CHAPTER 3
1298 Words
The cafeteria at Blackwood Enterprises buzzed with life—laughter. It was lunchtime, and for a brief moment, everyone could relax.
Raven sat across from Sophie Harder, curving her fork through her salad, a small secret smile pulling out her lips. The excitement inside her was too much to keep in.
She couldn't wait for Sophie to join her at the table, she dropped her fork on the plate, walked up to her, pulled her hand and dragged her.
“Don’t spill my food,” Sophie begged her with a chuckle on her lips. Raven was unfazed as she pulled her hand and offered her to sit directly opposite her.
“I have some loving gist for you,” she whispered, reaching for Sophie’s hand. Sophie, always organized but kind, raised an eyebrow. “Oh? This sounds interesting, tell me.” she requested.
Raven laughed, lowering her voice as if she were about to share a classified secret. “Mason surprised me at the beach on Friday. He planned everything—the food, the wine, the music. It was perfect, Sophie. Perfect.”
Sophie smiled, but it seemed a little forced. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and nodded. “That sounds lovely, Raven. It does.”
Raven, caught up in her excitement, didn’t notice the tension in Sophie’s posture or the way she shifted slightly in her seat.
“Raven.” Sophie sounded firm. She held her hand firmly “I have known you for some time now, but you seem to be too clouded by this Mason of a guy. I want you to lower your expectations for Mason, he might not be who you think he is.” she advised.
Raven gently pulled her hands from hers, her skin went cold, and she was surprised by what she heard from Sophie. “What do you mean?” she raised a question
Then, the energy in the cafeteria changed.
Not in an obvious way. But in a way that made people sit up a little straighter, their movements became more careful.
The cafeteria doors swung open, and Grayson Blackwood walked in. The room didn’t fall silent, but the noise softened, conversations dipping as people took notice. He had that effect.
His presence was sharp, and commanding, the kind that made people pay attention.
He moved with purpose, his navy suit crisp, his face indistinct. A man who never wasted time on small talk. But when his eyes found Raven, something flickered there, something almost playful.
“Miss Cross,” he said, his voice carrying easily through the room. “Should I be concerned that my secretary is nowhere near her desk?” His voice was firm but a bit playful.
Raven’s breath caught. It was a joke obviously, he knew it was lunchtime. But the way he said it, teasing yet full of authority, made her feel like she had done something wrong.
“I—I was just—” “Relax,” Grayson interrupted smoothly, barely smirking. “I’m not reducing your pay.” Then, after a slight pause, he added, “But I could use a coffee. Join me.” It wasn’t a request.
Sophie gave Raven a knowing look. “Looks like your break is over,” she said.
Raven hesitated, glancing across the cafeteria.
Isabella Blackwood sat at a nearby table, her face straight up. But for a brief second, her gaze met Raven’s, and something unspoken passed between them. Remember our conversation. Say nothing.
Raven swallowed hard and nodded. “Of course, sir. I’ll get it right away.”
Grayson nodded, already turning, expecting her to follow.
As she stood, her eyes met Mason Blackwood’s across the room. He stood near the vending machines, watching with a smirk. Raising his cup in a lazy toast, he sent her a slow, deliberate wink.
Raven quickly looked away. She didn’t have time for Mason’s games.
Grayson’s office was quiet, the only sound was coming from the faint hum of the city outside. Raven placed the steaming cup of coffee on his desk carefully, feeling his sharp gaze on her.
“That will be all,” he said, dismissing her without another word.
She nodded quickly and left, letting out a breath the moment the door shut behind her.
Grayson leaned back in his chair, running a hand over his face. A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
“Come in.” The door opened, and Isabella stepped inside.
Here, away from prying eyes, she was different. Softer. More comfortable. She moved toward him with ease, like she belonged there.
“Coffee already?” she teased, glancing at the cup on his desk.
Grayson smirked. “You know I never wait.”
She perched on the edge of his desk, crossing her legs gracefully. “You made quite the entrance downstairs,” she acknowledged.
He shrugged, his fingers grazing her knee absentmindedly. “Had to remind them who’s in charge,” he whispered.
She rolled her eyes but didn’t move away. Instead, she leaned in slightly, her voice softer now. “And what about me? Do I need a reminder?” she asked seductively.
Grayson’s gaze darkened, his hand trailing higher. “You?” He stood, closing the space between them in a heartbeat. “You always remember exactly who I am.”
Her lips parted slightly, her chin tilting up. “Maybe I like being reminded.” she declared slowly.
He didn’t hesitate. His lips claimed hers in a slow, deep kiss, his grip firm on her waist.
Isabella softened, drawn in by the heat of his presence and the quiet intensity in his eyes, savouring the taste of coffee and control.
Behind closed doors, Grayson Blackwood was not the cold, ruthless man the world knew. Not with her.
A knock on the door forced them apart.
Grayson sighed, brushing his thumb over her lower lip before stepping back. “Later,” he murmured.
She smirked. “I’ll hold you to that.”
The office was lively after lunch, people slipping back into their routines.
Mason Blackwood, the ever-seducer, stopped Catherine, the head of marketing at the stairwell on her way from the cafeteria, grabbing her hand and rubbing her shoulder, his gaze sweeping over her.
“This office would be lost without your brilliance and, of course, your irresistible charm, you know,” he murmured, his voice smooth as silk.
She was caught in his gimmick and couldn't step away. Everyone always wished for his presence—his powerful attraction was irresistible.
“Would you meet me in my car after the presentation?”
Raven walked past, catching Mason’s smirk. Catherine immediately made her way to her office.
He sent her a slow, exaggerated wink again. “Why is he doing that again?” she murmured, her tone laced with displeasure, yet her cheeks warmed.
She turned away. Then, A sudden thud.
“Sophie!” Raven’s stomach dropped as she reeled around. Sophie Harder lay sprawled on the floor, motionless.
She wasn’t moving. Chairs scratched against the floor as people scrambled to their feet, voices overlapping in panic.
“Is she breathing? Someone check her pulse” a voice rang out, cutting through the overlapping voices.
Raven rushed to Sophie’s side, her hands trembling as she gently shook her. “Sophie? Sophie, can you hear me?”
No response.
Her heart pounded in her chest. Just minutes ago, they had been talking. Sophie had smiled, and laughed, she had seemed fine. Hadn’t she?
Then, cutting through the noise, another single voice spoke. “No one even noticed if she was sick…”
The words sent a shiver down Raven’s spine. A cold heavy feeling settled deep in her chest.
Sophie was quickly rushed to the Blackwoods clinic.
- Writer
