All Chapters of Whispers of Submission : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

The last of the guests drifted out of the event hall, their laughter echoing down the corridor like an aftertaste Reggie couldn’t quite swallow. The launch had been a success. The partners were pleased, the staff buzzing, the media flashing lights like fireworks. But for him, the night had lost its flavor the moment he saw Cassie standing next to Elijah, smiling that easy smile that made her eyes dance. He’d tried to play his part, shake hands, pose for photos, nod at compliments but his mind kept circling back to her. Cassie, in that soft black dress that made her look like a dream he couldn’t touch. She had laughed at something Elijah said, tilting her head in that way that always made his chest tighten. Cassie, who had left in a hurry after coming from the washrooms. He just hoped that he had gone back to the apartment and not with one of her friends. He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, forcing a polite grin as one of the partners clapped him on the shoulder. “Hell of a

Cassie shifted on the couch, drawing her knees closer under the blanket as Reggie settled beside her. The movie room was dimly lit. He had taken his plate back to the kitchen. “Found anything yet?” Reggie asked quietly. Cassie nodded. “Yeah.” She selected another of her comfort films, a light-hearted drama she’d watched at least twenty times. As the opening credits rolled, she tucked her legs beneath her, curling into the corner of the couch. Her plate sat untouched on the small table between them. Reggie's gaze drifted to her again, her profile soft in the flickering light, her bare feet peeking out from under the blanket, her hair catching faint gold from the TV. He told himself to look away. To focus on the movie. But he couldn’t. Every few seconds his eyes betrayed him. Cassie shifted slightly, aware of the weight of his stare though she refused to meet it. She could smell his cologne, subtle, earthy, with a hint of something smoky. It wasn’t overpowering, just enough to

Cassie stood near the company gate, brushing invisible lint off her jeans, trying to act casual even though her heart was beating louder than necessary. It wasn’t a date. Just a walk. Just Elijah; a guy who had texted her three times since yesterday and somehow still made her smile.She glanced at the time on her phone again. He was right on time, of course.“Hey,” came a warm voice from her left.She turned, and there he was, hands in his pockets, a wide, easy smile on his face. Elijah wasn’t flashy. No. Just calm energy and a face that made you feel like everything was going to be okay.“Hey,” she said, mirroring his smile. They leaned in for a hug, slightly awkward, somewhere between friendly and something more. It lasted a second longer than necessary.“I decided to ditch the car and take an uber, more convenient. Anyway, you look... not stressed,” he teased, stepping back.“I’ll take that as a compliment.”“It is,” he chuckled. “So, shall we?”They started walking side by side, f

The sun was already beginning to set when Cassie’s cab turned into the long driveway of Reggie’s apartment. She sat quietly in the back seat, her fingers tracing invisible circles on the window. Her mind replayed the image of her a nd Elijah jumping up and down the trampoline, laughing without a care in the world. He had helped her without knowing, keeping her mind off Reggie and the kiss that still made her lips tingle and the way his gaze had darkened with restraint right before he’d pulled away. She tried to stop her mind from going back there but it was impossible.Now she was on her way back to the house, groceries in hand, feeling like she was walking into the aftermath of a storm neither of them knew how to name. The car slowed to a stop.“Here you are, Miss,” the driver said kindly.“Thank you.” She forced a small smile, reaching for her purse. “Let me get that.”He was already stepping out. “No need. I’ll get the bags for you.”Cassie stepped onto the cobblestone path, her ey

Reggie’s footsteps echoed through the quiet living room as he walked back inside. The air felt heavier somehow, the faint buzz of the gin still lingering in his blood. He told himself he was doing the right thing, walking away before he made another mistake.But before he could reach the stairs, he heard the sound of the sliding door behind him.“Don’t you dare walk away from me again,” Cassie said, her voice sharp with frustration.Reggie froze. He didn’t turn immediately, his jaw tightening. “Cassie...”“No,” she cut him off, stepping into the room. Her cheeks were flushed, her hair loose around her face, the wine glass still in her hand. “You don’t get to just walk off like that. Not after...” she gestured vaguely toward the balcony “...all that.”He turned slowly to face her. “I think we’ve both had enough for one night.”Cassie let out a breathy, humorless laugh. “Enough of what? You saying one thing and doing another?”Reggie rubbed the back of his neck. “You’re drunk, Cassie.”