Betrayed By Desire

• CHAPTER 1 The cityscape of Canada spread out beneath Skylar’s captivating look full of life. She could see the view of the beautiful city from her desk on the 10th floor of the building, the bright blue sky and the endless shimmer of Lake Ontario. It was a world full of power, authority, and wealth she could see but never touch. Twenty-four yrs old Skylar was the personal secretary to Hayden Brooks, the billionaire CEO of Brooks Company. She wore a simple but well fitted black knee length gown and packed her blonde hair in a ponytail style. Her sea-blue eyes had always been described as her best feature, she ran through the day's schedule on her computer with ease. 9:30AM: STAFF BRIEFING, 11:00 AM: CLIENT MEETING,12:00 PM: Lunch with the Board Chairman, 4:00 PM: FAMILY DINNER. The office was a definition of Hayden, modern, peaceful and commanding. Polished concrete floors, transparent windows, and lots of books arranged on a shelf with different arts. She shared a quiet clustered small space with her best friend, Amelia, in a neighborhood where the biggest concern was the price of groceries. Her heart skipped and she felt a sudden excitement and nervousness as usual as the elevator opened and Hayden Brooks strode into the reception area. At twenty-eight, he carried his immense success with an easy, confident grace. His tall height and well-structured body was evident even under the luxury tailored red suit. His blue cute eyes were endearing, yet they often seemed to be looking so lonely. She greeted Mr Brooks with a smile. “Skylar,” he nodded, giving a small genuine smile that gave her stomach butterflies. “Where’s the concluded Michael proposal?” “Already on your table sir and your coffee is set.” She extended a hand gesture to show the cup she had placed there three minutes earlier, knowing he would arrive at 9:00 AM on that day. As you like it sir He took a sip. “You never forget, thank you skylar.” Their eyes locked for a while longer before he caught a grasp of himself and immediately entered his office, leaving the door slightly ajar. Skylar exhaled. She, the honest, kindhearted girl from a humble background, was hopelessly, naïvely in love with her boss. She got a call, breaking the quietness . A photo from Amelia popped up on the screen: herself with lots of shopping bags, making a goofy face with a text under ‘New day, another fresh start. Lunch? Gossip O'clock, ASAP.’ Skylar smiled, typing a quick reply. ‘I wish I could but Mr. The handsome billionaire has a tight schedule. And his family dinner is at 4PM…….tense vibes gurl!! Ooooh, rich people drama! Details later, my place, 8pm. Wine and full gist, I won’t take no for an answer. Skylar giggled. Amelia was her anchor, bold, outspoken, and from a world of privilege that had never spoiled her generous heart. As 4PM approached, Skylar felt uneasy. Hayden's facial expression displayed tension, a tighter set to his jaws. She informed him of the arrival of his parents. Walter Brooks entered while Mrs Brooks followed behind. Mr Brooks was in his mid-sixties, he was commanding, with his dark and silver hair and a posture that spoke of a lifetime of authority. Yet his eyes, a warmer version of his son Hayden. He greeted Skylar with a polite nod. “Good afternoon dr.” Mrs Louise Brooks was in her early fifties, she was the definition of elegant, with a stern look on her face, blonde hair perfectly styled. Her cold eyes had in a few minutes accessed Skylar's desk and Skylar herself from hair to toe in one dismissive glance before she followed her husband into Hayden’s office without a word, she slammed the door shut behind her. The soft whispers behind the door were too muffled to decipher, but the tone was unmistakably serious.They came out of the office after a while, with Walter looking exhausted but determined. “Make sure that you do Hayden, it’s an embarrassment to everyone” Louise said with a sharp voice. She stormed out without looking back. Walter looked at his son, his eyes conveyed a sense of unity and support before following his wife. Hayden remained in his doorway, watching them leave. For a moment, his insecurity and nervousness revealed, and Skylar understood the burden he bore, the loneliness. He seemed… alone. “Hope everything is fine, sir?” The question was out before she had a chance to grasp it, a breach of professional protocol driven by her concern. He turned, his expression became indecipherable again. “family business, Nothing for you to worry about. You can head home, Skylar. Thank you for today.” The dismissal was gentle but firm. She went back to her desk and packed up, the experience with the Brooks family left a strange chill feeling in the air. As she rode the elevator down to the lobby, she thought of how different the parents were and how they managed to create a man like Hayden? And what was the “embarrassment” Mrs Louise had mentioned? She felt the fresh evening air as she stepped out of the office building, so she decided to take a stroll to the subway. She was deeply absorbed in her own thinking that she didn’t notice the man leaning against a sleek, black motorcycle until he spoke. “A stressful day?” She stopped and turned toward the voice. Suddenly her eyes were wild open and she was shocked. It was her billionaire boss Hayden Brooks leaning against a sleek black motorcycle. He wasn’t wearing his suit from the office, he appeared to be wearing a black leather jacket and blue jeans which revealed his built body. He looked… different. His hair looked a bit mussed, his expression looser, a mischievous smile on his face. She couldn’t help but stutter, “Mr Brooks”, baffled. “You….you were still in your office when I left” He stepped away from the bike, taking a step closer. His fragrance was the same, on the other hand, there was something else. A lingering fume of alcohol. “I needed some fresh air. Family meetings have that effect.” His voice was Hayden’s, but the tempo wasn't the same, it was rougher, more melodic rhythm. “You’re Skylar. The one who keeps everything running.” Her mind was utterly confused. He knew her name, but he had never addressed her like this outside the office. “Yes, sir.” “Sir?!,” he repeated while laughing softly. It was a sound she had never heard from him. “You can keep the formalities for when we are in the office. You can call me Hayden.” His blue eyes, intense and focused, held hers. “I see the way you stare at me most times in the office.” Skylar blushed, feeling ashamed. He could tell I was smitten. He figured I was head over heels. He walked a bit closer, closing the distance between them. “Don’t be shy, it’s mutual. He reached out, flipping her hair behind her ear. His touch sent a jolt through her. “You’re not what I expected.” Before she could get a hold of herself of what’s happening,“til tomorrow, skylar”, he climbed onto his motorcycle and sped off leaving skylar standing on the walkway. Her heart was pounding in her chest, her reality utterly messed up. Hayden Brooks had just acknowledged her. He had *touched* her. The professional boundary she’d cherished and feared had been irreversiblely crossed.