2025-05-27 15:30:21Charles made it to the elevator at exactly 8:01.
He rushed out into the hallway, startling a few workers on his way to the conference room.“Nothing’s wrong,” he called over his shoulder. “Just a bit late.”He burst into the conference room, stopping at the door to catch his breath while his eyes swept across the hall. Every seat was already taken.“I’m so sorry for being late. I had to take care of some personal business, but that’s no excuse,” he apologized.“Oh my goodness, Mr. Charles, it’s nothing,” Holden replied with a warm smile. “You’re the boss. Whenever you arrive is the right time.”“Exactly, sir. You’re the law and life of this company,” another man chimed in.“You didn’t have to run that fast.”Charles moved to the seat reserved for him at the round conference table. He dropped his tablet on the surface and looked around the room.“I’m not sure how things usually operate here, but you’re s
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“Who was that?” Sadie asked Charles as she watched Emmy's brother walk off.“It’s nothing. Let’s pay and get out of here fast. The baby must be hungry,” Charles dismissed quickly. The last thing he wanted right now was to explain his ridiculous past to Sadie.She’d laugh at him. He would’ve laughed too if the tables were turned.Sadie stayed quiet, watching him as he paid. Now that she thought about it, she didn’t know much about Charles at all.“Should I help you unstrap the baby?” he asked after dropping the groceries in the trunk.“Yeah.”A few minutes later, Charles was driving. She sat in the back seat with the baby, eyeing him. Something had changed since that man showed up. Normally, Charles would’ve thrown a sarcastic jab her way by now.Damn. She hadn’t signed up for this version of Charles. The sarcastic, annoying one was way better than this tight-lipped stranger.“Um, I forgot to ask,” she started, “
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“Let me have him,” she said, watching Charles struggle. She sang softly. In minutes, the baby was quiet. “Charles?” Sadie called from the door. “I couldn’t find the one you asked for, but they had another—” She hadn’t seen her mom yet. “Where’s he? Did you throw him in the sink or—” She froze. “Oh my God, Mom!” “You’ll hurt the baby,” her mother warned. Charles quickly stepped in. “I’ll make the baby’s food.” From the kitchen, he heard the conversation. “You didn’t tell me he had a baby,” her mom said. “Oh, you thought it was his? No, Mom. It’s Bella’s baby.” “Bella? Where’s she?” “She had a shoot today. I offered to help out.” “And you made your fiancé carry him?” “Mom, want to hear something interesting?” “What?” “I really like the guy. He’s handsome, isn’t he
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Charles didn’t think. There was no time. He grabbed his jacket and dashed for the elevator.He should’ve warned her about that personal assistant earlier. Could it be him?“Damn it,” he muttered, bolting from the elevator.“Everything’s okay—just a personal emergency!” he called over his shoulder to the startled staff.They’d start thinking he was insane. Two dramatic exits in one day—all thanks to Sadie.In the car, he dialed her number. No answer. His heart sank.It had to be the assistant. Sadie wouldn’t have suspected him. She thought her ex was the threat.What should have been a twenty-minute drive, Charles cut down to eight. Miraculously, he avoided a speeding ticket.He burst into the house. “Sadie?”“Over here. In the kitchen,” she called.He rushed in and froze. No intruder. Just Sadie.“What the hell is going on?”“I don’t know what to do with him. He’s been crying
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“Of course,” Charles answered. “Let’s meet at Daryl’s Restaurant.”“Okay.” He pulled out his phone.“W-what are you doing, sir?” She leaned over, spotting his call log.“Calling my fiancée to ask if she’ll be free tonight. I don’t meet other women without her permission. She’s a little possessive.” He sighed. “Can you blame her? I’m too irresistible.”Her face turned red with embarrassment. She tried to cover it with a smile. “I had no idea you were engaged.”“That doesn’t matter, Rylie. She totally understands. You’re not the first woman who’s asked me out like this. But I don’t want you heartbroken—it must’ve taken courage to confess your feelings.”Rylie lowered her head, hiding her flushed face.“And why is this elevator not moving?” Charles muttered loud enough for her to hear. He knew the game. He was supposed to be stuck in the elevator with her, forced into an “intimate” moment.Too bad fo
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Charles made it to the elevator at exactly 8:01.He rushed out into the hallway, startling a few workers on his way to the conference room.“Nothing’s wrong,” he called over his shoulder. “Just a bit late.”He burst into the conference room, stopping at the door to catch his breath while his eyes swept across the hall. Every seat was already taken.“I’m so sorry for being late. I had to take care of some personal business, but that’s no excuse,” he apologized.“Oh my goodness, Mr. Charles, it’s nothing,” Holden replied with a warm smile. “You’re the boss. Whenever you arrive is the right time.”“Exactly, sir. You’re the law and life of this company,” another man chimed in.“You didn’t have to run that fast.”Charles moved to the seat reserved for him at the round conference table. He dropped his tablet on the surface and looked around the room.“I’m not sure how things usually operate here, but you’re s
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Charles pulled up in front of a modest house tucked behind a line of wilting hedges. He glanced at the time on the dash — 7:30 a.m.Ten minutes. That’s all he had if he wanted to make it to Valestone Dynamics before the morning brief.He slid his sunglasses on, ran a hand through his hair, and stepped out. This was the address his subordinate had given him last night — the home of the man who had ridden that motorcycle. His finger pressed the doorbell. Inside, a shuffle. Then, the door creaked open.A bespectacled boy, maybe five, peered up at him with a squint. “Who are you?”“Is your father at home?” Charles asked, keeping his tone light.“No. He left early this morning for—” The boy paused, realizing he was talking too much. “Who are you?”“I’m from his workplace. His boss.” The lie rolled off Charles' tongue like truth.“Mom! Someone’s here for Dad!” The boy slammed the door.Charles sighed.
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