaking through his clothes and darkening his hair; his only focus was getting her to safety. The ride to his luxurious mansion was silent except for the rhythmic drip of water from his coat. The luxury elevator’s polished mirrors reflected his composed yet intense expression. Once inside his mansion, he placed Olivia gently on the velvet couch in the center of the living room. The room was expansive, illuminated by soft, golden lighting that reflected off the marble floors and modern furniture. With precise movements, he removed her damp shoes and tucked a blanket over her, ensuring she was warm. Sebastian picked up his phone and dialed a number. The voice on the other end greeted him, but he cut to the point. “Dr. Moretti, I need you at my residence immediatel
Morning light filtered through the soft drapes, casting a golden glow across the unfamiliar room. Olivia stirred awake, her lashes fluttering as she blinked against the brightness. For a moment, she felt weightless, caught in the haze of waking from a dream. But as she turned her head, reality began to set in. This wasn’t her room. The bed was far larger and more luxurious than her simple one-bedroom apartment could afford. The room was pristine, with an understated elegance. A single abstract painting dominated the far wall, its muted colors blending seamlessly with the cream and beige decor. A glass door led to a balcony, where sunlight spilled onto the floor in soft, inviting pools. Olivia sat up, clutching the comforter to her chest as unease rippled through her. The events of the previous night were fragmented, flashes of rain and heartbreak mingling with the sense of falling into nothingness. She remembered leaving Alexander’s penthouse, her body trembling with anger and hu
Sebastian leaned back in his chair, a rare moment of serenity washing over him as he glanced at the clock. It was finally time for lunch—an excuse to steal a few precious minutes with his wife. He turned his gaze toward Olivia’s cabin, where she was immersed in her work, oblivious to his plans. Smirking to himself, he reached for the intercom and pressed the button to call her. Olivia picked up without looking at the caller ID. “Hello?” she said, her voice distracted but soft. “It’s time for lunch,” Sebastian’s smooth voice replied. “So?” she retorted, not bothering to mask the mild irritation in her tone. He chuckled quietly, a teasing edge creeping into his words. “Can I get my wife now?” At that, Olivia glanced up, her eyes meeting his through the glass wall separating their offices. A slight blush crept up her cheeks, but she quickly tried to compose herself. “I’m not hungry,” she said, hoping to deflect him. Sebastian’s smirk widened, his tone firm yet laced with affection
After breakfast, Sebastian led Olivia to the car. The ride to the office was quiet but charged with unspoken tension. She gazed out the window, trying to calm her nerves about the day ahead, while Sebastian occasionally glanced her way, a faint smile playing on his lips. As they entered the office building, the atmosphere shifted. Heads turned as they walked through the spacious, marble-floored lobby. Conversations paused, and whispers spread like wildfire. Olivia could feel the weight of everyone’s stares, a mix of curiosity, admiration, and jealousy in their eyes. Sebastian, unfazed, walked with his usual air of authority. Olivia, however, kept her gaze forward, her cheeks flushing faintly. She wasn’t used to being the center of attention. When they reached the top floor, he led her to a glass door beside his office and pushed it open. The cabin inside was stunning—sleek, modern furniture, a large mahogany desk, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the ci
Olivia woke slowly, the soft light of morning peeking through the window. She was in an unfamiliar room, though it felt like the one she'd spent the night in. She turned her head and saw the bed was untouched beside her. Sebastian had given her privacy, sleeping in the room next door. She sat up, the heaviness of last night still lingering. She remembered everything clearly—the marriage, his cold ultimatum. You can go back to work, but on one condition: you’ll get special treatment, as my wife. The words echoed in her mind as she swung her legs off the bed and stood up. Her feet met the plush carpet, and she walked to the window, looking out at the sprawling grounds of his mansion. She could feel the weight of his condition pressing down on her. She didn’t want to accept it, but she had no choice. Special treatment, she thought bitterly. The idea of being treated like a trophy at work, her position tied solely to her marriage, didn’t sit well with her. But she needed to work. Sh
They heard the doorbell rang, their attention got diverted to it leaving Olivia's request " It must be the food delivery, I ordered your favorite. let's continue this discussion on the dining table" Sebestian said, making Olivia nod. Olivia entered in the dining room and settled on one of the chair of dining table, Sebestian also came after sometime taking the delivery. Olivia stood and served them both. The dining room was steeped in tension, every clink of cutlery against the plates amplified in the silence. Olivia sat stiffly, her gaze fixed on the table as she tried to summon the courage to speak."I need to go back to work," she said finally, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.Sebastian, seated across from her, raised his head slowly, his dark eyes narrowing slightly. He took his time setting his coffee cup down, studying her with an intensity that made her stomach twist."You can," he said, his voice calm yet commanding.For a fleeting moment, relief fluttered in
