chapter 6

Chapter 6 – A Line Crossed

Serena should have walked away.

After that breakfast, after the way Elias had touched her hand, after the way her heart had betrayed her—she should have built back her walls.

But she didn't.

Instead, she found herself standing outside Carter Enterprises that evening, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag.

This was a mistake.

And yet, she had come anyway.

---

An Invitation She Should Have Refused

It had started with a simple message.

Elias: Come to my office at 8 PM. I have something to show you.

Serena had nearly deleted it.

Nearly ignored it.

But curiosity was a dangerous thing, and Elias Carter was even more dangerous.

Now, standing inside his towering skyscraper, she felt a strange mix of anticipation and regret.

"You came."

His voice was smooth, deep, unreasonably confident.

Serena turned—and there he was, standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city lights casting a golden glow across his sharp features.

She hated that he looked effortlessly perfect, dressed in a black dress shirt, the top two buttons undone, sleeves rolled up just enough to tease strong forearms.

Serena cleared her throat, keeping her tone neutral. "You said you had something to show me."

Elias's lips twitched, as if he knew exactly how much she was trying to fight this.

He gestured for her to follow.

She did—because God help her, she was too curious to resist.

---

A View Like No Other

The elevator took them to the very top of the building—a private rooftop terrace, complete with a sleek infinity pool, a glass-walled fire pit, and a breathtaking view of the entire city.

Serena inhaled sharply. "You brought me here for this?"

Elias stepped beside her, hands in his pockets. "Not everything has to be about war, Serena."

She turned to face him, crossing her arms. "Then what is this about?"

He studied her for a moment, then murmured, "A truce."

Serena blinked. "Excuse me?"

Elias exhaled, his gaze steady. "You and I… we're always fighting. But for one night, can't we just exist without trying to tear each other apart?"

Her heart stuttered.

She should have laughed. Should have said no.

But something about the way he was looking at her—like she was the only thing in the world that mattered right now—made her hesitate.

For once, she didn't have a sharp comeback.

Instead, she said softly, "Just one night."

Elias's lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk. "That's all I need."

---

Dancing with Fire

The night air was warm, the city glowing beneath them.

Elias poured them both a glass of wine, the tension between them dangerously charged.

Serena took a sip, her fingers brushing against his as he handed her the glass.

"Tell me something," Elias murmured.

She raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

He tilted his head. "Something no one else knows about you."

Serena hesitated. "Why?"

His gaze didn't waver. "Because I want to know the real you."

Her heart skipped.

No one had ever asked her that before.

She could have told him something trivial, something meaningless.

Instead, she found herself whispering, "When I was little, I used to come up to my parents' rooftop at night and pretend I could touch the stars."

Elias's lips parted slightly. "Why?"

Serena exhaled, staring at the skyline. "Because I wanted to believe there was something bigger than this city. That there was… more."

Silence stretched between them, thick and electric.

Then, to her shock, Elias reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

She froze.

His fingers lingered against her cheek for a second too long, his touch burning into her skin.

"There is more, Serena," he murmured. "You just have to know where to look."

Her breath caught.

This was dangerous.

This was a line she shouldn't cross.

And yet, she didn't move away.

---

The Moment That Changed Everything

The tension between them became unbearable.

Serena knew she should step back.

Should put space between them before it was too late.

But when Elias leaned in, his breath warm against her skin, she didn't move.

His fingers brushed against her jaw, tilting her face toward his.

Serena's pulse raced.

Their lips were inches apart, the world around them fading.

Then—

A sudden crash shattered the moment.

Serena jerked back, her heart pounding.

Elias sighed, glancing toward the overturned wine glass. "Perfect timing."

Serena swallowed hard, forcing herself to breathe.

She needed to get out of here. Now.

"I should go," she said, her voice uneven.

Elias didn't stop her.

But as she turned to leave, his voice stopped her in her tracks.

"This isn't over, Serena."

She closed her eyes, exhaling sharply.

No. It wasn't.

And that terrified her more than anything.

To be continued....