Romans de Setemi

Alton's eyes narrowed on her almost in warning. Scarlet looked away. She was on a break, and she was doing absolutely nothing wrong. Darren reached for her hand, his touch gentle and reassuring. “I'm very happy you agreed to meet.” Scarlet smiled, her finger lacing through his. “Me too.” Scarlet felt him before she truly saw him, the same way she always did now, like her body recognized his presence faster than her mind could process. Her fingers tightened around the ceramic cup in her hands as his shadow fell across the small table.“Red.”Her heart lurched.Darren stiffened across from her, confusion flickering across his face as he turned to look up at the man who had stopped beside their table without invitation. Alton stood there with his phone already tucked away, jacket still on. Scarlet looked up slowly.Alton’s eyes were on her, not Darren. They swept over her face, lingered for half a second too long on their laced fingers.“That's cute.” He muttered but she could hear

Scarlet lingered at the entrance of the Leverton longer than she ever had before.The revolving doors spun steadily in front of her but she remained just outside, fingers tightening around the strap of her bag as if the simple act of stepping forward required more courage than she possessed at the moment.Hell she could just call in sick or something! Scarlet shuts her eyes and whines, why does this keep happening to her?! First it was her risky picture and now Alton probably thinks she wants to kiss him! She wouldn't mind.. Scarlet shook her head, fuck no! After all the women he'd been with , that she knew off, she would be damned if she added herself to that collection! The scene replayed in her head with terrifying accuracy; The way his eyes had lingered. The warmth of his breath near her ear. The smirk that followed..Scarlet whines again, ignoring the curious glances being sent her way. “Why me?!” She groaned, almost close to tears. She had a job to get to, she was too mu

Scarlet should have known better than to argue with him. The only thing he knew how to do best was undermine her work like some maniac. He's so infuriating! Goodness, what she would give for the day to go by quickly! “I did exactly as you asked, Mr Alton.” She said, trying to stay calm. Alton leaned back in his chair, arms folded, eyes fixed on her with a look that made her skin prickle.“That’s not what I asked for,” he said calmly.Scarlet exhaled through her nose, keeping her voice even. “You asked for revised projections based on the investor’s feedback. That’s what this reflects.”He tilted his head slightly, gaze never leaving her face. “No. I asked for projections that anticipate objections. This does not.”“It does,” she countered, unable to stop herself. “If you look at page twelve, I accounted for the liquidity concern they raised and adjusted…”“I know what’s on page twelve,” Alton interrupted.Her jaw tightened.She stood across from his desk, tablet clutched in her han

Scarlet did not sleep.She lay on her couch long after Alton and Darren left, long after the building settled back into its usual nighttime groan. The silence felt heavier than noise ever had. Every creak of the pipes, every distant siren made her heart jolt, her mind replaying the image of him standing at her door, lifting her up to her dining table, his breath on her bare skin.Lock your door, Scarlet. Next time, I may not knock.His last message to her. She had done exactly that. Twice. The deadbolt clicked into place, then the chain, then the extra latch she rarely used. Still, she felt like that wasn't enough, he'd badge in if he wanted to. Hell, she'd open the door for him again. She sat upright on the couch, knees pulled to her chest, phone clutched tightly in her hand. Darren’s name sat unread in her notifications. She could not bring herself to open the message, not yet. The guilt sat thick in her chest, layered with fear and something else she refused to name. She did

Red didn’t breathe for a full three seconds. It's him, it's really him and she's here…in this rather suggestive position with her boss! The knock echoed through her apartment again. “Red? Babe? Are you in there?”Her heart plunged.“Oh my God,” she whispered, sliding off the table so fast her knee almost buckled. “No, no, no, no…this isn’t happening.”Alton didn’t flinch. He didn’t even turn his head toward the door. He straightened, his hands sliding from the table as he watched her scramble. His expression remained unreadable, calm in a way that made the panic claw harder up her throat.“Red?” Darren called again.She rushed toward the sofa, snatching up the first shirt she found, a loose grey tee, and tugged it on, dragging the hem down her torso. Her fingers shook so badly the fabric caught at her wrist.Hell, her boss saw her in her underwear! Goodness, everything seems to be going wrong tonight! Alton’s gaze lowered, following her movements in silence, hands in his pocket… but

Red stared at her phone, hands trembling so badly she almost dropped it. The screen glowed in the dim light of her apartment, the message bubble from Mr. Alton floating and unfloating like some cruel game.She smashed the ‘Delete for Me’ option, then desperately scrolled for a ‘Delete for Everyone’ button that didn't exist. She tried tapping, holding, even swiping, but the system just mocked her. Her stomach knotted, tightening painfully. Her breath broke into frantic bursts as she paced her small apartment, wearing nothing but a bra and shorts. The fairy lights usually comforting her now felt harshly bright; the half-full glass of wine wobbled on the coffee table. This can't be happening.She pressed the phone to her chest.“No… please… no… What did I just do?!”She had to get rid of it. Delete the message. Undo the mistake. But it was too late.Alton had seen it.The thought made her stomach churn. She could almost imagine the look on his; his piercing gaze, his furrowed brow, the

