Chapter One: A Whisper from the Fourth Floor
"Ouch... you're being too rough—be gentle!"
The voice floated through the quiet hallway of the fourth floor, just outside Room 407. It wasn't loud, but it had a sultry echo that made anyone passing by pause. Muri, the floor supervisor, heard it clearly as she made her rounds. She stopped, smirked slightly, and tilted her head.
"She's so loud again," she muttered with a sigh, though her expression hinted more amusement than annoyance.
Just then, a new staff member approached, his steps hesitant, his face flushed from what he'd just overheard. "Who… who was that? And why do you sound like you enjoy hearing it?" he asked, a mix of innocence and curiosity coloring his voice.
Muri turned to him, brushing her short brown hair behind her ear. "Ah, you're the new one," she said. "You'll get used to it. Maybe even enjoy it like I do," she added with a mischievous smile that made him look away. "I'm Muri, in charge of this floor."
"I'm Lex," he said quietly.
...
That night, Muri's room was a chaotic mess of romance novels, open manga, and scribbled notebooks. Her creative spirit thrived in the clutter. She leaned over her desk, pen in hand, finishing a steamy scene in her novel where the male lead finally kissed the heroine. As she imagined the moment, Lex's face replaced her fictional hero's. His calm voice, sharp jawline, tall frame, and those slightly wet lips from earlier—it all invaded her thoughts.
Blushing, she dropped her pen. "Why am I thinking about him?" she whispered, covering her face.
On the other side of the city, Lex sat on his bed, flipping through a book titled Daily Candy. But his mind wasn't in it. "She's… different," he muttered, thinking of Muri's teasing smile and the way she seemed to read his mind earlier. "A pervert with a devilish grin," he chuckled, shaking his head.
...
Chapter Two: Hidden Truths and Party Lights
The next morning, Lex woke early. The sky outside was clear and inviting. After a run, he stepped into the shower, the water trailing over his toned body, soaking his dark hair. Wrapping a towel around his waist, he made coffee and stood by the window of his luxurious home, taking in the view.
Driving to the hotel, Lex parked just outside the main office, where his father waited.
"Good morning, Dad."
"Lex," his father greeted with a warm smile. "Why are you still playing employee in that hotel? You're meant to be my successor, the next CEO."
Lex chuckled. "Dad, I need to start from the bottom if I want to lead. I can't run the empire without understanding it."
His father gave him a look, half admiration, half frustration. "Fine. But don't keep me waiting forever."
At the hotel
At the hotel, Muri rushed in, just in time. The manager, Mr. Mix, stood at the center of the staff hall. Tall, with sharp features and a commanding voice, he began assigning duties.
"We're hosting a grand party tonight," he announced. "Mrs. Nahra herself requested it to welcome the heir of this hotel."
As Mix spoke, Muri couldn't help but stare. God, he's handsome, she thought. I just want to bite those lips.
Across the room, Lex noticed her flushed cheeks and dazed eyes. He narrowed his gaze, smirking slightly. I know exactly what you're thinking, crazy girl.
Ignoring her gaze, he turned away, slipping into a corner to take a call.
"Ah, my sweet son finally calls his mother," the voice on the other end cooed.
"Mom, please. Why did you tell everyone about me coming to Bangalore?" Lex sighed.
"Because you're hiding from your destiny," she replied. "No more silly jobs. Tonight, you're coming with me. You'll dress up, show up, and claim your place."
Chapter Three: Temptation in the Linen Room
The party buzzed with elegance—crystal chandeliers lit the grand ballroom in a golden glow, and staff rushed about in crisp uniforms, setting final touches. But Muri had other plans brewing in her mind, plans that didn't involve table placements.
She caught sight of Lex across the hall—dark suit, hair still slightly tousled, and a tension in his jaw that made her lips curl into a wicked smile.
You're trying so hard to be serious, she thought. I wonder how long you can keep that up…
"Lex," she called sweetly, just loud enough for him to hear.
He turned, wary, already catching the spark in her eyes.
"Can you help me bring up the extra linens from the back room?" she asked innocently, though her tone was anything but pure.
"…Fine," he muttered.
