her bed. She gazed upward as reflections of the day's event flooded her mind, how she transcended from a shy, quiet and introverted young lady with p

ke a soft velvet cloak as sleep en

oft golden light of the sun radiated across the r

ning sun in order to get soaked by its warmth, sof

congratulations on an

us Blackwood tech ventures surpassing our competitors and setting a si

nt is as a result of our team's collaborative effort, I must

wing the meeting's repor

his opulent office where his gigantic

wiftly arranged her files. She tucked her hand into her bag to retri

ing slightly as she reread the elegant script. A dinner

room to chill while waiting for Austin's chauffeur

empered by a hint of nervousness as

ing the scenes from her room's balcony, where she stood, admiring the surrou

t her attention was needed.' After a swift self-check on th

nt apartment exemplifying

ng glass walled living room to

istant ushered her to a dimly

would you kindl

ining hall, and she noticed th

it of unease, though Austin's

t requiring my signature to form

t the edge of the were

erstand what I meant by I don't just hire people based o

project with discretion and dedicati

oser, his gaze ne

nderstands that business, for me, is never just business

s had a way of re

them, and Skylar resisted the urg

ing. Was he suggesting...? She tried to keep her voice

ad just caught the scent of its prey. "I don't mix busines

nk, "he uttered as he ref

ust thirty min

o his plush, sipp

ead, studying h

ound her, the weight of his wo

was harmless, and thi

tween them, but it w

, lights reflected in his deep blue eyes.

as different- more serious, as if h

e. Mr. Blackwood moved closer, his hand brushing hers as he handed her another glass of champagne, a mixture of unc

to their personal life, the atmosphere thickened as they tal

ted to soft whispers, the p

, Austin's bold, gent

n kissed him back let

ection they navigated the in

ructed professional boundaries dissolving in the heat of the moment. It wasn't until much later, lying

business deal and had left with far more than she had bargained for. The weigh

tin. The agreement was sealed yet the price of its attainment remained uncertain. T

d chirpings, car humming cont

to wake, dressed and ready to

ed in with two cups of

otions, questioning her judg