Damon didn’t remember the walk back to his office.The board was in chaos after Jack's arrest and he was forced to postpone whatever this was and address them once he understands what's going on. How did the police find evidence on Jack? He was still discussing with Caleb the last time he stopped by his house…The office door closed behind him. Patrick remained standing a few steps back, hands folded in front of him. The past few days have been difficult because of Naomi's demise. He had shed a few tears himself, recalling how sweet she had been and how much she brightened the life of his grumpy boss. Damon crossed the room slowly, dropping his phone onto the desk without looking at it. He stood there for a long moment, palms resting against the polished surface, head bowed slightly. Patrick wanted to speak but he couldn't find the right words to say. He'd taken him a lot to get Damon down to the office as soon as he learned Jack had called for a secret meeting. Now, the issue h

Jack stood in front of the mirror in his private office in Pearl, suit jacket already on, tie knotted, staring at his reflection. His phone lay on the counter, face down. He was yet to receive a response from the driver and it's been over four hours. He clenched the edge of the sink until his knuckles whitened; did he run to the cops like he said? He straightened his cuffs, smoothed his jacket. He had men in the police station who would call him if anything happened.Jack walked towards the door, today was for something else. “Cancel my next meeting,” Jack said as he passed his assistant. “And find the driver.”The assistant hesitated. “Sir?”“Find him,” Jack repeated, voice low. “And make sure he doesn’t speak to anyone. Ever.”The assistant nodded. “Yes, sir.”Jack picked up the folder prepared for the board meeting and headed for the elevator. The company bylaws were clear. A CEO deemed emotionally unstable could be removed by a majority vote. Damon had handed him that opportu

Victor didn’t sit down.He stood near the wall, arms folded tightly across his chest, eyes moving between Seraphine and Caleb like he was trying to make sense of a language he didn’t speak. “She’s alive?” Victor said again, slower this time.Maybe repeating the words would change the meaning. “You’re telling me Naomi is alive.”Seraphine nodded once.“And you both decided,” Victor continued, his voice tightening, “to keep that from Damon.”Caleb leaned back in his chair. “For now. Yes.” Victor exhaled sharply and turned away, pacing a few steps before stopping himself. His hand went to his temple, pressing hard.“You know what this will do to him if he finds out later,” Victor said. “You know how he’s been.”“That’s exactly why we didn’t tell him,” Seraphine replied. “Jack is watching everything. Damon included.”Caleb nodded, “I saw one of his men tailing us earlier. We lost him in the parking lot, switched cars.” Victor let out a bitter laugh. “So the solution is lying to him?”

Seraphine's grip on the steering seemed to tighten as she turned the corner, she couldn't do this anymore. She just couldn’t do it.She parked across the street and sat in the car for a moment longer than necessary, her hands still on the steering wheel even after the engine had gone quiet.She wasn’t angry.That was the strangest part.Anger would have been easier. Anger would have given her something to hold onto but what sat on her chest was guilt.“Fuck this.”She stepped out of the car and locked it, then crossed the street quickly.Inside, the building smelled faintly of dust and old paint. The hallway lights flickered on the moment she walked in. Seraphine climbed the stairs, her boots quiet against the concrete. She stopped at the third door on the left and knocked once.Then again before pushing the door open. Naomi stood at the other end of the room.She was thinner. Paler. There was a faint bruise near her temple that makeup hadn’t fully hidden, and her hair was pulled bac

Damon had not changed the sheets.They still smelled like her.It's been two weeks and the only thing the police managed to find was Naomi’s coat. Stained with blood. He had demanded that they continue the search.They had to find something, anything.. Damon refuses to accept she was gone until there's proof of that. A physical proof…The house was too quiet, like a dark cloud covered the mansion, refusing to go away. The staff moved quietly, avoided his study, and avoided his eyes. No one asked him anything anymore. No one offered condolences. That would mean they think she was really gone and he refuses to accept that. Damon sat in the study with the lights off, the city barely visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows. His phone lay on the desk in front of him. No missed calls. No messages. Nothing new from the police.He hadn’t slept.He hadn’t eaten.And each day felt like a punishment without her. At some point, Patrick knocked but Damon didn’t answer. The knock came a

Naomi had insisted on going to work. She knew Damon had left hours ago, asking her to stay home, rest, and recover. He was right, she needed the break but she didn’t want people whispering behind her back, assuming she was skipping work because her husband was the CEO. She wanted to feel normal again. She asked the HR to give her a day off and she's to resume back to work today.That's more than enough rest and more than enough sexual escapades for one week even though she wouldn’t mind another. The city streets were busier than usual. Early morning sunlight reflected off the glass of office buildings, and the air smelled faintly of exhaust. Naomi’s hands tightened around the steering wheel, her knuckles pale as her stomach growled. She’d barely eaten, and the exhaustion from the night before still clung to her.All thanks to Damon who couldn't keep his hands off her. She ignored her hunger, she'll help herself to a cup of coffee once she's settled. A deep beep startled her. Her