Inside the linen room, it was tight and dimly lit, filled with the soft scent of fresh fabric. Lex bent down to lift a basket, and Muri, standing behind him, couldn't resist letting her eyes wander.
"Working hard, aren't you?" she teased, her breath brushing his neck.
He straightened, turning slowly. They were close—too close.
"Muri," he warned, voice low. "What are you doing?"
She leaned in, her finger gently tracing the edge of his collar. "You keep acting like you don't notice me," she whispered, "but your eyes always follow me when you think I'm not looking."
Lex didn't move, but his breath grew heavier.
"Maybe I like teasing you," she continued, tiptoeing her fingers down his chest. "Maybe I want to see what makes you lose control."
His hand shot up suddenly, gripping her wrist—not hard, but firm. "Careful, Muri," he said, his voice a rasp. "You're playing with fire."
She smiled, stepping back slowly, leaving the scent of her perfume behind. "Then maybe I want to get burned."
Chapter Four: Party Heat
The party had started. Music played softly, lights sparkled everywhere, and people dressed in fancy clothes were talking, drinking, and laughing. Muri looked beautiful in a dark red dress. It showed just enough skin to tease but still looked classy. Her lips were glossy, her eyes shining with excitement—and a little mischief.
Lex walked in wearing a black suit. He looked sharp and cool, but his eyes kept finding Muri in the crowd. She walked up to him slowly, her heels clicking on the marble floor.
"You clean up well, Mr. Employee," she said with a smirk.
He raised an eyebrow. "You don't look so innocent tonight."
"I'm never innocent," she whispered near his ear, her warm breath making him tense up for a second.
The music changed to a slow, romantic song. People began to dance.
"Dance with me?" she asked, already pulling him by the hand before he could answer.
Their bodies moved slowly. Her chest pressed against his. His hand rested low on her back. They didn't talk—just felt. Her hand moved up to his neck, fingers playing with the soft hair there.
"Why do you keep looking at me like that?" Lex asked, his voice husky.
"Because I'm thinking about your lips," she answered. "And how they'd taste."
Lex blinked. "You're trouble."
"Maybe," she said with a wicked smile. "But you like trouble."
He pulled her a little closer, their faces only inches apart. She could feel his heartbeat. He could smell the sweetness of her perfume.
"I dare you," she whispered.
"To what?"
"To kiss me."
Chapter Five: First Kiss
Lex looked into Muri's eyes. They were full of fire. She wasn't joking. She really meant it.
"I dare you to kiss me," she had said.
His hands gripped her waist a little tighter. She looked so soft, so close. Her lips were slightly parted, waiting.
Lex leaned in slowly. Muri didn't move—she watched him, her heart beating fast. When their lips finally touched, it was soft at first. Just a gentle brush. But then…
She pulled him closer.
The kiss deepened.
Lex's hand moved up her back, into her hair, holding her gently but firmly. Muri let out a small, breathy sound against his lips. It sent a warm rush through his whole body. His lips were warm, firm, but careful—as if he was trying not to go too far too fast.
But Muri didn't want careful.
She kissed him harder, standing on her tiptoes, pressing into him. Her body fit against his like they were made for each other. Lex pulled away for just a second, looking into her eyes.
"This is crazy," he said softly.
"I don't care," she whispered. "I've wanted this since the first day."
He smiled, then kissed her again—this time slower, but deeper.
Around them, the party kept going, but they didn't notice anything else.
Only each other.
Chapter Six: Behind Closed Doors
Later that night, the party started to slow down. Guests were leaving, lights were dimmed, and soft music played in the background. Muri walked through the hallway with a soft smile on her lips and heat still lingering from the kiss.
Lex followed behind her, quiet but clearly watching her every move. She stopped in front of her room, turned around, and looked at him.
"You followed me," she said playfully.
"You didn't tell me to stop," he answered, leaning against the wall beside her door.
"I didn't want you to."
She stepped closer, her voice low. "Do you always kiss like that?"
Lex smirked. "Only when I really want someone."
Muri leaned in, just enough so he could feel her breath on his skin. "If you keep looking at me like that, I might do something bad."
He chuckled, but his voice dropped. "What kind of bad?"
