WHERE OUR HEARTS MEET

Elena resumed her job at the sleek, towering structure of Calloway Corporation, the air crisp with the scent of polished wood and power. A hush settled around the lobby, the kind that belonged to empires, where people walked with purpose, heads down, eyes focused on deals that moved the world. The sharp click of her heels echoed against the marble floor, each step measured, controlled, a mask over the storm beneath her skin.She had played her part well in the interview, standing her ground against Ethan Calloway’s piercing gaze. But it was too easy. A man like him didn’t just hand out jobs to strangers, especially not to women with last names that carried blood and ruin.Vincent Blake’s daughter, working for Ethan Calloway.It was laughable.She knew he was her Dad's sworn enemy but didn't know what went down between them. She had caught her dad cussing every time his name popped up on his television screen whether in the news or an interview. And yet, here she was, standing at

“Tell me you’re not actually considering keeping her around.”Ethan leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. “She’s smart, ambitious, and fearless. That’s exactly the kind of person I want in my company.”“That’s exactly the kind of person who can destroy your company.” Liam’s tone was edged with frustration. “She’s Vincent Blake’s daughter, Ethan. She didn’t just grow up in the mafia, she was trained by it.”Ethan’s jaw tightened. “You think I don’t know that?”“Then why the hell are you playing with fire?”Ethan rubbed his temples. “I don’t think she’s working for Vincent.”Liam scoffed. “And what makes you so sure?”Ethan hesitated, the memory of Elena’s unwavering gaze flashing in his mind. “She said so. And I felt the pain in her voice.”Liam shook his head. “Or she’s playing you so well you don’t even realize it.” He leaned forward. “You’ve spent years keeping Calloway Corporation clean, fighting off vultures who wanted to drag you into dirty business. And now, you’re willin

“So, do you now believe whatever I'm here to prove?” Elena held his gaze, her pulse drumming in her ears. She wasn’t entirely wrong. She had come to prove, to him, to her father, to herself, that she wasn’t some pawn in their war.She wanted him to believe her so badly. That way she could peacefully do her job without trying to please him or prove anything to him. But what unsettled her was the way Ethan looked at her.Like he saw right through her.Like he knew.The music slowed, the last notes lingering in the air as they came to a stop, still locked in each other’s hold. Neither moved, neither spoke.And then, just as the applause began around them, Ethan leaned in, his voice so low that only she could hear.“No, I don't, Ms. Blake.”Elena barely had a second to process his words before he released her, stepping back with that signature smirk of his.Leaving her standing there, heart pounding, breath uneven.And that was when she knew it would be hard to convince Ethan that she d

“What did you do?” she demanded.A pause. Then, a casual, “I’d check the news if I were you.”The call ended.Elena stood frozen in the hallway, her grip tightening around the phone.She tapped open a news app.BREAKING NEWS: LOCAL WOMAN ATTACKED IN ALLEYWAY, POSSIBLE ROBBERY ATTEMPT.She scrolled down. A grainy image of the victim loaded, and Elena’s breath left her in a sharp gasp.Her aunt. Her late mother’s younger sister.A thousand emotions slammed into her at once, rage, fear, guilt.She didn’t think. She just moved.Turning on her heel, she strode towards the exit, her heart pounding so hard it hurt.But before she reached the elevator, a voice stopped her.“Elena?”She turned to see Ethan walking towards her, watching her with narrowed eyes.She hadn’t even heard him step out.Something in his expression told her he had seen her reaction, her panic, the way her entire body had gone rigid.And Ethan didn’t miss details.“Where are you going?” he asked, his voice unreadable.El

“Is this about my father again?” she asked, finally turning to him.Her voice was softer now, the usual sharpness gone.Ethan steepled his fingers. “What do you mean?”“I mean… I think he's the only one giving you a problem.” She let out a breath, shaking her head. “ But people like him don’t take ‘no’ for an answer. So is he trying to scare you?”Ethan wanted to believe her.But Liam’s words still echoed in his head: That’s why I told you not to trust her.Before he could respond, his phone buzzed.A message.From Liam.I dug deeper. You’re not going to like to hear this on the phone. Meet me in an hour.Ethan exhaled slowly, masking the tension crawling up his spine.Good timing! He needed to discharge her“I need to step out for a meeting,” he said, standing. “You should head out.”Elena frowned. “Are you sure you are okay? Did I do something wrong?” “If only she knew she was the reason why he was like that.” he thought. “It's nothing you should be worried about, Elena,” he said