Chapter 11 Unexpected Distraction
ALEXANDER
I leaned back in my leather office chair as the sounds of the board meeting faded into the background. I was supposed to attend a meeting where I was expected to be attentive. However, somehow, the voices of my stakeholders sounded distantly on and on about quarterly profits, future investments, and expansion plans for the Harrington PLC. Still, my mind was already miles away, trapped in Elena's memory.
Damnit, I could still remember our night together.
How she had felt underneath me.
Every single detail from that night replayed in my head like a broken record —nonstop— I remembered her flushed cheeks, the way her fingers had hesitated before she had curled them against my shoulders. Her soft gasps....oh, the sounds she made. She had been everything I hadn't expected—vulnerable yet strong, inexperienced yet bold. And it had confused me completely.
"Mr. Harrington?" a voice cut into my thoughts.
I blinked as I realized that all eyes in the room were now on me. I straightened my posture and cleared my throat while trying to exude the authority they were expecting from me.
"Yes, Collins?" I asked cooly as I masked my momentary embarrassment.
"We were asking for your input on the upcoming acquisition strategy," Hollins said nervously as he glanced at the others for support.
My jaw tightened.
I had missed the entire discussion.
"I'll review the details later and give my input." My tone brooked no argument, and the matter was quickly dropped. I didn't usually abuse my position this way, but it was a good thing I was the boss here.
Heck! I abused my position, alright!
I let out a hum as the distractions of Elena refused to go away. My fingers tapped against the polished wood of the conference table as a clear image of Elena formed in my mind again. I could almost hear her voice.
Shit!
What the hell was wrong with me?!
I cleared my throat abruptly and stood.
"We'll reconvene this discussion tomorrow. Excuse me," I said curtly, grabbing my phone as I left the room.
I stepped back into my office, leaned against my desk, and dialed Prescott.
The man answered on the first ring.
"Sir?" Prescott responded in a curt voice.
"I need you to send something," I said in an authoritative voice.
"Flowers, to Miss Carter. To the hospital—" I glanced at my Rolex watch. "She should be on her day shift now," I muttered. I knew she had her night shift at the bar and her day shift at the hospital.
Don't call me obsessed.
"Yes, Mr. Harrington," Prescott replied.
I hesitated for a brief moment as, for the second time in my entire existence, I was uncertain.
"Make sure they're perfect, Prescott. And let her know… no, never mind," I said in a stammer.
"Yes, sir," Prescott said again in a professional tone.
I ended the call and tossed the phone onto my desk, running a hand through my hair.
What the hell was I doing?
Flowers?
I didn't send flowers.
I never pursued anyone—people came to me. Yet, here I was, breaking my own rules for her!
ELENA
Meanwhile,
I adjusted the strap of my bag as I walked through the hospital corridor. My face was set in an emotionless way. I didn't want anyone to know what I was thinking. I had found it difficult to sleep for the last two nights as my mind was filled with lots of conflicting thoughts.
What had I done?
The sex with Alexander had been… beyond anything I had imagined. But that was the problem—I had allowed myself to feel something. And that was dangerous.
I shook my head as I tried to bury those thoughts. I was here for one reason, and that was to make enough money to find justice for my father. Alexander Harrington didn't fit into that plan, no matter how much my body betrayed me by craving him.
There, I had said it.
And then, it was good that Riley hadn't discovered the secret. Well, not yet. She was going to find out soon enough for sure.
She had called to inform me about some hot ads Alexander had featured. I let out an eye roll as I remembered the relief and, at the same time, the silliness that followed, which I had felt when I realized that it was something as ordinary as that. Trust Riley to freaking exaggerate things up.
"Miss Carter?" Someone called my name.
I turned to see—what was his name again? Alexander's bodyguard is standing in front of me. He was well dressed as usual, and I saw him holding a bouquet of white roses and lilies. His posture was stiff and formal, and his expression betrayed no emotion.
What was this? I wondered.
"Yes?" I said cautiously.
The man stepped closer and held out the bouquet.
"These are from Mr. Harrington," Prescott said.
My heart skipped a beat, but I quickly masked my reaction.
Why was he sending me flowers?
I thought I had told him that things didn't change between us.
"Tell Mr. Harrington I don't need his flowers," I said sharply.
The man didn't even flinch.
"I have strict orders to deliver these to you, ma'am," Prescott said.
My jaw tightened.
"Fine," I said. Then I grabbed the bouquet but immediately turned to a nearby trash can and dumped it inside. I looked back at him with angry eyes. "You can tell him I said no, loud and clear," I said.
Prescott didn't respond. He only shook his head and walked away.
I pressed my fingers to my temple as I tried to tone down my frustration.
I couldn't afford to let Alexander get under my skin. Not now, not ever.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and it pulled me from my thoughts. I frowned as I saw the caller ID. It was a private number.
"Elena speaking," I answered cautiously.
"Elena, it's me," a familiar voice said. My pulse quickened immediately. It was my contact in the investigation.
"What is it?" I asked, gripping my phone tightly.
"I've got progress on the report. A name," he said in an urgent tone.
My breath hitched.
A name. Finally. After years of chasing shadows, I was finally going to get a lead on the people who had betrayed my father.
"Who?" I demanded anxiously.
"I can't give you details over the phone. Meet me tonight at the usual place," the voice said.
"Fine," I said quickly.
The call ended immediately, and I stood there with my heart racing.
This was it—the moment I had been waiting for.
Finally, I would have a name. This was a huge lead in finding my father's betrayers.