I reached the bakery and was just about to step inside when something caught my eye, a tall, familiar figure standing a short distance away.
I blinked, my heart skipping a beat.
Mr. Elliot?
Yes, it was him.
He stood near his sleek black car, his hands buried in his pockets, his gaze fixed on something ahead of him. It wasn't until I looked past him that I noticed where he was.
A club.
The neon lights flickered above the entrance. A few people stood outside, laughing and chatting.
He looked… tense. He also looked completely different to the composed CEO everyone always said he was. Like his mind was somewhere else.
Why was he here?
I quickly shook my head, feeling ridiculous. It was none of my business. I had only known him for two days, and yet, I was standing here, watching him like some curious bystander.
I needed to focus. I was here to buy a cake, not to get distracted by my too-handsome boss standing in front of a club.
But just as I turned to walk inside the bakery, something unexpected happened.
Elliot lifted his head slightly,and his hazel eyes met mine.
I flinched and immediately looked away, my heart hammering in my chest. God. That was so embarrassing.
Without thinking, I rushed into the bakery, my face burning. Elliot Hayes had just caught me staring at him...
Red-handed....
I groaned internally, pressing my lips together as I hurried toward the glass display case, pretending to be deeply invested in the cakes in front of me, just to hide my embarrassment.
Maybe, just maybe he hadn't really noticed. Maybe I had imagined it.
But no..
I had seen the way his gaze locked onto mine. It looked like he was surprised to see me.
Why did I even care? It wasn't like I had done anything wrong, right? I just… happened to notice him. It wasn't a crime.
Still, I felt ridiculous.
I took a deep breath and forced myself to focus. Cake. I was here for a cake. Not to overanalyze whatever just happened.
A kind-looking elderly woman behind the counter smiled at me. "Can I help you, dear?"
"Yes!" I blurted out, a little too loudly. I cleared my throat, trying to sound normal. "I mean… yes. I'd like a cake, please. For a birthday."
The woman chuckled. "Well, you've come to the right place."
As she walked me through the options, I tried my best to shake off the lingering embarrassment.
Elliot was the CEO of Sterling Enterprises. He had far more important things to worry about than some intern who just happened to cross paths with him outside of work.
Right?
I was too nervous to go back outside.
What if he was still there? What if he thought I was following him?
I bit my lip, gripping the cake box tightly as I slowly opened the door. Taking a deep breath, I pushed it open just a crack and peeked outside.
My heart thudded as I scanned the street.
No sleek black car.
No tall CEO.
I let out a deep sigh of relief. "Thank God."
Shaking my head at myself, I stepped outside, the cool night air brushing against my skin. I was being ridiculous. This wasn't a big deal. I was acting like a nervous teenager who had just been caught staring at her crush.
Crush?
I froze for half a second before shaking the thought away. No. No way. I admired him, sure. He was striking, powerful, and way out of my league. But this was just workplace admiration. Nothing more.
I forced my feet to move, heading down the street toward the bus stop. Tomorrow was my birthday. I had more important things to think about than my intimidatingly handsome boss.
Or at least, I was going to try.
Elliot....
I stood in front of the club, debating whether to go inside or just head home. I just wanted to drink. That's all I needed, just one to clear my head.
I just wanted to be alone. I just wanted to forget my worries and the composure of being a damn CEO.
But as I stood there, lost in thought, I looked around and i saw something, or rather, someone,caught my eye.
A familiar figure stood a short distance away, in front of a bakery.
I squinted slightly.
Sophie? Or Sonia, I didn't really remember her name.
For a second, I wasn't sure. But then I recognized the way she nervously shifted. What was she doing here?
I noticed she wasn't looking at the bakery, she was looking at me.
A strange feeling stirred in my chest one I couldn't quite place. Was she following me? No, that didn't make sense. She looked just as surprised as I was.
And then, as if realizing she'd been caught, she flinched. Her eyes widened in pure embarrassment before she spun around and rushed into the bakery, disappearing behind the glass door.
I stared for a moment, the corner of my mouth twitching slightly. Cute.
And for some reason, that tiny moment, her flushed cheeks, her wide eyes, the way she practically fled, managed to pull me out of my own thoughts.
I exhaled, shaking my head. My jaw tightened as reality set back in.
I wasn't there to be distracted.
I was there to drink. To forget. To drown out the voices in my head telling me that no matter how much I wanted to break free, I never really could.
But at the same time, I had work the next day. I couldn't let myself get wasted. Sighing deeply, I entered my car and wanted to head home when suddenly a lady grabbed my hand.
"Hey, handsome." She looked at me seductively. She was dressed in a really exposing outfit.
I pulled my hand away instantly. "Excuse me?"
She pouted, stepping closer, her perfume way too much. "Come on, don't be so cold. A man like you shouldn't be outside alone. I can keep you company."
I let out a slow breath, the exhaustion and frustration of the day weighing on me. Maybe I needed a distraction. Just for tonight.
She noticed my hesitation and smirked. "See? You don't have to be alone."
I ran a hand through my hair before exhaling sharply. She looked sexy, and it had been a long since I had sex. "Fine." I leaned closer and whispered to her. "Let's go. My place"
Her grin widened as she took my hand. I took her to the car and I drove off immediately, knowing I was going to fuck out my frustration with her, I knew I was making a mistake. But for once, I didn't care.
The night blurred into drinks, laughter in my condo, and the feeling of warm hands trailing over my skin. By the time we stopped drinking together, my mind was clouded, not just from alcohol, but from the need to forget everything else, even if just for a little while.
I barely had time to think before her lips were on mine, her hands tugging at my shirt. I gave in. No thoughts, no responsibilities. Just the temporary pleasure she offered.
Tomorrow, I will regret it. But tonight, I just wanted to feel something else.
I was so hard that I immediately pushed her to the wall, she moaning in satisfaction. I was going to fuck her right there. I wasn't going to do so on my bed. I was rough, and she liked it. Taking off her clothes, I immediately plunged in. Our pants and gasps echoed in my apartment for a long time until I was satisfied.
Seven rounds.
She wanted more, which freaked me out. It was already three in the morning. I needed to go to work the next day. She asked me for money to leave, and I immediately gave her, not wanting her a second more in my house.