The sun was already high when James stepped out of his penthouse, his face calm like nothing was stirring inside. But underneath that cool exterior, his mind was still boiling with anger. Quiet, but sharp.
In front of his staff, partners, and everyone else, James played the part of a confident, successful CEO. He smiled politely, returned greetings with ease, and went through the motions like everything was just fine.
"Mr. Roger, your meeting schedule for today is ready," said Maya, his young secretary, her voice soft but professional.
James gave a quick nod and a practiced smile. "Thanks, Maya. Make sure everything stays on track."
As soon as the office door shut behind him, the calm vanished. James clenched the edge of his jacket, exhaling deeply.
"This is all just a mask," he muttered to himself. "But it's gotta stay up. For business. For the future."
His phone buzzed on the desk. A message popped up from one of his sources checking in on Daisy:
"So far, nothing out of the ordinary, Sir."
James glanced at the message and typed back, "Keep an eye on her."
He put the phone down and pulled up another folder filled with intel on the nightclub where Daisy worked. Photos, schedules, everything laid out.
"If she thinks she can hide in the shadows of the night, she's got another thing coming," James whispered.
The office door eased open and Mike stepped in, his usual calm confidence carrying a hint of concern. He dropped his bag by the couch and glanced over at James, who was slouched behind his desk, eyes fixed on the skyline outside.
"You look like a guy ready for war," Mike said, a teasing grin tugging at his lips.
James cracked a small smile, shaking his head. "Yeah, war with you," he shot back, the sarcasm barely masking the tension under his skin.
Mike just nodded and rolled his eyes. "Not funny," he said, but chuckled softly.
He settled onto the couch with an easy grace, eyes narrowing as he studied James. "You planning something, huh?"
James shrugged, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "She just can't show up wherever she pleases. Especially at my club. Yeah, that branch isn't one I visit often, it was the first time we went there."
Mike nodded, understanding the unspoken frustration. "Yeah, with how many spots you're juggling, it's impossible to keep tabs on everything."
James sighed deeply and shifted his gaze to the big office window, watching the city that never stops moving.
He nodded slowly. "I want to be free from all this. Otherwise, I'll just keep being the victim."
Mike's smirk softened, his voice dropping just a notch, serious but supportive. "Exactly. Don't let that woman fill your head with nonsense. You gotta stay sharp, Jam. You're the one running the show."
James met Mike's eyes and nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I hear you. Won't forget that."
Mike rose, moving to stand beside the window, hands tucked into his pockets as he looked out over the city. The room held a quiet tension, the kind that crackled with unspoken determination.
"You gotta show everyone, especially her, who James Roger really is now," Mike said, the smirk returning half challenge, half encouragement.
James felt the fire reignite behind his tired eyes. "I'll make damn sure she knows she can't just walk away without paying the price."
Mike clapped a firm hand on James's shoulder, grounding him. "That's the spirit. But remember, keep it smart. Don't let the heat burn your reputation down."
James drew in a steadying breath. "I'll wear the best mask I've got," he said quietly, voice resolute.
Mike smiled knowingly, "The perfect mask for you, bro. And underneath it, a fire that'll never go out."
James gave a thin smile. "This isn't just about revenge. It's about closing a chapter that everyone thought was over."
Mike nodded. "Good. You gotta be the best version of yourself, not the old one, not the broken one."
They shared a look that needed no words, two friends bound by battles, ready to face whatever came next.
---
After Mike left the office, the silence settled back into the room like a heavy blanket. Just as James was about to turn his attention fully to the papers scattered on his desk, the door eased open quietly. Maya stepped inside, her usual bright energy contained in her professional demeanor. She carried a thick stack of documents neatly balanced in her arms.
"Excuse me, Mr. Roger," she said, her voice calm but with a hint of warmth. "I've got some important files from the branch that need your signature. Also, there's a team meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning, they're looking for your guidance," she said with a professional smile.
James barely looked up. His eyes were tired, shadows resting under them from a restless night.
Still, he reached out and took the documents, fingers brushing the papers with mechanical precision. "Thanks, Maya," he murmured.
Noticing his worn expression, Maya asked gently, "You look tired, sir. Is there anything I can do to help?"
James shook his head and waved her off. "Just keep doing your job."
