CHAPTER 4:THE BUSINESS TRIP

The news came early Monday morning.

Elena had just finished her second cup of coffee when Alexander’s voice cut through her intercom—low, direct, leaving no room for questions.

“Miss Cruz. Pack your things. We’re flying to Paris tonight. Meeting with the Delacroix partners at nine tomorrow.”

She blinked. “Paris?”

“I’m informing you now,” he said evenly. “You’ll coordinate all files and logistics before departure.”

A brief pause.

“No errors this time.”

Her pulse quickened. “Yes, Mr. Drake.”

The line went dead.

Elena leaned back in her chair, exhaling slowly.

Paris.

The city of lights, romance—

—and Alexander Drake.

The private jet was quiet, the steady hum of the engines blending into the night.

Elena sat by the window, tablet in hand, reviewing the proposal for what felt like the hundredth time.

Across from her, Alexander read through a file, his expression unreadable.

Even in the dim cabin lighting, he looked composed. Controlled. Untouchable.

But tonight, she noticed something different.

The faint shadows beneath his eyes.

The tension in his jaw.

The weight of someone who never allowed himself to rest.

“You don’t have to pretend you’re made of stone, you know.”

The words slipped out before she could stop them.

His gaze lifted slowly.

“Excuse me?”

“You act like nothing affects you,” she said, quieter now—but steady. “But you’re human, Mr. Drake. Even CEOs get tired.”

Silence.

Then—

unexpectedly—

he smiled.

Not the controlled version she had seen before.

Something real.

“You’re brave, Miss Cruz.”

“Or foolish.”

“Maybe both.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

And yet—

it felt like everything had been said.

Paris shimmered beneath the night sky.

Golden lights reflected off glass and stone as their car moved through the city, elegant and alive.

Elena tried not to stare—but failed.

“It’s your first time,” he said.

She nodded. “It’s… beautiful.”

He looked at her then.

Really looked.

“It suits you.”

Her breath caught.

“I’ll see you in the morning, Mr. Drake.”

He nodded, but his gaze lingered a moment too long before he turned away.

The meeting the next morning went flawlessly.

Elena moved with quiet confidence, managing details, correcting figures, and anticipating every need before it arose.

By the time they stepped out of the boardroom, even the Delacroix partners had taken notice.

Alexander glanced at her.

“You were flawless.”

She blinked. “Did you just say flawless?”

“Don’t make me repeat it.”

But there was something different in his tone.

Warmth.

She smiled. “I’ll take it as a victory.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

“Too late.”

For a man who avoided emotion, he was dangerously easy to like when he let his guard down.

That night, the city glittered beneath a soft drizzle.

Elena stepped onto the hotel rooftop terrace, drawn by the quiet.

The Eiffel Tower sparkled in the distance, casting golden light across the skyline.

She wasn’t expecting him.

But of course—

he was there.

“Can’t sleep?” he asked.

“Too much on my mind.”

“You?”

A brief pause.

“Same.”

They stood side by side, silence stretching between them—not empty, but charged.

Alive.

Finally, she spoke.

“Why do you keep everyone at a distance?”

He didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he watched the city below.

“Because it’s easier to lead,” he said at last, “when no one gets close enough to hurt you.”

Her chest tightened.

“That sounds lonely.”

“It is.”

The honesty in his voice caught her off guard.

For the first time, she wasn’t looking at a CEO.

She was looking at a man.

“Alexander…”

His name slipped out softly.

Too naturally.

He turned, his gaze darkening.

“You shouldn’t say my name like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like it means something.”

She stepped closer.

“Maybe it does.”

The space between them disappeared.

The air shifted.

Something fragile. Dangerous. Inevitable.

For a moment, it felt like the entire city had gone still.

Then—

he stepped back.

The distance snapped back into place.

“We should get some rest,” he said, his voice controlled again. “Early flight tomorrow.”

Something in her sank—but she nodded.

“Of course.”

She turned to leave.

“Elena.”

She stopped.

Looked back.

His expression had softened—just slightly.

“Thank you,” he said. “For reminding me I’m human.”

A faint smile touched her lips.

“Anytime… Mr. Drake.”

That night, neither of them slept.

Miles apart, in separate rooms, they stood by their windows, staring out at the same glowing city.

Thinking the same thing.

Something had changed.

Something neither of them could name—

Yet neither could deny.

And deep down, they both knew—

This trip wasn’t the end of anything.

It was only the beginning.