Choose him or choose me
1439 Words
Chapter 4: Office and Elevator
Amelia Wright, who’d been in charge of reception, never imagined the sky would fall the moment she stepped back in.
She watched Elena being summoned away, worry etched on her face as whispers exploded across the set.
“It’s over. The president’s first inspection and this happens—Elena’s in trouble, right?”
“Didn’t any of you look up? The boss’s cold face was insanely hot!”
“Forget the face—we’ll all be crying when the punishment drops.”
…
Elena followed Lucas into the executive office. Until the door clicked shut, she could still feel the gloating glances from “passing” staff.
Outside the closed door, several employees who’d long resented her smirked.
“Elena Brooks acts so high and mighty—won’t lift a finger to help anyone. Now she’s dragged personal revenge right in front of the president. She’s done.”
“I can’t stand that superior attitude. Who knows how wild she is behind closed doors.”
Inside.
The moment Elena stepped in and turned to close the door, the man ahead stopped abruptly.
She crashed straight into his back.
“Oof.”
Elena stumbled back, heel catching the door, glaring up at him.
“You hurt me.”
Lucas looked down at her. “Where?”
The question felt oddly loaded. Elena went silent.
Her forehead, obviously. Where else?
His thumb brushed her temple. “You hit someone?”
That crisp slap had carried clear through the door.
Elena didn’t deny it. “I can explain.”
Before she could, he took her right hand—still hanging at her side—and gently rubbed her palm with warm fingers.
“Does your hand hurt?”
She pulled away. “Hands off.”
Elena strongly suspected the real reason he’d called her in.
Lucas released her but stepped forward, long legs closing the gap. His broad frame loomed, clean, expensive cologne enveloping her.
“But the second I see you, I want to be close. What do I do about that?”
Right now, Lucas looked like a loyal dog finally reunited with its owner—excited, clingy, waiting for any scrap of attention.
Elena’s gaze flicked to his restless leg. “Are you insane? This is the office. We’re colleagues—boss and subordinate. Can you separate personal and professional for once?”
Lucas eased back slightly, but his eyes never left her.
“Elena, the fact we’re even colleagues proves how restrained I’ve been.”
He hadn’t taken revenge. Hadn’t stripped her of the career she loved.
He’d considered it—but he was too weak for her. Couldn’t bring himself to hurt her.
He’d only ever wanted her back.
He thought if she returned to him, he could let everything go.
Reality? One word from her and he turned into a preening peacock—a dog in heat—completely at her mercy.
Elena couldn’t deny it. For the man who held grudges like trophies, he’d been almost merciful to his first love.
“You dragged me in here in front of everyone just to say this?”
Hearing the impatience—she wanted out—Lucas grew serious.
“Why the last-minute cast change?”
Elena stated facts. “You saw Claire Montgomery with Ethan that night. Keeping her is a scandal waiting to happen. Plenty of better actresses out there—it won’t hurt the project.”
And the real, unspoken reason: she despised Claire.
The idea of months on set with her was unbearable.
But that was personal. So she left it unsaid.
Lucas listened intently, then leaned close to her ear.
“Elena… I’d rather hear you say you dropped her because you can’t stand her.”
“I’d love it if you said, ‘Lucas Bennett, I hate her. Get rid of her for me.’”
“That’s my girl.”
The Elena who could pout once and have him on his knees.
Her fingertip traced his crisp suit lapel. “Seems Mr. Bennett still hasn’t adjusted to the ‘ex-boyfriend’ label.”
He caught her slender fingers, voice dropping.
“Elena Brooks… I must’ve been an i***t to believe your bullshit breakup excuse.”
She’d said she was bored. Never loved him. Dumped him in a few cold sentences.
Young, proud Lucas Bennett couldn’t take that blow to the ego.
Their final fight—locked in the house, screaming, then tearing into each other. A week of nonstop fighting and making up, bodies marked with proof.
Before he walked out, he’d looked at her on the couch—indifferent—and roared, pride in shreds.
“Elena Brooks—are you keeping me or not?!”
She’d glanced at him, stood, and walked to the bedroom. That icy look—he still remembered it.
As he left, she’d calmly said, “Close the door on your way out.”
The slammed door severed their worlds. Ended everything.
After that, freshly PhD’d Lucas left for London.
Next news of Elena came a year later—Brooks empire collapsed.
He’d frantically searched for word of her, barely stopping himself from showing up.
Until March this year: she was engaged—to his worthless nephew.
Elena couldn’t push him away. She reached for the door handle.
“I have work. I’m leaving.”
Lucas didn’t stop her. From behind, his voice was low, rough.
“Elena… I’m back for good this time.”
Turn around. Look at me again?
She didn’t answer. Her knuckles whitened on the handle. She twisted it and walked out.
Outside the executive suite, curious onlookers waited for the fallout.
Amelia hurried over. “Elena—are you okay?”
Elena smiled. “What could possibly be wrong?”
If anything, Claire started it with the insults. The recast was perfectly justified.
Besides—Lucas hadn’t wanted to talk work at all.
Amelia exhaled. “Good. You scared me.”
Others watched Elena emerge unscathed, surprise flickering.
Since when was the president so lenient? Nothing like the rumors.
Elena’s gaze swept the crowd waiting for her humiliation. Her smile turned mocking.
Sorry to disappoint.
Back on set, with auditions delayed, Elena worked through lunch.
Near end of day, the third actress still hadn’t shown.
Elena checked her watch, closed the script, and stood.
“No point waiting. Wrap for the day.”
Exhausted crew cheered, packing up fast.
The happy vibe shattered as several figures strode in.
A female agent stepped forward. “Hey—our Sophie just arrived. You can’t wrap until she’s auditioned.”
Elena looked over.
Behind the agent stood a glamorous woman—Sophie Turner—flanked by three or four assistants. The entourage drew every eye.
Amelia whispered, “That’s Sophie Turner—capital-backed rising star. Word is she’s about to become the boss’s fiancée.”
Elena’s eyes flickered.
Another connected hire.
“Sorry—auditions are over. I have plans tonight. Come back tomorrow.”
Normally she’d stay late, but tonight: Cole family dinner. No choice.
Sophie Turner blocked her path, nose in the air.
“PD Brooks, I’m only auditioning as a courtesy—to give you face. This attitude isn’t very professional.”
Elena: ???
She’d been perfectly polite. How was this her attitude?
Sophie pressed, voice dripping tea. “First time I’ve seen an employee in Mr. Bennett’s company this irresponsible.”
Elena spotted the figure in the hallway and let out a cold laugh.
“Then let Lucas Bennett audition you himself. I’m off.”
She grabbed her bag and headed out.
Sophie tried to follow—only to notice the man now in everyone’s view.
“Mr. Bennett…”
By the time she reacted, Lucas was already walking after Elena.
Sophie pushed through the crowd. The elevator doors closed in her face.
In that final glimpse—she could’ve sworn the famously aloof Lucas Bennett was speaking—voluntarily—to that producer.
Inside the elevator
Lucas asked, “Free this weekend?”
“No.”
Her phone rang—Ethan Cole, probably impatient in the parking garage.
As the elevator neared B1, she hung up.
The doors opened. Before she could move, a large hand caught her wrist and pulled her the opposite direction.
Elena tensed, reluctant, glancing around for witnesses.
“Lucas—what are you doing?”
They stopped at the Koenigsegg. He opened the passenger door.
“Get in.”
Elena hesitated. “Stop messing around. He’s waiting for me.”
Under the garage lights, Lucas’s hazel eyes lifted slightly.
“So?”
“Same destination. Him or me?”
- Writer
