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Chapter 8
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2024-09-05 16:38:58
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In Love With My Enemy    Chapter 9
Isabella RooseveltAs I settled into the room Lucas had assigned meâa temporary arrangement, heâd saidâmy phone buzzed again. For what felt like the thousandth time, my family was calling. My mother, my brother. Every single one of them, their names flashing across the screen in relentless persistence. It was ironic, really; the four years I spent working undercover, my family barely reached out. Now, they suddenly acknowledged my existence, as if Iâd been gone for decades.I let the phone buzz a few more times before finally putting it aside, sighing in frustration. Pulling out my small suitcase, I reached for my usual work outfit. Simple slacks, a fitted blouseânothing that would draw attention. After all, thatâs what Iâd spent years perfecting. Blending in, hiding behind the mask of a modest assistant. But here, in the imposing grandeur of Lucas Harringtonâs mansion, it all felt out of place. Everything in this room, dark and cold with shades of black and gray, made it impossible t
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-10-31In Love With My Enemy    Chapter 10
Isabella RooseveltLucas walked into the office with his hand firmly on my lower back, fingers dangerously close to my ass, as we passed through rows of cubicles. Heads turned, and the office buzzed with whispers, murmurs floating through the air.My colleaguesâmy friendsâwere staring at us, their expressions ranging from shock to open disdain. Some were stunned, some wide-eyed with disbelief, but most wore thinly veiled scowls, judging me silently. They knew now.They knew I was a Roosevelt.The infamous Roosevelt-Harrington feud was practically legendary, a longstanding battle played out across business columns and news broadcasts.Every week, it seemed, there was a new twist, a fresh angle, or some scandal to exploit. People picked sides like they were rooting for rival sports teams. And, unsurprisingly, most of them chose the Harringtons. My family, wealthy and haughty, didnât exactly earn much sympathy among the working class. My fatherâs superiority complex had a way of pushing
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-10-31In Love With My Enemy    Chapter 11
Isabella RooseveltâHey! Thatâs my favourite top!â I yelled as Lucas rummaged through my wardrobe, tossing out things he deemed unworthy of his standards as we packed my belongings. We were getting ready for my move into his houseâa process he seemed to take as an opportunity to micromanage every detail of my life.Lucas turned, holding up my old, well-worn One Direction t-shirt with a look of pure disgust. âThis?â he asked, raising an eyebrow. âI thought you, of all people, would have a moreâĶ sophisticated taste in clothing.â His eyes scanned the shirt like it was a contagious disease heâd rather not catch.I crossed my arms, glaring. âWow, judgmental much? Are you planning on changing every little thing about me? You know you have OCD, right?â It was a conclusion Iâd come to pretty quickly back when Iâd first started working for this ridiculously controlling jerk.âYes, I know,â he replied flatly, barely sparing me a glance as he continued tossing out clothes. My frayed jeans, my ov
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-10-31In Love With My Enemy    Chapter 12
Isabella RooseveltMy phone buzzed relentlessly, lighting up for what had to be the sixtieth time today. I glanced at the screen, seeing âMomâ flash repeatedly. Sheâd been calling nonstop, her persistence growing by the minute. The guilt settled heavy in my chest, and finally, I couldnât ignore it anymore. Taking a deep breath, I swiped to answer.âMom,â I said, my voice barely above a whisper. The lump in my throat made it hard to speak, my emotions catching me off guard.âMy baby!â she cried, her voice breaking with relief. âWhy havenât you been answering? Iâve been so worried. Youâre not alone, are you? Why arenât you answering my calls?â She sounded frantic, each question hitting me like a wave of guilt.I exhaled, trying to steady my voice. âHeâĶ he took away my phone, Mom,â I murmured, not really knowing how else to explain it. It wasnât true, I hadnât had the heart to reach out sooner. Saying it like this felt easier than explaining everything else that was going on. Also did wa
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-10-31In Love With My Enemy    Chapter 14
