**************CHAPTER 23~Kaia’s POV~As we returned to Blaze’s office, the tension between us eased slightly. I was still riding the satisfaction of having dismantled Shawn’s overblown confidence, but I knew better than to let my guard down completely. Shawn wasn’t the type to give up easily, and neither was Summer. It seemed like she has been influencing him. Blaze sat behind his desk, flipping through another folder while I organized my notes. The calm was short-lived, though, as his phone buzzed sharply. He glanced at the screen, his jaw tightening.“It’s my father,” he said flatly, answering the call with a clipped, “Yes?”I busied myself with my notes, pretending not to listen, but his tone made it impossible to ignore."No, that’s not necessary. We have plenty of qualified candidates internally,” Blaze argued. There was a long pause, during which his expression hardened. “Fine. Send over the details.”When he hung up, he leaned back in his chair, pinching the bridge of his n
**************CHAPTER 24~Shawn’s POV~—Coral Bar—I sat slouched in a booth, nursing my third whiskey of the evening while my so-called friend, Dan, sipped his beer across from me.“She made me look like a complete idiot,” I muttered, glaring into the amber liquid in my glass. “In front of everyone. My team, her husband—Blaze freaking Black.”Dan chuckled, leaning back in his seat. “To be fair, Shawn, you kind of walked into that one. Did you really think you’d just waltz in and charm her after what you pulled?”I shot him a look that could kill. “I didn’t pull anything. She’s the one who ran off and married that arrogant bastard. I should’ve been her first choice, not some random guy with more money and power.”“Yeah, well,” Dan shrugged, taking another sip. “You snooze, you lose. Or, in your case, cheat, and you lose everything. That’s just how it works.”I slammed the glass down harder than I intended, drawing a few glances from the other patrons. “Who’s side are you on? Huh? She
**************CHAPTER 25~Kaia’s POV~Having told Blaze my opinion concerning Summer, I simply distanced myself more from his office and focused on the HOF office. However, it didn’t take long for Summer to begin her games.During our first team meeting, she made snide comments about my financial strategies, questioning the validity of my projections in a way that was both condescending and calculated to sow doubt.“I’m just saying,” she said, flipping through the presentation I’d prepared, “these numbers seem… optimistic. Don’t you think we should be more conservative?”I smiled tightly. “Optimism is one thing; accuracy is another. These projections are based on hard data, not speculation. But if you’d like to review the research, I’d be happy to walk you through it.”Summer’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “That won’t be necessary.”Blaze, who had been silent throughout the exchange, finally spoke. “Kaia’s projections are solid. If anyone has concerns, I suggest you address them dir
**************CHAPTER 26~Kaia’s POV~I stared at my phone, trying to piece together Blaze’s message. “Cafeteria. Okay, I’m on my way.”What?I hadn’t even fully processed his words when a ripple of murmurs swept through the cafeteria. My head snapped up, and there he was. Blaze Black, striding toward me with the ease of someone who owned not just the building but the very air inside it.He didn’t slow his pace, his sharp blue eyes locked on mine. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. His perfectly tailored suit hugged his tall, broad frame, and his presence seemed to eclipse everything else in the room.The second my gaze met his, my phone buzzed again. I glanced down just in time to see his reply: “Here.”I barely had time to react before he reached my table, his deep voice cutting through the murmurs around us. “Having lunch without inviting me, wifey?”I sputtered, caught off guard. “I—what—Blaze, this is a cafeteria, not a private dining room.”He raised an eyebrow, a hint of
**************CHAPTER 27~Kaia’s POV~The day had dragged on longer than I expected, and by the time I got home, all I wanted was to bury myself in blankets and forget the world existed. But the sight of Blaze’s car already parked in the driveway jolted me out of my fatigue.He was home.My heels clicked against the floors as I stepped inside. I had stayed longer in my HOF office to get a few things done before heading home. The scent of freshly brewed coffee greeted me, along with the soft music of a jazz playlist coming from the living room. Blaze was lounging on the couch, a coffee mug in hand, his tie loosened and his jacket discarded.“Late evening, wifey,” he drawled without looking up.I set my bag down, kicking off my shoes by the door. “You beat me home,” I muttered, surprised.“Wanted to get here before you did,” he said casually, glancing over the rim of his mug. “Figured we could talk.”His words, while light, carried an undertone that made my stomach flip. “Talk about
**************CHAPTER 28~Kaia’s POV~The world tilted as I felt myself lose balance, the slick patch of water catching me off guard. A gasp escaped my lips, and my hands flailed in a desperate attempt to grab onto something—anything—to steady myself. But before I hit the ground, strong arms encircled me, halting my fall midair.Blaze.Instantly, he spun me upright and held me close to his chest. My heart was pounding, both from the fall and the overwhelming realization that I was cradled in his arms, his scent wrapping around me like a second skin.I stared up at him, my breath hitching as our faces hovered mere inches apart. His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, intensely, and I couldn’t look away even if I tried.