The Moment I See You

The Aurelius Hotel was bathed in golden morning light when Nina strolled in, carting two cups of coffee.

Chloe sat on the couch, surrounded by papers, notes, and her laptop, a deep crease on her forehead as she muttered under her breath.

"Good morning, Bennett Princess." Nina teased, tossing a cup onto the table. "You look like you're trying to solve world hunger."

Chloe groaned, rubbing her temples. "I feel like it."

"You're overthinking." Nina plopped down beside her. "It's just a meeting."

Chloe shot her a look. "With Damien Cross."

Nina rolled her eyes. "Okay, can you stop saying his name like that?"

"Like what?" Chloe raised her brows.

"Like he's some kind of fucking tyrant mafia… geez."

Chloe exhaled, leaning back. "It's not just him. It's my father. He's counting on me to handle this, to prove that I can. But if I fail…" Her fingers tapped her keyboard. "I can't fail."

Nina sipped her coffee, watching her. "You know, stressing about it isn't going to help."

"And what will?"

"A little fun. Distraction. Maybe tell me more about the mysterious guy you had a one-night stand with. You promised to give me all the details."

Chloe groaned, throwing a cushion at her. "Stop."

Nina grinned. "I'm serious. You haven't told me much about him. Except that he was, and I quote, 'ridiculously good-looking and kind of an arrogant ass.'"

Chloe snorted. "Well, he hasn't changed much since then….I met him again."

Nina's eyes shot open. "Come on, Chloe… spill." She sat up in her chair, ready for the gist.

"On the rooftop," Chloe said, pointing toward the ceiling, a smirk crossing her lips.

"Oh, you little slut…" Nina growled, taking in every bit of the conversation.

"It wasn't like that… he just—he just wanted what I wanted." Chloe tugged at the button on her blouse.

"And what is that?" Nina paused. "Another night of desperate intimacy?"

"No… just peace. Away from the weight of… everything."

"Oh wow. So you have a stalker now? And someone who relates to you? Because I definitely don't." Nina took a sip from her cup.

Chloe chuckled, turning to face her closet, eyes scanning the rows of neatly pressed blouses and tailored skirts, trying to pick the perfect outfit.

She wasn't just preparing for a meeting—she was preparing to face him. Her father's greatest rival.

Even though she had never met Damien Cross, his reputation preceded him.

Ruthless. Cold. A businessman who played to win.

And she needed to match that.

"Go for the pink suit," Nina said, watching Chloe get lost in thought. "It'll look good on your skin."

She walked toward her and whispered in her ear. "You're going to do great." She planted a quick kiss on Chloe's cheek.

"I gotta go. Talk to you later. Good luck."

Chloe stared at the pink suit. She would look good in it.

Her gaze flicked to the corner of the bed, where his jacket lay. The memory of him in it—confident, powerful—lingered in her mind.

Maybe confidence and power were exactly what she needed right now.

Damien Cross left the Aurelius before the world woke up.

Today was a day he had been waiting for. Today was a step closer to what he'd always wanted.

Fastening the cuffs of his crisp black shirt, he rolled his shoulders and glanced at the time. Almost there.

He had planned for this moment. In two hours, Chloe Bennett would be walking into his world.

His mind replayed last night's rooftop encounter—her dress, her body, the way the wind moved in her hair. The way she quivered every time he leaned closer.

Damien chuckled. She didn't know who he was yet.

He would enjoy watching the realization dawn in her eyes, the way her face would fall the moment she understood.

Ethan Graves stood near the doorway, raising a brow. "You're enjoying this too much."

Damien smirked. "Of course I am. She walked into my club like a pretty little pawn, and now she's here, sitting across from me in a boardroom, thinking she's playing the game."

Ethan sighed. "She's not the one you're after."

"No," Damien agreed, turning to face him. "But she is the one I get to use."

Ethan exhaled. "And the deal?"

"Oh, I'll close it," Damien said easily, slipping on his watch. "But nothing comes without a price."

He grabbed his suit jacket and headed for the door.

Ethan crossed his arms, watching him revel in his thoughts. "You sure about this, Mr. Cross?"

Damien smirked. "I've never been more sure." A slow, deliberate smirk curled his lips.

"Can't wait to see the look on her face," he murmured.

Sliding on his shades, he strode forward. "Is the car ready, Graves?"

"Yes, sir." Ethan nodded. "Follow me."

"We're outside the building of Cross Corp, where CEO Damien Cross will finally be making a public appearance for the first time in five years."

Damien heard the words on the radio as his limo cut through the city streets.

People were so obsessed with relevance.

Left to him, he could stay in the shadows forever. His name alone wielded enough power. What was the need for a face?

But today was important.

This meeting would bring him closer to the one person he hated more than anything.

And there was no escape for Chloe.

The limo pulled up at the back of Cross Corp, avoiding the media frenzy out front.

He wasn't here for the crowd.

Or the paparazzi.

Or the women who would shriek his name and bat their lashes.

He was only here for one woman.

Chloe Bennett. And she had arrived.

"Miss Bennett, what's it like taking on this huge deal?"

"Miss Bennett, how do you feel about being one of the first people meeting Mr. Cross?"

The questions burned into Chloe as she made her way through the crowd. Every step toward that building felt like the world had its arms around her neck.

She pushed open the glass doors—

And froze.

Cross Corp was nothing like Bennett Industries. The sheer vastness of the space swallowed her whole.

It was grand. Sleek. Intimidating.

The ceiling stretched so high that Chloe had to tilt her head back just to glimpse the intricate lighting fixtures hanging like stars.

Glass walls framed the entire lobby, making the space feel both limitless and inescapable.

Before she could take it all in, a senior staff member approached. "Miss Bennett?"

"Yes?"

"This way, please. Follow me."

Chloe followed the man, taking in every sight of the building, her heart drumming against her chest as she was ushered through the halls.

She was led into a large boardroom, the table stretching from both ends. 

"Please take a seat" than man said leaving her all alone.

She wandered through the room, tracing her fingers along the cool marble table.

Her gaze landed on a framed picture hanging on the wall. She squinted at the name beneath it.

Carlisso Cross. CEO of CrossCorp.

She recognized it. She had seen the name before when she tried to look up Damien Cross.

His father, she convinced herself.

Chloe settled into a chair, fingers tapping against the table as she tried to keep her nerves at bay.

But then, the door swung open.

Chloe's breath hitched.

Her gaze snapped to the threshold—

And locked onto the man staring straight at her.

It was time.