Chapter 5 - What a small world

I agreed to the housewarming party because I wanted my enemies in my territory. I managed to avoid Benjamin at the company, keeping to myself, working in my office and getting settled in the penthouse while managing Derek on a space but still short enough leash to be pulled back with just one longing look. I need dirt on Benjamin, and for that, I need not his trust but his interest in me... and his interest in me will be enough to make Derek a bit harder on my hook. With him, the sense of competition is key.

I spent the afternoon making the apartment look lived in, just enough personal clutter to look natural, just enough curated chaos to make it seem unplanned. The kind of space that whispers wealth, charm, and mystery without ever raising its voice.

By 7:00 PM, the first knock came. The nice young couple from downstairs were the first to arrive, she brought cookies while he handed me the bottle of wine. I didn't even get the chance to close the door when another person showed up and it didn't stop from there. Soon enough my penthouse was buzzing with people and as I was serving wine in the living room I felt a tap on the shoulder.

"Benjamin," I say as I turn around. "and here I thought you weren't going to show up."

He smiles, slow and sharp, the kind that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. He’s wearing a charcoal suit with a black shirt, no tie, the collar open just enough to look effortless but deliberate.

"Oh, I wouldn't miss it for the world." He says as he takes the glass from my hand.

“I’m flattered,” I murmur, stepping slightly to the side, not away from him, just enough to control the angle of the conversation. To keep his back to the room, and mine to the view. I need to see when he shows up.

"I love what you did with the place, it feels very homey, warm. My apartment lacs that tender woman's touch." Translation, he just wants me to know he is single and ready to mingle. Too bad it's not going to take him far.

"Well if you want I can recommend you the decorating firm I used," I say as I take a sip of the wine, letting it sit on my lips a second longer before smiling.

Benjamin chuckles, a low sound that vibrates more in posture than in voice.

“Tempting,” he says, eyes catching on the motion of the glass. “But I was hoping for a more personal touch.”

"I'll see if I can be persuaded." I give a little flirty smile to which he responds quickly when the corner of my eye spots Derek walking in. I look away from the door and focus on Benjamin, I touch his hand and laugh before saying.

"You know, thank you for somewhat making me do this. I was so deep in the work I really needed to let loose for a moment."

He steps closer towards me, tilting his head as if for me to hear him better.

"I'm glad to hear that. On that note, I never asked you what you do for a living." Benjamin asks as Derek appears right behind him.

"Mind if I cut in," Derek says as he steps forward, a box of chocolate and a bottle of wine in hand.

"Mr.Ashford, welcome to my humble home," I say, collaging him in the conversation.

"Happy to be here." He says before turning to Benjamin. "Ben, funny seeing you here."

"You two know each other?" I ask them as they stare at each other.

"Yes, I work for Ashford Global." Benjamin says and I smile, fake surprised.

"Oh my God, me too. I'm the lead consultant." I say as I touch Benjamin's hand again and Derek notices, his jaw tightens, shortly but noticeably.

"What a small world." More like I picked this building because I knew you lived here like I knew Derek has a penthouse in the building across from this one. "I never imagined you would be my new boss," Benjamin says with a smile as if he didn't care for it at all.

"Father would have introduced her to the whole team on Monday, Miss Sterling is officially taking on the project. There wasn't any need for you to meet her any sooner." Derek says as he cuts in.

"Well, Isabella, it's going to be lovely working for you." Derek doesn't like how Benjamin calls me by my name; at the mere sound of it, he shows irritation.

Derek shifts beside me, his posture stiff, shoulders squared. Benjamin just smiles, too pleased with his little revelation, like he’s the one who sets the trap.

But the truth is, I invited the trap into my living room. And I’ve already changed the rules of the game.

“It’ll be lovely working with both of you,” I say smoothly, my voice dipped in warmth but sharp around the edges. "Please excuse me for a moment, I'll go set this down and get you a glass." I slip away into my kitchen, setting down the chocolates and the wine but I dont go back right away, I open my indoor camera footage on my phone. I zoom in on Derek and Benjamin. Their interaction seems, tense. Derek did all the talking and Benjamin listened, like a good employee does.

I take a glass and head back when sure enough I bump into Derek walking into the kitchen. I don’t stumble, because I don’t do that. But I let the glass jostle just slightly, enough to make the moment seem accidental. Controlled clumsiness, like every other part of tonight.

“Careful,” Derek murmurs, hand instinctively reaching to steady my arm. “You alright?”

“Of course,” I reply, my voice soft but not small. “Just trying not to spill anything... important. Are you enjoying the party so far? Who knew Benjamin worked for you, I never came across him in the company." I say.

"Yes, well... he works below us. He takes care of materials... you'll hear more about it on Monday. Just, for the sake of not creating misunderstandings, at the work environment... keep the relationship between you and Benjamin professional."

I tilt my head, letting his words sink in as I set the glass gently on the marble counter. The wine inside barely moves, but something in the air sharpens.

"Of course," I say, my tone even. "I always keep things professional. Unless there’s reason not to."

Derek’s jaw twitches, barely, but enough. It's his dead giveaway.

"He’s just ambitious," he continues, a little too quickly. "And charming, sure, but don't let that fool you. He is not the kind of person you would want to keep close." Not that I was planing on it. I will soon get rid of Benjamin, I just first need to use him before makeing him pay. But why was Derek so if not too direct about it?

He’s overplaying his hand. His tone, the warning, the sudden need to discredit Benjamin, it’s not just jealousy, though that’s certainly part of it. No, this feels like something more.

“Do you always give your new consultants warnings about their subordinates?” I ask, teasing, but there’s steel beneath it.

He doesn’t answer right away. Instead, he picks up the wine bottle I set down earlier and studies the label like it matters.

"You dont know him well, I feel like I'm in the right place to warn you about him. Dont trust him." Is there really no honor among thieves? Or was this as simple as him trying to eliminate him in the run for my affections.

I watch him for a second longer, giving him the illusion of my full attention, while my thoughts flicker through everything I already know: I cant trust any of you.

"Alright." I say as I look him in the eyes. "Ill keep your words in mind. Thank you, Derek." I say his name for the first time. I kept it professional at first so that the moment comes, this moment... me saying his name while reflecting myself in his eyes so that it lands like a whispered secret instead of an open declaration that will lead him to believe I let down my guard, letting him in, offering my trust.

“You can always come to me, Isabelle,” Derek says, voice lower now, threaded with something almost intimate. “If you ever feel unsure.”

Unsure. As if I’ve ever allowed myself the luxury.

“I appreciate that,” I say, brushing past him, deliberately not letting the moment linger. Let him chase it, that way he wont control his mind when his heart starts following me like crazy.