She whispered, "Like pulling you into my room… and making you stay just a little too long."
His eyes darkened with desire. "Muri…"
"I'm not asking for more," she said. "Not tonight. Just… stay a while."
He thought for a moment, then nodded.
Inside her room, the lights were low and the air was warm. Her bed was a little messy—open books, a fluffy blanket, a pink notebook with hearts on it.
"You weren't joking about loving romance," Lex said, picking up a manga.
She plopped down on the bed, kicking off her heels. "What can I say? I like love stories… with a little spice."
Lex sat beside her, close but not touching. "You like teasing, don't you?"
"I like seeing how far I can push someone before they break," she said, biting her lip.
He leaned in just a little. "And what if I break first?"
"Then I win," she whispered, touching his chest lightly with her fingers. "But don't worry, I'd go slow… I'd make you enjoy every second."
Lex grabbed her hand gently. "You're dangerous, Muri."
"And you're delicious," she whispered back.
They didn't kiss again—this time. But they sat there together, in the soft glow of the room, hearts racing, thoughts full of what might come next.
Chapter Seven: Morning Mischief
The sun peeked through Muri's curtains, casting a golden light over her messy bed. She stretched slowly, her body still warm from the night before—not from anything wild, but from Lex's presence beside her. They had talked, laughed, even lay back-to-back for a while before he left with a teasing smirk and a low "sleep well, trouble."
Now, she rolled over and grabbed her notebook. She couldn't stop smiling.
He's dangerous, she wrote. Not because he's bad, but because he makes me feel too good, too fast.
---
Downstairs in the staff hall, everyone was already working. Lex stood by the front desk, sipping coffee. His shirt was open at the top, hair still a little damp from his shower. He looked… edible.
Muri walked in, wearing a simple skirt and blouse, but with a sparkle in her eye. She walked past Lex, "accidentally" brushing her hand against his.
"Morning, sleepyhead," he said, clearly noticing.
"Morning, sexy," she whispered back without stopping.
Lex nearly choked on his coffee.
Later, in the supply room again—yes, that same room—he caught her alone.
"You really just said that in front of the front desk?" he asked, arms crossed, leaning in.
Muri leaned against the wall, smirking. "You didn't like it?"
"I liked it too much. That's the problem."
She stepped closer, hands behind her back. "So what are you going to do about it?"
Lex trapped her between his arms, his face inches from hers. "You keep pushing me, Muri. One day, I won't hold back."
"I'm counting on it," she whispered.
Their lips didn't touch this time, but their breath mingled, eyes locked. Every second felt like slow fire.
---
Later that day…
They worked like usual, side by side, stealing glances. Muri dropped a pen on purpose just so Lex would lean over and pick it up—his hand brushed her leg, and her cheeks burned.
At lunch, she sat across from him, licking whipped cream off a spoon way too slowly. Lex's jaw clenched. She giggled.
"Careful," he said under his breath. "You keep playing with me like this, I might just take you over that desk one day."
"Promises, promises," she whispered with a wink.
Chapter Eight: Feelings in the Silence
The party was supposed to be the big reveal—the night everyone would know that Lex wasn't just a staff member, but the next heir of the hotel empire. But it didn't happen.
His mother never showed up.
No call. No message. Just silence.
Lex stood by the back entrance, watching the stars. The celebration had gone on without the big announcement. No one knew who he really was… and for now, he preferred it that way.
Muri found him leaning against a pillar, alone, his suit jacket off and tie loosened. He looked tired, not physically—but something in his eyes was distant.
She didn't say anything at first. Just stood beside him.
After a moment, Lex sighed. "She didn't come."
Muri looked at him, gently. "Your mom?"
He nodded, lips tight. "She was supposed to be here. To announce everything. But she bailed. Like always."
Muri touched his arm softly. "You don't have to explain. I'm just… here."
Lex looked at her. Really looked. The girl who teased him all day, who tempted him with her eyes and smile—was now just calm, quiet, and close.
"You're not what I expected," he said.
She smiled a little. "Most people say that."
"I thought you were just a flirt. A little wild. But… you're more."
