LOGINRielleI arrived at the office earlier than usual, the building still half-asleep, only the low hum of the air conditioning and the distant clatter of the cleaning crew breaking the silence. I slipped into my office, closed the door behind me, and sank into my chair with a quiet exhale. The burgundy dress felt like armor today; soft against my skin but bold enough to remind me who I was choosing to be.Zayden wasn’t in yet. Perfect. I had a stack of contracts to review, numbers to cross-check, and for once I welcomed the distraction of work. I spread the papers across my desk, pen in hand, coffee steaming beside me, and lost myself in the details.Until that voice cut through the quiet like glass shattering.Familiar. Smug. Unwelcome.My pen froze mid-signature. My breath caught in my throat, sharp and sudden. Anger surged so fast it made my vision blur at the edges.Dante.He was leaning in the doorway, arms crossed, that infuriating half-smile on his face like he owned the place. Li
RielleWeekend had ended, and Monday morning sunlight was spilling across my bedroom floor like it had somewhere important to be.I stood in front of the full-length mirror, holding the dress Mom had pressed into my hands yesterday with that mischievous glint in her eye. It was deep burgundy, soft silk that clung in all the right places, with a neckline just low enough to be dangerous and a hem that stopped mid-thigh. Elegant, but undeniably provocative. “Wear it tomorrow,” she’d said, tapping my nose like I was still sixteen. “Trust me. Absence makes the heart grow fonder… but a dress like this makes everything else grow desperate.”I laughed out loud in the quiet room, remembering the conversation.It had started innocently enough. After the call with Zayden. Elsie was still on speaker with mom.Then Elsie…traitor that she is dropped the bomb.“Rielle’s boss is in love with your daughter… allegedly.”The knife paused mid-chop. Mom’s head snapped up and I just wanted the floor to op
Rielle.I pulled into Mom’s driveway just as the sun was dipping low, painting the old brick house in that warm golden light that always made it feel like stepping back in time. I grabbed my overnight bag from the passenger seat, slammed the car door, and then it hit me.Oil.I had totally forgotten about the Oil Lucas had gotten for me… he must have been so carried away with that old lady and he forgot too.“Shit,” I muttered under my breath, already halfway up the walk. Whatever. I’d run out tomorrow and grab it. She’d forgive me. She always did.I pushed open the front door without knocking, some habits never die and called out in that sing-song way I’d done since I was ten.“Mooooom!”The house smelled like her famous chicken stew simmering on the stove, garlic and rosemary drifting through the air. Comfort in scent form.“In the kitchen, baby!” she called back, her voice bright and warm.I kicked off my shoes in the entryway and padded down the hall, bag slung over my shoulder.“
Lucas I hurried back down the hallway, the small bottle of that specific oil for Rielle clutched in my hand. It had taken longer than I wanted to find it…they even had to check the back stock but I knew she’d appreciate the effort. The office was quiet this late afternoon; most people had already left for the day. I was already mentally rehearsing the apology for the delay when I turned the corner.And froze.There she was.At first, I thought my mind was playing tricks stress, lack of sleep, whatever. But no. The same soft features, the same quiet elegance.Although I was little, but who could forget someone like her.She was standing near the elevator, phone in hand, glancing around as if deciding whether to leave or stay. And right beside her..,talking to her was Rielle.Rielle, laughing softly at something the woman said, completely unaware of who she was speaking to.My stomach dropped.“Mrs. E—”She spun at the sound of my voice, eyes widening in recognition and something shar
My smile faltered for just a second- then widened when I truly saw who stood in front of me.“We meet again, darling.”The familiarity in her voice startled something soft inside my chest.“I…” I laughed lightly, surprised at myself as I stepped forward and hugged her.To my shock, she hugged me back without hesitation.“Ma’am,” I greeted properly when we pulled apart, still smiling.It was her.The woman from the other day. The one I’d met at the other mall.For a strange moment, it felt less like coincidence and more like fate deliberately nudging us into each other’s paths again.“How are you?” she asked warmly, holding my hands like we were old acquaintances instead of strangers who’d met twice.“I’m good,” I replied honestly. “I didn’t expect to see you again.”She chuckled. “Life has a funny way of circling back, don’t you think?”We talked for a bit, small things at first. The mall. The weather. How crowded places always made her nostalgic. There was something incredibly comfor
Past twelve.“Shoot,” I muttered, grabbing my towel and heading straight for the bathroom.I had promised to be at Mom’s place by two..no excuses. We were supposed to spend the rest of the day together, just us. No work. No drama. No Zayden Wolf occupying space in my head like rent was free.The shower was quick, too quick. I barely enjoyed the warmth before my mind betrayed me, replaying fragments of yesterday: his voice, his hands, the way he looked at me like the world had narrowed down to just one point…me.I dressed in record time, hair pulled back, minimal makeup, comfortable but presentable. Then I grabbed my bag and headed out.The mall was buzzing, soft music, polished floors, people moving with no urgency. I grabbed everything I needed quickly, determined not to linger for too long.Still… my hand betrayed me. I held my phone, wanting to call Zayden. But instead of his name lighting up my screen, it was Elsie’s text messages.Elsie: Have some self-respect and don’t touch yo







