Chapter 28

LEVI’S POV


I sank into the plush sofa, my gaze fixed on the message glowing on my phone screen. It was from Isabella, mentioning she'd speak to me after the first game in Melbourne. I'd assured her I'd be there every step of the way, which must have confused her.

Well, it wasn't me directly: it was Me as Mr L. This would explain her confusion of cause…

I wondered what she was thinking about now as she lay on her bed. Did she dwell on Mr. L's mysterious presence, or was her mind occupied by my wicked declaration back at the office?

The memory of what I told her gnawed at me, amplifying my sense of foolishness, especially now that solitude engulfed me.

“It would not happen again.” What was I thinking telling her that? Fuck me!

The office lay quiet around me, corridors empty as if everyone had suddenly evaporated, but I knew some workers were still doing their shifts.

Anytime Isabella goes home the company just feels empty.

I let out a slow breath, the weight of needing to make things right with my perfect sub settling heavily on my shoulders.

Fishing my phone from my pocket, I dialed Mark's number. "Mark, I need a complete rundown of our accommodation plans for Melbourne."

"Right away, Sir," Mark replied promptly.

Ending the call, I waited as my MacBook pinged with incoming mail. Returning to my desk, I sifted through the detailed arrangements, my focus only on Isabella's room specifically.

Isabella had positioned herself on the lowest floor, as far away from me as possible. It was a deliberate choice that struck a heavy blow to my heart. I sat motionless for several minutes, staring blankly until a message from one of the engineers flashed on my screen. I knew I couldn't afford to dwell on personal matters now; there were more pressing issues at hand, but thoughts of her persisted, refusing to be pushed aside.

"Okay. Ten minutes. Just ten minutes to think about her, then back to work," I reasoned with myself.

I had never intended to reveal directly to Isabella that I was Mr. L. The connection we'd forged online was fragile, and deeper emotions demanded physical presence. I wasn't certain she wouldn't storm off in anger upon learning the truth considering now that she more or less hates my guts like every other worker.

Part of me understood that Isabella didn't want to lose her master and I didn't want to lose her too. Which is what might happen if I tell the truth.

I yearned to interact with her naturally, as I had last Friday. I desired her in both roles—boss and online master—but now she had insisted on maintaining distance, a consequence of my own missteps.

Just contemplating the situation made my breathing slow and heavy.

"Maybe I should hold off on any decisions until after the first race," I mused aloud to the empty room.

Isabella's insistence on maintaining distance, though unsettling, had its merits. It forced me to focus squarely on the upcoming race, leaving no room for distractions.

The alarm on my mobile phone buzzed insistently from the coffee table, signaling that my ten-minute break had expired. Back to business!

I exhaled deeply, making a conscious decision to set aside thoughts of Isabella for now. The race demanded my full attention, and I resolved to address the complexities between us once the initial competition was behind us.

The phone rang just then, breaking the silence like an unwelcome intruder. It was Elena calling. I hesitated, debating whether to answer. What could she possibly want now? But then I remembered the consequences of ignoring her—she was the kind to make trouble if she felt ignored, and that could escalate all the way to my father. A spoilt rich girl isn't someone you want to make your enemy when you are busy with work.

With a resigned sigh, I reluctantly answered the call. "Hi, Elena."

"Hi, Mr. Gorgeous," came her flirtatious reply. "I was wondering if you'd like to join me for dinner."

"Is…" I started to say, then caught myself just in time. Damn. Isabella had consumed my thoughts so completely that her name almost slipped out. That could have been disastrous, not just for me but for Isabella too.

"I mean, it's late, Elena," I recovered quickly, my tone professional. "I've got a lot on my plate with the new racing season underway. I can't step away from the office right now. Maybe another time. Sorry."

There was a brief pause on the other end, and then Elena's disappointed voice came through. "Alright, another time then. Take care.

"Thank you, Elena. Goodbye," I said firmly, trying to wrap up the conversation, but her laughter persisted, refusing to let me off the hook.

"I'm kidding," she exclaimed mischievously. "I knew you'd say you're busy, so here I am right outside your company with dinner. I'm coming upstairs..."

Before I could protest or react, the line went dead. Cursing under my breath, I straightened my shirt, attempting to compose myself. This was an unwelcome interruption, especially now.

With a deep breath, I fixed my features into a stern expression, hoping to discourage any further advances. A minute later, a sharp knock echoed through the office.

"Come in," I called, resigned to face whatever Elena had in store for me.

The door swung open, revealing Elena in a snug nude gown that hugged her figure in all the right places. Her long heels elevated her stature, almost bringing her eye to eye with me. Despite myself, I couldn't deny that she looked stunning, but I maintained my cool exterior.

"I brought you something nice. I made it myself," Elena said, her voice carrying a hint of excitement as she dropped a small, neatly wrapped bag on the cluttered table in front of me.

"Elena, I'm busy," I replied, not looking up from the papers scattered before me so I could pass the message.

"I know, and I won't distract you. You won't even notice I'm here," she reassured me, sinking into the worn sofa and crossing her legs. "So tell me about work. I want to know more about what you do," she added softly, her eyes fixed on me, eager for my attention.

It became obvious that unlike other women my father had arranged for me Elena would be the most difficult to push away.

Fuck! I wondered if my Dad would ever approve of Isabella…. He would never. If I want her I'll have to fight the world to have her. Can I win the world?