Her eyes softened. "You thought I was playing, didn't you?"
"I still think you are," he said with a small smirk. "But I think you're also hiding something. Just like me."
She turned toward him. "Maybe I am. But tonight… I just want to be beside someone who feels what I feel."
Lex reached for her hand slowly, lacing his fingers through hers.
They didn't kiss. Didn't flirt. Didn't tease.
They just stood in silence, fingers warm against each other's, the night wind brushing past them gently.
And in that quiet moment, something real began.
Chapter Nine: Green Eyes and Game Faces
The next morning, sunlight poured into the lobby as staff returned to their routines. But something felt different.
Muri walked in wearing a fresh outfit—light blue top, short skirt, soft curls bouncing as she moved. Her energy was calm but glowing, like something had changed inside her after the night with Lex.
She spotted him across the lobby, gave him a gentle smile, and he gave one back. It wasn't loud or obvious. Just quiet… theirs.
But then came Mix.
Tall. Sharp. Confident. He walked straight toward Muri with a new kind of charm in his step. She was surprised but smiled politely.
"Muri," Mix said, voice smoother than usual, "you did well during the party. Really well. I noticed everything. The guests were impressed—and so was I."
Muri blinked. "Oh. Thank you, sir."
Lex, from a few steps away, narrowed his eyes. Sir? Since when does he compliment staff one-on-one like that?
Mix leaned in just a little too close. "Actually," he continued, "I was thinking maybe we should talk more—maybe over coffee? I'd love to hear your ideas for the next event."
Muri was caught off guard. "Umm... sure. I guess that sounds nice."
Lex's jaw tightened.
He watched the way Mix smiled, the way he touched her arm for just a second too long. And the way Muri laughed—nervously, but not unhappily.
When Mix finally walked off, Lex moved in fast.
"So," he said casually, stepping beside her, "coffee with Mix?"
Muri raised an eyebrow. "Were you spying?"
"I was standing right there."
She smirked. "Why? You jealous?"
He looked away, then back at her. "No. Just wondering how many people get to flirt with the hotel manager and the heir at the same time."
"Oh?" she teased. "Is the heir finally admitting who he is?"
Lex paused. "Not yet. But I think I'll have to soon… before someone else steals all your attention."
Muri laughed softly and leaned closer. "Don't worry, Mr. Not-Jealous. I still prefer the guy who kissed me behind closed doors."
Lex gave a crooked smile. "Good. Because I'm not good at sharing."
Chapter Ten: Jealous Games
Later that afternoon, Muri was helping in the event room, setting up flowers for a new client. Lex walked in with a clipboard, pretending to check the staff list—but his eyes went straight to her.
She looked too pretty for a workday. Hair up in a messy clip, lips soft pink, and a tiny stain of frosting on her cheek from helping in the kitchen earlier.
Then Mix walked in. Again.
And of course, he headed right to Muri.
"Muri," Mix said smoothly, "I've got something for you."
He handed her a small box. Inside: a fancy pen. Gold. Engraved.
"I noticed how often you take notes during meetings," he said. "Thought you deserved something better than a hotel pen."
Muri smiled, clearly flattered. "That's... very thoughtful."
Lex stood frozen. Really? A gift? We're doing gifts now?
She looked at Lex from the corner of her eye, then turned to Mix with a sparkle in her smile. "Maybe I'll use this to write about the mystery man who kissed me the other night."
Lex nearly dropped his clipboard.
Mix raised an eyebrow. "Mystery man?"
She winked. "Let's just say... it was unforgettable."
Mix chuckled and walked away, confused but still charmed. Lex stormed over the moment he left.
"You enjoyed that way too much," he muttered.
Muri twirled the gold pen in her fingers. "What, the pen? Or the attention?"
Lex glared. "Both."
She leaned closer, whispering so no one else could hear. "Aw, is someone feeling possessive?"
Lex didn't answer—he just looked down at her lips.
"Don't worry," she said playfully. "Mix is nice, but he doesn't make my heart race the way you do."
Lex's fingers brushed against hers, pulling the pen gently from her hand. "You think you're in control of this game," he whispered.
"I know I am."
