LOGINAaron’s POV
I remembered her question about her father as I watched her sleeping face.
Right.
I was the one who helped her father get the job at my company.I didn’t have a rational reason.
I just did it.Her eyelids twitched. Slowly, she woke up. There was a brief pause before awareness fully returned, her eyes narrowing as they locked onto my face.
She shifted, sat up, and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand.
“Are y
Aaron's POV“Thank you,” she said.“For saving me from Ian earlier.”I didn’t answer right away.We just looked at each other for a few seconds. Then her hand slowly lifted. Normally, I would’ve brushed it away. I don’t like being touched, especially not by her.But this time, I didn’t move.Her fingertip touched the corner of my lip.My brow tightened slightly when the sting hit.“You’re hurt,” she murmured.She let out a small breath.“I’ll get something for it.”“No need,” I said flatly.But she had already turned and walked toward the kitchen.Her steps were quick.The kitchen was only a few steps from the living room. From where I stood, I watched her open one of the drawers before pulling out a small first-aid box.A moment later, she came back and stood in front of me with it in
Aaron's POVI was still in my office. A few unfinished reports were spread out in front of me. My laptop was still open, the screen filled with the financial charts I’d been reviewing earlier.I had just reached for my pen when my phone vibrated on the desk.“Yeah.”The voice on the other end spoke quickly.“Sir, Bennett’s been following Angela for a while. They’re at a wine bar right now. What should we do?”My hand stopped over the paperwork.For a few seconds, I didn’t say anything.My jaw tightened.“Keep watching,” I said coldly.“I’m heading there. Send me the location.”“Yes, sir.”The call ended.A second later my phone vibrated again. A message popped up with a location pin.A wine bar in West Hollywood.I grabbed my car keys and stood up.The files on my desk were left exact
Angela's POVMy chest tightened instantly.I forced my expression to stay calm before finally taking a sip of my drink. The cold bubbles brushed down my throat, but they did little to steady my heartbeat.When the glass touched the table again, I turned my gaze away from the bar.“Angela?”Lyla’s voice pulled me back.I blinked once and looked at her.“Sorry?”“You suddenly went quiet.” She tilted her head slightly. “Something on your mind?”I shook my head, a faint smile appearing on my lips.“I’m fine.”From the corner of my eye, I could still feel his presence.I forced myself not to look back again.Lyla took another sip of her wine before continuing in a lighter tone.“I really hope this movie does well.”“Me too,” I said.I pushed the thought of Ian away and tried to focus o
Angela's POVBeth looked at the car again.“Okay,” she said. “So you won the lottery… or you secretly became a billionaire and forgot to tell me?”I let out a quiet laugh. “Yeah. Exactly that.”“I’m serious.” She crossed her arms. “You didn't even get paid for your last project. You just paid off the penalty from agency. And now you show up with this?”Her gaze dragged slowly over the car again.“Angela. This thing costs more than the house I grew up in.”I searched for an answer that sounded believable.“It’s… a gift.”Her eyebrows shot up. “A gift?”“Yeah.”I exhaled softly. “From my dad.”There was half a second of silence.Then...“Wow.” Her eyes widened dramatically. “Is your dad looking to adopt? Because I’m avail
Angela's POVMy chest tightened when he said Lyla’s name.“Oh. That was fast.”“You needed certainty,” I continued. “Now you have it.”Silence filled the room before he finally spoke.“You sound like you’re blaming me.”I gave him a faint smile. “I’m not blaming you.”He let out a short breath. “I offered it to you because you were the strongest choice. But you didn’t take it.”“I asked for time.”“You hesitated.”“I was being careful,” I said. “That’s different.”He gave a humorless laugh. “Careful?”“You asked me to be the face of a brand while I’m still rebuilding my name,” I said. “That’s not a small decision.”“Meanwhile, Lyla said yes because she could,” I added. “Her career&
Angela's POV“The contract will be sent once legal finishes the details. There will be intensive training—dialect, physical work. The schedule will be tight.”“I understand. That won’t be a problem.”Mercer nodded, then stood. I stood as well.He held out his hand. I took it.“Don’t change your mind,” he said calmly.“I won’t.”He let go first.“My assistant will be in touch.”Without another word, he gathered his script and headed for the side door. The meeting was over. I didn’t realize I’d been holding my breath until it ended.A few seconds later, I stepped out.Beth was standing a few feet away, leaning against the glass wall. Her phone was still in her hand, but her eyes lifted the moment she saw me.“So?” she asked.“We got it.”“What about the contr







