Simon had grown increasingly present in my life.
It started with lunches and dinners, but now he’d even taken over my mornings. Every day, without fail, he’d arrive at my door with a carefully chosen breakfast–different every time–and share the meal with me before work.
At first, I worried about what my coworkers would think. But over time, I got used to it.
Let them talk. Simon and I were innocent, after all.
Meanwhile, the competition for that Southside property was heating up.
It wasn’t just Crane Enterprises and Evermore vying for it anymore; other companies had joined the fray. Rumors swirled about bribes being handed out under the table.
Over lunch one day, I brought it up to Simon. “The Southside property is prime real estate. Other companies are already making moves behind the scenes. Shouldn’t we… I don’t know, show some goodwill too?”
Sitting across from me, Simon calmly peeled a shrimp with his long, graceful fingers and placed it neatly on the edge of my plate.
“You’re in charge. Do whatever you think is best.”
His tone was light, but then his expression shifted, growing serious. “But if it involves drinking at these ‘goodwill‘ dinners, forget it. I’ll handle the schmoozing.”
I raised a skeptical eyebrow. “But I can drink.”
It wasn’t much, but one thing I was genuinely good at was holding my liquor. More than once, my ability to drink others under the table had helped seal a deal.
“Doesn’t matter.”
Simon’s sharp amber eyes turned cold, a chill emanating from his gaze that made me shiver.
He added, his voice firm, “You’re not drinking at any of these events. End of story.”
I muttered under my breath, “Ethan always made me drink at these things. Why are you so different…?”
Simon’s face darkened at the mention of Ethan, but his response carried an unfamiliar warmth. “Because I’m not him.”
His quiet words stopped me cold.
“Annie,” he continued, his gaze softening as he looked at me. “I don’t need you to force a smile and bend over backward to please people. Just be yourself.”
I blinked, startled by the sincerity in his tone.
“I admire your determination, your drive,” he said, his voice steady. “But I want to see you channel that into things that matter–not into drinking with a room full of men just to win favors for the company.”
He paused, his expression hardening slightly. “People who make you do that… they’re jerks.”
I stared at him, stunned. His words hit something deep inside me, something I hadn’t realized I’d been holding onto.
Ethan was a jerk, wasn’t he? And yet back then, I’d been so proud of myself, thinking I was indispensable to him.
Simon placed another piece of perfectly deboned fish onto my plate, his movements effortless, almost tender. “Be good. Listen to me.”
I stared at the delicate piece of fish for a moment before looking up at him, my voice quiet but direct. “Why are you so good to me?”
Simon had a way of making himself indispensable.
He didn’t just take care of my meals–he took care of me. And as much as I hated to admit it, I’d started looking forward to seeing him every day.
1:01 PM
<
His presence had become a comfort, a warmth that melted away the icy loneliness Ethan had left behind.
But that warmth also scared me.
I was afraid of leaving one trap only to fall into another.
“Why?” I asked again.
Simon’s answer was as steady as ever, his amber eyes unwavering. “Because I want you.”
Three simple words. Calm, assured, and spoken without hesitation.
I avoided his gaze, my heart twisting painfully. “Simon… I’m not as good as you think I am.”
He laughed softly, the sound low and warm. “Trust me–I’m well aware of all your flaws.”
He leaned back slightly, his tone teasing. “You’re picky about food, refuse to touch vegetables, won’t eat even the tiniest bit of fat on your meat, and insist on getting your breakfast from that one specific bakery. God forbid I pick the wrong place–you’d probably starve just to prove a point.”
I stared at him, dumbfounded. “Those aren’t even real flaws!”
He chuckled, his expression softening. “I’m not perfect either. But for you? I’d change anything about myself.”
His voice was gentle, almost hypnotic. “Annie, maybe your flaws are countless, like stars in the night sky. But your strengths? They’re like the sun. And when the sun rises, the stars disappear.”
I rolled my eyes at the corny analogy, but despite myself, I felt a warmth spreading through my chest, melting away some of the lingering bitterness Ethan had left behind.
Still, I couldn’t bring myself to take the leap.
“Annie,” Simon said suddenly, breaking the silence. His tone was casual, but there was an intensity behind his words.
“People have always called me a smart kid,” he began, cutting into his food with precision. “When I was young, I knew how to sweet–talk my parents into giving me extra allowance. I knew which answers to choose on a test to get the best grades.
“I knew which direction I wanted my life to go in and how to make it happen. I’ve always known how to plan my future.”
He paused, his gaze locking onto mine. “And I know exactly what I want in a partner.”
His words sent a wave of panic through me. I averted my eyes, my voice shaky. “Simon, I think I’ve had enough to eat. Maybe we should-”
“What are you so afraid of?” he interrupted, his voice tinged with amusement.
I didn’t answer.
“I’m just being honest about how I feel,” he said, his tone gentle. “I’m not expecting you to give me an answer right now.”
His voice softened further, but his amber eyes burned with intensity. “But Annie… I’ve always known what I want. And once I’ve made up my
mind, I never give up.”
I swallowed hard, avoiding his gaze.
Simon’s eyes were too intense, too certain. They made me feel like prey, caught in the sights of a predator who had no intention of letting go.
12
I ran into Ethan when I went to meet with Mr. Lee.
He was just stepping out of the office, probably there for the same reason I was–trying to secure the Southside property.
“Annie.”
1:01 PM
7
I planned to walk past him as if I hadn’t seen him, but he moved to block my path. I frowned, stopping in my tracks. “What do you want?”
“Evermore is as much your creation as it is mine,” he said darkly, his expression shadowed. “Helping Simon steal this deal is like tearing down the very thing you helped build.”
“You said it yourself,” I replied, my voice cold. “That was then. Times change, Ethan. I’m the VP of Crane Enterprises now. That makes me your competitor. Understand?”
Whatever sentiment he thought he could appeal to, it was far too late for that.
“Annie!” he snapped, his voice rising as he called my name.
I sighed, my patience wearing thin. “Ethan, you’re the one who wanted the divorce. You’re the one who walked away. So what’s the point of stopping me now?”
“Because I realized…” He hesitated, his voice dropping to a low, almost menacing tone. “I realized the one I actually care about is you.”
I stared at him, stunned for a split second, before bursting into laughter.
“Are you joking?” I asked, incredulous. “You realized this now?”
“I’m serious!” he said, growing frustrated, his face tightening with anger. “Do you think I’d joke about something like this? I just… I