He grinned, stepping closer until his mouth hovered near her ear. "Be careful, Muri. Keep teasing me like this, and one day I'm going to kiss you in front of everyone."
She bit her lip, clearly enjoying the threat. "Then you better make it worth the show."
Chapter Eleven: Whispers and Dares
The next morning, the café downstairs buzzed with energy as the staff prepped for another busy day. Muri had just grabbed her coffee when she heard her name in a familiar voice.
"Aha! Speak of the devil," said Jules, one of the event planners, grinning over her mug.
Muri raised an eyebrow. "What now?"
"Oh, nothing," said Lila, smirking beside her. "Just wondering which lucky guy will bring you gifts today. Gold pens? Jewelry next?"
"Maybe a kissogram?" Jules added dramatically. "Delivered by a mystery man in a tux."
Muri rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the smile tugging at her lips. "You two need lives."
"Oh, we have lives. But yours is way more entertaining," Lila said, winking. "Especially when Lex looks like he's about to combust every time Mix walks into a room."
At that exact moment, Lex passed by the doorway, pausing just long enough to hear the tail end of the sentence. Muri didn't even turn—she knew he was there.
Later that day, Muri waited until she saw Lex talking with a guest at the bar before sliding into the seat next to him with calculated nonchalance.
"So," she said sweetly, "I've been thinking about who that 'mystery man' was."
Lex's jaw tensed. "You mean the one you announced to the entire staff room yesterday?"
"Some people guessed it might be Mix," she said, tilting her head. "I didn't correct them."
"Why not?" he asked, voice low.
"Because it's more fun this way," she whispered. Then she turned to the bartender. "Could you make a drink that's... sweet but dangerous?"
Lex leaned in, tension simmering beneath his calm tone. "Muri."
She sipped her drink, eyes dancing with mischief. "Yes?"
He exhaled slowly. "You really want to see how far I'll go?"
"I'm just curious what it takes to make you lose control."
Lex's fingers wrapped gently around her wrist, holding her gaze. "Keep pushing, Muri. I might just show you."
Across the room, Jules nudged Lila. "Told you. He's about to lose it."
Lila grinned. "This is better than any romance novel."
Later that evening, after most of the team had left for the night, Muri lingered in the event room, pretending to rearrange centerpieces. Lex walked in, his expression unreadable, but his eyes never left her.
"You really enjoyed that little audience today, didn't you?" he said quietly.
She didn't turn. "Maybe. You seemed to enjoy watching."
He was behind her in seconds, close enough that she could feel the heat of his breath. "You're playing with fire."
She spun around, heart hammering, but refusing to flinch. "And you're acting like you won't get burned."
In one smooth motion, Lex backed her into the far corner of the room—shielded by tall floral arrangements and the shadows of dusk seeping through the windows. His hands rested on either side of her against the wall.
"No one's watching now," he said, voice thick with restraint.
"Are you going to kiss me?" she whispered.
"I haven't decided yet," he said. "You've been testing me all day."
"And?"
Lex leaned in until their noses almost brushed. "And I'm right at the edge, Muri."
She gave a wicked smile. "Then jump."
His mouth was a breath away from hers when a loud voice echoed down the hallway. "Lex? Muri? You guys still here?"
They froze.
It was Jules.
Lex pulled back just enough, his forehead resting on hers, breathing ragged.
"Saved by the gossip queens," Muri whispered.
Lex chuckled darkly. "For now."
She slipped away from the corner with a final glance over her shoulder. "You're not the only one with limits, Lex."
As she walked away, Lex stayed rooted, watching her like a man trying to keep his control from unraveling completely.
From down the hall, Lila's voice joined in: "Muri! We're heading out—unless you're busy hiding in dark corners...?"
Muri smiled to herself and called back innocently, "Just fixing flowers!"
Chapter Twelve: The Breaking Point
It was nearly midnight when Muri returned to the office. She'd left her phone charger behind, and the building was mostly dark, lit only by soft emergency lights. Her heels clicked lightly on the tile as she moved through the quiet halls.
She wasn't expecting anyone else to be there.
But Lex was.
