BOUND BY ONE NIGHT

Chapter16

Alex’s POV

I arrive at the office earlier than usual, six in the morning, coffee tastes like metal, sleep didn’t touch me. But I pretend nothing is wrong. Lavender will walk in at eight, as she always did. She’ll slip behind her desk, greet me with a quiet “Good morning, sir,” and everything will go back to the way it was.

Except she doesn’t show up at eight, or eight-thirty, or nine. I keep glancing at the glass door as if I can will her into existence. I check emails, nothing. I check my phone, still nothing. I tell myself I don’t care. She made her choice, she left, she has every right to. I snap the pen in my hand without realizing it. Ink spills across a contract. I stare at the mess, my pulse tight in my throat.

It’s fine, she probably overslept, or got sick, or… My chest tightens. No, Control. I need control. I call her number. The number you’re trying to reach is not available. I try again, same message, again, same. I slam the phone down, a knock at the door. I expect her stupidly, desperately, and my heart jumps.

But instead, Cassandra strolls in. Perfect timing, as always, to destroy my peace. She’s dressed head-to-toe in designer red, lips curved like a blade. “Alex,” she says, voice dripping honey over poison, “We need to discuss Thursday’s engagement dinner with your mother.”

I drag in a slow breath. “Not now.” She doesn’t move. Of course she doesn’t. “I heard Lavender was here last night,” she says lightly.

My jaw stills. “You heard wrong.”

“Oh?” Her brows lift in false innocence. “Because a little bird told me you were in the lounge with a woman who looked exactly like your secretary.” I turn away, control, keep control. Cassandra saunters closer, voice lowering. “I hope she understands boundaries. Women like her get confused, when a man like you shows them a little attention.” My blood turns liquid fire. “Do not speak about her.” She smiles, slow and vicious. “I won’t have her becoming… a problem.” I step forward, voice lethal. “Lavender is none of your concern.” She raises her hands, as if I’m overreacting. “Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

She leaves, swaying smugly, and something inside me fractures. Because there was meaning in her words, and I realize I might already be too late, I call HR. “Has Lavender processed her return paperwork?”

A pause.

“Sir… Miss Brooks never filed any reinstatement forms. We were told she permanently resigned.” My grip tightens on the desk edge until my knuckles burn. “What did you just say?”

“She’s no longer in our system, Mr. Robinson.” No.

No no no..... I hang up without replying. She resigned before she ever came back. She was only here last night for the deal. One last job, She was already halfway gone. I march straight to the parking garage. I need air. I need motion.

I get into the car and give a single command, “Take me to her old apartment.” Traffic moves too slowly. Every red light feels personal. I tap my foot, I check my watch, I curse myself for every second wasted.

Finally, the building. Her door is locked. Her name removed from the slot. I buzz the neighbour. A young woman answers through the c***k of her door. “Lavender,” I say, trying to sound calm. “Where is she?”

The girl shrugs. “Moved out yesterday morning. Looked upset. Didn’t talk to anyone.” My stomach sinks like a stone.

“She leaves anything behind?” I ask.

“She tossed some stuff. There might still be something in the trash chute room.” I’m already moving before she finishes. My expensive shoes crunch against discarded boxes, old papers, a broken umbrella.

Then I see it, a small, crushed item lying half-buried under newspapers. I pick it up, her employee badge. The one she kept clipped inside her blazer pocket every single day.

Lavender Brooks wasn’t coming back, and she hadn’t planned to. I stand there, badge in hand, a foreign ache spreading through me, raw and ugly. This isn’t irritation, this isn’t curiosity. It’s something terrifyingly close to fear. I whisper into the empty hallway, like a fool.

“Where did you go?” No answer, She’s gone. And I let her go, pushed her away, again and again, until she finally believed she meant nothing. But the worst part? Now I realize she meant everything. I get back into the car, voice low and sharp. “Find her,” I tell my driver. “Ask around, check everywhere she’s ever been. I want every hint, every lead.”

He nods immediately. “Yes, sir.” It’s not enough, I lean my head back against the seat and exhale, realization hitting me like impact. I have built entire empires without blinking. But I can’t function without the woman who used to quietly place coffee on my desk each morning. She slipped through my fingers, she’s out there somewhere alone.

And I......I am unravelling.

Control? Gone.

Lavender Brooks has disappeared from my world, and for the first time in my life… I’m terrified I’ll never get her back.