Semua Bab Under His Command : Bab 101 - Bab 110

Riley's POV The sound of the airport swirled around me as Eric and I stepped into the bustling arrivals hall. People moved in every direction, dragging suitcases, hugging loved ones, or rushing to catch their next flight. Amidst the chaos, Eric’s smile was as bright as ever, his excitement contagious. It felt good being back, returning to my normal daily routine, but there was something in my gut that just made walking this close to Eric not feel as good as it felt before.However, I knew I had to keep up a smile on my face, even though it was forced. I didn't want Eric to start worrying about me the first day I arrived in town after traveling.“Riley, I can’t believe you’re back!” he said, his hand brushing my arm as we walked through the crowd. “How was the trip? Was it horrible? Did anyone try to bore you to death in a meeting?” I chuckled softly, though my mind was elsewhere. “It was... eventful. I got to see many beautiful things and also meet great people” I replied and m

Riley's POV The office was a blur of activity. Phones rang off the hook, keyboards were being typed on with urgency, and colleagues moved around with determined expressions. For once, I wasn’t swept up in the chaos. My mind was somewhere else entirely. Jaxon.No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake him from my thoughts. The man had taken up permanent residence in my head, turning every quiet moment into a battlefield of emotions I didn’t know how to handle. I glanced at my computer screen, the spreadsheet glaring back at me. The numbers blurred into nothingness as my thoughts wandered yet again to the events of the past few days. The plane ride, the airport, the way Jaxon looked at me when Eric hugged me. Eric. I sighed, leaning back in my chair. He was supposed to be my anchor, the safe and steady choice. But lately, being with him felt like trying to convince myself that I could fit into a life that no longer suited me. Last night had been a stark reminder of that

Riley's POV I stormed out of Jaxon’s office, my chest tight and my thoughts a whirlwind of disbelief and anger. My heart pounded in my ears, drowning out the sounds of the busy office around me. I wanted to be anywhere but here, away from the humiliation that burned hot in my veins. I had been so stupid.The image of Jaxon and Daniel—Daniel, of all people—was seared into my mind. I recognized him immediately, the waiter from the gala, with that easy charm and model-like smile. Now he was here, in Jaxon’s office, kissing him like he had every right to. What was he even doing in New York City? The gala had been in LA, and Jaxon certainly didn’t mention bringing anyone back with him. But then again, why wouldn’t he? Jaxon was a man of means, a man who could have anyone, anywhere, at any time. Flying someone across the country for a taste of their body? It probably didn’t even register as an inconvenience to him. I clenched my fists as I made my way to the employee lounge, my

Jaxon's POV The sun streamed through the tall windows of my study, bathing the room in a golden glow. It was one of those days that seemed almost too perfect to belong to late autumn. Outside, the air must have smelled of leaves and sweet nature, but inside my mansion, there was only the faint scent of fresh coffee lingering from earlier in the morning. I sat at my desk, surrounded by neat stacks of documents waiting for my signature, but my pen hovered over the paper, unmoving. My mind refused to focus. Riley. I leaned back in my chair, exhaling sharply. The way Riley had looked at me yesterday—it was as if I’d punched him in the gut. Hurt, betrayal, and something else I couldn’t quite name had flashed in his eyes before he quickly masked it. But I’d seen it, and it stuck with me, gnawing at the edges of my concentration. “Jaxon, are you even listening to me?” Alexis’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. She was seated on the couch in my study, her legs tucked beneath

Riley's POV The air around us felt thick, suffocating, as I stood frozen in the doorway, staring at Alexis. The shock on her face was palpable, her lips parted slightly, her eyes darting between me and the room behind me where Jaxon still lingered. “Alexis,” I started cautiously, my voice low but steady, “did you…hear what we were talking about?” She blinked, her expression quickly shifting from shock to something colder. Her grip tightened on the phone in her hand. “So, it’s true?” she asked, her tone sharp, laced with disbelief. “You and Jaxon?” I opened my mouth to respond, to try and salvage the moment, but she shook her head, cutting me off. “I don’t want to hear it,” she snapped, taking a step back. “Whatever excuse you’re about to come up with, save it, Riley. I don’t need it.” “Alexis, wait—” I stepped toward her, but she turned on her heel and stormed down the hallway. The echo of her footsteps was like a countdown in my chest, each one amplifying the tension i