Prologue
Lucy's back hit the wall, and Nick's towering frame boxed her in, his hands planted on either side of her head. His eyes, dark and unreadable, locked onto hers, but Lucy didn't flinch. Instead, she tilted her chin up, her gaze fierce, daring him to try something. he cool scent of his cologne mixed with something darker… something electric.
His piercing gaze swept over her, slow and deliberate, lingering just a second too long.
"The way you dress…" he murmured, voice deep, teasing, dangerous. "It makes me feel like you're doing this deliberately—to grab my attention."
Lucy arched a brow, completely unfazed. Her lips curled into an amused smirk.
"I'm wearing a trouser suit, like most of the women here. So… are you attracted to all of us?" She leaned in just slightly, tilting her head. "Or is there something else, Mr. CEO?"
Nick's jaw tightened. There was something about her—the way she never wavered under his intensity, the way she spoke to him like he was just another man, not the most powerful billionaire in the country.
"Let go of me," Lucy continued coolly, "I have to go sign my next contract."
Nick didn't move. Instead, his smirk deepened, his voice dropping lower, laced with something dangerously enticing.
"You do know it's your body, right?" He leaned in just slightly, his breath warm against her skin. "How embarrassing would it be for the disciplined actress to return to the office with her lipstick completely ruined?"
Lucy let out a soft chuckle, completely unshaken. Her eyes gleamed with amusement as she tilted her head.
"I wonder…" she mused, her voice dripping with confidence, "how embarrassing it would be to find the young, handsome billionaire lying down, holding his—"
Nick's eyes darkened with a mix of challenge and intrigue.
"And how exactly do you plan to make that happen?" he asked, voice husky, daring her.
Lucy didn't answer. She simply lifted her long leg, brushing against him just enough to make her point.
For a moment, Nick just stared at her—half amused, half fascinated.
With a slow, deep chuckle, he shook his head. "You sometimes make me feel like you forget I'm the CEO."
Lucy tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into a playful smirk. "And most times you make me forget you are My bOSS"
For a moment, they stood there—locked in a silent battle
Nick stepped back, his hands sliding into his pockets as he watched her with something unreadable in his eyes.
As she walked away, his best friend, Marcus, appeared, watching the scene unfold with barely concealed amusement.
"Tsk, tsk," Marcus chuckled, shaking his head. "It's gonna be tough capturing the attention of a woman who's been betrayed that much… and has turned down more managers than I can count.
Nick watched Lucy disappear around the corner, a smirk tugging at his lips. "She's not a manager type," he said simply,
The College Farewell PartyThe lush college garden is lit with fairy lights. Groups of students laugh, hug, and take photos. Music plays in the background—a popular upbeat song. Lucy is seated at a small round table near the edge of the gathering, a glass of soda in hand. Her best friend, Cassie, joins her after snapping some photos.
Cassie: Okay, I'm officially done with taking pictures. If I have to smile one more time, my face might crack.
Cassie: Why aren't you going to take pics Lucy c'mon girl infact some boys were calling for you Lucy chuckles weakly Cassie notices and leans closer, her voice softening.
Cassie: You okay? You've been quiet all night.
Lucy hesitates, swirling the ice in her glass.
Lucy : You do know my family they will cause a fuss and start talking about reputation
Lucy: "I don't know. Everyone looks so happy, Cassie. They've got their plans, their... people. And here I am, single and still trying to figure out what's next."
Before Cassie can respond, a burst of laughter draws their attention. The rival girls, led by Amelia, are gathered nearby. They glance at Lucy and whisper, not bothering to lower their voices.
Amelia (mockingly): Can you believe she's got a master's degree and still can't land a boyfriend? Maybe she should've studied relationships instead.
Cassie's jaw tightens.
Cassie (loudly): "And maybe you should've studied minding your own business, Amelia.
Cassie: Oh wait, you probably didn't graduate at all, did you?"
Amelia: For your information we have graduated
Cassie: Oh that reminds me your boyfriend you are talking about is the one who came to you after being rejected by Lucy couple of times
Cassie: What a pity, left over
The group falls silent, their smirks vanishing. Amelia narrows her eyes but doesn't respond.
