Building Love

Chapter 10

Vanessa walked into Lowe’s Corp. building the next day, her heels tapping against the pristine marble floor with a rhythm that betrayed her nerves. The sleek modern design of the lobby—all glass and steel—felt imposing, as if it were silently judging her inner turmoil. She clutched her portfolio tighter, her knuckles whitening. Her mind was still reeling from the chaos of the previous night: a haze of poor decisions, fleeting moments, and the undeniable pull of something she couldn’t quite define. But now wasn’t the time to unravel those threads. She squared her shoulders, determined to focus.

Focus, Vanessa. This meeting is everything.

She approached the elevator bank, where clusters of impeccably dressed professionals waited, murmuring among themselves. Vanessa pressed the button for her floor, her gaze fixed straight ahead. Just as the elevator doors slid open with a quiet ding, a jarring force from behind sent her stumbling forward. Her breath hitched as she turned around, ready to confront whoever had bumped into her. But the words caught in her throat as a pair of strong arms steadied her.

“Whoa, sorry!” a low, familiar voice said.

Vanessa froze. Her heart seemed to stop, then kickstart at double its normal pace. She looked up, and her worst fears were realized. There he was: the man from the hotel room.

Her breath caught in her throat.

Of all the people in the world, of all the places, and of all the moments, it had to be now.

The stranger from her blurry, reckless night wasn’t just a figment of her bad decision-making. He was here, standing in front of her in broad daylight, dressed in an expensive, tailored suit that screamed authority. Everything about him seemed sharper now: his jawline, his intense eyes, the way his presence filled the space around him.

“Are you alright?” he asked, concern softening his tone as his hands lingered on her arms for just a moment longer.

Vanessa blinked, forcing herself to snap out of the trance. She stepped back, smoothing her blazer. “I’m fine,” she said quickly, though her voice came out more strained than she intended. “Just… distracted.”

He studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable but his eyes flickering with recognition. Then, his gaze dropped to her company badge, and his brows lifted ever so slightly.

“Vanessa Hart,” he said, testing the name as if trying to commit it to memory. His lips curled into a faint smile, one that sent another jolt of panic through her. “Small world.”

Vanessa’s stomach twisted. He remembers.

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” she managed, struggling to keep her voice even. She couldn’t afford to let him see her falter. Not now. Not ever.

The corner of his mouth twitched, a glimmer of amusement flashing in his expression. “The feeling’s mutual.”

For a moment, there was only silence between them, thick and heavy with unspoken words. Vanessa’s mind raced, screaming at her to say something—anything—to take control of the situation. But before she could, he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping just enough to make her heart stutter.

“I won’t tell anyone.”

Her breath caught. There it was—the unspoken acknowledgment of what had happened between them. The words hung in the air like a lifeline, and yet they felt like a noose tightening around her.

“Good,” she said briskly, refusing to meet his gaze. “Please excuse me, Mr…?”

“Lowe,” he supplied, his tone casual but his eyes gleaming with something she couldn’t quite place. “Alex Lowe.”

Vanessa’s world tilted. The realization hit her like a tidal wave. He’s Alex Lowe. The Alex Lowe. The youngest son of the Lowe family… and technically, her new boss.

Her composure threatened to c***k, but she forced herself to stay calm. Without another word, she turned sharply and walked into the waiting elevator, pressing the button for the 20th floor with more force than necessary. She didn’t dare look back as the doors slid shut, sealing her in.

As the elevator ascended, Vanessa leaned against the wall, her pulse pounding in her ears. This was a nightmare. Of all the reckless decisions she’d made, this one had to be the worst. She’d spent years building her career, her reputation, and now it was all teetering on the edge because of one stupid, impulsive night.

Get it together, Vanessa. You can’t let this derail you.

When the elevator doors opened, she stepped out with renewed determination, her heels clicking against the polished floor. The conference room was already buzzing with activity, Collin Lowe and his team seated around the large table. Vanessa took a deep breath and joined them, sliding into her chair as she prepared to present her next steps for the project.

As the meeting progressed, she found her rhythm, her voice steady and confident as she outlined her vision. The designs, the logistics, the execution—every detail was meticulously planned. But no matter how hard she tried to focus, her attention kept drifting to Alex. He was seated at the far end of the table, his expression neutral but his eyes locked onto her.

She felt the weight of his gaze like a physical force, and it unnerved her. What was he thinking? Was he judging her? Or worse, was he waiting for her to slip up? She couldn’t tell, and that uncertainty gnawed at her.

When the meeting finally adjourned, Vanessa gathered her materials and made a beeline for the elevator. She needed to get out of there, away from the tension that had been suffocating her all day. But as the elevator doors opened and she stepped inside, her stomach sank. Alex followed her in, along with a handful of other executives.

The ride down was silent, save for the soft hum of the elevator. Vanessa kept her eyes fixed on the glowing numbers above the doors, willing the ride to end. She could feel Alex’s presence beside her, his proximity making her skin prickle. When the elevator reached the lobby, he stepped out first, holding the door open for her and the others.

“Have a good day, Ms. Hart,” he said as she passed, his tone polite but laced with an undercurrent of something she couldn’t quite name.

Vanessa didn’t reply. She walked briskly toward the exit, her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel his eyes on her, a silent reminder of the precarious line she was walking. One misstep, and everything she’d worked for could come crashing down.

Outside, the crisp air hit her like a slap, grounding her. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. This was a mess, but she couldn’t afford to dwell on it. Not now. She had a job to do, and she wouldn’t let a single mistake—no matter how monumental—derail her.

You’ve survived worse, Vanessa. You can survive this.

But as she walked away from the building, her thoughts betrayed her resolve, circling back to Alex—his voice, his eyes, the way he’d steadied her as if it were second nature. She hated how easily her mind wandered to him, how impossible it felt to push him out of her thoughts.

“Focus,” she muttered under her breath, her pace quickening. “You don’t have time for this.”

But deep down, she knew it wasn’t that simple. Alex wasn’t just a mistake from her past. He was here, now, inextricably tied to her future. And that terrified her.