Melanie's POVHe was going to kiss me again when the sharp trill of the phone rang and cut through the air. Sam groaned in frustration again, said something that sounded faint, but at that point i was holding myself straight as if nothing had happened and it's all fine. I do not care that much, but when I looked at the screen, the phone call that was coming in and my smile turned thin and cold, it was a from Richard.For a moment, guilt pricked at me, here I was, tangled up in Sam’s presence, with his kiss still burning on my lips, and Richard’s name flashing on my phone. I forced myself to calm down before I picked up.I turned my back to Sam as I answered, my voice soft but steady. “Richard.”“Melanie,” his voice came through, tired and heavy. “How was your day?”I forced a smile, though he couldn’t see it. “Busy, you know how it is. What about you? How was your meeting with your uncle?”There was a pause on his end. “I don’t want to talk about it over the phone. I’ll tell yo
Melanie's POVI leaned back against the edge of the dresser, my arms crossed hard. I was tired, tired of watching Darla ascend, ascend higher and higher, with me moving round and round in circles to no avail.Her smile, how she drew people, with every stride, the confidence, it annoyed me."Time's up," I cut in sharply, my voice cutting through the silence of the hotel room. "I've had enough of standing on the sidelines and watching her. We need to stop circling around her life and actually do something about her."Sam stood on the other side of the room, a towel loosely wrapped around his waist.He was fresh from the shower, water still droplets on his chest and shoulders. He looked up at me, arching an eyebrow in a look of amusement."You just burst into my bedroom without greeting me, Melanie," he stated, chuckling. "Direct to business, as always."I denied myself the look too long on his chest, although my eye betrayed me for a second. He still cut it, more than cut it, for a ma
Xavier's POVI leaned back in my chair while Jace and Mavin absorbed my instructions. "Forget this ever happened," I instructed them sternly. "Jace, you're clear to return to work on the project.".A big smile broke out on Jace's face. "Thanks to you, sir! But… I should be thanking Darla. She stood up for me."Mavin, ever inquisitive, said, "What about Melanie?"I shook my head. "I can't suspend her without solid facts. Everything keeps leading us to her, but we don't have evidence. Don't worry so much about her. Just keep an eye out for Darla. I'll make up my mind about what to do with Melanie."They understood, and Jace gave his thanks with a nod before he left, his spirits lifted higher than they had been.As soon as the door closed behind them, I called Richard on my phone. My heart pounded faster than usual, and I tried to keep calm."Xavier," Richard said, his tone reserved."Richard, I have to meet with you today," I said to him."I was going to call you too," he replied. "I
Darla's POVI stepped out of the elevator, my heels clicking softly against the shiny floor.The receptionist had already told me where I was headed, so I walked down the hallway with confidence to the first door to my right.I paused at the door and knocked softly.“Come in,” Xavier’s voice called from inside.I opened the door and stepped in. He was sitting behind his desk, his usual calm smile on his face. “Darla,” he said, leaning back slightly. “What a pleasant, unexpected visit.”I forced a small smile but shook my head. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m here to talk about something.”Xavier folded his hands on the desk, his eyes attentive. “Go ahead.”I took a deep breath, letting my nerves settle. "I need to talk about Jace."His eyebrow rose, but he said nothing, letting me continue.I sat down in the chair before him, trying to keep my voice steady. "I need to tell you the truth about what happened with him. With the messages, the videos… everything. I don't want to be blindsided
Darla's POVI stepped out of the elevator, my heels clicking softly against the shiny floor.The receptionist had already told me where I was headed, so I walked down the hallway with confidence to the first door to my right.I paused at the door and knocked softly.“Come in,” Xavier’s voice called from inside.I opened the door and stepped in. He was sitting behind his desk, his usual calm smile on his face. “Darla,” he said, leaning back slightly. “What a pleasant, unexpected visit.”I forced a small smile but shook my head. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m here to talk about something.”Xavier folded his hands on the desk, his eyes attentive. “Go ahead.”I took a deep breath, letting my nerves settle. "I need to talk about Jace."His eyebrow rose, but he said nothing, letting me continue.I sat down in the chair before him, trying to keep my voice steady. "I need to tell you the truth about what happened with him. With the messages, the videos… everything. I don't want to be blindsid
Melanie's POVI allowed myself to sink into the leather seat of the car and look out the window. Nothing that we do works. Whatever I do, Darla just keeps climbing over us, always beating us. She's as though she is unstoppable.Richard, who sat beside me, didn't appear shocked at my fury. "Melanie," he explained gently, "you've always gotten things your way. First Jace, then this PM conspiracy in the media.""You'd know by now that Darla is a crowd favorite. Yesterday's dinner hour put the cap on it. The people will turn a blind ear to anything negative said about her unless there's irrefutable proof."I gave a snappy breath. "So what's my best bet, Richard? Get me on how to bring her down this time. I cannot continue going after her and losing.".He leaned back in his chair, his eyes thoughtful. "The best time to attack is when she doesn't know it's coming. When she lets her guard down. That does require patience, though."I paced away from him, agitated. "Patience is something I do