All Chapters of Against The Fire : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The Night We MetAdrian adjusted his collar for what felt like the hundredth time. The cheap fabric scuffed at his neck, and the second-hand suit clung too tightly across his shoulders, like it wasn’t made for him. It probably wasn’t. He glanced around the hall, the lights shining off the high chandeliers, and the place was packed with suits that cost more than his entire year’s rent.He inhaled deeply. You're here now, but you don't belong here, so behave, he reminded himself. Act carefully.Clutching his invitation like it might vanish, Adrian approached a group of sharply dressed men near the champagne tower.“Hi,” he said, his voice was overly chipper, extending his hand. “Adrian Cross. I’m a writer…freelance mostly. Just had a feature in…”They didn’t even look at him.One of the older men finally turned, gave him a tight-lipped smile. “Good for you.”Then turned away.Adrian’s cheeks burned. He stepped back, muttering something under his breath. But he didn’t give up. He moved

The RevelationsFinally, Eli got his number. It took time and money to get his number. He was excited and couldn't wait to hear from him. Eli leaned back in his chair, frustration tightening his jaw as he stared at his phone’s screen. The call log was ridiculous. He had given him ten calls already. All to no avail.It was really frustrating. He tapped the screen again, pacing around his office like a man with far too much on his mind for someone who owned half the city’s skyline.Ring. Ring. Ring… but it all went down to voicemail. He sighed, pressing the phone to his forehead. “This is ridiculous. Why is he not picking up his calls? Does he know I am the one calling?” It had been days since he tracked down Adrian’s number. A few strings pulled here, giving information here and there, having a casual conversation with a gallery owner who happened to know a journalist who knew someone at The Reader’s Digest.And finally, he’d get his full Adrian Cross, his number, and hope. And so fa

Chapter 6Life after the confrontation with his parents was anything but peaceful for Eli. The days that followed were filled with relentless calls, messages, and unexpected visits from his mother; his father was particularly persistent, leaving voicemails that oscillated between tearful pleas and stern warnings. “Eli, darling, think about the family legacy,” one message would say. The next, “You’re being selfish, and it’s breaking our hearts.”His father was no less insistent, sending emails stating the benefits of a union with the Voss family and the potential business expansions it could bring. Each message felt like a chain, tightening around Eli’s freedom. But no matter what, he wouldn't let them tell him what to do. Sabrina, too, began her own campaign. She would come to his office unannounced, bringing lunch or coffee, always with a bright smile and a hopeful glint in her eyes. Sometimes she acts seductively around him. “I thought we could catch up,” she’d say, settling into

Chapter 8: The days following the Chamberlin and Carter families’ confrontation were a whirlwind of emotions for Eli. He found peace in his constant secret meetings with Adrian, their bond kept growing stronger with each meeting. Yet, the weight of his family’s expectations kept overwhelming him. One evening, as they sat in a hidden corner of a quiet café, Eli reached across the table, his fingers gently brushing Adrian’s.“I wish we could just be together without all this secrecy and troubles,” Eli whispered.Adrian sighed, his eyes completely showing the turmoil within. “I know, Eli. But my family… they wouldn’t understand. They’d disown me.I'm confused.Their silence is killing me.”Eli’s grip tightened slightly. “And what about us? Are we not worth the risk?”Adrian looked away, pain etched in his face. “I don’t know. It's just too much to bear.”************************Meanwhile, Sabrina Voss, Eli’s childhood friend, had been making frequent visits to the Chamberlin estate. She

Chapter 10: Adrian Carter’s world was crumbling faster than he could keep up with. Every day, it felt like he was sinking deeper into a pit of despair. The job he’d lost seemed like a distant memory now, but it was a tragedy in a larger sea of personal disaster. But it wasn’t just the loss of income that was dragging him under. It was everything else. the press coverage, the constant mockery, the growing online hate.Social media had become his worst enemy. Every time he checked his phone, there was another comment. “Gold digger.” “Just using Eli for money.” “You’re nothing without him.”The words stung. He didn’t want to believe them, but the longer the hatred piled up, the harder it was to fight off the self-doubt creeping in. He was alone in his small apartment, the silence was amplifying his inner turmoil. Every time he went out, people would look at him like a loser. When he passed a group of strangers, they’d stare, sometimes laughing as he walked by. His name was now synonymou