The stretch of the elevator ride to the underground parking was completely silent. From his spot, Max looked at Emma, who was staring at the elevator doors in front of her. He had noticed how her face had relaxed moments after they had started moving. He really wanted to ask her how she felt, maybe pat her back as a sign of understanding, or even take her right there and make her forget the world for a couple of times.But neither of those things happened once the elevator doors opened. Emma walked out, saying thank you, but without looking at him. Max stood there for a moment, watching her walk away. He gathered the courage and walked after her, just to make sure she was okay to drive.Then Emma stopped next to a pillar marked with a capital letter A in dark blue. Max did the same, and there he was, a couple of meters away from her, silent, waiting for her to turn around and look at him, to demand to know what the hell he was doing following her. But what came next was unexpected."H

Max continued to smile as he reached his apartment building. He put his hand in his pocket and caressed the lace fabric. He replayed in his mind over and over again what they had done in the restroom cubicle at that bar. It would undoubtedly be a memory to cherish when he couldn't see her anymore. When the elevator doors opened, he already had his routine planned out—shower and then bed. He had sent Emma a text message asking if she had arrived safely, and she promptly replied that she had and hoped he had as well. She sent him a smiling emoji and wished him a good night. He responded that he had just arrived and wished her the same, to which she replied, "Likewise." He noticed that she had put up that wall, but he understood. When he looked up to head to his apartment, he came face to face with Irina. Max stopped in his tracks and widened his eyes. "Well, if it isn't Mr. Müller," she spat with anger. He wanted to tell her the truth, but he held back. "Good evening, Irina. What are y

Emma arrived at the company feeling upset. She couldn't believe that Max had attended a business breakfast for no apparent reason. But then she remembered that he had secured that client, and of course, he was the owner of the company. She tilted her neck and massaged it as she sat in her chair, feeling a lot of tension. She decided to focus on her work and put her mind on that matter once she finished. However, half an hour later, Max had summoned Emma to the main office."Is everything alright?" Mrs. Byrne asked upon learning that Mr. Müller had called for Emma. Emma was getting up from her chair to go to Max's office. She nodded. "But is everything okay with Mr. Müller?" Byrne wanted to know."Yes, ma'am.""And why has he called you to his office?" Emma wasn't surprised that she knew; she was always up to date with everything happening on her floor and in the company."I don't know, I'm unaware of the reason, Mrs. Byrne." They left the office and then went their separate ways. The

Irina stopped the car in front of an elegant vacation home on the outskirts of New York City. She got out of the vehicle in fury and slammed the door of her Lamborghini shut. Horacio, with a big smile on his lips, descended the stairs, jogging towards her. As he saw Irina so angry, the smile vanished from his face immediately."What's wrong? Who made my little bunny so mad?" Horacio said, approaching her. Irina gave him a hateful look."Max knows," she said. Those three words alone made Horacio turn pale. He raised his eyebrows and ran a hand through his hair."How did he find out?" he asked immediately, standing in front of her. Irina leaned against the car door, covered her face with both hands, and began to cry. "Calm down, calm down, bunny. If you want me to talk to him and say that it was me who seduced you or something, you'll have your wedding of the century," he said, stroking her arms, trying to comfort her, even though the last thing he wanted was to help Horacio. He wanted

Emma made it back to her apartment in less time than usual. She had stayed inside her car, thinking about what Max had said on the stairs. "She had ended her engagement," but he was still the owner of the company she worked for. She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. She wanted to regain control; her body was reacting impulsively to his presence, and it shouldn't be. There were rules she had to follow. So, what now? She removed her fingers from her nose and opened her eyes, startled to see Elaine standing in front of her car."What are you doing here alone?" Elaine asked, furrowing her brow. Emma got out of the car and activated the alarm. She headed towards the elevator that would take her to her apartment, the sound of Elaine's flip-flops echoing throughout the area. Emma simply shook her head."You have shoes. Why are you walking around like that? You know you look ridiculous. What are you doing in the parking lot?" Emma complained, but she didn't really care. She