LOVE! WHY NOW!

Eyes in the Boardroom

The evening lights of Tribeca glowed softly as Bethany stepped out of the black company car. The streets were still busy. Yellow taxis honked, people walked quickly along the sidewalks, and the cool night air carried the mixed smells of rain from earlier, street food, and expensive restaurants. Marco Rossi’s Italian restaurant had a warm red awning and big glass windows that let the golden light from inside spill onto the pavement. Soft jazz music drifted out whenever someone opened the door. It was one of those cozy, upscale places with white tablecloths, flickering candles, and the rich aroma of garlic, fresh herbs, tomato sauce, and baking bread.

Bethany arrived a few minutes early. She wore a fitted black dress that hugged her curves nicely. Her chestnut hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders. She felt nervous but tried to walk with confidence. Marco, the friendly owner with dark curly hair and a warm smile, met her at the door right away.

“Miss Buch! Welcome back,” he said cheerfully. He led her through the busy dining room. “I saved the best quiet table by the window for you. Best view of the city lights and the people passing by. Your father came here often. These are tough days, but you look ready for anything.”

“Thank you, Marco,” Bethany replied with a small smile. She sat down at the corner table. The window showed the busy street outside and the shining lights of nearby buildings. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the mix of grief, pressure, and strange excitement in her chest. This dinner with Damien Voss was not just business. She could feel it.

Damien arrived exactly on time. He looked powerful in his dark suit. The small scar on his jaw caught the candlelight as he walked confidently through the restaurant. He shook Marco’s hand firmly, then sat across from Bethany. His piercing blue eyes locked onto hers immediately.

“Bethany,” he said in his smooth British accent. “You look strong after such a difficult day. Thank you for meeting me.”

They started with small talk while Marco brought fresh bread and olive oil. But soon Damien leaned forward. “Let us talk real business. Your father hid a great deal. He used IllusionForge for private deals with some shareholders. The debts are much deeper than the official numbers show.” He slid a thin folder across the table. His hand brushed hers on purpose. A warm spark jumped between them.

Bethany did not pull away fast. She looked him straight in the eyes. “Why are you helping me, Damien? What do you really want?”

Damien smiled slowly. “I want the company to survive. And honestly… I want to know the woman who is now carrying all this weight on her shoulders.” His voice became lower. The candlelight made his face look intense.

The dinner continued with good food, pasta and fresh fish. They talked about the board meeting the next morning, the hidden loans, and how IllusionForge could be used better. But the air between them grew thicker with unspoken tension. Bethany found herself laughing once at one of Damien’s dry jokes. For a short moment, the heavy grief felt a little lighter.

Her phone rang in the middle of the meal. It was Sofia Morales, her personal assistant. Bethany excused herself and stepped outside onto the busy Tribeca sidewalk. The cool night air touched her skin. Cars passed by. People walked in small groups. She told Sofia to handle the security issue and came back inside.

Damien waited patiently. When she sat down, he reached across and touched her arm lightly. “You do not have to do this alone, Bethany.”

The touch lingered. Bethany felt her body react. Grief and attraction mixed dangerously inside her. The rest of the dinner passed with more charged conversation. Damien shared some safe details about the shareholders. Bethany asked sharp questions and showed she was not afraid to lead.

When the meal ended, Damien walked her outside to the waiting car. The night air was cooler now. “Tomorrow’s board meeting will be tough,” he said softly. “I will be there. Stay sharp.”

He opened the car door for her. Their eyes met again. The pull between them was strong. Bethany got into the car, but her mind stayed with Damien the whole ride back to the Tribeca penthouse.

Back at the penthouse, the big living room felt quiet. The huge windows showed the sparkling Manhattan skyline and the dark Hudson River below. Theo was waiting for her. He had ordered Thai food. The smell of spicy noodles filled the air.

“You look different,” Theo said, raising an eyebrow. “How was the dinner with Voss?”

“Just business,” Bethany replied, but she knew it was more than that. She sat down and took some food. Theo showed her some old emails he had found. “Dad had secret deals with several shareholders, including Damien. Some look really shady. Uncle Victor from London already sent a message asking about the will.”

Bethany’s phone rang. It was Cassandra calling from Paris. The video showed her sister in her art studio with paint on her clothes. “Beth, how are you really doing? The funeral must have been hard.”

“It was,” Bethany said. She did not mention Damien. “I need you here, Cass. Even for a few days.”

Cassandra sighed. “I will think about it. Just don’t lose yourself in all this.”

The call ended. Bethany felt the family tension growing. She walked out onto the private terrace. The infinity pool glowed blue. Cool wind blew across her skin. The city sounds rose up from below. She stood there for a long time, thinking about her father’s warning and the strong pull she felt toward Damien.

The next morning, the BuchForge Tower boardroom felt tense. Sunlight poured through the giant windows. The long shiny table reflected the light. Outside, Wall Street was full of morning energy.

Bethany walked in wearing her black power suit. Sofia was already there with coffee. “Everything is ready, boss,” she whispered.

Mr. Harlan Graves, the old accountant, sat near the end, looking nervous. Jake Thompson stood by the door.

Bethany stood at the head. “Good morning, everyone. My father’s death does not stop our work. We keep moving forward.”

The meeting became tense. People asked hard questions about the debts. Damien Voss arrived a little late. His blue eyes met hers across the table. That same spark was there.

After the meeting, Damien stayed behind. In the quiet hallway, he stepped close. “You handled that well. But you look like you need real help. Come to my office later. I can show you more about the true situation.”

Bethany felt her heart beat faster. She knew this was dangerous, but the pull was real. “Okay. Later today.”

As Damien left, Sofia came back with messages. “Theo is waiting downstairs. He found more old emails. Cassandra called from Paris again.”

Bethany stood by the window for a moment. The sun felt warm on her face. Boats moved slowly on the river far below. People walked on the streets like nothing had changed. But everything had changed for her.

That evening, as she got ready for the private meeting with Damien, Bethany looked at herself in the mirror. The dangerous attraction was growing. “Why now?” she whispered. The words felt heavier every time.

The weight of the empire, the family feuds, and the new fire inside her were all building together. The real storm was just beginning.