Semua Bab Against The Fire : Bab 1 - Bab 5

The Invitation The shrill sound of Eli’s phone cut through the peace of his office.He winced, pen poised over a contract he had barely started reading. He let out a long, irritated hiss, “Ugh, not now.” His voice held the weariness of someone who hadn’t had a full night’s sleep in a week. Maybe he hadn't. Stacks of files, leases, proposals, and partnership drafts were scattered like a paper battlefield across his expensive mahogany desk.The phone rang again. The caller wouldn't stop. Eli was angry and was too busy to even get up from his chair to get his phone at the other corner of the office.“Megan,” he called, not looking up. “Please, whoever that is, kill it.”His personal assistant looked up from her own cluttered workspace, knitting her brows as she reached for the phone. “It’s your dad. Mr. Chamberlin.” she wouldn't dare to answer such a call. Eli’s head dropped back against the chair with a thud. “Shit,” he mumbled under his breath.“Sir…….you know I can't answer this one

Unseen ConsequencesEli had barely touched his coffee.The steam nestled toward his face, but he didn’t notice. Or maybe he didn't care. His fingers were drummed absently on the desk as his eyes stared blankly at the corner of the room. The office was in its usual pristine condition. self organized chaos covered the beauty of the office. but his mind was anything but organized. He didn't even care if things were done again. He hadn’t stopped thinking about Adrian since the night of the gala.That kiss….That hesitant, electric kiss under the city lights had melted itself into his memory. It wasn’t the kind of kiss he was used to drunk, practiced, and meaningless. In fact it's been years since he last kissed someone. His kiss with Adrian was the kind that left a mark. And would not go away in a long period of time. His soft, big lips, his warm breath, and his eyes. Adrian had been nervous, but he didn't pull away immediately. Maybe the feeling was mutual. But why hasn't he called? “

A Threat From The PastEli stared down at the name flashing across his phone screen. It was his mother. He hissed. Today is Saturday, and he's supposed to be resting, and not to be disturbed. He didn’t need to answer to know what this was about. After all, a week had passed since the coffee date with Adrian. He was still thinking about the kiss. Sometimes, he would gently caress his lips. The memory makes him smile. But so did the unease that strange sense of being watched.Still, this? He knew exactly what his parents wanted. And he wasn’t ready. He wished they could just leave him alone to live his life and find his own happiness. He let the call go to voicemail. Then came a text.“Come home, Eli. I know you can see my call, but intentionally didn't want to answer. We need to talk. Don’t make me call again…Mom.”A sigh escaped his lips as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Megan, who was in his house working, noticed from across the room but didn’t say anything. She’d learned when