chapter 6: the offer

The city skyline loomed in the background, a dazzling mosaic of lights reflected in the sleek glass panels of the rooftop terrace. The party still buzzed inside laughter, music, and the clinking of expensive champagne flutes but out here, the air was quieter. The breeze carried the cool night air, brushing softly against Elena's skin as she stood at the edge, gazing down at the bustling streets below.

"Not enjoying the party, Ms. Monroe?"

Felix's voice came from behind her, low and smooth, like silk over steel.

She turned to face him. He was leaning casually against the terrace railing, the glow from the city casting sharp shadows across his angular features. In the dim light, his dark eyes seemed darker still unreadable. There was something unsettling about how effortlessly he commanded a room, even when it was just the two of them.

"I'm not much for crowded rooms," Elena replied, keeping her tone even. "But I imagine you thrive in them."

Felix's lips twitched into something that wasn't quite a smile. "A necessary skill in my world."

"Your world," she echoed. "Full of people who pretend not to know what deals are made behind closed doors."

His gaze held hers, and for a moment, Elena wondered if she'd pushed too far. But then, to her surprise, Felix laughed low and brief, but genuine.

"You're not afraid to speak your mind. That's rare."

"I'm a journalist," she said simply. "I ask questions. The truth doesn't intimidate me."

Felix stepped closer, the scent of his expensive cologne mingling with the cool night air. "And what if the truth is dangerous?"

"Then I'm exactly where I need to be."

A spark flickered in his eyes. Admiration? Amusement? Whatever it was, Felix seemed intrigued though Elena wasn't sure if that was a good thing.

"Walk with me," he said, his voice soft but commanding.

Without waiting for her reply, Felix turned and strolled toward the far side of the terrace. Against her better judgment, Elena followed. The sound of her heels echoed softly against the marble floor.

"Tonight wasn't just a party," Felix said, his gaze fixed ahead. "It was a demonstration — a reminder to my competitors that Donovan Enterprises remains untouchable."

"And you think parading me around as your guest strengthens that image?"

"I think it shows them I have nothing to hide," he replied smoothly. "Besides, you're not just a journalist. You're someone who understands the weight of perception. That's a rare quality."

Elena frowned. "You don't strike me as the type who cares what people think."

"I don't," Felix said, pausing to face her. "But I care what they believe."

For a moment, the air between them thickened. Elena could see the tension that Felix wore like a tailored suit perfectly controlled, but ever-present. There was something beneath the surface, a storm he kept at bay.

"Why are you telling me this?" she asked.

Felix reached into his pocket, pulling out a sleek black card embossed with silver lettering. The edges gleamed under the terrace lights as he held it out to her.

"My company is expanding its media division," he said, his voice low. "We're acquiring smaller publications. CityLine Magazine has potential with the right backing."

Elena's fingers grazed the card, but she didn't take it. "You're offering to buy us out."

"I'm offering you influence," Felix corrected. "Resources. Opportunities. You'd have the freedom to tell the stories that matter."

She studied him, searching for the catch. There always was one.

"And what's in it for you?"

Felix's gaze never wavered. "The truth."

The simplicity of his answer sent a chill down Elena's spine.

"You think I'll write your story," she said softly. "Paint you as the misunderstood CEO who built an empire from nothing."

"Not quite," Felix replied, stepping closer. "I want you to see what no one else does. The parts of this world that no one dares to expose. And when you're ready, I want you to decide for yourself what story is worth telling."

It was a dangerous proposition. One that blurred the lines between professional and personal.

"And if I say no?" Elena asked, challenging him.

Felix tilted his head slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Then you walk away. No strings attached."

The city pulsed beneath them, a constant hum of life. Elena could still hear the distant chatter from the party, the laughter that felt worlds away from the moment she was standing in.

But Felix wasn't just offering her a business deal. He was offering her access. Power. The kind that most journalists spent their entire careers chasing.

She could uncover the truths others ignored. She could expose the shadows that followed powerful men like Felix Donovan.

And yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that accepting his offer would mean stepping into something far more dangerous than she realized.

"Think it over," Felix said, his voice breaking through her thoughts. "But don't take too long. I'm not a patient man."

With that, he turned and walked away, disappearing back into the glow of the ballroom.

Elena stood there, the black card still resting between her fingertips. The city lights glittered like distant stars, but her mind was already spinning with questions.

What was Felix hiding? And why had he chosen her to find it?

And she wasn't sure she'd survive