Sebastian walked into the living room, his footsteps soft against the hardwood floor. The glow of the television illuminated the otherwise dim space, casting flickering shadows on the walls. He immediately noticed Olivia, curled up on the couch, a blanket loosely draped over her. She had fallen asleep there, her head resting against the armrest, her body relaxed in a way that betrayed her exhaustion. The television played the final scenes of her favorite series, the familiar dialogue now a muted background hum. Sebastian paused, taking in the scene. Her face was serene, her features softened by sleep. A stray lock of hair framed her cheek, catching the faint light from the screen. She looked so peaceful, a stark contrast to the turmoil he knew she had been enduring. He moved closer, his eyes lingering on her. There was something utterly disarming about seeing her like this, so unguarded. She clutched the edge of the blanket as though it were a shield, a subconscious act of seeking
I leaned back in my chair, letting the memory of the morning replay in my mind. It hadn’t gone as planned, not at all, yet somehow, it felt perfect.I had wanted to surprise her with breakfast—her favorites, of course. I’d envisioned her sitting down, her guarded expression softening as she saw the effort I’d made for her. But instead, I’d ended up with burnt toast, overcooked eggs, and a kitchen filled with smoke.She had walked in just as I was waving a towel to clear the air, her eyebrows raised in surprise. For a moment, I thought she might laugh, but instead, she tilted her head, studying me like I was an unsolvable puzzle. Then, to my surprise, she’d suggested we cook together.I hadn’t expected her to offer, but the idea of working side by side with her was too tempting to refuse. So, I stepped back, letting her take the lead. She seemed more at ease as she moved around the kitchen, instructing me on how to whisk eggs properly and how much seasoning to add.Her movements were s
Sunlight poured through the oversized windows of the bedroom, casting golden patterns across the plush duvet. Olivia stirred, the soft glow of morning nudging her from sleep. Her lashes fluttered open, and she instinctively reached for the other side of the bed, but her hand met cool, undisturbed sheets. Frowning slightly, she sat up, her fingers brushing her hair out of her face as she glanced around the room.The elegant bedroom, with its neutral tones and luxurious touches, was eerily quiet. Usually, she would hear faint noises—the distant hum of staff going about their morning routines or the clinking of dishes from the kitchen. But today, there was only silence, save for the faint rustling of trees outside.Curiosity tugged at her. Where was Sebastian? It wasn’t like him to leave without a word.She slipped out of bed, her bare feet sinking into the soft rug. Walking over to the wardrobe, she chose a simple light-blue summer dress, its soft fabric brushing gently against her skin
The grand doors of the mansion opened, and Sebastian gently guided Olivia inside. She still wore her wedding gown, her fingers clutching the edge of her veil. Her eyes darted around, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings of the place that was now supposed to be her home. “You must be exhausted,” Sebastian said softly. “Let me take you to our room.” Olivia stiffened slightly at his words. Her nerves showed in the way she adjusted her grip on the veil, but she nodded. “Alright.” He placed a hand on the small of her back, leading her up the wide staircase. The mansion was eerily silent, the soft click of their footsteps echoing in the vast space. At the end of a long hallway, Sebastian opened a door and stepped aside for her to enter. Olivia hesitated on the threshold, her eyes sweeping over the enormous room. A canopy bed draped in luxurious fabric dominated the space. The dim, golden light of the chandelier cast a warm glow over dark wood furniture and a faintly flickering fi
The hall was resplendent, decorated in hues of gold and ivory, with hundreds of candles casting a warm glow over the ornate floral arrangements. Guests mingled, their chatter and laughter blending with the soft strains of a string quartet playing in the corner. Olivia stood at the far end of the room, dressed in an elegant white gown that shimmered faintly under the light. The intricate lace detailing hugged her frame delicately, and the veil pinned in her hair cascaded like a waterfall down her back. Her heart pounded, but not from the occasion. She glanced at the man beside her. Sebastian was immaculate in his tailored suit, his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room. His hand rested lightly on her waist, a gesture that made her both uneasy and tethered. As the evening unfolded, Sebastian guided her through the crowd, introducing her to important faces she didn’t know, smiling and conversing with calculated ease. Olivia’s focus wavered as she tried to keep her