All Chapters of HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

37 Chapters

Chapter 21

“I don’t know, man,” Adrian’s voice drifted through the slightly ajar office door. I froze mid-step, the sound of his familiar voice pulling me in like a magnet. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop—at least, that’s what I told myself—but something about the weight in his tone made me linger instead of walking away.“It’s purely business,” he said, his words sharp and matter-of-fact. “This arrangement means nothing. It’s just something I have to deal with for now.”The words hit me like a slap. My grip tightened on the glass of water in my hand as my pulse pounded in my ears.“You sure she’s on the same page as you?” another voice asked—someone I couldn’t place but recognized as one of his friends.“She knows what this is,” Adrian replied. “We both do.”A bitter laugh escaped my lips before I could stop it. My heels clicked against the hardwood floor as I pushed the door open, cutting into their conversation.“Don’t let me interrupt,” I said coolly, my tone laced with venom.Adrian’s head sna
last updateLast Updated : 2024-12-01
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Chapter 22

“You’re kidding, right?” I stared at Adrian, arms crossed as he leaned casually against the kitchen counter, a small, infuriating smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.“I’m not,” he replied smoothly, holding up two tickets like they were some kind of peace offering. “It’s already booked. We’re leaving tomorrow morning.”I narrowed my eyes, refusing to make this easy for him. “And you decided this all on your own?”“It’s part of our public image,” he said, shrugging like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “People expect us to do couple-y things, Mia. We’re giving them what they want.”“Couple-y things?” I repeated, my tone dripping with sarcasm. “Like getting on a plane with the man who just told his friend our marriage means nothing?”His smirk faded, replaced by something that almost looked like regret. “I’m trying to make it up to you,” he said quietly.“Oh, by taking me on a romantic getaway? How thoughtful.” My voice was sharp, but my chest tightened at the look in his
last updateLast Updated : 2024-12-01
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Chapter 23

"You’ve been avoiding me," Adrian said, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine.I froze mid-step in the hallway, gripping my phone tighter. I hadn’t even heard him come up behind me. Turning slowly, I met his eyes—gray, stormy, and piercing."I’m not avoiding you," I lied, though the way my gaze flicked to the floor probably gave me away.Adrian crossed his arms, leaning casually against the wall, though his posture betrayed a tension simmering beneath the surface. "Could’ve fooled me. You’ve barely looked at me since the plane landed.""I’ve been busy, or maybe I’ve had enough of your charming personality for one lifetime."The corner of his mouth twitched, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. "You know, Mia, for someone who claims to be immune to me, you sure seem to think about me a lot."My breath hitched. He wasn’t wrong, and that infuriated me. The villa, the kiss, the unspoken tension—it had all left a mark I couldn’t shake, no matter how hard I tried." I said,
last updateLast Updated : 2024-12-02
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Chapter 24

"I’m tired of you, Mia. Just leave." Adrian’s voice echoed through the room, cold and detached. His gray eyes, usually brimming with unspoken emotion, now held nothing but disdain. "What?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I don’t want to see you anymore," he said, crossing his arms. "You’re exhausting. Just leave and stop pretending like this arrangement ever meant anything." Before I could respond, another voice joined the fray, sharp and venomous. "You heard him! Leave my son alone!" Adrian’s mother appeared out of nowhere, her face twisted in anger. She pointed a perfectly manicured finger at me, her lips curling in disgust. "Do you really think you belong here? You’re nothing but a pathetic little nobody clinging to something you don’t deserve," she spat. Her words stung like a slap, but before I could defend myself, laughter erupted , harsh and mocking, filling the space around me. I turned to see my colleagues—juniors, superiors, even the interns—all staring at
last updateLast Updated : 2024-12-03
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Chapter 25

“Are you nervous?” Claire leaned casually against my desk, her perfectly manicured nails tapping on the wood.“Nervous?” I repeated, my voice a pitch higher than usual. I forced a laugh and waved her off. “About dinner? Of course not. Why would I be?”Claire smirked, crossing her arms. “Because you’ve been checking the time every five minutes since you got Adrian’s text.”“I’m not—” I glanced at the clock again, catching myself mid-denial. My cheeks flushed as I quickly busied myself with straightening a stack of papers. “It’s just… I don’t know what this is about.”Claire tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. “Isn’t it obvious? The man’s trying to get under your skin.”I snorted. “He doesn’t need to try; he’s already there.”“Exactly,” she said triumphantly. “And let me guess—he’s been doing that hot-and-cold thing, hasn’t he? Acting all intense one moment and distant the next?”I froze, startled by how accurately she had described him. “Maybe,” I muttered, avoiding her gaze.Claire
last updateLast Updated : 2024-12-04
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Chapter 26

