Novels by Essie E

Brittney’s povI checked my reflection for the tenth time, smoothing my blouse and second-guessing my outfit. It was just a work trip.Just a business meeting. Just me and Jordan. Alone.I groaned, tossing another blouse into my suitcase and immediately regretting it. Was it too formal? Too casual? Too…suggestive?From the couch, flora let out a dramatic sigh. “You do realize you’re just going to work, right? Not a romantic getaway.” I shot her a glare. “I know that.” She smirked. “Then why are you packing like you’re meeting a sugar daddy?”I grabbed a pillow and chucked it at her and she dodged it easily, laughing. Flopping onto my bed, I exhaled. “I don’t want things to be weird.” Flora wiggled her eyebrows. “Weird? or hot?” I threw another pillow at her. I’m She caught it, grinning. “Look, I get it. You’re flying to Aspen with your hot CEO, staying at a luxury resort, and pretending that you’re just his assistant. But we both know there’s something there.” I scoffed. “Th

Jordan’s POV Nate and I were still talking about Brittney when Phoebe walked up to us, arms crossed, a knowing look on her face. “Mom wants to speak with you,” she said. I exhaled through my nose. “Tell her we’ll be there in two minutes.” Phoebe rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. She turned and walked back inside, leaving me with Nate. Nate smirked at me. “You’re way too tense man.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “You’re still staring.” “Because I know you,” he said, shaking his head. “And I know when you’re trying to act like something—or someone— doesn’t matter.” I didn’t take the bait. Instead, I shoved his shoulder lightly. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.” We walked inside, heading towards mom’s room. She was waiting on the edge of her bed, reading glasses perched low on her nose as she scanned a thick stack of documents. A faint trace of her signature perfume—jasmine and something sharp underneath— lingered in the air. She barely glanced up as I entered. “Jordan.

Jordan’s POVThe car rolled up to a stop in front of the mansion, a place I hadn’t seen in months. As the gates slid open and I pulled in the driveway, a familia scent drifted through the window—the fresh fragrance of lillies and roses from my mother’s garden. I stepped out and let the night air settle around me. Everything looked the same, yet the house felt strangely empty, like a grand stage without actors. I walked towards the garden, drawn in by the flowers, my mother adored. Plucking a few lillies, I brought them to my nose, inhaling deeply. They smell just like they did when I was a child—soft, pure, untouched by time. The moment of quiet didn’t last. “Surpriseeee!”The house lit up in an instant. Laughter, clapping, and the voices of familiar faces filled the space. My mother, my sister, my bestfriend, and a few others stood before me, smiling. Nate was the first to reach me, a grin splitting his face. “Didn’t think you’d drag your ass back here.” I chuckled, shaking my

Jordan’s pov. The day I returned to New York, everything felt…. different. Aurora’s design, my empire named after my mom, stood tall amidst the steel and glass jungle of the city, a monument to years of sacrifice and ambition. But walking back into its walls after months overseas, something shifted. It wasn’t just the familiar scent of polished wood and designer cologne in the air, or the sight of the busy employees passing through the open spaces. It was the quite realization that I was no longer the same man who’d left months ago. I was here to now settle the pieces. The expansion into Europe was critical, but it wasn’t the design or the market that kept my thoughts occupied. “Welcome back, Mr. Carter.”Hayes, my HR lead, approached with his usual polished order. I nodded, aknowledging his presence as we walked towards my office. “Things have been running smoothly in your absence,” Hayes began, his voice professional. “Though, I’d love to bring your attention to a few matters.

Brittney’s povI froze. My brain scrambled to recall the key points of his speech, but my nerves betrayed me. “Well, uh..you mentioned the new expansion into…”Jordan raised up his hand, I took it as my cue to shut.. the.. fuck ..up. “If you’re not listening why are you here?” My cheeks burned in embrassment as I stammered. “I…I was listening, I just…”“Enough,” he hissed, turning his attention back to the table. I felt like disappearing, tears pricked the coner of my eyes. I know I shouldn’t feel this way, but how could I not? Being scolded, isn’t something new to me, but coming from someone like him. It made my heart ache.He continued adresssing the meeting, and I tried as much as possible to avoid his gaze. But I failed every attempt. When the meeting closed, and we’re back at the office, he said nothing. I kept glancing at him, for clues, anything at least. But his expression was neutral. I felt worse.But I kept my composure, I don’t even know how the remaining time went

BrittneyI stood in front of a massive company, aurora designs. This job was my last hope after countless rejections, and I couldn’t afford to mess it up. My hands trembled slightly as I adjusted my bag. I squared my shoulders, forcing myself to take steady breaths before stepping inside. The lobby was breathtaking, polished marble floors, enormous chandelier and gleaming steel accents that screamed sophistication. The company was a hive of activity, workers bustled about with purpose. I approached the front desk, where a poised receptionist approached me with a polished smile. “Good morning, welcome to aurora designs, how can I help you?”“I’m here to meet Mr. Hayes, from HR,” I said, hoping I sounded more confident that I felt. She nodded and directed me to the elevators. “Take it to the twelfth floor, his office is on the left.” I thanked her and stepped into the elevator. This was it, the opportunity to prove that I could stand on my own, away from the shadows of Tony and hi