Lahat ng Kabanata ng The CEO’s Temptation : Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

************************Mack's POV ************************As she made her way towards me across the parking lot, each step appeared purposeful yet effortlessly graceful like a dancer gliding across a stage.Her heels clicked softly on the pavement, her footsteps in sync with the beat of my heart. She was dressed with quite an elegance, her tailored dress highlighting the delicate curves of her dress. The soft fabric fluttered in the breeze a gentle stride in contrast to her confidence.Her brown hair was neatly pinned at the base of her neck, caught the light, framing her face with a warmth that mirrored the glow in her blue eyes. It was her first day as a worker in my company; there was something about the way she carried herself: a mixture of fear, excitement and purpose. That made everything new.As she drew closer, her smile blossomed, bright enough to cut through the morning sun, and in that moment I couldn't help but feel the gravity of how everything was about to change, inc

*****************************Claire's POV****************** The heavy door to my hotel room swung open with a small creak; I stepped inside, and the air smelled of the familiar scent of wood polish and fine linen. My heart beat in rhythm with my footsteps as I walked toward the bedside where I left my pendant _my father's pendant. It has been years since my father left, and the anger I felt towards him kept growing as the years passed, but here I was, retrieving a piece of him that felt like the last remaining thread connecting me to a time before I was swallowed by a storm of emotions. The pendant was small, emerald, shaped like a vine wrapping around a gemstone, glinting softly in the muted light. I couldn't help but feel a pang of loss as my fingers brushed over it. My father's face, his laugh and the scent of his aftershave _all felt like a dream. I held the pendant for a while closing my eyes for a moment to steady myself. Then, I heard voices outside the hotel room; it did

***********************Claire's POV*************************"Mack," I whispered with tension in my voice."I didn't expect it to feel this way....like we're pretending to be something we're not.""It's all part of the plan, Claire. Focus," Mack said, his lips twitching to a smile that didn't reach his eyes.I nodded as I got an eyeful of the grandeur of the Decoration_the grand ballroom glittered golden chandelier that reflected off the marble floor. The air was filled with laughter and light conversation from the guests. The elegant atmosphere, with its soft lighting and polished de, cor should have made this a celebration, but for me, it felt like an act.I glanced at Mack_ who stood beside me, the man that made me realise how a goody bag I was, and how to love myself, I couldn't help but find myself falling for him. But then, I had agreed to marry him to get my revenge on his brother under a contract marriage. To anyone else, we were simply the glamorous couple celebrating a lavis

********************Claire's POV****************************The elevator dinged open, and we stepped inside, leaving behind the guests_ their halfhearted congratulations, sharp gazes and sharp whispers.I held onto my clutch tighter as the events of the day kept reoccurring in my head, especially Mack's kiss_ my heart skipped a beat at the thought of that. Mack stood on the opposite side, hands in his pocket as his gaze was fixed on me."Is there something on my face?" I asked curiously, my heart running a thousand miles as his eyes were fixed on me as if seeing through my heart _ my confused feelings."I'm just getting an eyeful." He said, still glancing at me."Now, I'm getting uncomfortable," I said. Leaning against the elevator wall."All right then, princess, I might just do what I've been thinking about since we left the party." He said as he leaned forward."And, what's that?" I asked, my heart pounding against my chest.He didn't answer; he stepped closer and pulled me close

************************Claire's POV************************"Fake!""Gold digger""Pick a man, any man."I froze, not because I was weak, but because I didn't understand what was going on; why would reporters say that? What's their business with my life decisions?I'd just stepped outside the company, heading home, when I saw flashing cameras. At first, I thought it was another mundane tabloid day. But then came the barrage of insults. People had gathered, strangers armed with opinions and plastic potties.It was a coordinated ambush, I trembled as I tried to shield my face. The plastic potties clanged on the pavement around me, a ridiculous yet deeply wounding attack.And then, I heard a familiar voice."Enough."There he was _ Mack, he strode into the chaos, eye blazing, fits clenched. The crowd resisted. Cameras clicked faster, more feverishly now that Mack was here."If any of you throw that at her again, be ready to face multi-million charges against you." He said as he growled.