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Sore Loser.

2025-08-16 20:36:59

Sinclair's POV

The rotors thudded above our heads, chopping the air into ragged pieces. The city looked like molten gold from up here—Avalon glittering in the distance, the rivers lit with streetlamps, glass towers catching the sunset. Hale Corp’s rooftop helipad came into view, the logo blazing like a target.

I didn't bother putting on the headset. April was seated across from me pretending to to scroll through her phone. It's what she's been doing since we left Zurich and I let her. Just to avoid things getting real awkward.

The skids hit the pad with a hiss of compressed air. The instant the blades slowed, the rooftop burst to life—rows of Hale employees, security, and the core exec team waiting for us. The air was still thick with the smell of jet fuel and victory.

They clapped loudly, everyone grinning widely.

April blinked, a little taken aback, but I stepped out first, giving them the kind of smile that doesn’t reach my eyes. Hands were thrust toward me—pats on the back, nods,

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Mine On Paper.
Sinclair’s POVThe conference room’s glass walls reflected nothing but sharp suits and sharper smiles. Hale Corp’s directors sat in their neat little row, papers spread in front of them, pens poised like they were ready to carve into flesh instead of budgets.The contract from Zurich sat at the center of the table in neat print, acting as an unspoken trophy.I leaned back in my chair, letting them have their turn to bask in it. They needed this as proof that giving me the CEO’s seat hadn’t been a mistake.“Projected revenue for the next fiscal year is up forty-three percent,” the CFO droned, flicking through slides on the screen. “That figure accounts for operational overhead and the integration costs of the LM Group account.”There were the obligatory murmurs of approval. The ones who hadn’t backed me in the beginning kept their eyes down; the ones who had were already calculating how to ride this win for their own gain.“That’s impressive work, Sinclair,” one of the older directors
The Wrong Kind Of Offer.
April’s POVBy the time I closed my condo door behind me, I felt like every bone in my body was sighing in relief.Finally in my comfort zone. No meetings, no cameras or hovering executives. No judgemental glances cause they found it hard to believe that the contract was secured because I helped big deal.As for Zurich, that felt like a whole nother lifetime. And thankfully, Jesus loves me, things didn't exactly get awkward after the kiss like I thought it would. Back in the jet, I just made sure to keep myself extremely occupied just to avoid even the smallest conversation. He seemed to play along because he got busy as well. If he was pretending that the kiss never happened, well.... I guess I could live with that.I kicked my heels off near the entryway, peeled my blazer off, and headed straight for the bathroom. My reflection in the mirror looked like someone who had been balancing on adrenaline for days. My hair limp from travel, skin pale from stale cabin air.Sigh. It feels so
Sore Loser.
Sinclair's POVThe rotors thudded above our heads, chopping the air into ragged pieces. The city looked like molten gold from up here—Avalon glittering in the distance, the rivers lit with streetlamps, glass towers catching the sunset. Hale Corp’s rooftop helipad came into view, the logo blazing like a target.I didn't bother putting on the headset. April was seated across from me pretending to to scroll through her phone. It's what she's been doing since we left Zurich and I let her. Just to avoid things getting real awkward.The skids hit the pad with a hiss of compressed air. The instant the blades slowed, the rooftop burst to life—rows of Hale employees, security, and the core exec team waiting for us. The air was still thick with the smell of jet fuel and victory.They clapped loudly, everyone grinning widely.April blinked, a little taken aback, but I stepped out first, giving them the kind of smile that doesn’t reach my eyes. Hands were thrust toward me—pats on the back, nods,
I Am So Doomed.
April's POVPain was the first thing I felt the moment I opened my eyes. And it wasn't even the normal, "oh-I-didn't-sleep-well" kind of pain.This one was more like the nuclear bomb of migraines. My head felt like someone had a jackhammer shoved inside my skull and operating on it or something.Groaning, I draged the pillow over my face. "For crying out loud.." even my own voice sounded too loud. I could feel my brain throb with every syllable.Note to self: Never - NEVER - drink alcohol again. I didn't even care whether it was champagne, win or straight holy water.I cursed under my breath and then out loud. And then a big louder since apparently I had a death wish for my brain cells.A voice rumbled from the corner of the room. "It's quite the loud morning for someone who said she'd be able to handle her liquor."I stilled. I could recognize the voice even with my thoughts still scrambled up.Slowly peeking from under the pillow, I saw Sinclair casually sitting in the armchair like
Beautiful.
BeautifulSinclair’s POVHer lips were soft. Warm. And for a second, I didn’t even move because my brain short-circuited at the fact that April was actually kissing me.Then instinct — or maybe something a little more dangerous — kicked in. My hand slid up the small of her back, pulling her just slightly closer as I kissed her back. Not rushed, not sloppy, just enough pressure to feel the way her breath caught against my mouth.She tasted faintly like the whiskey we’d been drinking — sweet and sharp at the same time — and something about that mix had me feeling like I was on the edge of doing something I’d regret.Emphasis on the something I would regret.It wasn’t a long kiss, but it felt like it was. My mind went quiet in that dangerous way, where every bad idea suddenly felt like the only idea worth having.I pulled back just enough to breathe, my voice low. “April… I’m married.”Her eyes were slightly glassy from the alcohol, but her smirk was perfectly clear. “It's a contract mar
Beauty Underneath The Mask.
Sinclair’s POVIt felt nice winning. Now that I'd accomplished the thing that brought me here, I actually got to take a good look at Zurich. It was a really nice city to be honest. Even more beautiful than Avalon.April walked beside me, her steps lighter than yesterday, her eyes brighter. The constant little crease between her brows was gone, replaced with something akin to relief.It's how I felt too. Trying to get this contract put pressure on us, it was on a whole nother level.“I still can’t believe we actually got him to sign,” she said, shaking her head. “When do we leave for Avalon?”“Tomorrow morning,” I told her.Her grin widened. “So… we’ve got time to enjoy Zurich?”I glanced at her. “Unless you’d rather spend it locked in a conference room going over Q3 projections.”She shot me a mock glare. “I’ll take the view, thanks.”She looked happy and bubbly but that didn't cover the worry in her eyes. Looking at her closely, you'd know she was trying to make most of her time here

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Mine On Paper.

The Wrong Kind Of Offer.