“Adrian, this is ridiculous,” I muttered, shifting uncomfortably in the passenger seat of his sleek black car. “You can’t just spring things on me like this!” “Relax, Mia,” Adrian said, his tone maddeningly calm. He adjusted his tie without even glancing at me. “You’ll survive. Maybe even enjoy yourself.” “Highly unlikely,” I shot back, folding my arms across my chest. “You haven’t even told me where we’re going.” “You’ll see.” His lips curved into that infuriating smirk he seemed to save exclusively for moments when he was deliberately trying to get under my skin. “You can’t just drag me out of the house, force me into a dress, and then not tell me what’s going on,” I said, glaring at him. Adrian glanced at me briefly, his smirk widening. “You’re cute when you’re mad, you know that?” I rolled my eyes, muttering under my breath, “You’re impossible.” Moments later, the car came to a stop in front of an opulent building with towering columns and sparkling chandeliers visible thro
last updateLast Updated : 2024-12-04
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Chapter 27

“You call this paradise?” I grumbled, stepping out of the car and squinting up at the grand, sunlit entrance of Emerald Cove Resort. Palm trees swayed in the breeze, their shadows dancing over the cobblestone driveway.Adrian smirked as he handed the keys to the valet. “You’re welcome.”“For what?” I shot back, adjusting my sunglasses. “Kidnapping me under the guise of charity?”“Kidnapping implies you didn’t want to come,” he said, brushing past me to retrieve our bags from the trunk. “And judging by that little smile you’re trying to hide, I think you’re secretly excited.”I rolled my eyes but couldn’t suppress a tiny smile. He had a way of pushing my buttons and somehow making me enjoy it.---The lobby was a vision of luxury. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the turquoise ocean, and the scent of fresh orchids lingered in the air. Guests lounged on plush sofas, sipping cocktails as they chatted.As we approached the check-in desk, the concierge greeted us wit
last updateLast Updated : 2024-12-06
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Chapter 28

“Someone’s watching us,” Adrian muttered, his voice low but firm. His sharp gaze darted between the innocuous rose on the table and the view beyond the balcony.“Watching me,” I corrected, pacing near the couch. “And maybe next time they could skip the theatrics. A simple note would’ve sufficed.”“This isn’t a joke, Mia,” he snapped, his tone cutting. “Whoever left that rose wants to get inside your head.”“Well, congratulations to them—it’s working,” I shot back, rubbing my arms. The unease clung to me like a second skin, and I hated how much it showed.“You’re sure you don’t know who sent it?” he asked for the third time, his voice sharper than before.“For the last time, no,” I replied, exasperated. “Why would anyone leave me a rose? You’re the one with an endless parade of admirers, remember?”He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I really don’t like the fact that someone's watching us.”I stood, brushing past him toward the balcony. “Well, there’s nothing we can do about it n
last updateLast Updated : 2024-12-06
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Chapter 29

The warm scent of sea breeze filled the air as I stood on the balcony, staring out at the endless ocean. It was our last day at the resort, and the weight of that night still clung to me like a stubborn shadow.Adrian hadn’t said a word about what happened between us. He acted like it was just another night—another transaction in this twisted game we were playing.I hated that it hurt.“Enjoying the view?” Adrian’s voice broke through my thoughts.I turned to see him standing in the doorway, looking effortlessly put together in a crisp white shirt and tailored pants. He was holding two cups of coffee.“Depends on which view you’re talking about,” I shot back, crossing my arms.His mouth twitched, almost like he wanted to smile, but he didn’t. Instead, he handed me a cup. “Thought you could use this.”“Thanks.” I took the cup, letting the warmth seep into my fingers. “Is this your way of making up for being insufferable?”He arched a brow. “If I apologized every time you thought I was
last updateLast Updated : 2024-12-07
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Chapter 30

"It’s the red rose again," I whispered, staring at the single blood-red rose lying in the middle of the shattered glass. My pulse pounded in my ears, a chill creeping up my spine. "Adrian… why do we keep seeing red roses these days? Do you think… someone’s trying to send us a message?" Adrian stepped closer, his gaze hardening as he studied the rose. "A message?" I nodded slowly, unable to tear my eyes away from the ominous flower. "Yes. And whoever it is… they’re willing to go to extreme lengths. We need to be careful." Before he could respond, I noticed the unmoving figure among the broken glass. My breath hitched. "Whose… whose body is that?" Adrian moved swiftly, kneeling beside the lifeless figure. His face darkened. "It’s… our driver." "What?" I gasped, stumbling back, my heart pounding. "Our driver? Who would do this?" Adrian snapped to attention. "Someone call an ambulance! Now!" One of the security guards rushed to obey, dialing the emergency number with trembling hand
last updateLast Updated : 2024-12-08
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