Chapter 4

Five years later

She stepped out of her car into London’s early mist. Her long brown hair was tucked into a loose bun. She had dyed it brown and changed her name to Brooke Monroe, her mother’s maiden name. Not Blackwood, her father’s name and definitely not Gray after leaving America to start afresh in London five years ago.

Her black coat hugged her waist as she walked into Forrest Media Group like she belonged there and well, she did. People nodded when she passed. Some smiled. She had earned respect here. She wasn’t the timid pushover of the past. She became strong, calm, intelligent, and brave. She worked her way up the ladder as the head sports reporter for football for such a prestigious company.

As she walked towards the elevator, she heard Melissa’s high-pitched voice ruin the morning calm. Melissa stood in front of her, twirling a strand of blonde hair around her manicured finger.

“Well, well. I can’t believe you decided to show up in that outfit today,” she said, eyeing Brooke up and down with a smile obviously fake. “Brave choice.”

Brooke didn’t flinch; she knew she would still make enemies and she can’t please everyone but now she couldn’t care less. She brought out a piece of gum and chewed slowly and said, “Didn’t think you’d show up in that much perfume; it seems like you’re hiding a particular stench.”

Melissa’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t smell. How dare you say that to me?”

Brooke laughed. “Anyways, thanks. I wasn’t sure if I should go with effortless or unbothered. I settled for both.”

Before Melissa could respond, the elevator dinged, and out stepped Caleb Drayke. The powerful and domineering billionaire. The owner of Forrest Media Group.

Six feet two inches, dark charcoal suit tailored to perfection. His brown, tousled hair styled to perfection and his jawline was perfect. Honestly, he didn’t need models in his company because he belonged on the cover of every magazine ever published.

Melissa’s tone changed immediately.

“Caleb,” she moved closer to him. “I was just thinking about you.”

“That’s unfortunate,” Caleb said without hesitation.

“I mean,” she giggled, flipping her hair, “maybe you and I could grab lunch this week? Just us. You know, to unwind?”

He slowly turned towards her.

His voice dropped low, calm, and razor sharp.

“It’s Mr. Drayke, Melissa.”

Her mouth parted. “Oh. I just thought—”

“I’m sure you did,” he said, adjusting his shirt. “You also thought it was appropriate to email me a dating app profile last week.”

Brooke coughed to hide a laugh.

Caleb continued. “You work in branding. Try branding your professionalism next.”

Melissa stood frozen, her face reddening. Unsure whether to blush, cry, or vanish.

Then he turned fully to Brooke and his gaze softened.

“You,” he said, smiling, “look like someone who’s about to get promoted just for wearing that outfit. Absolutely stunning.”

Brooke arched a brow. “Is that a real policy or are you just teasing?”

He smirked. “Depends on who’s asking.”

Brooke blinked and Caleb’s mood changed again.

Sometimes he acted like he was on his period, she thought.

“Why are you still standing there, Melissa? Start working,” he yelled, startling everyone.

Melissa rushed past both of them and Brooke didn’t give her a single glance.

And just like that, he smiled again. “I want to talk to you, Brooke. Privately.”

Brooke followed him into his office, suppressing the urge to grin at Melissa’s failed attempt to get Caleb.

Caleb shut the door. “I’m leaving.”

Brooke blinked. “Did Melissa finally do something to chase you away?”

He laughed. “No. I’m going to the States. I want to start another company there. You know a media company. Football or soccer, is finally picking up over there, and I also want to honor my mother, you know, a legend of the game in America.

“She is still my favorite player.” Brooke smirks as he hands her the folder.

Brooke opened the folder. Inside were plans, charts, and a bold title: Taylor Forrest Media America.

“I want you with me,” he said. “Since you joined us, you’ve been more than a staff member. You’ve worked in every department, covered every fire. I owe you half of my sanity.”

Brooke didn’t look up from the folder. “You’re welcome but I am not moving to America.”

He stepped closer, tone softening. “You didn’t believe the drug trafficking accusations when everyone else did. You helped clear my name. In weeks, Brooke weeks. You got my life back.”

She inhaled slowly.

“You helped me through my parents’ divorce,” he added. “You kept this company alive while I forgot how to function. I need you on this and you know Mom misses you as well.

She looked at him then, gaze steady. “You don’t need me. Caleb. You just think you do.”

There was a long pause, and then he murmured, “That’s not true.”

But she was already walking out.

***

That afternoon she sat in a restaurant. A polished one at that, with gold-accented menus and the kind of cutlery that screamed wealth. It was prepared for just the two of us and the staff of the restaurant.

Brook didn’t bother checking the time. He was late.

Of course he was; the rumors of his unruly behavior were true.

Ryder walked in like he owned the air around him.

Tall, broad-shouldered, and effortlessly magnetic, the man turned more than a few heads as he crossed the room. His skin was a deep, rich brown that caught the low lighting just right, smooth, flawless, and striking. A fresh fade and a close stubble lining his chin only made his features more defined.

His eyes swept the space and something sparkled in his eyes when they landed on her.

“Brooke Monroe,” he said slowly in the sexiest British accent ever, taking her hand and brushing a casual kiss over her knuckles. “You look like every bad decision I’ve ever wanted to make.”

She didn’t flinch. “And you look like every woman’s post-breakup regret in a leather jacket.

His grin stretched wider. “God, you’re even better in person. Let me sit down before I start proposing things I can’t take back.”

“So this is the Ryder Jordan. The newly acquired striker for the New York Guardians. World record signing for 200 million dollars. I expected someone taller.”

He pouted. “Ha ha, funny, you know I’m tall and I play like a giant too.”

She leaned in, “Is that your line? Or just something you tell yourself in the mirror?”

He laughed, low and genuine. “You’ve got claws. I like it.”

Let’s cut to the chase. “I’ve already ordered our food.”

“Damn. You might get a ring soon, darling.” He smiled, then leaned in, their lips only inches apart “I’m flying to New York next week. It is a new start; I want you to be there to interview. Full access, no filters, no agents. Just you and the truth. You are the best person to handle this.”

Brooke studied him, then she set her glass of water down. “I’ll think about it.”

Ryder chuckled. “That’s not a no. Let’s eat.”

After Brooke’s meeting with Ryder, she went back to her office and the closing hours were slowly rolling up.

Her phone buzzed quietly on the table. She glanced down, a gentle smile on her lips as she answered.

“Mommy!” Her daughter Rhea’s tiny face filled the screen, her eyes sparkling with excitement, while her four-year-old twin brother Ryan bounced beside her, waving happily.

“We built a tower so tall it almost touched the sky!” Rhea exclaimed, holding up a blocky structure.

Ryan grinned widely, “And I helped with the red block on top. You need to come to our playroom.”

“My little architects, I am so proud of you. I love you both so much, and I will be on my way.”

“Love you, Mommy!” they echoed in unison, blowing kisses through the screen.

She ended the call, still smiling, and just then Caleb appeared. “Please come with me.”

Brooke looked up at him, her smile fading. “I don’t think I am ready to go to New York, especially with the twins,” she confessed. “It’s everything—my past, my ex, and my family. They are so toxic and I left that life behind.”

Caleb reached out, his hand warm as it gently covered her. “You don’t have to face it alone,” he said quietly. ‘Whenever you’re ready to open up, I’ll be here.”

“Alright, Caleb,” she hesitated. “I’ll take the job. There’s a lot you need to know before we leave.”