Chapter 6 6
“Wow,” Blair whispered as the elevator doors slid open.
The upper floor looked nothing like the rest of the building —
The secretary beside her gave a small nod toward the large glass doors ahead. “That’s the CEO’s office. You can go in.”
Blair tightened her grip on the tray. “Right. Thank you.”
Her palms were damp. She adjusted the cup once, twice, and forced her lips into a smile.
She pushed the door open quietly.
Inside, the air was cooler.Sunlight spilled across the wide desk and shelves lined with awards and files.
He stood with his back to her, jacket off, sleeves rolled up, phone pressed to his ear.
“Yes. Move the meeting up to three. No excuses.”
The sound of his voice hit her like a jolt again.
Familiar in a way that made her stomach twist.
For a second, her knees felt weak. She blinked hard, shaking her head. No. It can’t be.
He turned slightly then, mid-call, and their eyes met.
Everything inside her stopped.
The tray tilted in her trembling hands, the cup wobbled — hot coffee sloshed over the rim, splashing against her skin.
“Ah—” she gasped softly, jerking back.
His brows drew together. “Careful.”
“Sorry,” she murmured quickly, clutching the cup tighter.
But she wasn’t really hearing him anymore. Her pulse roared in her ears as those sleepy gray eyes held hers — eyes she could never forget.
For a second, five years vanished.
And she was twenty again, standing under the flickering motel light, his lips hot against her neck, his drunk hazy voice low and rough — mmh good girl.
“Are you okay?”
His rough voice snapped her out of the trance.
Blair blinked rapidly, her chest rising and falling too fast. “Y–yes, sir,” she stammered, her voice shaking. “Your… your coffee.”
Lucas said nothing. He reached for the cup, lifted it to his lips, and took a slow, measured sip —
“Hmm.” His only response was the faint hum of approval before he turned back to his desk.
Blair swallowed hard. She took a small, shaky step backward, eyes glistening, the weight of everything pressing down on her chest.
Her throat tightened. Not again. God, please… I don’t want all this. Not again.
She turned quickly, gripping the door handle like it might hold her together.
Behind her, Lucas lowered the cup and exhaled sharply.
That voice.
Something about it made his temples throb. It stirred something he couldn’t name — a blur of red lights, soft moans, and a faint tattoo of a butterfly he had caressed in the dark.
He pressed his fingers to his head. “No. Not again,” he muttered under his breath, reaching into his drawer for the small white bottle.
He popped a pill and swallowed dryly, jaw tight.
It’s nothing. Just another face. Another voice. Forget it, Brooks.
Lucas leaned back in his chair, rolling his sleeves again as the pill began to ease the pounding in his head.
He picked up his phone. “Yeah,” he said quietly when his secretary answered. “She passed the test.”
Then there was a long pause.
“She’s well-behaved. Level-headed. Have her resume at the company café tomorrow.”
He hung up without another word, staring out the window —
⸻
Downstairs, Blair stood at the counter, still shaking slightly when the receptionist smiled at her.
“Congratulations, Miss Rivers,” she said cheerfully. “You’ve been accepted! The CEO himself approved your posting. You’ll be working at the LB Corporation café starting tomorrow.”
Blair’s lips parted, but no sound came out.
Her stomach sank. A cold wave ran through her chest as she forced a polite nod.
“T–thank you,” she murmured.
As she stood there, one thought came crashing into her mind like cold rain.
Is there a way I can turn this offer down?
She clutched her bag tighter against her chest, her fingers trembling. The city buzzed around her — cars honking, people laughing — but all she could hear was the echo of his voice in her head.
Because the last thing I want… is that horrible man anywhere near my life again.
Her throat tightened. The world had already taken too much from her — her family, her peace, her pride. She couldn’t let it take her sanity too.
But deep down, a quiet, stubborn voice whispered, You need this job, Blair. For Maverick.
And that was the only reason she didn’t turn around and run.
Blair froze mid-step, the thought slamming into her like a punch.
But Blair… what if he takes Maverick?
Her eyes darted around the busy street, her pulse quickening. The voice was so clear — soft, almost familiar — like someone whispering just behind her ear.
No, she whispered under her breath, shaking her head. No, I’ll be left with nothing. I can’t let that happen.
Then reject the job, the voice urged again, calm and coaxing. There’s something better waiting for you. You just have to walk away.
Her breath came uneven now. People brushed past her, but she barely noticed. The thought wouldn’t let go — clawing at her chest, twisting tighter with every step she took.
Before she knew it, she was back inside the tall glass building of LB Corporation, her reflection staring back at her from the polished doors.
The receptionist blinked in surprise when Blair approached the counter, clutching her bag like a shield.
“Um… Miss Rivers?” the woman asked, confused. “You’re back so soon. Did you forget something?”
Blair swallowed hard, forcing her voice out. “Actually… I came to say that I—I might not be able to take the job.”
The receptionist’s smile faltered. “Not take the job?”
Blair nodded, heart hammering. “Yes. Something came up. I just… I don’t think I can work here.”
The woman hesitated, glancing toward the elevator that led to the CEO’s floor. “Are you sure about that, Miss Rivers? The boss personally approved you. It’s not an opportunity most people walk away from.”
Blair’s chest tightened. “I’m sure,” she lied, even as her voice trembled.
Because the truth was — she wasn’t sure of anything anymore. Not her safety, not her sanity… and especially not her heart.