He was in the conference room, alone, the door cracked open, shirt sleeves rolled up, tie loose around his neck, fingers tangled in his hair as he stared at a stack of reports.
He looked up the moment she appeared.
"You're still here?" she asked, voice low.
"Could say the same to you."
"I forgot something." She stepped in. "Didn't expect to find you in full brooding CEO mode."
Lex gave a humorless chuckle. "Didn't expect to see you again tonight. Guess we're both unlucky."
She walked closer. "You sure about that?"
Silence stretched between them, heavy and electric.
Then he stood—slowly, like he was trying not to spook her. "Do you have any idea what you're doing to me, Muri?"
Her breath hitched. "I think so."
He crossed the room in two steps, stopping just inches away. "You flirt. You tease. You whisper things that haunt me."
"Then stop me," she said softly.
Lex's jaw clenched. "I've been trying to."
He reached up, cupped her face, thumb brushing her cheek where that frosting stain had been the day before. "I can't think straight when you're near me."
"Then don't think," she breathed.
And that was it.
He kissed her.
Not soft. Not careful.
It was the kind of kiss that burned—weeks of tension exploding between them like a match to dry leaves. His hands slid to her waist, pulling her against him, her fingers gripping his shirt as if she'd been waiting just as long.
She broke the kiss first, just enough to speak.
"So much for control," she whispered.
Lex looked down at her, his forehead resting against hers. "That was me losing it."
Muri smiled. "Good."
He kissed her again, slower this time—more dangerous in a different way.
And somewhere in the back of her mind, Muri knew: this wasn't just a game anymore.
Chapter Thirteen: Caught in the Act
The next morning, the office was buzzing with its usual rhythm—emails flying, phones ringing, people talking over coffee. Lex and Muri moved through it like nothing had changed. Polite nods. Professional smiles. Not a single glance too long.
But under the surface? Chaos.
Every brush of their hands in passing sent sparks. Every private glance was like a shared secret no one else could see. They were fire under ice.
Muri was in the storage room late afternoon, restocking table runners, when Lex slipped in and quietly shut the door behind him.
"Seriously?" she whispered, heart jumping. "In here?"
"No cameras. No gossiping coworkers. Just five minutes," he said, voice low and firm.
She crossed her arms. "You sure you can handle that?"
He stepped forward, pinning her lightly against the wall with his body, his voice a growl. "After last night? No. But I'm trying."
Their mouths crashed together, hot and desperate.
Muri pulled back breathless, laughing softly. "You're addicted."
"To you," he admitted without hesitation.
Then—
The door creaked open.
"Hey, has anyone seen—oh my God."
Jules.
Her eyes went wide as she stepped right into the scene—Lex inches from Muri, both of them flushed, breathless, clearly not just looking for tablecloths.
Silence. Total, horrifying silence.
Jules blinked once. Twice.
Then she grinned like the devil.
"Oh this is gonna be fun."
Lex cursed under his breath. Muri groaned.
"Jules," she began, trying to salvage dignity.
But Jules had already backed out, calling down the hallway: "Lila! You owe me twenty bucks! I told you they were secretly making out!"
Lex looked at Muri. "Well... that went well."
Muri rolled her eyes. "Guess it's showtime
Chapter Fourteen: Vanishing Point
---
The fallout from the storage room incident spread fast. By the next morning, it seemed the entire office knew. There were stares, whispers, a few high-fives Lex pretended not to notice.
Muri, usually composed, looked like a storm cloud in heels. By noon, she was gone. No goodbyes. No explanations. Just an empty desk and a text to Lex that read:
"I need to disappear for a while. Don't come after me."
And he didn't.
Not because he didn't want to, but because everything changed overnight.
Lex's father had a heart attack that week. Sudden. Massive. The man survived—but barely. And when he stepped down from the family's hotel empire, Lex was handed the keys to the kingdom.
CEO.
Just like that.
Lex threw himself into the work, expanding aggressively, ruthlessly. He bought out competitors, revamped crumbling properties, and turned the family name into something global. The only thing he didn't rebuild? Himself.
He didn't talk about Muri. Didn't let her name pass his lips.
Not once in six months.
