Chapter 173
Madison
When I woke the next morning, sunlight streamed through my curtains. I felt more rested than I had in days. I stretched, my muscles protesting slightly after yesterday’s tension.
After another quick shower to fully wake myself up, I headed to the kitchen. I whipped up some scrambled eggs with spinach and toast, humming to myself as I worked.
I was halfway through my breakfast when my phone buzzed with a text. Hazel’s name flashed on the screen, and I swiped to read her message.
Hazel: OMG GUESS WHO’S A FINANCIAL GENIUS NOW??? ME!!!
I frowned at my phone, confused. Another message popped up before I could reply.
Hazel: I bought Knight Industries stock yesterday morning when all that drama hit! Then, I sold some shares at close. I made a $340 profit in ONE DAY!!!
My fork clattered against my plate. What the hell? Hazel had never shown any interest in the stock market before. I quickly typed back.
Me: Since when have you been playing the stock market???
Hazel: Since I realized I could make money off rich people panicking! Also bought some of his other companies. Those are still going up!
I shook my head, impressed but slightly annoyed with myself. Why hadn’t I thought of this? I’d been so wrapped up in helping Alexander manage the crisis that I hadn’t considered how I might benefit personally.
Me: That’s actually brilliant. I can’t believe I didn’t think of that.
Hazel: I know, right?? I’m buying myself those boots I showed you last week. The universe WANTED me to have them.
I laughed out loud. Trust Hazel to immediately spend her windfall on shoes.
Me: What if it falls more? Not all financial crises resolve in a day.
Hazel: Then I’ll blame you since you work there! But seriously, your boss doesn’t seem like the type to commit fraud. Those articles seemed like BS.
I stared at my phone, feeling pride and something else I couldn’t quite name. Loyalty, maybe?
Me: Yeah, they were definitely BS.
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Hazel: Plus, have you SEEN the man? That face doesn’t scream “financial criminal” to me. It screams, “Take me to bed immediately,” but that’s another topic.
I nearly choked on my coffee.
Me: HAZEL!
Hazel: What? Like you haven’t thought about it.
Me: We are NOT having this conversation.
Hazel: Fine, then I’ll just guess. Based on that glow you had when we met at the café, I’d say he’s been rocking your world at LEAST three times a week. Maybe more?
I nearly spat out my coffee.
Me: HAZEL! Seriously?!
Hazel: What? It’s just math. Three weekly sessions over how many weeks now? That’s what, like fifteen–ish times? Unless you’re doing multiple rounds per night, which, looking at him, seems likely.
My face burned so hot I could’ve fried an egg on it.
Me: I cannot believe we’re discussing this. You’re worse than a teenager.
Hazel: I’m just saying, get it while you can. Not all men look like THAT and have money. It’s like winning the lottery but with orgasms.
I buried my face in my hands, mortified yet laughing despite myself.
Me: You’re impossible.
Hazel: Impossibly RIGHT. Anyway, gotta run. Some of us have actual work to do today instead of ” meetings” with our hot bosses.
Me: I do actual work!
Hazel: Sure, honey. Between bedroom gymnastics.
Me: Go to work and stop harassing me!
Hazel: Fine, fine. Leaving now. But check your messages in a minute. I’m sending you something important.
I rolled my eyes and finished my coffee, grateful for the reprieve. Not thirty seconds later, my phone buzzed with a voice message from Hazel. I pressed play with no small amount of trepidation.
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“Madison Harper, listen up,” Hazel’s voice rang out dramatically. “If I had the chance to be Alexander Knight’s girlfriend, I would never, EVER let him go. I’d be getting maximum sex – morning, noon, and night. But not everyone’s as lucky as you, so ENJOY IT. And tell him if he dumps you, I will personally dump his body in the Hudson River. No jury would convict me once they heard my motive.”
I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Classic Hazel, making death threats against one of the most powerful men in New York.
Me: You can’t just threaten to murder people. I’m pretty sure that’s illegal.
Hazel: Only if you get caught. Anyway, what’s your plan? Lock that down or what?
I sighed, staring at my phone. That was the million–dollar question, wasn’t it?
Me: We can’t say what will happen in the future. It’s complicated.
Hazel: “Complicated” is what people say when they’re scared. Nothing about this should be complicated. He’s hot; you’re hot, and you both clearly enjoy each other’s company. The end.
Me: There’s more to relationships than that.
Hazel: Like what? His money? Because that’s a plus, not a complication.
Me: You’re impossible.
Hazel: I prefer “realistic.” Anyway, be careful with your heart, okay? And your other parts. Use protection and all that responsible adult stuff. Gotta dash for real now – my boss isn’t as understanding about tardiness as yours probably is. TTYL this weekend?
Me: Yes, weekend. Now, go to work before you get fired.
Hazel: Love you too!
I set my phone down, shaking my head with a smile. Trust Hazel to reduce my complex situation with Alexander to something so simple. In her world, attraction plus compatibility equaled happily
ever after.
If only it were that straightforward.
I rinsed my coffee mug in the sink, thinking about what she’d said. The truth was, I did enjoy being with Alexander – probably more than I should, given our arrangement.
The sex was incredible, yes, but there were other moments too. The way his eyes crinkled slightly at the corners when he was genuinely amused. How he’d absently run his thumb over my knuckles when he held my hand. The unexpected gentleness he sometimes showed when he thought no one was watching.
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“Get it together, Madison,” I muttered, drying my hands on a dish towel. This was business, not a fairy tale. Alexander Knight wasn’t going to suddenly fall in love with his assistant turned fake girlfriend. Men like him didn’t do love – they did arrangements, contracts, and transactions.
I headed to my bedroom to get dressed, pushing Hazel’s words from my mind. I had a job to do and bills to pay. Romance wasn’t part of the equation.
Still, as I pulled out my outfit for the day, I couldn’t help wondering what Alexander would think of it. The pencil skirt was professional but hugged my curves in a way I knew he’d appreciate. And the blouse, while modest from the front, dipped low enough in the back to reveal a tantalizing glimpse of
skin.
“Professional with a hint of temptation,” I murmured, laying the clothes on my bed. Perfect for a day at Knight Industries.
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.