Isabella RooseveltBy the time I was dressed, the outfit had transformed me. The elegant lines, the way it fit every curveâit wasnât me, but it was someone powerful, confident. A woman who could go toe-to-toe with a man like Lucas Harrington and not blink.But I didnât feel like myself, something if feel Lucas wanted to show my family.At exactly two oâclock, I heard the knock at the door. My heart pounded as I took a deep breath and made my way downstairs, where Lucas waited for me, every bit as composed as ever. He met my gaze, his eyes flicking over me with a hint of approval, and then moved to open the door.My mom stepped in first, looking visibly relieved to see me. Her eyes scanned over me, her expression shifting from relief to worry as she took in the sleek, almost severe look of the outfit. Gregory followed, his gaze tense and wary as he looked between me and Lucas.âBaby,â my mom whispered, pulling me into a tight embrace. I let myself melt into her arms, feeling a familiar
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-10-31In Love With My Enemy    Chapter 15
Lucas Harrington I scrolled aimlessly on my laptop, trying to focus on work but mostly just waiting for the Roosevelts to leave. The tension of their presence weighed heavily on the house. I couldnât stand themâfor everything they represented and for all the ways theyâd managed to harm my familyâs name and legacy. But Isabellaâs mother was different. From what Iâd observed over the years, she was a softer presence, someone who didnât carry the same prejudice or superiority complex as the rest of them. It almost made me feel bad for putting her through all thisâĶ but then again, she had willingly married a monster.A knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up, and there stood Isabella, just like she had for the past five years. She stood in that familiar, quiet way, the way she always had when she was my assistant, waiting patiently with that steady, almost soothing presence. Iâd always had a soft spot for herâa certain kindness I afforded her that I gave to no one else,
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-11-06In Love With My Enemy    Chapter 16
Isabella RooseveltI heard loud, rhythmic thuds coming from downstairs, each one vibrating through the walls and jerking me out of my book. It was around 7 pm; my mother had left a few hours ago, and I hadnât dared face Lucas since.Whatever he and my mom had discussed, I knew he wouldnât be pleased. I could sense the tension building ever since Iâd begged him to meet her. Thankfully, heâd caved, though the rare moment of kindness had left me more unsettled than relieved.I got up from my bed and cautiously followed the thudding sounds. My mind was racing.What in the world is he doing down there? Is he some kind of billionaire psychopath? Why do all hot men have to turn out to be-I froze as I reached the basement and saw the source of the noise. It was a gym, spacious and filled with high-end equipment, but my attention was immediately drawn to Lucas. My throat went dry.He stood in the center of the room, shirtless, hammering his fists into a punching bag with powerful, brutal forc
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-11-07In Love With My Enemy    Chapter 17
Isabella RooseveltI paced back and forth in my room, wracking my brain for some kind of excuse to approach Lucas. The last thing I wanted was to come off like a desperate, lovesick fool who couldnât resist his allure after a single, intense encounter. But the truth was, every time I tried to think of something casual, my mind went blank.Whatâs wrong with me?I wasnât the type to lose my composure over a guy, let alone one like Lucas Harrington. I didnât even think I had a crush on him. This wasnât some silly infatuationâat least, thatâs what I told myself.But ever since our last encounter, my body felt different, like it was tuned to him in a way I couldnât explain. My skin still tingled where his gaze had lingered, where his hand had brushed against me. I couldnât shake the feeling, and now I was restless, desperate to be near him, just to feel that same thrill again.With a frustrated huff, I gave myself one last look in the mirror before heading downstairs, praying Iâd run into
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-11-08
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In Love With My Enemy    Chapter 31