With a nod, Maya gave a small respectful bow and started to leave. Just as her hand touched the door handle, a quiet, deliberate voice stopped her.
"Maya…"
She turned back, her professional smile returning instantly. "Yes, sir?"
James hesitated, then decided to ask. "Could you make me a coffee? Black."
Maya nodded without missing a beat. "Right away, Mr. Roger."
She exited the room, leaving behind the faint scent of her perfume mingling with the sterile office air.
Minutes passed in silence. James stared at the scattered documents before him, mind half-focused, heart somewhere far away. Then, the door opened again. Maya returned, this time carrying a small tray balanced with care, a single steaming cup of coffee resting on it.
"Here's your coffee, sir," she said, setting it down gently on the edge of his desk.
James didn't look up immediately. When he finally met her eyes, his face was unreadable. Flat, cold, yet undeniably weary. In a voice low and controlled, he said, "Put it there. I'll handle it myself."
Maya paused, sensing the unspoken weight behind his words. Her smile softened, touched by sympathy yet laced with professional restraint. "Alright, sir. And, um… don't forget to take care of yourself. Today's going to be a long one."
James gave a small nod, fingers already reaching for the next file. "Thanks, Maya."
She lingered for a moment, watching him dive back into his work, the furrow in his brow deepening as he sifted through reports and memos. Then, quietly, she backed out of the room, closing the door gently behind her.
The office returned to silence, save for the faint hum of the city beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. James inhaled slowly, lifted the cup of coffee, and took a long sip, bracing himself for the day ahead. Beneath his calm exterior, a storm still brewed. Unseen, unresolved, but ever-present.
Not long after Maya left, the room fell silent again. James focused on the stack of documents sprawled across his desk, his eyes scanning every line with practiced precision. Then, the door creaked open, and Darcy strode in her mischievous smile lighting up the room, and the familiar tap of her heels announcing her arrival.
"Hey, Mr. Serious, I hope I'm not interrupting?" Darcy teased, slipping inside without waiting for an invitation.
James barely glanced up, then just gave a slow nod.
She closed the distance with a frown. "Ugh, what's with that? Don't tell me you're still thinking about her... your ex?"
James stayed silent, deliberately avoiding her gaze.
Darcy circled behind his chair and, without hesitation, wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning in close. "James… I miss you."
He shot her a sharp sideways look, then spun his chair to face her, annoyance flickering in his eyes. "I'm busy. Don't bother me."
Darcy stomped her foot. "Why? Since Mike said you ran into your ex, you've been acting all cold toward me!"
James pinched the bridge of his nose, exasperated. "I don't have time for games, Darcy."
She crossed her arms defiantly. "And you think the time we spend together is just a game?"
James let out a heavy sigh and stood up, towering over her. "We? I told you from the start. There's nothing between us, Darcy."
Without warning, Darcy pulled him into a tight hug, her voice low and challenging. "Mike says you're gonna marry me. Besides, my dad would be thrilled to hear we're together."
James stiffened, the weight of her embrace pressing down on him. His eyes locked straight ahead, struggling to keep his emotions in check.
"What Mike says is his business," James replied coldly. "I never said we were anything."
Darcy pulled away, her eyes blazing with determination. "Whether you like it or not, I'm here. You can reject me all you want, but you can't deny we're tied together."
James rubbed his face, exhaling heavily. "We're tied because of your family's business, not because I want to be."
Stepping closer, Darcy softened her tone but not her intent. "But if you want, we could make all this easier. You don't have to fight alone."
James stared at her, conflicted but still keeping his distance. "I don't need help from someone who's just playing games."
Darcy smirked coldly. "Games? Don't forget, James, I'm just as good at playing this arena as you are."
Their eyes locked, thick with tension.
"Then don't bother me now. I've got important things to handle."
Darcy shot James an annoyed look before walking out of his offic
As the door clicked shut, James eased back into his chair, the weight of the day pressing down on him. His breath came slow but heavy, his mind spinning in restless circles. The shadow of Daisy lingered at the edges of his thoughts, elusive yet impossible to shake.
Daisy really thinks she can just disappear into the night, hide away like some ghost nobody can touch?
He clenched his jaw, eyes narrowing as a cold fire sparked deep inside. This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.