Chapter 4: Temptation Edge; Moment of Reality
675 Words
Alexander POV
Alexander stepped out of his black car, the neon glow of Blue Ivy reflecting off the polished metal. He had no reason to be here. No business deal. No obligation.
But she was here.
Lily.
He spotted her through the restaurant’s glass windows, laughing at something one of her coworkers said. The sound was muffled by the glass, but he could imagine it—light, unrestrained, so different from the cold world he lived in.
“Thinking of going inside, or are you going to stare like a creep?”
Alexander sighed, recognizing the voice before he turned. Dave leaned casually against his own car, watching him amusement.
“What are you doing here?” Alexander asked.
“Following my gut,” Dave replied. “And my gut tells me you’re about to do something really, really stupid.”
Alexander smirked. “Since when do you give relationship advice?”
Dave chuckled. “Since you started acting like a man who has no idea what he wants.”
Alexander clenched his jaw. He knew exactly what he wanted. The problem was, he wasn’t supposed to have it.
Lily POV
Lily was exhausted by the time she left the restaurant. She had just locked up when she noticed him.
Lily stepped into the small apartment she shared with her mother and younger brother, John. The place wasn’t much—peeling wallpaper, creaky floors—but it was home.
Her mother, Margaret Carter, looked up from the worn-out couch, concern etched in her tired features. “You’re late, sweetheart.”
Lily forced a smile, dropping her bag. “Double shift. Needed the extra cash.”
John, barely twelve, sat on the floor doing homework. “Did you see any celebrities at the restaurant?” he asked eagerly.
Lily hesitated. She saw Alexander Hayes. That counted, right?
“Just the usual rich snobs,” she teased, ruffling his hair.
Margaret gave her a knowing look. “And yet, something’s bothering you.”
Lily sighed. “It’s nothing, Mom.”
Her mother wasn’t convinced. “You’ve got that look—the one you had when your father walked out.”
Lily stiffened. “This is different.”
But was it? She couldn’t let herself believe that a man like Alexander would ever choose her.
Because men like him never did
In the Morning, Lily felt so refreshed to get to work. She saw him Alexander.
He was leaning against his car, his suit pristine despite the late hour. His presence sent a ripple of something unfamiliar through her—anticipation, maybe.
“You shouldn’t be here,” she said, stepping closer.
He didn’t move. “And yet “And yet, here I am.”
She swallowed hard. “Why?”
Alexander exhaled. “Because I can’t stop thinking about you.”
Lily’s heart pounded. She should walk away. She should tell him to go home to his fiancée.
But when he reached for her hand, his his fingers brushing against hers, she didn’t pull away.
Just for a moment, she let herself feel.
And just for a moment, she let herself be his.
Veronica POV
Veronica stared at her phone, waiting for Alexander’s name to appear on the screen.
Nothing.
Frustration curled inside her as she set the device down. He had been distant before, but now? It was like he was actively avoiding her.
She refused to be ignored.
Grabbing her coat, she made her way to Hayes Enterprises, ignoring the receptionist’s protests as she stormed into Alexander’s office.
He was there, standing by the window, his gaze fixed on the city skyline.
“Where the hell have you been?” she demanded.
Alexander didn’t turn. “Busy.”
“Don’t lie to me,” she snapped, stepping closer. “I know when something’s changed.”
He finally looked at her and for the first time, there was something different in his eyes. Distance. Resistance.
And worst of all… guilt.
A sharp chill went through her.
There was someone else.
And she would find out who.
- Writer
