Chapter 11; another first day?

Maya's povI sat up straighter as my cab slowed as it approached the estate gates, I ran my sweaty palms along my denim jeans. I don’t know where those sweats always came from each time I was nervous.The gates were tall and made of thick iron. A small security booth stood to the side, built with clean glass, reflecting the morning sun. A tall masculine man stepped out, with ‘SECURITY’ written broadly on his vest. His posture was relaxed but at alert, eyes already scanning the cab before it came to a full stop.“Good morning,” he said, polite but firm. “Permit?”My stomach fluttered as I nodded quickly, reaching for my phone.“um—yes.” I quickly pulled out my phone. “I was told to show this code.”Nora’s message was still open, the code shone bright on my screen. I handed it over with both hands.The security scanned it with a device making a soft sound. He glanced at the screen again, then at my face, his expression easing just slightly.Then, went to the front window to talk to the

Last Updated : 2026-03-23

Chapter 12; blue

Maya's povHis blue eyes landed on me, it was so cold I could almost see snow flakes in them, it sent goosebumps rippling down my skin and heat over my palms. He wore a White shirt, sleeves rolled back, my eyes traveled to his muscular arms–fuck, they looked so strong– no tie. His hair was neatly styled. I hadn’t expected him to open the door himself.The silence stretched between us, before my brain reminded me who he was and where I was standing.I blinked and quickly looked away.Get a grip, Maya.“Good morning,” I said quickly.His eyes flicked over me, from my shoes to my face to my head, his features twisting in a scowl.“I hope you didn’t come to work drunk,” he said flatly.My stomach dropped.“What?” I blurted out.Did I smell like alcohol? I hadn’t drunk much. I’d made sure of it. I’d been careful, I needed my head clear today. A thousand thoughts crowded my head at once.He watched me for another second, his face unreadable, his eyes giving nothing away. Then he stepped as

Last Updated : 2026-03-24

Chapter 13; under my roof

Xavier’s povShe didn’t answer right away.I watched how her shoulders stiffened, her fingers curled into each other like she needed something to hold on to and how her eyes drifted off. People always think silence is empty but it isn't. Silence is where the truth wrestles with fear.Her silence said a lot.I leaned back slightly, one arm resting on the chair, my gaze steady on her face.“I asked you a question,” I growled. “And like I said, I don’t have all day.”Her eyes flicked up to mine.For a moment, I thought she wouldn’t say.Then she inhaled.“Embezzlement.”The word landed between us heavily but I didn’t react to it.“You embezzled?” I asked.Her reaction was instant.“Yes— I mean, no—” She stopped herself, panic flashing across her face as both her hands lifted, waving fast in front of her, pushing the accusation away. “No. No, I didn’t. I was framed.”Her voice rushed now, words tumbling over each other.“My senior,” she said quickly. “My department head. He was the one mo

Last Updated : 2026-03-24

Chapter 14; eavesdropping

Maya’s POV Happiness bubbled in my heart the moment Grandma Elena walked in, the invisible thick air softened and I regained my regular breathing rhythm. I hadn’t realised how tight everything inside me had become until it loosened all at once. Sitting across from Xavier had felt like being trapped under glass, I was sure he’d seen how unsettled I was. I was grateful for the interruption more than I could explain.I was so happy to see Elena, she looked good and perfectly fine. Not like someone who’d just come out of a hospital bed. Seeing her like this made something warm bloom in my chest, Relief rushed through me so fast it almost made my knees feel soft. I hadn’t known how much I’d been holding onto that worry until it let go.She hugged me, close and with so much familiarity, it felt grounding, like being pulled back into my body after floating too far out of it. I smiled into her shoulder, breathing her in, letting myself enjoy the moment.Elena reached for my hand with a gentl

Last Updated : 2026-03-25

Chapter 15; flashbacks

Xavier’s pov It’s not the first time hearing about anybody’s sad past, even mine was enough for me but I don’t seem to be able to get Maya’s sad tone out of my head.I tightened my jaw every time I tried to push it away. I didn’t care about her past. I didn’t care about her parents. It wasn’t my problem and none of it concerned me. Yet, my focus kept slipping.I stared at the file on my desk, trying to focus on it.“…will make the public think it’s as a result of...” Cole’s voice cut in and out of my thoughts.I should never have approved her.I should have insisted we look for someone else, anyone else, because the past I had worked so hard to bury was never meant to breathe again. I’d sealed it tight years ago, yet here she was again—right under my nose—like time hadn’t moved at all.I’d seen her first. In college. Not that anyone would ever know.She was bending over a desk in the library, hair falling forward as she read with full focus, lips moving slightly like she was explain

Last Updated : 2026-03-26

Chapter 16; my fling

Xavier’s povValentina's nails dug into my shoulders, sharp enough to pull a breath from my chest as I thrust into her hard against the edge of my desk, her legs wrapped tight around my waist. The sun filtered through the blinds, casting stripes across her flushed skin. "Fuck, yes… Xavier," she gasped, her voice a ragged demand that cut through the slap of our bodies colliding. Her dark eyes locked onto mine, challenging, knowing exactly how to push me without breaking.I gripped her hips bruisingly with one hand, pulling her closer as I wrapped her throat tightly with my other hand.I slammed deeper into her wet pussy, the heat of her clenching around my cock made me pound harder into her. She knew me too well—this wasn't some tender bullshit, it was a raw, punishing need. My jaw clenched as I watched her head fall back, exposing the curve of her throat, a low growl escaping my lips. The tension coiled in my chest, that familiar burn of wanting to own her completely.“Xavier,” she c

Last Updated : 2026-03-27