OBSESSION

FIVE

Bethany's heels echoed softly as she walked into the office on Monday morning, her thoughts still lingering on Friday night. She'd spent the weekend replaying the evening with Logan, how he'd seemed to read her every thought, anticipate her every move. But now, with the conference room door looming in front of her, she took a steadying breath, forcing herself to focus.

When she entered, the team was already seated. Ryan and Marcus sat at the head of the table, absorbed in their notes.

Across from them, Sierra and David exchanged a few quiet words, but their conversation halted the moment Bethany appeared.

She offered a polite nod to everyone and settled into her chair, placing her binder neatly in front of her. She could feel Sierra's eyes on her, sharp and assessing.

Logan entered moments later, his presence immediately commanding the room. He wore a faintly amused expression as his gaze swept over the team, lingering on Bethany just a second longer than necessary. She felt her pulse quicken, but she forced herself to focus on Ryan, who cleared his throat and opened the meeting.

"Good morning, everyone," Ryan began, glancing at each team member. "Let's dive right in. Bethany, you met with Logan on Friday at the site. Why don't you start us off with any new insights or ideas that came from your walkthrough?"

Bethany straightened, flipping open her binder. "Yes, of course. Logan and I reviewed some potential design directions for the courtyard and foyer. He's keen on a balance between the historical and the modern. For the courtyard, we're considering a central fountain surrounded by low-maintenance landscaping—something that would blend into the neighborhood but still give the building a unique focal point."

"Excellent," Ryan said, scribbling down notes. "And the foyer?"

"We're looking at keeping the original marble floors and matching the wood detailing to maintain the building's character," Bethany continued. "It's about elevating what's already there rather than imposing something new."

She could feel Logan's eyes on her, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, but she kept her gaze trained on the table, focusing on her points.

Ryan nodded approvingly. "Good, good. That sounds solid."

Across the table, Sierra shifted in her seat, her arms crossing as she looked at Bethany with a skeptical smile. "So...no samples? No physical materials? Nothing tangible from your meeting?"

The question was laced with a challenge, and Bethany felt her cheeks heat, though she maintained her composure. "It was an initial walkthrough, Sierra. We discussed broad concepts to guide our design direction. The specifics will come once we finalize the foundation."

Sierra let out a light chuckle, the sound tinged with barely concealed smugness. "Right. It's just, well, I thought we were prioritizing a high-profile client. It's a little odd, don't you think? To come back from a 'meeting' with only...ideas?"

Logan's eyes flashed briefly, and he sat forward, his tone calm but with a subtle edge. "What Bethany and I discussed on-site was essential to clarifying the overall vision. As she said, this was just a starting point."

Sierra raised her eyebrows, feigning innocence. "Of course, Mr. Chase. I just assumed the initial meeting would yield something more concrete, considering the importance of this project. Don't you think we're getting a bit...ahead of ourselves with all the 'concepts'?"

Bethany held her gaze, her voice measured. "Sierra, concept development is standard for any project of this scope. We can't jump to specifics without a unified vision. That's exactly what Logan and I established on Friday."

The room fell into silence, a tension simmering in the air as Sierra's smirk faded. She opened her mouth, but Marcus cut her off, his voice firm. "We're not here to question each other's methods. Logan requested Bethany as lead on this account, and I trust her to do her job." His tone left no room for argument, and Sierra's mouth snapped shut, though the look in her eyes was far from placated.

Ryan, sensing the tension, interjected, trying to steer the meeting back on track. "Alright, then. Bethany, what's the next step? How are we moving forward with this vision?"

Bethany exhaled softly, gathering her thoughts. "We're consolidating our initial ideas into three design themes, each with a distinct color palette and mood. By the end of the week, we'll have preliminary swatches, materials, and visuals for each one."

"Good, keep it rolling," Marcus said with a nod. "I want these themes ready for a presentation by next Monday."

Logan leaned back, his gaze resting on Bethany with an intensity she felt more than saw. "Sounds like you have a clear direction," he said, his tone warm and approving. "I look forward to seeing what you come up with."

"Thank you," Bethany replied, fighting the flutter in her chest. Despite her best efforts, she couldn't ignore the way Logan's attention lingered on her, nor the knowing glances Sierra kept shooting between them.

As the meeting wound down, the team packed up their notes and binders, but Sierra lingered, her expression one of barely disguised suspicion. She watched Logan and Bethany with a critical gaze, the corners of her mouth twitching as if she were suppressing a smirk.

"So, Bethany," Sierra began, her tone light but pointed, "how was Friday night? Did you two have a productive meeting?"

The word "meeting" was laced with innuendo, and Bethany's jaw tightened as she felt Logan's gaze flicker between her and Sierra. Before she could respond, Marcus spoke up, his voice low and unyielding.

"Sierra, this conversation is finished," he said firmly. "Bethany's performance is not up for debate. Let's all keep focused on the work at hand."

Sierra's smirk faltered, and she gave a forced nod. "Of course. Just trying to get the lay of the land."

But even as she turned to leave, Bethany could feel the skepticism radiating off her, the thinly veiled judgment filling the room like smoke. She cast Logan a quick glance, catching the faint tension in his jaw, the slight hardening of his eyes.

As they filed out of the conference room, Logan fell into step beside her, his voice a low murmur. "Don't let her get to you."

Bethany managed a small smile, her heart pounding as she walked toward her desks. "I won't. But...thanks."

He nodded, his gaze softening for a moment before he gave her a wry smile. "Besides, I'd say the meeting was very productive, wouldn't you?"

She glanced up at him, trying to suppress a smile. "Extremely productive."

A flicker of amusement crossed his face, and for a moment, the tension from the conference room melted away, replaced by a warmth that only they could feel.

