emnants of the wine from the previous night. She shifted slightly, only to feel the warmth of another body b

lying next to her. His face, usually so stoic and commanding, was now relaxed in sleep. For a brief

t, panic setting in. This wasn't just any man-it was her boss. A rude, powerfu

athroom. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she barely recognized the woman staring

-

liar surroundings. The soft, pastel tones of Emily's bedroom were a

ts of the previous night played in his mind like a movie reel-t

dressed but visibly flustered. Her eyes darted to him a

he said, her voice b

is expression unr

sing down on them. Emily fidgeted with the hem of her blouse,

an, her voice trembling. "But I think

w tightened.

der his intense gaze. "It can't happen again. I work

something unreadable passing t

cheeks flushing. "Tha

ing cold. "You're right. It can't h

ected. She nodded stiffly, refusing

-

thing had happened. But as she stepped into the bustling halls of Har

ow whispered behind her back. Their sideways

up in the world," one of th

. She didn't owe them an explanation, bu

tone clipped and formal whenever they had to speak. It was as if he'd built a wa

-

to's sharp-eyed grandmothe

mily?" she asked, her ton

ing the bridge of his

e's a lovely girl, Roberto. You sh

d. She was under the impression that Emily was the daughter o

you think she is,"

e has poise, intelligence, and ch

e their complicated night, he couldn't deny that there was somethin

-

beginnings were a far cry from the glitz and glamour of his lifestyle. The whispers in the office only

mall apartment, Emily's phone bu

ner tomorrow. I

ting. She wanted to decline, but Margaret's k