#Chapter 15 WarrenPaul has been my housekeeper for five years. Back when I started the company and lived in a cheap apartment, he was there to make me food and keep my place clean.When you're a businessman, each minute is worth something. And I didn't want to waste it by pondering over what to cook for dinner or spending an hour at a laundromat. It cost me quite some money to hire him, but it was worth it. I wouldn't be here if I hadn't made that decision. Connor mocked me for months about hiring Paul, but when I founded my headquarters and spent a fortune building it, Connor agreed that I wasn't stupid after all.My alarm wakes me up and I hit the gym where I exercise for an hour and then take a quick shower. By the time I put on a suit and stroll into the kitchen, Paul is already frying eggs with his yellow spatula."Morning Paul," I greet quietly."Morning Mr. Archer. How was your night?" I can't wipe off the smile that splits my lips."Looks like you ha
#Chapter 16 WarrenMy morning blends into the afternoon by sitting through excruciatingly long meetings and attending calls. By the time I come back to my office, I'm on the verge of a breakdown. I check the time and it's close to one PM. I have an hour until Roven Wild comes around for a meeting.Opening up Safari my fingers still over the keyboard as I contemplate whether to do this or not. In the end, curiosity leads me to type 'Evelyn Melgren' in the search bar and hit search. In a matter of milliseconds, the page fills up with her information. I click the first link which seems to be about a company. When the website stretches over the screen and I see her picture loading in a cool transition, my gut squirms with eagerness.I scroll through the whole page and read every little detail there is available.Evelyn has a company. A wedding card print company. Surprise rushes through my bloodstream and I'm empowered with pride and happiness. Keenly I read the r
#Chapter 17 EvelynMemories are so powerful. It takes just one to slide into your mind for an army of them to follow. Your thoughts, ideas, plans–practically everything fades into obscurity when you begin to remember. One after another, flashback of reels and photo albums play in your mind, each memory kindling a different emotion.That's how I find myself in my office on Monday. My laptop is open in front of me, but I'm somewhere else, stuck in another time and feeling emotions long past. Warren has appeared twice in my life now and so far he's done nothing but coil bitterness inside of me. The venom that flows in my blood never dissolves or slips through the front I put up–I never let it. The cold and silent side of me doesn't exist anymore. Long gone are the days I acted with brutality and animosity. That's not who I am. Not anymore.I believe everyone has darkness in them. Some conceal it better, while others don't. I'm in the former category. The past and it
#Chapter 18 EvelynThe more you know, the harder it is to forget. It's better when alcohol scrapes away a few pieces of something tragic happening to you. If you can't remember, then you can't think about it and feel terrible. "Oh my God! Why didn't you tell me?" Yasmine asks softly."I was dealing with it over the weekend. I needed space and time." I wanted to talk to Ivan today but it seems like it'd be now."Are you okay?" My assistant asks the question on the tip of my tongue."I'm fine. Evelyn stepped in at the right moment and saved me. The guy wasn't able to hold my dick so that's a relief." My fingers tighten over the glass paperweight."Nothing about the incident was okay. I hate that you went through something like that. I hate myself for arriving late at the scene. It's my fault. I was supposed to be there for you like you are for me." Both of my friends glare at me. "It's not your fault. You stopped it before it could've gotten worse, Evelyn." His s
#Chapter 19 WarrenArcher Enterprises took years of hard work and persistence to make it a big name in the world of architecture. Where there are millions of companies in the race, it's difficult to stand out and attract potential buyers, investors, and clients. Being an architect isn't an easy job from any angle. There are lots of sleepless nights, hours of brainstorming to come up with creative and possible ideas, hiring the right crew, selecting the right interior designer, and supervising the materials that lay the foundation of the artwork you're working to turn from paper to reality. In a world full of competition, winning is all that matters and so far I've been at the top of the game. Superior to the other contestants who are just as hungry for the position as me. Putting away my empty mug of coffee I decide to get some work done. But the decision crumbles to nothing when my best friend barges inside throwing the 'knocking mannerism' out my eight hundred and
#Chapter 20 WarrenWhen the car stops my heart thuds with anxiety and my lungs pack with so much air that breathing is not even an option. I'm way too nervous to go inside, let alone have a chat with Evelyn. As adamant as a person on a mission, Evelyn Melgren is a determined one and I'm well aware of that quirk. One of the many things that attracted me to her. Her spark burns differently than the others, or perhaps it's just me who sees her as extraordinary in a world full of ordinary people. "So are we staking out here all day, or are we going inside?" Connor questions as I look out the window at the building of her company. "Just a minute." I mumble as I clench my fingers and pull them into a fist to release some of the tension that's whirring in my body. It's like waves crashing on the shore and I'm certain they can take me away with them if it isn't the anchor plunged in my heart whispering to right the wrong in my life that I regret the most. Losing Ev
#Chapter 21 WarrenEverything and everyone in the room is silent. Though I'm way busy staring into the blue irises of her eyes that are burning with rage. And it hurts to know that all that rage is directed at me. "Ms. Melgren I'm not going anywhere until you listen to my proposal." We inch toe to toe as she glares at me while I enjoy the features of her face, which appeal to me more than ever. A throat clears beside me and Connor jumps in. "So you're Evelyn. I must say you're more beautiful in person." I arch an eyebrow at him in warning, but he's already done the damage."You've seen me before?" Evelyn turns to him and Connor shoots me a panicked look. He just ruined it."On your website. Bluebird Design. They have your picture on it so that's where I saw you." Like an idiot, he advances his hand in her direction and Evelyn takes it after a second of hesitation."Thank you for saying that. It's nice to meet you Mr..." Connor is eager to fill in the blank.
#Chapter 22 WarrenUnbuttoning the top two buttons I breathe in air to not die from asphyxiation. "You're a bastard," Connor whispers to me and I only smirk in reply."What were you saying, Evelyn?" For a moment she's trapped in a haze and it takes her a second to break away from it. Now I'm certain I still affect her and the knowledge does something to me."That I'm doing well and don't need you to step in at all." Evelyn has always been too proud to ask for help. Even back in the day, it would take a lot for her to ask for assistance in matters she couldn't solve herself. With me things were different. She wouldn't think twice before pestering me. But now she's keen on dodging my every attempt to help her. No wonder time has changed us."Your annual sales say otherwise." That ticks a nerve because she's glowering."I'll survive. Most certainly without you." Yasmine clasps her hand over the table and gives her a look. "If I may ask, what can you offer