The rain had turned the world into a blur of gray and shadow. He wasn't going to let him slip. Now that he had a child involved, he wouldn't let Donald slip away and let him haunt his family ever again. The chase ended at the old bridge just outside the city. Rain had begun to fall, the wind howling through the girders.“Donald!” Seth shouted, his voice echoing through the storm. “Stop!”He didn't until headlights cut through the darkness. Arian’s black SUV screeched to a stop across the slick asphalt, blocking his path. He slammed the door and ran forward, his breath forming white clouds in the cold night air.He had been following since he saw Donald run out of the house. Donald stood at the center of the bridge, coat soaked, hair plastered to his face. His hands trembled, but not from the cold. In one hand gleamed a knife, slick with rain and blood.“Donald!” Arian’s voice rang out like a warning. “It’s over. The police are already surrounding the place.”Donald turned his head

The rain had turned the world into a blur of gray and shadow. He wasn't going to let him slip. Now that he had a child involved, he wouldn't let Donald slip away and let him haunt his family ever again. The chase ended at the old bridge just outside the city. Rain had begun to fall, the wind howling through the girders.“Donald!” Seth shouted, his voice echoing through the storm. “Stop!”He didn't until headlights cut through the darkness. Arian’s black SUV screeched to a stop across the slick asphalt, blocking his path. He slammed the door and ran forward, his breath forming white clouds in the cold night air.He had been following since he saw Donald run out of the house. Donald stood at the center of the bridge, coat soaked, hair plastered to his face. His hands trembled, but not from the cold. In one hand gleamed a knife, slick with rain and blood.“Donald!” Arian’s voice rang out like a warning. “It’s over. The police are already surrounding the place.”Donald turned his head

His heart pounded in his chest as she adjusted his tie, eyes staring down at her with more fear than she'd ever since in his eyes. She met his gaze, a smile on her lips. “What?” “I didn't know you were this..brave.” Thea chuckled. “There’s more to me than you know. And you're going to spend forever finding out.” “Is that a deal?” He smiled and she nodded, eyes glowing. The morning light fell softly across the kitchen, painting the marble counter in shades of gold. Thea was standing right in front of Seth, eyes fixed on his suit and then his tie before giving a satisfied nod. “You're good to go.” Seth glanced at the standing mirror behind her, crisp shirt, dark tie, hair pulled neatly back. He looked way better than he did weeks back. “I don’t have to go in today,” he said without meeting her gaze. She smiled faintly. “If you don't, we will never get this over with."Seth’s eyes met hers, calm but shadowed. “I just need to make sure everything stays in place. The police have

The air inside the courthouse was heavy, tinged with the sharp scent of polished wood, coffee from the vending machine in the lobby.It smelt of something else as well, anticipation and fear..Seth’s hand brushed against hers as they walked through the entrance, his grip firm and grounding.“We’ll be fine,” he whispered, though she knew it was more for her than for himself.“I hope so,” she murmured back, adjusting the lapels of her blazer.The courtroom was already buzzing. Reporters scribbled notes, cameras flashed, and the occasional whisper drifted across the rows of chairs. Thea’s chest tightened. She could feel every gaze on her, every expectation weighing down on her shoulders.Seth stayed close, he was going to keep her promise of keeping her safe. She had asked that they attend the trial; it would be their first public appearance after Celine's death. His fingers tightened in her as they settled down, waiting. The trial had already begun when they entered. The defendant, R

The first thing that hit him that morning wasn’t the light, it was the silence.The house felt too still, too quiet. The kind of calm that only came after a storm had exhausted itself. The curtains swayed gently, letting in fractured sunlight that painted lazy shapes across the bedroom floor. For a moment, Seth didn’t move. He just lay there, staring at the ceiling, letting the faint hum of the city seep through the walls.Is this the right thing to do? Coming back here? Would Celine forgive him for not giving her a proper goodbye? If he's going against Donlad, will the people he cares about be safe?The bed dipped beside him. A reminder that he wasn’t alone.Thea was curled up next to him, the sheets tangled around her waist, her hair a soft, chaotic halo on his chest. She was breathing evenly, one hand resting over his heart as if it belonged there. Seth’s fingers brushed over her knuckles lightly, careful not to wake her as if any firmer touch would break the illusion that she w

It's been three weeks. Donald was nowhere to be found, Celine had undergone autopsy and the police were doing their jobs. The rain began the moment the last words of the funeral service faded into the hollow silence of the cemetery.It was soft at first, hesitant drops tapping against the sea of black umbrellas. But soon, the sky broke open, heavy and merciless, as though the heavens themselves mourned for Celine Blackwood.Thea stood still under the gray downpour, her hand gripping the handle of her umbrella so tightly her knuckles whitened. Her heart sank with a sudden reality as Celine was lowered into her grave, she was really gone. She was battling a terminal illness but she was supposed to have more time. More time with her, more time to do everything she wanted to do. She could have met her grandchild….The scent of wet earth and roses hung in the air. Around her, people began to drift away. Family friends, old acquaintances, business partners who whispered condolences.Adam