LOGINCHLOE:
If someone woke me up this morning and told me the day I close my biggest deal would be the day Maya found out, I would have called them a liar.
For a second, I pinch myself, hoping it is a very horrible dream, one I would wake up from any moment.
"Ouch!" I yelp from pinching myself, only to see that Maya is still standing there.
"Baby, it is not what you think," he says to her, an
CHLOE:"Chloe, get back here!" Marcus yells at me, and it is like he is my father all over again.Furiously, I make my way out of the driveway, heading toward the main road to flag a taxi. My chest is so heavy that I just want to reach for my bed and throw myself on it.I dash into the road as a car speeds toward me."Chlo!" Marcus yanks me back by my shirt, just in time as the car passes by, honking.I stop short, staring in the direction of the car and then back at Marcus. My chest heaves, and I slap his hand away with jittery fingers."I am sorry," he whispers, cupping my cheek with one hand."Should have thought about that before trying to disgrace me." I push his hand away. "I need to go.""You cannot leave like this, Chloe. You are hurt, and—""You hurt me, okay!" I scream
CHLOE:If someone woke me up this morning and told me the day I close my biggest deal would be the day Maya found out, I would have called them a liar.For a second, I pinch myself, hoping it is a very horrible dream, one I would wake up from any moment."Ouch!" I yelp from pinching myself, only to see that Maya is still standing there."Baby, it is not what you think," he says to her, and she rushes to me."Chloe, are you okay?" she asks, and I look at Marcus. "Has he done anything to you, please tell me. I am so sorry…" Her hands are all over me.My heart cracks more as I stare at her. She thinks he is assaulting me."I am sorry, baby. I couldn't control myself. I have had feelings for Chloe for the longest, and watching her hug Arthur was too much.""Dad, can you hear yourself!" Maya yells
MARCUS"Vance!" Julius Sterling walks toward me, arms wide open as I make my way into his casino.The place is buzzing with guests, some at the pool table placing bets, some drinking, some watching the woman by the corner dance. Everywhere is high on energy and colors."Sterling." I put out my hand for a shake and he takes it hard, shaking me aggressively."If you are here to whoop my ass, I want to let you know I have been training for a while." He laughs, referring to the last bet we made at the table. Won a quick ten million that night."I am not here to play." My face remains hardened, and he looks around, giving an uneasy chuckle."Do you need something taken care of?"I give him a long stare before he straightens up. "To my office then."I follow him silently as he leads the way down the hall. Once inside, he signals the man standing by the door and he leaves.He offers me a seat as he sits behind his desk."So, what is this that requires such privacy, Vance?"I glare at him for
CHLOE"I will be at the club with the girls. Maya invited us out." I text Marcus after work.He doesn't text back like he would do in seconds. At first I brush it off, but after dressing, there is still no text from him."Heading out now." I text again, taking a picture for him.It goes on read. I sigh as I walk downstairs, getting into the car waiting. The driver takes me to Aura—it's my usual meeting spot with the girls.When the car pulls up, my phone beeps and it is a text from Marcus."Have fun."I read it out loud, my brows pinched. Then I sigh and toss my phone into my purse.I make it through the flashing lights and loud beat, echoing through the walls and floors of the club. There are bodies everywhere, men and women, rocking themselves to the music while drinking.Ther
CHLOEHe is sitting there on the long table in a suit. This is the first time I have seen him in one, and his dark curly hair is sleeked back. His eyes track my movement until I step up on the podium.My mind spins, but the room is filled with six other high-profile investors waiting on me. I force my shoulders back, mask the shock behind a smile, and clear my throat."Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," I say, trying to keep a steady voice. "Thank you for joining us today."I click the laptop in front of me, opening the documents on the large screen behind me."When you look at Rosé, you don't just see a fashion house," I begin, walking slowly across the floor and letting my hands do the talking. "You see a legacy built on absolute craftsmanship. Our fine wines, our bespoke leather goods, our gourmet dining—every single branch under the Rosé umbrella has stood the test of time because we refus
MARCUS:Arthur walks into my living room an hour later, a broad smile on his face."Marcus Vance, you have survived yet another attack launched on you."I match his expression, flashing him a grin as I step forward to greet him."I saw the news," he says, shaking his head as he takes in the sight of my foyer. "Jesus, Marcus. I had no idea you were going through all of that. You should've said something to the guys at the club.""I don't know who is a friend or a foe these days," I say calmly.He lets out a chuckle, but my face remains straight. I know he has no idea I'm involved with Chloe, but even without that knowledge, he shouldn't be taking an interest in her.He glances around the house, raising an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to offer me a drink? Or are we foes now?" His brows draw down. "You know I would never want to hurt you. And if I did, I wouldn't hide."We remain silent for a second, then he bursts into laughter, and I follow just to ease the tension.I walk over to the bar