Isabella RooseveltLucas walked into the house, his tie slightly loosened and his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He looked as effortlessly commanding as ever, which only irritated me more after the day Iâd had.âWeâre going to Cole and Nicolaâs tonight,â he announced casually, barely sparing me a glance as he dropped his briefcase onto the console table.âWhat?â I blinked, caught off guard.âDinner. Small, intimate. Just family.â His tone was clipped, as though this was a formality he didnât particularly care for.I frowned. âThanks for the heads-up,â I muttered, already walking toward my room to change.I didnât bother dressing up muchâjust a simple floral dress that fell just above my knees. Nothing fancy. If Lucas wasnât going to put in the effort to tell me in advance, I wasnât going to break my back to impress anyone.As we drove to Cole and Nicolaâs house, Lucas barely said a word. He was distant, his focus fixed on the road. It was maddening. Every time I glanced at him
In Love With My Enemy    Chapter 30
Isabella RooseveltThe cafÃĐ was a pastel paradise, its walls painted in soft blush pink with accents of cream and mint green. Fairy lights dangled from the ceiling, casting a warm glow, while potted plants and hanging ivy framed the windows, creating an inviting charm. The tables were small and round, each adorned with a tiny vase holding a single fresh daisy. Behind the counter, the barista worked with precision, her movements almost hypnotic as she crafted beautiful lattes with intricate foam art.I stood at the counter, waiting for my Americano, my gaze drifting to the dessert display filled with macarons, cupcakes, and dainty slices of pastel-colored cakes. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of vanilla and sugar, wrapping around me like a comforting hug.âWooohooo, Isabella!âI snapped out of my daze, turning toward the sound. Nicola was waving enthusiastically from a corner table, a wide grin on her face. I blinked, momentarily caught off guard, before I sm
In Love With My Enemy    Chapter 29
Lucas HarringtonI woke up to a weight on my chest, the soft sound of snoring filling the otherwise quiet room. Blinking against the faint morning light seeping through the curtains, I glanced downâand froze.Isabella.She was sprawled across me, her cheek pressed to my chest, her lips slightly parted as she breathed deeply in her sleep. One arm was flung over my torso, and her fingers clutched my bicep with surprising strength, like she was afraid Iâd disappear.Oh.Wow.Alright.Not the worst way to wake up.I wasnât exactly a cuddlerâfar from it. I valued my personal space and avoided situations like this. But this? This wasnât bad at all. Her warmth seeped into me, her small frame fitting against mine in a way that feltâĶ annoyingly natural.I swallowed, trying to ignore how soft her skin looked or how her hair smelled faintly of vanilla.NO, Lucas.I knew I needed to move her. Lying here like this was dangerousâfor my sanity, if nothing else. But as I shifted slightly, her face sc
In Love With My Enemy    Chapter 28
Isabella RooseveltâCan I get my pillow and blanket?â I asked, standing awkwardly at the edge of the bed, my fingers twisting nervously as I avoided looking directly at Lucas. The very idea of sleeping next to himâshirtless himâwas enough to make my head spin.How on earth was I supposed to fall asleep with my massive crush lying a few feet away? Lucas glanced up from where he was casually leaning against the headboard, his phone in hand, and raised a brow. âAlright, Iâll get it,â he said, pushing off the bed with an effortless grace that had no right being so attractive. I swallowed hard, my gaze following him as he walked out of the room. His broad, muscular back flexed with each step, his bare shoulders rolling in a way that made it impossible to look away. The man was built like a Greek god, and the low-slung sweat pants hanging off his hips didnât help matters. I need some holy water. Help me, God.As soon as he left, I let out a breath I didnât realize I was holding. I stare
In Love With My Enemy    Chapter 27
Isabella RooseveltI stared at the clock on the bedside table: 2:03 a.m. The faint glow of the numbers illuminated the dark room, a constant reminder that I was wide awake while the rest of the world slept. My mind replayed every moment of the client dinner earlier that evening, each detail clawing at me with relentless intensity. I hated it. Hated how much I wanted Lucas, how every glance, every fleeting touch set my skin ablaze. And hated even more the bitter truth that I could never have him. "This might just be Stockholm syndrome," I muttered to myself, trying to make light of the storm swirling inside me. But the humor fell flat. My chest felt tight, my emotions too overwhelming to ignore. I needed to get out of hereâout of this house, out of his house. Without allowing myself time to second-guess the impulse, I threw off the covers and grabbed my wallet and phone. My fingers found a soft shawl hanging on the back of a chair, and I draped it over my shoulders, realizing too la