But as she returned to her desk, she knew that the weight of suspicion hadn't fully lifted. The unspoken questions and curious glances would linger, hanging in the air until something broke the tension—or brought it to a head.

The grand opening was a masterpiece of excess, just as Logan expected. The luxury apartment building stood tall in the heart of downtown Seattle, a shimmering monolith of wealth and ambition. Its mirrored facade reflected the city's bustling streets, and even from the entrance, the strains of a live string quartet could be heard. Inside, the lobby was transformed into an extravagant reception area, complete with crystal chandeliers, champagne fountains, and servers gliding through the crowd with trays of hors d'oeuvres.

Logan adjusted the lapels of his tailored charcoal suit, a deliberate choice to appear confident and polished, even as he braced himself for the evening ahead. This wasn't just another one of his father's celebrations—it was a stage for Benjamin Chase to flaunt his empire, and Logan wasn't about to let the night pass without making a move of his own.

As he stepped inside, his presence was met with polite smiles and nods from attendees who recognized him as a Chase. The whispers were inevitable—his departure from the family business had been a well-known scandal in their circles. Logan ignored the murmurs, his gaze sweeping the room until it landed on the one person who could make him feel welcome.

"Logan!" His mother's voice, warm and affectionate, cut through the noise.

He turned, his expression softening as she approached. Victoria Chase exuded effortless grace, her navy gown catching the light as she smiled at him. Her blonde hair was styled into a sleek updo, a few loose strands framing her face. She reached out, cupping his face briefly before pulling him into a hug.

"Mother," Logan greeted, a small smile breaking through his usually composed demeanor. "You look radiant, as always."

"And you look so handsome," she replied, brushing an imaginary speck off his shoulder. "I'm glad you came. I wasn't sure if you would."

"I wasn't sure either," Logan admitted, glancing around. "But I figured it'd be rude to miss such a grand spectacle."

Her smile faltered slightly, and she lowered her voice. "You don't have to do that, you know."

"Do what?"

"Pretend you don't care," she said softly, her eyes searching his. "I know your father makes things...difficult, but he notices when you're not here."

Logan let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "He notices for all the wrong reasons. Let's not pretend he invited me out of sentiment."

Victoria's gaze flicked toward the far side of the room, where Benjamin Chase stood surrounded by investors. His silver hair gleamed under the chandeliers, and his presence radiated authority.

Beside him, Logan's twin brother, Liam, was laughing animatedly, gesturing as though regaling the group with another of his charming anecdotes.

"Liam seems to be thriving," Logan remarked, the bitterness creeping into his tone before he could stop it.

"Logan," Victoria said gently, squeezing his arm. "You and your brother are different. That doesn't mean one of you is better or worse. You've chosen your own path, and I admire that more than you know."

Before he could respond, a familiar, commanding voice interrupted them.

"Logan."

Benjamin Chase approached, his handshake as firm as ever but devoid of warmth. He was impeccably dressed in a dark suit, his piercing blue eyes assessing Logan with the same scrutiny he reserved for potential business acquisitions.

"Father," Logan replied evenly, releasing his mother's hand and straightening his posture.

"I wasn't sure you'd show," Benjamin said, his tone carrying a hint of mockery. "But I suppose curiosity got the better of you."

"Something like that," Logan replied, his voice measured. "Congratulations on the opening. The building is impressive."

"Of course it is," Benjamin replied, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips. "Though I can't help but wonder how much further along you'd be if you hadn't left Chase Realty. You had every resource at your disposal—years of expertise, the best connections. Walking away was...bold, I'll give you that. But boldness doesn't guarantee success."

Logan's jaw tightened, but he forced a calm smile. "I wanted to build something different. Something I could call my own."

Benjamin's smirk faded, his expression turning steely. "Different is risky, Logan. The real estate market isn't forgiving. I would have expected you, of all people, to understand that."

"I do," Logan said, his voice sharp but restrained. "But I also understand that success isn't about clinging to someone else's legacy. I'm not trying to replicate what you've built—I'm creating something new."

Benjamin studied him for a long moment, his gaze cold. "A man who plays chess without a board loses every time. Remember that."

Before Logan could respond, the microphone crackled, and the sound drew everyone's attention to the center of the room. Liam had taken the stage, his confident smile lighting up the space as he addressed the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Liam began, his voice smooth and practiced. "Thank you all for joining us tonight to celebrate this incredible achievement. This building isn't just another property in Chase Realty's portfolio—it's a symbol of the ambition and innovation that drives our company."

The crowd broke into polite applause, and Logan felt his stomach churn. Liam was a natural performer, basking in the attention as he continued.

"This project holds a special place for me because it's one I personally championed," Liam said, his tone proud. "When I presented this opportunity to my father, I knew it had the potential to become one of our most successful investments. And tonight, seeing all of you here, I know I made the right choice."

Another round of applause erupted, louder this time, and Benjamin's face lit up with pride as he watched his favored son take the spotlight. Logan clenched his fists, a sharp pang of resentment coursing through him.

Victoria leaned closer, her voice soft. "Don't let it get to you, Logan. You're doing fine on your own."

Logan forced a tight smile, nodding briefly. "Thanks, Mom."

As Liam continued his speech, Logan slipped away, weaving through the crowd toward the exit. He'd had enough. This was their world, not his, and he had no intention of wasting any more time watching his father and brother revel in their success.

Outside, the cool Seattle air hit him like a balm, soothing the frustration bubbling in his chest. He turned back to glance at the glowing tower one last time, its lights shimmering like a beacon of everything he was determined to overcome.

"This is just the beginning," Logan muttered under his breath, his resolve hardening. Whatever it took, he would make Legacy Realty a success—not for his father, not for his brother, but for himself. And one day, they'd see what he was capable of.

With that, he strode off into the night, the sound of the celebration fading behind him.