ROWENThe double doors of the boardroom creaked open with a deliberate slowness, their weight groaning on the hinges like a warning. I stepped in first, my polished black oxfords hitting the gleaming marble floor like calculated gunfire. Every head turned. Conversations died mid-sentence. The air thickened to syrup, stretched tight with expectation.Elora walked beside me, poised, silent, her steps steady and precise. She wore a fitted black pant and a soft ivory blouse tucked neatly at the waist, the fabric hugging her silhouette with refined modesty. Her dark curls were pulled into a low bun, exposing her slender neck and the delicate gold chain that shimmered beneath the collar. Nothing provocative—yet her presence beside me wasn’t lost on the room. The message was unmistakable. Not just to the executives at the table. To Ethan.From the way his jaw locked the moment he saw us, the way the veins at his temple twitched with restraint, I knew that message hit its mark. He couldn’t h
ETHANI adjusted my cufflinks again, the fourth time in the past five minutes. My reflection in the wide office window stared back at me—a sharp navy suit, crisp white shirt, tailored to perfection. Behind me, New York's skyline stretched into the distance, commanding and frenetic, mirroring the storm in my head. The Velmora presentation was flawless. I had dissected every single element of it and stitched it back together more times than I could count. Financials? Bulletproof. Growth charts, capital outlay, ROI projections? Tight. Even the creative slide transitions on the final pitch deck had been timed to precision.Anyone with an eye for how much this would bring us in the long run would approve it. Except for Rowen."Are the files ready?" I asked Ava without turning around. She was perched beside my desk, fingers moving rapidly across her iPad. Calm, efficient. She was always like that under pressure. I envied it. She didn’t even flinch, just nodded subtly."Everything’s in orde
ELORAI sat rigidly in the chair across from his desk, fingers pressed tightly against the smooth armrest as I forced my breathing to slow. My skin felt warm, and my jaw locked. Everything inside me screamed, but I kept my face still.He was watching me. Again.Rowen Grayson had a way of looking at people like he could see straight into the marrow of their bones. And I hated that he always seemed to know when something was brewing under my skin.“You’re quiet,” he said finally, voice smooth, edged with suspicion.I looked up. “I’m fine.”His eyes narrowed. The air between us shifted and charged, like a pressure drop before a thunderstorm.“Don’t lie to me, Elora.” His tone dropped an octave. Calm, but heavy. “You should know better than to set yourself up for another punishment.”I let out a bitter little laugh and folded my arms across my chest.His stare didn’t waver.I hated that I was already sweating beneath my blouse. I hated that I wanted to say what was on my chest, but feared
ROWENGrayson Towers stood like a concrete dagger in the New York skyline, steel, glass, power. The building hadn’t changed. The city hadn't either. Always cold, always fast. But I hadn’t stepped into this place since I got back into town.The moment I walked through the rotating glass doors, heads turned.The hum of conversation in the lobby dipped. People paused mid-sentence. Security guards straightened their backs. Receptionists froze, hands hovering over keyboards. Phones still rang, but no one picked up.I didn’t acknowledge any of them.Polished marble floors. Triple-height ceilings. A massive crystal chandelier overhead. The Grayson crest still etched into the wall behind the main reception. All exactly as I left it.Except now, I was back.My shoes echoed sharply as I crossed the lobby. My coat caught the breeze behind me. Everyone was staring. Some trying to look like they weren’t. Others whispering, clearly forgetting how well sound travels in open spaces.“Is that him?”“T
ELORALeaving the car park, I made my way straight to the building. I stepped into the building, expecting nothing more than another awkward day trying to avoid everyone, including Ethan's corridor. I saw Nina at her desk and tried to look away, but she saw me already. “Welcome Miss. Miller." She said, flashing me a bright smile and for the time I noticed how bright her blue eyes were.My awkward day has just begun. “Thank you, Nina." I forced a smile.She barely ever responded to my greeting and now she was greeting me first? I increased my pace, so I would not have to find myself in another awkward space.But the moment I made it through the front lobby, the two security guys by the entrance straightened.“Miss Elora,” one of them said, stepping forward. “You’re to report to President Rowen Grayson’s office immediately.”I blinked. “Excuse me?”He nodded. “Your access was updated this morning. You’re now cleared for the Executive Suite. The top floor.”I squinted. “Why would I be
ETHANI couldn’t believe what I was hearing.My ears rang, like a bomb had gone off beside my head. I had to yank the phone away for a second just to breathe.“Elora?” I said again, my voice cracking. “You’re sure it’s her?”“Yes, sir,” Ava replied on the other end, sounding as confused as I felt. “I just got in. The whole floor’s a mess. People are whispering everywhere. Apparently, the President will be on seat today and…”“I know the President’s back,” I snapped, already pacing behind my desk. “I introduced the Belmont initiative last quarter. Don’t give me reports like I’m an outsider.”She went quiet.My fingers dug into my scalp. I had to stop myself from tearing a handful of hair out. No. No, this wasn’t happening.“She’s his assistant?” I asked again. “Rowen Grayson’s new assistant?”“That’s what I heard. She showed up in a new car and…”I hung up.I didn’t even know when I slammed my palm against my desk. My computer shook. Papers fluttered. My breath came out in ragged burst