LOGINWe reached the heels section.Rows of expensive shoes lined the shelves.Braxton looked through them without hesitation.Then he pointed toward a pair.Silver heels.Thin straps wrapped delicately around the ankle, while the pointed front made them look sharp and sophisticated.He picked them up.“These.”I looked at them.“They’re nice.”“They’ll match the dress.”The saleswoman took them from him.“What size?”Braxton looked at me.I gave her my size.She brought them out.I tried them on.They fit perfectly.I took a few steps.The heels were comfortable enough to walk in.Braxton nodded once.“Nice.”I looked at him.“Obviously.”We moved to the bags.He walked past several without stopping.Then he paused.A small black purse caught his attention.It was simple but expensive-looking, with a structured shape and a delicate silver chain.He picked it up.“This one.”I glanced at it.“It matches.”“That’s the point.”I rolled my eyes.“Of course.”The saleswoman placed it with the s
I turned around and walked back toward the house, my teeth clenched.I was angry.Actually, angry wasn’t even the right word.I was fucking pissed.He could have taken anyone else.Anyone.But no.It had to be me.Why?Why did he always have to drag me into everything?And the worst part was that I hated how easily he could disrupt my mood.He didn’t even have to do anything.Just showing up was enough.It was like he had this strange force around him that pulled me in whether I wanted it or not.I hated that.I hated every second I spent with him.I pushed the door open and walked inside.Ivy immediately sat up from the couch.“Oh,” she said, looking at my face. “You look pissed.”“He’s taking me shopping for an event he was invited to.”Ivy’s face lit up.“That’s great, Rosie!”I rolled my eyes.I had already lost count of how many times I’d done that since Braxton arrived.“There’s nothing great about going shopping with him. He only knows how to control people and get whatever he
A few days passed.Things between Braxton and me settled back into our usual boss-and-secretary rhythm.He worked.I worked.He gave orders.I complained.He ignored my complaints.I ignored his irritating face whenever I could.Adrian’s documents were delivered, the partnership was moving forward, and thankfully, nothing dramatic happened.For once, my life was quiet.And I liked it that way.It was Saturday afternoon.I was curled up on the couch with Ivy, one leg tucked underneath me while I mindlessly scrolled through my phone.Ivy was doing the same beside me.The room was quiet.Peaceful.Exactly how a Saturday should be.Then my phone rang.The name on the screen made my head pound.“Nooo…” I groaned.Ivy immediately looked away from her phone.“What?”I stared at the name flashing across my screen.“Braxton.”Ivy’s lips immediately curved into a knowing smirk.“Your husband is calling.”I rolled my eyes so hard they almost hurt.“He’s not my husband.”“Not yet.”“Shut up.”She
Adrian was the first to stand.He adjusted his glasses and buttoned his jacket.“I’ll expect the documents tomorrow.”“You’ll have them,” Braxton said.Adrian gave him a small nod.Then his eyes moved toward me.“Nice meeting you… again, Rosie.”“You too.”He turned and walked away with his men.I waited until they were out of sight before picking up my bag.Braxton stood.“Come on.”Of course.No explanation.No thank you for getting dragged into his ridiculous plan.Just come on.I followed him outside.The driver was already waiting.He opened the back door, and I got in.Braxton climbed in after me.The moment the car pulled away from the restaurant, I turned to him.“You could’ve told me what you were planning.”Braxton glanced at me.“You would’ve complained.”I turned my head toward him.“That’s not an excuse.”“I know. But everything went well, didn't it?”I frowned.I opened my mouth to speak, to lay all the curses I knew upon him but I didn't say anything.Instead, I rolled
The restaurant was quieter inside than I expected.A waiter immediately approached us and led us to a private section toward the back.Adrian walked in first, followed by one of his men.Braxton gestured for me to sit.I took the seat beside him.Adrian sat across from us.His bodyguards remained a few feet away.I looked around the table.Everything about the place screamed expensive.The plates were already set.Crystal glasses.Silverware.A bottle of wine waiting to be opened.I looked at Braxton.He seemed completely comfortable.Of course he did.He had probably been in places like this his entire life.Adrian removed his glasses and placed them beside his plate.Then he looked at Braxton.“So.”Braxton raised his glass slightly.“You really don’t have a last name?”I looked at Braxton.He didn’t seem surprised by the question.“No.”Adrian leaned back.“Interesting.”His eyes moved over Braxton’s face.“Everyone has a last name.”“Not everyone cares about theirs.”Adrian’s mout
Twenty minutes later, I walked beside Braxton through the lobby.I kept my arms crossed as we headed toward the entrance.I still had no idea where we were going.And he still hadn’t bothered to tell me.The moment we stepped outside, a black car was already waiting by the curb.The driver immediately got out and opened the back door.I got in first.Braxton followed.The driver closed the door, walked around the car, and got behind the wheel.A few seconds later, we pulled away from the building.I looked out the window.Then at Braxton.Then back out the window.I lasted about thirty seconds.“At least you can tell me where you’re taking me.”Braxton looked at me.“I want to invite a client for lunch and drinks. And you’re going to help me with that.”I raised an eyebrow.“Help you?”“Yes.”“How exactly am I supposed to help you?”He looked away.“I’ll think of something when we get there.”I stared at him.My mouth opened slightly.Then I closed it.Of course.Of course he would sa
We sat on a wooden bench under a tree. The wind brushed against my skin, soft and steady, like it was trying to calm something inside me that had been loud for too long.Neither of us spoke at first. The silence wasn’t awkward, it was heavy, but gentle. My heart still ached from everything that hap
And when my eyes met his, my stomach twisted again.Braxton stood in the hallway, one hand in his pocket, his eyes sharp and unreadable. The entire office was silent except for my mother’s voice echoing through the walls. She was still shouting, her face red, her hair sticking to her forehead like
I couldn’t focus on a damn thing all morning.Every time I tried to type another sentence, my mind went straight back to what happened in his office. His voice, his touch, the way his fingers—God. I rubbed my face and groaned quietly, trying to push the thoughts out of my head. I was supposed to b
I walked into the company lobby already exhausted, clutching my coffee like it was the only reason to keep breathing. Another day of surviving my cocky boss. Another day of pretending his stupid smirk didn’t make my pulse do weird things.The elevator doors were about to close when a large hand st