“You okay?” His voice was low and concerned, yet there was something else in it that made my stomach knot up.I gulped, nodding slowly. “Y-yeah. Thanks to you.”Blaze didn’t respond right away. Instead, his gaze flicked to my lips, lingering there for a moment too lo
***************CHAPTER 29~Kaia’s POV~The office was quiet, the city lights twinkling through the floor-to-ceiling windows as I stared at my screen. My presentation was due first thing in the morning, and while most of the data was in place, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.“Late night?” Blaze’s voice startled me, and I looked up to see him leaning against the doorframe, his tie loosened and his sleeves rolled up.“What gave it away?” I said dryly, gesturing to the empty office.He walked in, setting a steaming cup of coffee on my desk. “You’re always here late. Thought you could use a pick-me-up.”“Thanks,” I murmured, taking a sip. The warmth spread through me, but it did little to ease the tension knotting my shoulders.Blaze pulled up a chair and sat across from me, his sharp eyes scanning my face. “You’ve been tense all day. What’s going on?”I hesitated, unsure how much to share. “It’s nothing. Just the usual pressure of making sure everything’s perfect.”“
***************CHAPTER 29~Kaia’s POV~The boardroom looked very professional with a long glass table, shiny metal details, and walls decorated with Apex Global’s recent successes. There was a bit of tension in the air as executives from various departments took their seats, ready with their laptops and notepads.Blaze sat at the head of the table and I sat to his right, my laptop open and ready. My heart raced, but outwardly, I maintained a calm, confident demeanour.This presentation was critical—not just for the company, but for me.As I rose to begin, the conversation died down, and all eyes turned toward me. The projector screen lit up with the first slide of my carefully prepared presentation.“Good morning, everyone,” I began, despite the nerves swirling in my chest. “Today, I’ll be walking you through the financial strategy and projections for our upcoming expansion into the European market.”The room was silent as I delved into the details, my words accompanied by crisp, pr
*****************CHAPTER 131~Kaia’s POV~The moment I stepped off the rooftop garden, something inside me clicked into place.I couldn’t run anymore.I couldn’t keep pretending that the walls weren't closing in around me.If I was going to have any future with Blaze—or even just peace with myself—I needed answers. The real ones. No half-truths. No more silence.By the time I reached my office, I was already pulling out my phone.My hands trembled slightly as I scrolled through my contacts and pressed the call button.It rang twice before my mother’s voice answered, warm but cautious. "Kaia, darling! This is a surprise."I inhaled, steadying my voice. "Hi, Mum. Are you home later this afternoon?"There was a small pause before she answered, "Yes, of course. Is everything alright?"I forced a smile she couldn’t see. "I just… I want to come by. I’d like to see you and Dad."Another slight hesitation on her end.But she recovered quickly, her tone chipper again. "We’d love that, sweethe
Kaia’s POVThe next morning came too soon.I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, flashes of the party replayed behind my eyelids—the whispers, the lingering glances, the half-hidden stares of strangers I didn’t know but who somehow seemed to know me.I dragged myself out of bed, forcing my body into motion even though my mind was still stuck somewhere between fear and denial.By the time I got to Apex Global, the familiar buzz of the office barely cut through the cloud in my head.Blaze was already there when I arrived. He stood by the windows of his office, phone pressed to his ear, speaking in low, clipped tones that I couldn’t quite catch. His tie was loose, the sleeves of his white shirt rolled up, and there was a tension in his shoulders I hadn’t seen in a while.I hesitated for a moment outside his door, then knocked softly.He glanced up, his expression softening immediately. He gestured for me to come in.I stepped inside, trying to push my swirling thoughts to the back
*****************CHAPTER 129~Kaia’s POV~The week passed in a blur of meetings, phone calls, and whispered conversations about the project with Kayne Kyle. I barely had time to breathe, much less think about anything else.It was Friday afternoon when Blaze knocked on my office door, stepped inside without waiting for a full reply, and leaned casually against the frame."You’re coming with me to an event tonight," he said, like it wasn’t up for debate.I blinked up from my laptop. "Event?"He smirked. "Gala. Big business celebration. One of my oldest associates is throwing it. I need you to be my date."I set my pen down slowly. "You need me?"He shrugged, unbothered. "You’re beautiful, smart, and far less annoying than most women who’d kill to be on my arm. Plus, I like looking at you."I rolled my eyes, but my cheeks warmed at his words. "You could have just said you wanted company."He chuckled. "Maybe. But then you’d have thought you had a choice."That evening, I found myself s
*************Kaia’s POVThe car ride home was mostly quiet.Blaze was at the wheel, one hand on the steering, the other occasionally tapping against his thigh. I didn’t press him for conversation. We were both exhausted. Meetings all day, back-to-back check-ins with the project team, Kayne Kyle hovering like a charming shadow I didn’t ask for.By the time we pulled into the estate, the sky was already turning dusky blue, the last traces of sunset melting into the city skyline behind us.As soon as we stepped through the front doors, we were greeted by the scent of something warm and cinnamon-sweet wafting through the air.Blaze raised a brow. “Smells like cake.”