In Love With My Enemy    Chapter 27
Isabella Roosevelt We both stood up as an older man entered the restaurant, his steps steady but carrying the weight of experience and authority. He smiled when he saw Lucasâa small, reserved smileâbut when his gaze shifted to me, it softened, warming considerably. âAh, so youâre the one who finally saddled this man,â he said, his tone begrudging but laced with subtle amusement. âNow maybe he can keep his paws off my daughter.â The comment caught me completely off guard. My eyes widened as I glanced at Lucas, but he remained unfazed, raising his hands in mock surrender. âI didnât do anything with her,â Lucas said, his tone calm but tinged with mild annoyance. âYeah, sure,â Mr. Nagasaki replied bitterly, his eyes narrowing. âMy daughter came onto you, because youâre such a Casanova.â Lucas exhaled softly, a hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips before he quickly replaced it with a more serious expression. âIâm sorry for everything, Mr. Nagasaki,â he said, his voice u
In Love With My Enemy    Chapter 26
Isabella RooseveltAfter what felt like the most agonizingly slow drive of my life, we finally pulled up to the fanciest restaurant I could imagine. The glowing lights, valet attendants, and the steady stream of well-dressed patrons all screamed sophistication. Lucas parked the car, his movements as calm and deliberate as ever, and walked around to open my door.I wanted to roll my eyes at the gesture.Now heâs going to be nice? After ignoring me all day, after acting like nothing had happened between us, he was suddenly playing the perfect gentleman? My irritation simmered just beneath the surface, threatening to bubble over.The second he offered his hand to help me out of the car, I ignored it, stepping out on my own and walking briskly ahead. My heels clicked against the pavement, each step fueled by my growing annoyance at the infuriating man behind me."Isabella, we need toâ" His voice, deep and steady, stopped mid-sentence, the words trailing off into silence.I slowed my pace
In Love With My Enemy    Chapter 25
Isabella RooseveltI hate Lucas. I hate him for the way heâs been ignoring me ever since the kiss. He hasnât looked at me, hasnât spoken to me, hasnât even acknowledged me. The silence is unbearable, gnawing away at me with every passing second.I wish I hadnât kissed him. I wish I hadnât drunk so much wine. I wish I didnât exist at all, just to escape the ache twisting in my chest. Having a crush is exhausting. Itâs gut-wrenching, embarrassing, and it makes you feel like an idiot every single second of the day.And worst of all? I donât even know what I want from him. Do I want him to like me? Yes. Do I want him to make me feel special? Definitely. But what does that even mean? What does âspecialâ even look like coming from someone like Lucas?I sighed, my gaze drifting toward his office door, the very thought of him pulling at something deep inside me. Should I talk to him? Ask him something about the schedule? Anything to break this unbearable tension? I couldnât tell if my questio
In Love With My Enemy    Chapter 24
Isabella RooseveltâLucas,â I growled, my voice thick with frustration, anger, and an undeniable, overwhelming need. My gaze bore into his, my eyes heavy with desire.âOkay, you need to stand straight,â he said, his tone a mix of command and restraint, his large, warm hands settling firmly on my waist. His grip was steady, the strength in his hands sending a flutter of anticipation through me as I glanced up at his gorgeous, chiseled face.The moonlight cast shadows along his jawline, highlighting every sharp angle, making his intense gaze even more captivating. I had to press my thighs together just to control the overwhelming need his presence stirred within me.He drew in a sharp breath, his voice taut with tension. âIsabella, you need toââBut I didnât care to listen. âNo. Iâll tell you what I need,â I whispered, the words spilling out as desire overtook me. Grabbing his tie, I pulled him down to my level, pressing my lips to his in a fierce, demanding kiss, silencing any protest
