MasukLucas’ PovI had no business thinking about it as much as I was.Out of every conversation Natalie and I had shared over the past few weeks, out of every awkward silence, every almost-confession, every question that had gone unanswered, the only thing my mind insisted on replaying was five simple words.Your hair looks pretty today.I should have kept that to myself.It wasn’t professional, it wasn’t appropriate, and judging by the way I’d practically walked out of the conversation afterwards, it certainly wasn’t planned.Yet somehow, I couldn’t regret saying it.What bothered me wasn’t that the words had slipped out. It was the look on her face afterwards, the brief moment where neither of us seemed to know what to do next. She hadn’t looked uncomfortable, she hadn’t looked offended, and she certainly hadn’t laughed it off. She’d simply stared at me, completely caught off guard, like she was trying to figure out whether she’d imagined hearing it.The frustrating part was that I’d bee
Chapter Thirty-TwoNatalie’s PovI stood exactly where Lucas had left me, staring at the spot he’d disappeared around with Tom as though he might suddenly walk back and finish whatever sentence he’d started.“You’re… incredibly beautiful, and smart.”Then…Nothing. No explanation, no awkward laugh to brush it off, no “I meant as an employee,” nothing.Just Tom calling his name, Lucas looking like he’d been caught doing something he wasn’t supposed to, and then disappearing before either of us had the chance to process it.“Natalie?”I blinked.Mia was waving a hand in front of my face.“You alright?”I looked at her blankly.“I think…”I stopped.“What?”I let out a slow breath.“I think I’m in trouble.”Her eyes widened immediately.“Oh God.”She grabbed my arm.“What happened? Did Victoria say something else?”I shook my head.“No.”“Then…”I looked toward Lucas’ office.“I think the problem is me.”She followed my gaze before looking back at me.“What does that mean?”I laughed, th
Natalie’s PovAnother day to ignore Lucas like my life depended on it. I didn’t look towards his office once, I didn’t make eye contact with him when he walked past me, I didn’t prolong our conversations over the phone. I kept it very simple. And it was going well. Until…“Did I do something wrong?” I turned around to find Lucas standing behind me with both hands in his pockets. “Uhm.” He stared, waiting for an answer.“Mr King,” I said. “Natalie.” I cleared my throat and took a small step backward. “What do you mean?” “Maybe it’s in my head, but it feels like you’ve been ignoring me.”“Pfft. What? Me? Ignoring you? Why would I do that, you’re my boss.”“Okay, but you’ve been avoiding me.”“I haven’t.” “You sent Emily to deliver a file you could’ve easily walked ten steps to my office to deliver.” “My legs were tired,” I said, looking down.“I see.” He tilted his head to make contact with my eyes. “Are your eyes tired too? You’ve barely looked at me.” “Mr. King, I-”“You
Chapter Twenty Nine Lucas’ Pov- I picked up my phone to call Sophia, already imagining how terrible the conversation would go for her. But the conversation with Victoria later would’ve gone worse. So I had to calm down. Honestly, I wasn’t sure why I was so angry. Between her bringing personal matters to work and being way too clingy. Or maybe, I just didn’t want Natalie thinking it was more than what it was. I sighed. I used to think the months without her were hard but this is worse. A knock interrupted my thoughts before it could get too far. “Mr King? Sorry to interrupt but I have something important to tell you.” Tom walked in with the brightest smile I’d ever seen. “Yes, Tom?” “I just took a look at the stock market and we’re going higher than ever.” He walked closer to my desk and dropped his tab on my desk for me to see. “We even surpassed The Crescents.” “Is that so?”“I don’t know what we did, but we need to do more of it.” I glanced over at Natalie’s office. “Wh
Natalie’s Pov“Morning.”I looked up from my desk.Lucas stood outside my office with a coffee in one hand, and the other in his pocket. “Good morning, Mr. King.”“How was your night?”I took a double look at him, unsure of where the question was coming from. “It was… good.”He nodded. “And Ava?”“She’s doing okay as well. She’s excited to start school.” His lips twitched.“I remember being impatient before my first day of school too.”“You?”He looked mildly offended.“I did go to school, Natalie.”I laughed.“I know. It’s just hard imagining you as a little boy.”“I was very well-behaved. Part of the student council too.” “That’s not surprising in the slightest bit.” He laughed softly.“And you? How do you feel about her starting school?”I let out a long sigh. “I can’t say I’m sad. I always wanted her to make friends….and the thoughts of not having to worry about her everytime is refreshing I can’t lie.”“I wish I could understand the feeling.” “It’s amazing, honestly.” He
Natalie’s PovI spent the entire night, and morning, and drive to work just trying to convince myself that yesterday had been a mistake. Lucas had only been kind. That was all.People complimented each other every day. It didn’t mean anything.It certainly didn’t mean anything when your boss brushed a strand of hair behind your ear and looked at you like…I shook my head.No.I wasn’t doing this to myself.Luckily for me, the first face I saw as I stepped into the company was Lucas’. He was talking to a client with his back to me. Without even knowing, I froze in place until he started walking towards the elevators. I let out a breathe I had been holding and walked to Mia’s desk. “Morning.”“Morning,” she looked at me properly before grinning. “Someone looks happy.” “Who?” I turned around. “Me?” “I don’t see anyone else standing in front of me.” “I do not look happy.” “So you’re not?”“No, I am, I’m just saying,” I sighed. “Just forget it.” She laughed and so did I.“Today’s th
Chapter One - Natalie Pov: My phone started ringing before I could take a single sip. I looked at it in pure disgust. It was an unknown number and I wasn’t in the mood to even guess who it was. I stared at the screen, debating whether to ignore it. The phone rang again. And again.With a sigh,
Chapter 3LUCAS’ POV I didn’t want to attend that meeting, but I was glad I did. Apparently, I had a new personal assistant. Not that I needed one, but mother insisted. But when she walked in and I got just a glimpse of her, my whole world stopped. It was a face I hadn’t seen in years, and neve
Chapter Two - NATALIE'S POV The phone nearly slipped from my hand.“What the fuck?” I muttered. Jason was a lot of things, but this was a whole new level of low. I typed. “Are you stalking me now?” Then I cleared it. I stared at the message, panicking and thinking of how to respond. So I did
Prologue - Five Years EarlierI should have known something was wrong the moment Vanessa volunteered to help with the wedding.My stepsister had never volunteered for anything in her life, not unless there was something in it for her.Yet somehow, I ignored every warning sign.The late-night phone







