Julia’s POVVictor adjusted. “A collaboration on the Nexus project?” he repeated, leaning back in his chair with a casual ease. “Is that all you need, my dear?”I tilted my head, letting a faint smile play on my lips, keeping my tone light. “Yes. That’s exactly what I need.” My fingers rested lightly on the stem of my wine glass as I held his stare. This was the moment the pivot from his flirtations to the real reason I was here. I wasn’t about to let his charm derail me.He chuckled and swirled the wine in his glass before taking a sip. “Done,” he said. “Tomorrow, I’ll have the documents drawn up for the project. I’ll sign, you’ll sign, and we’ll make this official.” He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly, a playful glint in them. “But what about my other request? Have you given it any thought?”I raised an eyebrow, my smile tightening just a fraction. “You just agreed to the collaboration, I need time to see what you can truly do for me to prove you really want me.”Mr. Victor was t
Julia’s POVThis was what I needed. I’d always wanted to meet Victor Langston personally, to sit across from him and pitch the collaboration that could change everything for Julison Enterprises. His company’s Nexus project, an AI-driven logistics system, was the kind of innovation that could propel us beyond our competitors, not just keeping us in the race but launching us into a league of our own. The acquisition, or at least a partnership, was a cornerstone of our growth strategy. My hand hovered on the phone as I typed a reply. I typed a quick reply, accepting his invitation. “I’ll be there.”His response came almost instantly, punctuated with a heart emoji that made me roll my eyes. I ignored it, tucking my phone into my bag. The rest of the day at Julison Enterprises passed in a blur of meetings and document signings, my mind half-occupied with the evening meeting with Victor. By the time I left the office, it was already late afternoon.Back home, I slipped through the front do
Julia’s POV“Really?” Isabella’s voice burst through the phone, bubbling with excitement, like she’d just heard the best news ever. “This is good news, Jules! Declan still loves you? Oh my God, that’s amazing!” She paused. “So, do you love him? Come on, spill it!”I opened my mouth, but the words couldn’t come as I stuttered. “I… I don’t…” My voice felt uncertain. My fingers tightened around the phone as I paced the length of my bedroom. “Common, Julia,” Isabella said, her tone softening now, like a friend who knew me better than I wanted to admit. “You can’t deprive yourself of happiness. Not again, you know. You’ve been through too much to keep shutting yourself off like this.” She sighed. “Declan’s not perfect, sure, but the way you talked about that night… it wasn’t just a mistake, was it? There’s something there. You felt it. Don’t lie to me.”I sank onto the edge of my bed. My free hand fidgeted beside me as I tried to find the right words. “Bella, it’s not that simple,” I said
Julia’s POVI didn’t pick the call. Ever since Declan and I had made love, I’d decided to avoid him. The memory of that night clung to me every second, impossible to shake it off, but I’d made a promise to myself that whatever happened, it was a mistake and I’d act like it never happened. So, there was no need to answer his call. The phone’s incessant ringing filled the tense silence of the car. I braced myself, expecting Alex to snap, to unleash the storm brewing behind his tight-lipped expression. But he said nothing. As he started the car. I stared out the passenger window, my reflection faint against the glass. The weight of Alex’s silence pressed against me, heavier than any words he could’ve thrown at me. His words from earlier, about Victor Langston kissing my hand, still stung as he addressed me as Indecent. The word echoed in my mind. How dare he? I wasn’t some naive girl who’d swooned at Victor’s charm. It was a polite gesture, nothing more, and yet Alex had spun it into so
Julia’s POVI saw Alex approaching as he reached my side, his hand brushing my elbow urgently. “Julia, we need to leave. Something important came up.”I blinked. Why? I couldn’t quite place it. Victor Langston, who’d been mid-sentence about our conversation, paused, his brows lifting as he tried to register Alex’s tone. I glanced at Victor, then back at Alex. “Alright,” I said, keeping my voice calm. I didn’t want to argue. After all, I’d gotten Victor’s personal card to reach him. I could see him some other time.Victor’s warm smile disappeared as his eyes narrowed slightly, assessing Alex. “Everything okay, Alex?” he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.Alex’s jaw tightened, but he forced a nod. “It’s urgent. I’m sorry, Victor, we’ll have to cut this short.”I could tell Victor wasn’t thrilled about being interrupted. His posture stiffened, and he crossed his arms, pulling taut across his broad shoulders. “This is rather sudden,” he said, “I was just getting to know your lovely
Alex’s POVThe person who called was Celeste. I pressed the phone to my ear. “Celeste, what’s going on?” “Alex!” Her voice was sharp and loud, edged with desperation. “I’m outside, but this stupid security guard won’t let me in! I’ve been standing here forever, and he’s treating me like some kind of intruder. Tell him I’m with you!”I pinched the bridge of my nose, closing my eyes for a second. “Where are you exactly?”“At the main entrance, by the double!” Her words were filled with every frustration, and I could hear the faint murmur of the security guard in the background. “Alright, stay there. I’m coming.” I ended the call, slipping the phone back into my pocket. My jaw tightened as I glanced back at the ballroom. Julia was still standing where I’d left her. But for some reason, I didn’t understand why I felt uncomfortable leaving her there. Victor Langston leaned in closer, saying something that made her chuckle slightly and nodded. I didn’t have time to dwell on it. Celeste wa