One Spill, Endless lies

Chapter 2 Ten million, one kiss

**Chapter 2**

**Elena's POV**

“Miss Harper, Mr. Voss is ready for you.”

The receptionist’s voice snapped me out of my trance. I had been glued to my phone screen, rereading those creepy texts from last night for the tenth time. Every loop made my skin crawl a little more. I locked the screen, stood up, smoothed my blazer, and followed her to the private elevator.

The ride up felt like it took forever. I stared at my reflection in the mirrored walls and told myself to look calm. Inside, my stomach was doing flips. Ten million dollars was on the table today. I kept repeating that this was only business.

The doors slid open straight into his office. Massive windows showed the whole city spread out below like a map. Alexander stood at the glass, phone pressed to his ear, back turned. He ended the call the moment my heels clicked on the floor. “You came.”

“You gave me ten million reasons to,” I answered, trying to sound lighter than I felt.

He turned around, eyes running over me slowly. “You look good. Nervous?”

“Not nervous.” I dropped my laptop bag on the conference table. “Cautious. Let’s talk terms first.”

He smiled, slow and way too confident. “Straight to business. I like that.”

We sat opposite each other. His lawyers had already printed the contracts. Ten million dollars for twenty percent of HarperTech. Standard rights for an investor. Mentorship clause included.

I read every page twice. The terms were better than any offer I’d ever seen. “Why give up so much control for the equity?” I asked.

“Because I believe in what you’re building,” he said, voice steady. “And because I want you spending time growing the company, not chasing the next check.”

My throat tightened. No one had ever trusted me like that with money. “So what’s the real price, Alex?”

He leaned forward, elbows on the table. “The price is me. I’ll be around. Meetings. Late calls. Dinners that won’t always be about spreadsheets.”

Heat rushed to my face. “I said one dinner. Business only.”

“That was last night.” His voice went lower. “Tonight would be different.”

I held his stare. “I don’t mix money and anything personal.”

“It's already too late for that.” He pushed the pen closer. “Sign, Elena. Let me handle the rest.”

My fingers closed around the pen. They didn’t shake. I signed every line. Relief crashed over me first, then a wave of worry.

He gathered the pages and handed them to his assistant outside the glass wall. The door closed again. We were alone. “Congratulations. You’re officially part of the Voss family now.”

I laughed, sharp and quick. “It doesn’t work like that.”

“With me, it does.” He stood and walked around the table. “Time to celebrate.”

“I have code to write,” I said, but it sounded weak even to me.

“You have me right now.” He stopped right in front of me. “Come up to the rooftop. One drink. Then I’ll let you disappear into your laptop.”

Every alarm bell in my head rang. I nodded anyway. The private terrace was empty except for us. Wind tugged at my hair the second we stepped out. The city looked tiny and quiet from up here.

He poured champagne from a bottle already chilling in ice. Handed me a glass. “To HarperTech.”

“To smart investors,” I replied.

We clinked. The bubbles hit fast. Or maybe it was just him standing so close.

He watched me over the rim of his glass. “Tell me something real about you.”

“Like what?” I asked.

“Why do you keep everyone at arm’s length?” His voice softened. “I see the walls you put up.”

“I don’t do that.” The lie tasted obvious.

“You do.” He set his glass down. “Quick jokes. Faster exits. You leave before anyone gets too close.”

“Maybe some people aren’t worth the risk,” I said.

He stepped into my space. “Maybe some are.”

My heart pounded hard. “You don’t know me well enough to say that.”

“I know enough.” His hand lifted, fingers brushing my cheek. “I want to know more.”

I should have stepped back. I didn’t. He leaned in slowly. His lips touched mine, soft at first, testing. Then deeper, hungry. I kissed him back before I could stop myself.

Fire shot through me. My hands landed on his chest. His arms pulled me closer. The city vanished. There was only heat and want and the taste of champagne.

We broke apart, breathing hard. He rested his forehead against mine. “Tell me you didn’t feel that.”

“I felt it,” I whispered. My voice sounded strange.

“Good.” He kissed me again, slower this time, like he was memorizing me. My fingers curled into his shirt.

His phone buzzed loudly in his pocket. He ignored it. It buzzed again, insistent. He swore under his breath and pulled it out.

His whole body changed. Shoulders tight. Jaws are hard. “I have to take this.”

He walked to the far edge of the terrace. Voice low, words clipped. I caught only pieces. Family. Urgent. Handle it.

When he came back, the warmth was gone. “I’m sorry. Something came up.”

“Everything alright?” I asked, already knowing it wasn’t.

“Family issue.” His smile looked forced. “Rain check on the rest of the celebration?”

I nodded, suddenly cold despite the sun. “Sure.”

He walked me to the private elevator. The ride down was quiet. In the lobby, he stopped me with a hand on my arm. “Dinner tomorrow night. Eight. My place.”

I opened my mouth to argue. He was already walking away, phone back to his ear.

I stepped onto the busy sidewalk. Head spinning. Ten million dollars richer. One incredible kiss deeper into trouble.

My phone buzzed in my hand.

Unknown number.

New message.

He’s lying to you already. Check his office drawer. Top left. You’ll thank me later.

Ice slid down my spine.

I stared at the tower doors. People streamed in and out. My feet moved before my brain caught up.

The lobby guard recognized me. “Back so soon, Miss Harper?”

“Forgot my charger upstairs,” I lied smoothly.

He waved me through. The private elevator still accepted my temporary access from the meeting. I hit the top floor button.

The reception area was empty. His assistant must be at lunch. Perfect timing.

I walked straight into his office. The door is still unlocked. Sunlight poured through the windows.

My pulse thundered as I approached his desk. Top left drawer. I pulled it open slowly.

Inside lay one photograph.

A woman. Blonde. A stunning smile. Posed exactly like I sometimes did in selfies.

She could have been my twin.

Same green eyes. Same mouth curve. Same tilt of the head.

I flipped it over.

Faded ink on the back: Sophia. Forever.

My stomach dropped.

This wasn

't a coincidence.

Footsteps sounded in the hallway.

His voice carried from reception. Calm but surprised. “Elena? What are you doing here?”