Lucy (murmuring): You didn't have to do that, Cassie.
Cassie (grinning): Of course I did. Someone's gotta keep them in check. Don't let them get to you, Lu. You've got so much ahead of you. More than they ever will.
That was when Sebastian , the ever-present business and finance student who had a reputation for being just as smooth as he was good-looking, stepped into the picture.
"Is everything okay here?" Sebastian's deep voice was like a breath of fresh air, pulling Lucy away from the tense situation.
She looked up at him, caught off guard by how effortlessly he stepped into her personal space, his eyes dark and soft.
Lucy: Yeah, I'm fine, Just... trying to stay out of trouble.
He gave her a small smile.
Sebastian: Not easy with Amelia running around, huh?
Lucy couldn't help but laugh, though the sound felt strained.
Cassie: Yeah, she's pretty relentless.
Sebastian shot Amelia a look, clearly unimpressed with her that made her and her group leave.
There was a brief, comfortable silence between them. Sebastian's gaze held hers longer than she expected, making her heart thud in her chest.
Sebastian: Would you care for a dance Lucy?
Before Lucy could respond, Sebastian leaned in slightly, his voice lowering: "I know you are not comfortable right now but if you change your mind, just know I'm around."
He turned to leave, and the room seemed to hold its breath.
Lucy stayed frozen in place for a few seconds before Cassie nudged her again.
Cassie: Come on, girl, You still have a few minutes. You can dance with him, can't you? Sebastian clearly has a soft spot for you, and everyone here knows it.
Lucy winced, her gaze drifting back to Sebastian across the room, still talking to a few people. He seemed relaxed, confident.
Cassie: Come on, Lucy. You've worked hard for years, and now you're telling me you're going to hide behind that for the rest of your life? It's okay to let loose sometimes. Besides, you know he likes you.
Lucy (her voice low): I don't know, Cass, He's just... I don't know how to explain it. He's a nice guy, but I don't want to get caught up in anything that'll make things more complicated. My parents are already on my case about everything,
Cassie rolled her eyes: That's exactly why you should go. Show them you can make your own choices. They can't control everything. Besides, you know how much they'll love him if you two ever get close. He's decent, well-known, and definitely not like the other guys in our circle."
Before Lucy could respond, a loud gasp echoed from a nearby group of girls. before She turned, she felt her hand being pulled and before she knew it she was hugging Sebastian The girls—whom she barely knew—stared at them with wide eyes, gossip swirling faster than the music.
Sebastian(whispering): You look the best tonight as always and I hope our friendship moves forward
Did you see that?" one of them whispered. "Sebastian hugging Lucy Sinclair? Perhaps that is what she wanted all along
Lucy froze in place, her heart hammering in her chest. She didn't want this attention. She didn't want to be in the center of the drama, and she especially didn't want her parents to hear about this. But the damage was done. The scene had already been made.
It didn't take long before James, her older brother, appeared by her side.
Sebastian Gave Lucy a small kiss on the chick that left people gasping while some men cheering
James: Come on, Lu. Time to go, Cassie, you coming?
Cassie: Yep!
As they left the party, James leaned over to Lucy in the backseat, his voice cutting through the quiet hum of the car.
I saw what happened with Sebastian," he began, his tone even but firm.
James: You're sure you want to get tangled up in that? He's the last guy Mom and Dad would approve of
Lucy: I don't think they will ever approve anyone I suggest
James sighed. "I know. But listen, don't jump into anything too soon.
"I get it," Lucy whispered, feeling a lump form in her throat. "I just… I don't know what I want anymore."
At Home - The Quiet End to the Night
As they arrived home, she said nothing to her parents, who were already waiting for her at the door. The house felt colder than usual. She could hear them talking quietly in the kitchen, discussing her graduation and the future.
But Lucy wasn't ready for that conversation. Not yet.
She stripped off her clothes and sank into bed into her night clothes, her thoughts racing. The night's events felt like a blur,
As she closed her eyes, the image of Sebastian's face lingered in her mind. She tried to push it away, but the tension in her chest wouldn't ease. Was it possible that one moment, could change everything for her?