Madison
By four o’clock, I’d managed to avoid any direct contact with Alexander. A small victory in a war against my own poor judgment. I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples against the headache brewing behind my eyes.
My computer pinged with a new email notification.
From: Alexander Knight
Subject: Manhattan Project Timeline
Attachment: Timeline_Revisions.p*f
Ms. Harper,
Please review the attached revisions to the project timeline. I’ve highlighted several deliverables that require
acceleration.
We’ll need to discuss these adjustments before tomorrow’s stakeholder meeting.
Alexander Knight
CEO, Knight Industries
No mention of last night. No acknowledgment of what happened between us. Just business as usual.
I should have been relieved. Instead, something like disappointment twisted in my gut.
“Get a grip,” I muttered to myself, clicking open the attachment.
The revisions were extensive, requiring at least another hour of work. I sighed and dove in, grateful for the distraction.
Three days passed in much the same fashion. I arrived early, left late, and maintained a strictly professional demeanor in the rare instances when Alexander and I were forced to interact. He matched my approach with the cool professionalism of his own.
If anyone noticed the new dynamic between us, they didn’t mention it. The office buzzed with its usual energy, oblivious to my inner turmoil.
I was in the middle of reviewing contractor bids when my phone vibrated with a text from Hazel.
Hazel: Drinks tonight? My place. No excuses.
I hesitated, thumb hovering over the screen. The thought of social interaction exhausted me, wasn’t helping either.
Me: Fine. 7pm?
Hazel: 6:30. I’m ordering Thai.
but hiding away
1/4
At precisely 6:25, I knocked on Hazel’s apartment door, bottle of wine in hand.
“You’re early!” Hazel exclaimed. “And you brought the good stuff.”
I followed her into the cozy living room, kicking off my heels with a sigh of relief. “I figured we deserved it after the week I’ve had.”
Hazel grabbed two wine glasses from her kitchen cabinet. “That bad, huh?”
“You have no idea.” I collapsed onto her plush sofa, melting into the cushions. “I swear this Manhattan project is going to kill me before it’s finished.”
“Mmm–hmm.” Hazel poured generous amounts of wine into both glasses. “And I’m guessing a certain CEO isn’t making things any easier?”
I accepted the glass she handed me, taking a larger sip than intended. The rich cabernet coated my tongue, momentarily distracting me from thoughts of Alexander.
“Madison?” Hazel waved her hand in front of my face. “You completely zoned out.”
“Sorry.” I tucked my feet underneath me. “Just tired.”
Hazel settled into the armchair across from me, tucking one leg beneath her. “So, what’s the deal with you and Alexander? Still keeping things professional, or has he asked you on an actual date yet?”
I nearly choked on my wine. “No! I mean, we’re strictly professional.”
“Really?” She raised an eyebrow. “Because the way he looked at you at his birthday party definitely wasn’t professional. If you ask me, if Alexander is a real man who actually cares about you, he’ll man up and tell you how he feels instead of playing these games.”
“He’s not playing games,” I defended automatically, then paused. “At least, I don’t think he is.”
“Men like Alexander Knight don’t get to where they are without knowing exactly what they want.” Hazel refilled her glass. “And when they want something, they go after it.”
I stared into my wine, watching the liquid swirl. “Maybe I’m not what he wants.”
“Please.” Hazel scoffed. “I saw how he watched you that night. Like you were the only person in the room.”
The memory of his intense gaze sent a shiver down my spine. Had he looked at me that way?
“Well, whatever it was, it’s over now,” I said firmly.
Hazel’s phone buzzed, and she glanced at it. “Food’s here. Hold that thought.”
While Hazel dealt with the delivery, I pulled out my own phone. No new messages from Alexander. Not that I expected any.
Hazel returned with containers of Pad Thai and spring rolls. “Dinner is served!”
“Smells amazing.” I set my phone face down on the coffee table, determined to stop checking it.
2/4
We ate in companionable silence for a few minutes before Hazel spoke again.
“So you’re just going to let it go?” Hazel asked, twirling noodles around her fork.
I picked at my Pad Thai, and my appetite suddenly diminished. “No. I’ll talk to him soon.”
Hazel’s face broke into a wide grin. “That’s my girl.” She stabbed a piece of chicken triumphantly. “Now eat. Strategic conversations require proper nutrition.”
I rolled my eyes but complied, and the food tasted better than expected. “It’s not a military operation, Hazel.”
“Dealing with Alexander Knight? It might as well be.” She winked. “Just promise me you won’t let him steamroll you. Your voice matters in this too.”
“I know,” I said, though uncertainty lingered beneath my confident tone.
Days passed with minimal interaction between Alexander and me. When we did speak, it was purely
professional: budget approvals, timeline adjustments, contractor issues. Nothing about us. Nothing personal at
all.
I threw myself into work, staying later than necessary, reviewing documents until my eyes burned. The project provided convenient cover for my avoidance tactics.
One evening, I was working late in my office when a knock interrupted my concentration.
“Come in,” I called, expecting the cleaning staff.
Alexander stepped through the doorway instead, pristine in his tailored suit despite the late hour. My heart performed an unwelcome somersault.
“Ms. Harper.” He nodded, closing the door behind him. “Working late again?”
I straightened in my chair. “Just finalizing the contractor agreements.”
“Dedicated as always.” He approached my desk, hands in pockets. “May I sit?”
“Of course, Mr. Knight.”
He lowered himself into the chair opposite mine. For a moment, neither of us spoke.
“Is there something specific you needed?” I finally asked, proud of how steady my voice sounded.
Alexander’s gaze was unreadable. “I believe we have unfinished business.”
My pulse quickened. Was this it? Was he finally going to acknowledge what happened between us? Maybe even suggest we try something real?
“The arrangement,” he clarified, dashing my foolish hopes.
I blinked, disappointment washing over me. “The arrangement is ended.”
“Did it?” His eyebrow arched. “Because our recent encounter would suggest otherwise.”
3/4
Chapter 357
+25 BONUS
Heat rushed to my face. “That was a mistake.”
“Was it?” He leaned forward. “It felt quite deliberate to me.”
“Mr. Knight,” I said firmly, “the arrangement is over. There will be no discussion about reviving it.”
Alexander studied me for a long moment. “I see.”
“Is there anything else you needed?”
He stood, buttoning his suit jacket. “The revised project timeline. Have it on my desk by tomorrow morning.”
Just like that, we were back to business.
“Yes, Mr. Knight.”
Without another word, he left, closing the door with quiet finality.
I slumped in my chair, the brief surge of adrenaline leaving me drained. What had I expected? That he’d declare his undying love? That he’d beg me to give him another chance?
Alexander Knight didn’t beg for anything. He simply acquired what he wanted through other means.
And clearly, I wasn’t what he wanted anymore. 1
Two weeks of professional coldness followed. Alexander remained cordial but distant during the few meetings we couldn’t avoid.
I barely saw him at work anymore. He traveled frequently.
Katherine Sinclair’s face seemed to follow me everywhere. Tabloids splashed photos of her and Alexander at charity galas, fashion shows, and exclusive restaurants. “Power Couple Reunited” blared one headline. “Knight Industries CEO Rekindles Romance with Fashion Mogul” proclaimed another.
Each image was a paper cut to my heart, small but surprisingly painful.
A month after our night together, I stood in the bathroom, staring at a small plastic stick.
Two pink lines glared back at me, unmistakable.
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.
