LOGINDamien’s POV"Mr. Blackwell, the files you requested just arrived."I looked up from my laptop as my assistant dropped another stack of files on my desk."Thanks," I said, but I wasn't city lights glowing through my apartment windows, and I was still at work, staring at the same spreadsheet for the last hour without actually reading it.My tie was loosened, sleeves rolled up, jacket thrown somewhere I couldn't remember.One month in Singapore, and I still felt like I was barely keeping my head above water.The job was demanding, fast-paced, nothing like what I'd expected, and since I renegotiated from two years to three months, they packed what should have been years of work into a few weeks.I was exhausted.And I missed Elena.We'd been giving each other space since I left, neither of us really knowing what to say, both of us too stubborn to reach out first.My phone buzzed on the desk and I grabbed it without thinking.A notification from some news app I barely used.I almost dismi
Elena's POV"Stop moving, or I'll poke your eye out."My stylist held the mascara wand dangerously close to my face as I shifted in my chair."Sorry," I muttered, forcing myself to sit still.Friday had arrived faster than I’d expected.One minute I was sitting with Caleb in his car preparing, and the next, I was here getting ready for the night that suddenly felt a lot bigger than just another business event.My dress hung on the back of the bathroom door, deep emerald green, floor-length, elegant without trying too hard.Diamond earrings sat on the vanity beside me, understated but expensive, and my heels were waiting by the door like a threat."Done," my stylist said, stepping back. "As usual, you look incredible."I stood up and turned toward the mirror.My hair was swept up, makeup subtle and perfect, highlighting my features.I looked confident. Prepared.Inside, though, my stomach was twisting itself into knots.Tonight, Sterling Global would be mentioned in the partnership ann
Elena's POV By the time I finally shut down my laptop, the office was almost empty, the low hum of the building settling into evening quiet.I tried calling Damien again during lunch.He still hadn’t called back.I told myself it didn’t bother me, but that was a lie.Around six, I texted Caleb.Me: Are you busy tonight?Caleb: Depends. Should I be worried?Me: I need to talk to you.Caleb: That sounds serious. Do I need backup?Me: Caleb…Caleb: Okay okay. I’ll pick you up at 7.By the time I got downstairs, the lobby was almost empty, my heels echoing in the empty elevator.When the doors opened, I saw him immediately, leaning against his car in the parking garage, scrolling through his phone.His blond hair was slightly messy, falling into his face as his head tilted down. He had on a plain white tee and grey sweatpants, looking effortlessly casual.He looked up the moment he heard me approaching, straightening as his eyes found mine, then walked around to open the passenger door b
Elena's POV Monday morning felt like the calm before a storm I had personally created and now had absolutely no idea how to stop.After spending the weekend having a mild panic attack about the whole fake dating situation, I was now at work, trying to pretend everything was normal.I was sitting in my chair, halfway through an email when Adrian appeared at my office door, leaning against the frame."So," he said, arms crossed, looking way too pleased with himself. "Anything you want to tell me?"I slowly closed my laptop and dropped my face into my hands, groaning."Please don’t start."Adrian laughed and walked into my office like he’d been waiting his whole life for this moment."Too late," he said, sitting down across from me. "I already know."I looked up at him."Know what?""About you and Caleb dating," he said, making air quotes around the word dating.My stomach dropped."How do you already know?""I'm still the CEO, Elena," he said, leaning back in the chair, "Partnership co
Caleb's pov I should have said no.That was the first thought that crossed my mind the moment I stepped off the field, sweat still clinging to my skin, my chest rising and falling from the last drill.Any smart man would have said no.But I’d never really been that smart when it came to Elena.My phone buzzed in my hand.“Office. Now.”Rebecca's text came through as I was walking off the field, still sweaty from our friendly practice.With the international tournament over, we had a little free time to ourselves before the next season.I stared at my phone, already knowing this wasn't going to be fun.I sent her a message last night, keeping it short and simple, just wanting to get it over with.Me: So Elena and I are in a fake relationship now. Long story, but yeah, I thought you should know.Probably not the best way to break that kind of news to my PR manager.I grabbed my bag, walked off the field and headed to the main building, taking the stairs two at a time.When I walked int
Elena's pov "Okay, so I'll just say it was a mistake, the deal was about to fall through..."I was talking to myself in my car, my hands gripping the steering wheel so tight my knuckles had gone white.I'd been rehearsing what to say to Caleb for the last twenty minutes, sitting in the parking lot of the coffee shop Caleb and I practically grew up in, talking to myself like a complete idiot.Just tell him the truth, it's simple. You went to London, you panicked, you lied, now you need his help.Easy.I got out of the car and walked toward the entrance, my heart pounding harder with each step. Maybe I should just turn around.No. I can handle this.Ugh, I wish I didn't have to drag Caleb into my corporate mess.I pushed open the door, and the bell chimed above my head as I stepped in. I glanced around then I saw him.He was sitting in our corner booth, the same one we'd sat in a million times growing up.He was wearing a simple black hoodie and joggers, his blond hair still damp li
Elena's POV The spa was one of my favorite spots back home.It was one of the places I always went to before I ran off and married Damien.I wanted a body massage, a manicure, calm music, maybe even a facial if I felt like it.I wanted to wash last night off my skin, out of my head, and pretend fo
Damien's POV "Blackwell, can you drop these off on twelve?"I looked up from my desk as my supervisor, Marcus zen, dropped a stack of files in front of me."Sure," I said, grabbing them, "What are they?""Quarterly reports for Henderson," he said, already walking away."Meeting room C."I stood up
Elena's pov The two weeks passed faster than I expected. It was full of meetings, calls, and final year approvals.And now, the day of the launch event was here already.I adjusted my posture as I stepped out of my ride and into the event hall, already wearing my professional smile.“You look stun
Elena's POV Claire's words echoed in my head as I stood in front of the cabin mirror, my hands gripping the edge of the sink.I splashed cold water on my face, watching it drip down my chin.My makeup was already ruined, black streaks under my eyes that I'd scrubbed away with a towel.I pulled off