“It’s too quiet,” I muttered, glancing around the hallway. “Which means—”“She’s back,” he finished.Sure enough, when we turned the corner into the main sitting room, there she was.Grandma Black.Sitting upright and elegant in her floral-print blouse and pearls, legs crossed, a steaming cup of tea in her hand and a full spr
*****************CHAPTER 127~Author’s POV~The rooftop lounge of Seraphine, one of the city’s most exclusive members-only clubs, buzzed with low conversation and jazz humming through golden speakers. The skyline burned orange with the last of the sunset, and the air was thick with cigar smoke and quiet power.Kayne arrived just as David Mercer waved him over from a private corner booth.“Good timing,” David said smoothly, raising his glass as Kayne took the seat across from him.“I figured you'd pick somewhere dramatic,” Kayne replied with a chuckle, resting his blazer on the arm of the chair. “What are we drinking to?”“Progress.” David leaned forward, his tone was much cooler now. “And control.”Kayne raised a brow. “Sounds vague.”“Blaze is unravelling. Slowly. I’ve seen it. Ever since Kaia, he’s more emotional, more unpredictable. You showing up—getting close to her—it’s exactly what we need to keep him off balance.”Kayne smiled lazily, but his eyes sharpened. “You sound like
*****************CHAPTER 126~Author’s POV~The evening sun shone through the tall windows of Kayne Kyle’s penthouse suite, filling the space with warm light. From the top floor, the sprawling city unfolded—buildings like steel giants against a cotton-candy sky. But Kayne’s gaze was inward, fixed on the amber liquid swirling in his glass as his feet rested on the cool surface of the glass coffee table.The intercom’s soft buzz broke the silence. “Sir, Mr. Draven is here.”A smile touched Kayne’s lips. He stood and straightened the cuffs of his shirt. “Send him up.”Two minutes later, the door yielded, and Draven Davion entered. Dressed in a black shirt and dark jeans, his attire suggested ease, yet his presence never did. He moved with confidence into his cousin’s house while his eyes raked the surroundings. “Nice place,” Draven commented, his gaze sweeping over the penthouse a second time as though taking in anything he missed on first glance. “As expected.”Kayne chuckled, extend
*****************CHAPTER 125~Kaia’s POV~I was still sitting in the living room of my parents’ house when my phone buzzed beside me.Blaze.For a second, I considered ignoring it. My mind was still wrapped around the truth I had just uncovered. The weight of that document hadn’t left my chest since I found it.But I answered.“Kaia,” Blaze’s voice came through, warm and deep. “I was thinking… dinner tonight? Just the two of us.”I hesitated, shifting on the couch. “I don’t think—”“It doesn’t have to be anything serious,” he cut in, gently. “Just you and me. Good food. Maybe some dessert we don’t finish because I can’t keep my hands off you.”I should’ve laughed. I almost did.But something in me wasn’t ready. Not tonight. Not after everything.Still, I couldn’t bring myself to say no to him. Not when he sounded so hopeful.“I’ll meet you there,” I said quietly.Later that evening, I arrived at the restaurant he had chosen—Maison Lune, a softly lit, elegant space tucked into a quiet
*****************CHAPTER 124~Author’s POV~Eriel Black was sitting in his cozy study, gently swirling the last bit of his aged whiskey in a crystal glass. The late morning sun poured in through the tall windows, filling the room with a warm golden light, but his mind was anything but calm.Not today.He had barely finished reading through his messages when one of the housekeepers knocked softly and entered with a bow.“Sir… Miss Crystal is here. She’s waiting for you in the living room.”Eriel’s brows lifted slightly. That was fast.He stood up without a word, set his glass down on the desk, and walked down the long hallway. The housekeeper disappeared behind him as he stepped into the big living room.And there she was.Crystal sat elegantly on one of the couches like she had all the time in the world, her legs crossed, one hand casually resting on the armrest as though she hadn’t been at the centre of a brewing storm. Her smile was faint, polite… and empty.“Uncle,” she greeted s
*****************CHAPTER 123~Kaia’s POV~The soft rays of sunlight filtered into the room through the sheer curtains, casting faint golden stripes across the bed. I stirred slowly, my limbs sore and heavy, my skin still tingling from the night before.The space beside me was empty.Blaze was gone.I blinked slowly, adjusting to the light. The room still smelled like him—warm skin, spice, and something undeniably masculine. I shifted slightly, my body humming in the places he had touched, kissed, and worshipped.As the memories returned, my face heated.I remembered how his mouth felt between my legs, how he growled my name like he needed it to breathe. And when we’d both passed out, exhausted and bare, I remembered waking up sometime in the middle of the night with his face nuzzled between my breasts, his soft breath warming my skin, his lips pressing lazy kisses there as if he never wanted to leave.I smiled to myself, biting my bottom lip.But just as I reached for the covers to r