Chapter 203
Madison
I stared at Caroline’s message, my finger hovering over the screen. The audacity of this woman was truly something else.
My first instinct was to decline. After our last interaction at the Charity Gala, I had zero interest in spending an evening with her. But something made me pause. Alexander had only instructed me not to reveal his whereabouts to her; he never said anything about not meeting her.
And there was that name that kept circling in my mind: Katherine.
Caroline had known Alexander for years. If anyone might have information about this mysterious woman from his past, it would be her. The thought of finally getting answers was tempting enough to endure an evening of Caroline’s company.
I typed back: “Sure, I can make it. See you at 7.”
Immediately after sending it, I wondered if I’d made a mistake. But it was done now. The blue text bubble stared back at me, mocking my impulsivity. I set my phone down and massaged my temples.
What was I thinking? Meeting Caroline for drinks was like voluntarily walking into a snake pit. But the possibility of learning about Katherine was too tempting to resist. The name had been haunting me since I’d overheard it, and Alexander clearly wasn’t going to volunteer any information.
“Ms. Harper?”
I jumped at Alexander’s voice. He stood in the doorway of his office, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised.
“Sorry, I was just…” I gestured vaguely at my computer screen.
“Daydreaming?” he supplied, his lips quirking up at one corner.
“Planning,” I corrected, straightening my posture. “For the new project.”
“Of course.” He didn’t look convinced. “I need the financial reports for the board meeting tomorrow.”
I pulled up the files on my computer. “I have them right here. Would you like me to print them or email them?”
“Both. And I need you to review the Davis proposal before I sign off on it.”
I nodded, adding it to my mental checklist. “Anything else?”
He leaned against my desk, invading my personal space in that way he did so effortlessly. “You seem distracted today.”
“Do I?” I kept my eyes on my screen, afraid he might read the guilt on my face. Meeting his friend or ex behind his back felt like a betrayal, even if my intentions were innocent.
Well, mostly innocent.
“Yes.” His voice dropped lower. “Something on your mind, Ms. Harper?”
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Chapter 203
+15 BONUS
I could have asked him then. The question was right there, perched on the tip of my tongue. Who is Katherine? Three simple words.
Instead, I said, “Just excited about the new office,”
“Ah.” He nodded, pushing away from my desk. “Speaking of which, are you free tonight? I’d like to go over some details for the project.”
My heart did a little flip “Actually, I promised to visit my mother at the hospital.”
“How is she doing?” His question seemed genuinely interesting, which surprised me.
“Better. She’s doing well.” I smiled, grateful for his concern, however brief.
“Good.” He checked his watch. “What time will you be done?”
Here it comes, I thought. The invitation back to his penthouse, where we’d “go over details,” would quickly devolve into something much less professional.
But instead, he said, “Never mind. You should rest afterward. Tomorrow’s a big day. You’ll be settling into your new office.”
I blinked, caught off guard by his consideration. “Oh. Okay.”
“Take the Davis proposal with you to review if you have time. If not, we’ll handle it tomorrow.”
He turned to go back to his office, then paused. “And Ms. Harper?”
“Yes, Mr. Knight?”
“Wear something nice tomorrow.”
I rolled my eyes once his back was turned. It was as if I had ever come to work looking anything less than professional.
The rest of the day flew by in a flurry of activity. Reports needed filing, calls required returning, and Alexander’s schedule demanded constant attention. By five o’clock, my eyes burned from staring at spreadsheets, and my fingers ached from typing. I stretched my arms above my head, arching my back to release the tension.
“Ready to call it a day?” Alexander appeared in his doorway, his suit jacket draped over one arm, and his tie loosened.
I nodded, shutting down my computer. “Just about. I still need to organize these files for tomorrow’s meeting.”
“Leave them. You can finish in the morning.” He checked his watch. “I’m heading out. Need a ride?”
The offer was tempting. His sleek car was certainly more comfortable than the subway. But the thought of being alone with him in that confined space….
“I appreciate it, but I can grab a cab,” I said, gathering my things. “I should get going if I want to catch visiting hours at the hospital.”
He nodded, not pushing the issue. “I’ll walk down with you.”
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Chapter 203
+15 BONUS
In the elevator, we stood side by side, not touching. The space between is seemed charged with electricity, making me acutely aware of his presence. I could smell his cologne–something expensive and subtle that made my heart beat faster.
“How’s the Davis proposal looking?” he asked, breaking the silence.
“Promising. Their numbers check out, and the timeline is realistic.” I glanced at him. “I think it’s worth pursuing ”
“Good. We’ll discuss it tomorrow.” The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. “After you.”
We walked through the lobby, our footsteps echoing on the marble floor. Outside, the evening air was cool against my skin. Alexander’s driver was already waiting at the curb.
“Sure, I can’t drop you somewhere?” Alexander asked again.
“I’m sure. Thanks for the offer, though.” I shifted my weight, suddenly awkward. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He nodded, studying my face for a moment. “Good night, Ms. Harper.”
“Good night, Mr. Knight.”
I watched as he slid into the back seat. The car pulled away from the curb, seamlessly merging into the traffic flow.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