---
Chapter Fifteen: Back in the Game
It was just another Monday—boardroom, coffee, dealmaking—when the door opened and Lex looked up from a financial report to find a ghost.
Muri.
Hair longer. Expression sharper. Dressed like power incarnate.
Walking in behind a grinning, tanned man in an expensive suit.
"Lex," the man said. "Meet my daughter. Muri Winters. She'll be heading up the design team for our joint project."
Lex stood too fast.
Their eyes locked.
Shock. Fire. Something dangerous and unsaid.
"Pleasure," she said smoothly, holding out her hand.
He took it, grip tight. "Didn't see that coming."
She smiled with zero warmth. "Let's just say I've been busy."
Lex forced a smile, but inside? He was reeling.
Because Muri Winters wasn't just back in his life.
She was here to play on his field—and maybe, just maybe, to burn it down.
Chapter Sixteen: The Dinner Invitation
Lex had dealt with impossible board meetings, hostile takeovers, and billion-dollar negotiations. But nothing unsettled him like sitting across a conference table from Muri, who now acted like they'd never shared anything more than a handshake.
She was poised. Distant. Every answer was crisp, every smile professional. Not a flicker of the woman who'd once whispered his name in the dark.
When the meeting ended, Lex stood to leave, jaw tight. But before he could step out, a familiar voice cut through the chatter.
"Lex. Muri."
It was Eleanor Cartwright—Lex's mother and chairwoman of the board. Impeccable in a dove-gray suit, pearl earrings gleaming.
They both turned.
"I'm hosting a private dinner tonight," she said smoothly. "Just the three of us. I'd like you both to come."
Lex blinked. "Tonight?"
"Yes. Eight sharp. No excuses." She turned to Muri. "I'd love to get to know the woman who's making such waves already."
Muri smiled with polished grace. "Of course, Mrs. Cartwright. Thank you for the invitation."
Lex watched her, waiting for a glance. A smirk. Anything. But Muri turned and walked away, her heels clicking down the marble corridor, leaving the scent of citrus and secrets in her wake.
Eleanor touched his arm gently. "She's not what I expected."
Lex didn't look away from the door Muri had just exited through. "She never is."
Chapter Seventeen: Dinner with the Queen.
---
Eleanor Cartwright's penthouse was a palace of glass and gold—every surface gleaming, every detail calculated.
Lex arrived first, suit sharp, mood unreadable. His mother greeted him with a glass of scotch and a long, knowing look.
"She's different," Eleanor said without preamble.
Lex didn't reply. He didn't have to.
Then the elevator chimed.
Muri stepped in like she belonged there. Black dress. Bold lipstick. Grace in every step. She greeted Eleanor with a polite kiss on the cheek and Lex with a nod that could have frozen fire.
"Shall we?" Eleanor gestured toward the dining room.
The meal was elegant. Quiet. Forks on china. Polite conversation. A strange dance of formality and something heavier beneath the surface.
"So, Muri," Eleanor said at last, setting down her wine glass. "You left the company quite suddenly. And now here you are—partnering with our largest competitor's daughter. That's quite the plot twist."
Muri smiled, completely at ease. "I suppose I'm full of surprises."
Lex's hand tightened around his fork.
Eleanor turned to him. "Lex, dear, are you enjoying this as much as I am?"
"Immensely," he said dryly.
Muri reached for her water, voice casual. "It's impressive, really. Lex built a hotel empire in six months. Most people take years. Though some things," her eyes flicked to him just for a second, "aren't so easily rebuilt."
Eleanor watched them both, sharp eyes flicking back and forth like a tennis match. "So there was a story."
Lex pushed back from the table. "Mother—"
"No need," Muri cut in smoothly. "We were coworkers. Now we're business associates. That's all."
"Pity," Eleanor said, standing. "Because from where I'm sitting, the tension could light this city on fire."
She smiled and excused herself, leaving them alone at the table.
The silence stretched.
Finally, Lex leaned in, voice low. "Why are you really here, Muri?"
She met his gaze without flinching. "To win."
Chapter Eighteen: The Bombshell at Dinner
Lex had just opened his mouth to challenge Muri's cryptic answer when the front door swung open.
"Hey, anyone home?" came a familiar voice.
