LOGINCLAY'S POVPicking up my phone again, I scrolled through my contacts until I found a name I hadn't thought about in a week.Jodie.She answered on the first ring, her voice a sharp contrast to the silence of my office.âWell, look who finally remembered I exist,â she chirped, her smile stretching into her voice. âI was actually just about to call you, Clay. You owe me a date, or did you forget?âI leaned back, my eyes hardening as I stared at the the shattered mess of the phone on the floor. An assistant would've cleaned it and saved me the displeasure of cleaning up the evidence of my loss of control.But I knew I couldn't do assistants if I wanted to keep my real image hidden. You can never trust anybody, and âuncovering Owen Graysonâ was always a trending topic in the country.âI didn't forget, sweetheart. I was just waiting for the right moment. It seems our minds work alike.âJodie giggled, a high, light sound that lacked Anytaâs smoky depth but still filled the void in the room.
CLAY'S POVâ...the board of directors are adamant about their demands and I'm not sure there is much we can do to change their minds.ââWhy is Landon holding onto a failing company?â I asked incredulously as I leaned back in my leather chair, the cool air conditioning hum of the penthouse washing across my face.âSentiments?â Philip answered. âIt could be that he has strong feelings towards it because it has been in the family for generations..much like the Ashbourne's.âI grunted, twirling a pen between my fingers as I grabbed my phone.âLet me just set up a meeting withâŠâ I paused, squinting at my screen.Then I saw it.The post notification box felt like a silent grenade that was dropped into my lap.Frowning, I tapped it with a steady finger and my world narrowed down to not one, but threw high-definition images of Anytaâs lips pressed against Jamieâs, and a blurry one taken from a different angle.Before Anyta, I had never understood or experienced what I felt like for one's hea
ANYTA'S POVâUh, yeah, he's literally built like one.âI snorted, despite myself. âAnd I assume you don't think the âhulkâ build is impressive.ââI mean, if you're into that sort of thingâŠâ Laura answered, chuckling. âWait, why are we talking about this instead of the amazing thing that just happened?âI sighed, rolling my eyes. âBecause I'm trying to bore you so you can leave me alone. I want to go have my morning coffee.ââThen go have your morning coffee.ââEh, this isn't exactly the type of conversation I want to start my day with, besides Alice is already downstairs.âLaura snorted and despite the headache brewing in my temple, I let out a small laugh.âWell people are loving you and Jamie, maybe you two can start a couple's channel?âI rubbed my eyes, feeling a wave of nausea that wasn't just from the alcohol.âBecause of photos? No. Besides, we're not even a couple yet.ââYet,â Laura echoed. âOuu, I like that. Shows you're actually considering it!â She squealed and I was sure s
ANYTA'S POVâGet it together, Anyta,â I sighed as I stared at my reflection in the vanity mirror, a half-used makeup wipe hanging limp in my hand.My skin was still flushed from the clubâs heat, and my eyes looked heavy, and not just from exhaustion.The kiss with Jamie darted into my mind.It had been a âtesting the watersâ kind of kiss to me, even though I already knew where my heart stood.With an inward groan of frustration, I opened my gallery and scrolled once. There it was. The shot Laura had captured was, honestly a masterpiece.The lighting was moody and cinematic, catching the sharp line of Jamieâs jaw and the way his hands rested a bit low on my waist.âHmm,â I tilted my head to the side. âWell we do look good together,â I murmured.And truthfully, we did.Post it, a toxic little voice whispered in my head. See if he reacts, he probably will but you won't know unless you post it.âNo.â I countered out loud. âIâm not that kind of person,â I muttered to the empty room, dropp
ANYTA'S POVâKiss me.âJamie didn't wait for a repeat. He promptly leaned in, his movement deliberate and slow enough for me to pull away if I wanted to, but I didn't.When his lips met mine, the world around us, the shouting, the pulsing lights, the heat seemed to muffle for a heartbeat.A felt a light buzz of excitement, but it quickly began a speedy free fall.My mind went into overdrive, moving between the voice screaming at me to concentrate on the feel of Jamie's lips on mine, and not being able to concentrate because of the voice telling me to concentrate.Eventually he ended the kiss with a light peck on my upper lip.It was a good kiss. It was technically perfect.But as I stood there, my response delayed by a split second of internal calculation, I felt⊠nothing. It was like looking at a masterpiece through a thick sheet of shattered glass. I could see the beauty, but I couldn't feel the brushstrokes.Jamie pulled back barely an inch, his expression a mix of hope, and then i
ANYTA'S POV The bass in the club was alive. Like a physical entity, thumping against my ribs and vibrating through the soles of my feet until I felt like I was constantly being pumped full of adrenaline and buzz.The club itself was a sea of gyrating bodies, expensive perfume, and the sharp, antiseptic bite of expensive vodka.We'd had dinner at some local restaurant that Laura saw online and wanted to try it. The food turned out really good, and I'd made a mental note to come backâIf this drink were any stronger, Iâd be able to see the future,â Laura shouted over the roar of the booming speakers as she slid a tray of shimmering green shots across the high-top table.âAnd in the future, Anyta, you will humour me by at least dancing on a table while I record it for, I'd go viral.âI scoffed, âwhy don't you dance while I record?âShe gave me a âreally?â look as she eyed me up and down suggestively, âhoney, have you seen your body? I'd literally be booed off the tables if I tried.âI r
AnytaThe nights in the Ashbourne mansion were too quiet. The tall walls, the gleaming chandeliers, the polished floorsâthere was nothing to complain about, but to me, it was like being in prison. Even when I lay on the pillow with my head, sleep seemed to be far from me.I couldn't help but rememb
AnytaThe first time I saw my face on the cover of a magazine, I thought it was just another society gossip piece. I had become used to murmurs and stares since I left the Ashbourne estate all those years ago. But when I opened the paper that morning, my stomach dropped.The headline read out to me
AnytaHe had been drinking. He had spent the day at work in meetings. His body tired out. He was not as strong as he seemed. Deep creases now lined his face since we had last lived together in a house. I watched him breathe. Each breath became slower. His eyelids began to droop. His hands dangled a
AnytaThe days following my departure from the Ashbourne mansion were filled with nothing but peace. Walking away hadnât been easy, but deep down, I was proud of myself for making such a brave choice.At last, I could breathe freely in my own space, free from needless chaos. I was relieved to have