Lex froze.
Muri, for the first time all night, actually smiled.
Then into the dining room strode Sky Cartwright—Lex's younger brother, sun-kissed from Thailand, grinning like he owned the world.
Muri stood without hesitation. "Sky."
"Hey, beautiful," he said, pulling her into a warm hug and kissing her cheek. "Missed you like hell."
Lex's brain short-circuited.
What the—?
Sky turned toward the kitchen. "Mom? Where's the wine? And why does it smell like money and judgment in here?"
Eleanor swept into the room just in time, arms outstretched. "Sky, darling. Finally."
She hugged him tight, then swatted his shoulder. "You said morning. You show up after sunset."
Sky laughed, carefree. "Blame Muri. I had to buy a gift for my girlfriend before I came."
Silence slammed down like a dropped chandelier.
Lex blinked. "Your what?"
Sky threw an arm around Muri, beaming. "We're official now. Thought I'd tell you over dinner. Surprise."
Muri's hand rested lightly on Sky's chest. Her smile was gentle, practiced. Not one flicker of the fire she'd once shared with Lex.
Eleanor recovered first, lifting a glass. "Well. That is a surprise."
Lex just stared.
Muri met his eyes—calm, unreadable—and in that moment, Lex knew something was very, very wrong.
Chapter Nineteen: What We Don't Say
The moment dinner ended, Lex cornered her in the hallway—far from Eleanor's polite laughter and Sky's oblivious charm.
"Muri," he said, low and sharp. "We need to talk. Now."
She turned, arms folded. "What's the matter, Lex? Not used to being left out?"
His jaw clenched. "You're with Sky? Since when?"
"Since a few weeks ago," she replied coolly. "It's not a crime to move on."
"You disappeared," he snapped. "No word. No explanation. And now you walk back into my life, acting like I'm a stranger and dating my brother?"
She stepped forward, eyes suddenly stormy. "What behavior is this, Lex? You think you can question me like I owe you something?"
He didn't back down. "I think something happened. Before you left. And now you're acting like it meant nothing."
Muri's expression faltered—just for a second.
Then she looked away.
"What happened a month ago…" she said quietly, "I can't remember."
Lex blinked. "What do you mean?"
She didn't answer.
Instead, she straightened, voice controlled. "I had an accident. I don't know the details. I don't want to talk about it. But whatever you think we had—if it mattered so much, why didn't you come after me?"
He swallowed hard. "Because you told me not to."
"And I meant it." Her voice was softer now, tinged with something almost like sorrow. "But now I'm here. And I'm not the same. So stop trying to make me fit back into a memory I don't have."
Lex stared at her, stunned. For the first time, he saw it—something behind her mask. Confusion. Pain. Maybe even fear.
But before he could speak, Muri turned and walked away—back toward the warmth of Sky's smile.
Lex stood alone in the hallway, heart racing with a single, brutal truth:
She didn't remember.
But he did.
Chapter Twenty: The Mask of a CEO
Lex didn't sleep.
He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as the night dragged on, haunted by the sound of Muri's voice.
"I can't remember."
"We're official now."
The words played on a loop in his mind like a cruel soundtrack. He remembered everything. The way she had looked at him. Touched him. Kissed him like he was her only truth. And now? She was someone else's.
Someone else's… everything.
Sky. His own brother.
By dawn, Lex had made a decision.
He would not fall apart.
He would not ask questions.
He would not bleed where others could see.
He dressed in silence, tie knotted perfectly, mask sliding on with every practiced motion.
By 8 a.m., he was back at the office—early, crisp, and unreadable. His team greeted him with nervous smiles, sensing something electric beneath his calm. He gave nothing away.
Meetings. Calls. Contracts. He moved through them like a machine.
At noon, someone mentioned Sky and Muri. Lex didn't flinch. He didn't even blink.
"Let's stay focused," he said coolly. "We have three international bids to land before quarter-end. Personal gossip can wait."
But later, alone in his office, Lex stared out at the skyline and let the silence close in.
He thought of Muri's smile. The one she used to save just for him.
Then he blinked it away.
Business came first.
His heart would just have to fall in line.