A guest

I turned to Cole, a mischievous glint in my eyes. "I need to change. Could you give me a moment?"

Cole's eyes darkened with a familiar heat, but he kept his tone light. "Do you really want me to leave, or are you testing my self-control?"

Rolling my eyes, I started unbuttoning my shirt, deliberately slow. Cole's gaze followed my every move, his breath hitching as more skin was revealed. As I slid the shirt off my shoulders, he reached out, his fingers brushing my bare skin.

With a quick slap, I swatted his hand away. "No," I said firmly, suppressing a smile. "I'm hungry."

His eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and hunger. "So am I," he replied, his voice a low rumble. "But for you."

I couldn't help but chuckle at his audacity. "Breakfast first," I insisted, stepping out of my pants. His eyes trailed down my body, his expression turning serious despite the teasing.

"You’re impossible," he said, shaking his head with a wry grin.

"Love it," I shot back, slipping into a fresh set of clothes. I could feel his eyes on me the entire time, but he made no further moves, respecting my boundaries despite the intensity of his gaze.

Just as I was smoothing down my dress, a sharp knock sounded on the door. Cole and I exchanged a glance before I opened it to find Elara standing there, looking nervous.

"Sir, ma'am," she began, her voice quivering slightly. "Mr. Alexander has requested to have breakfast in Mr. Cole's quarters."

A surge of annoyance flared in my chest. Alexander's requests were rarely innocent, always laden with ulterior motives. I opened my mouth to refuse, but Cole beat me to it.

"Tell Alexander we'll be there shortly," he said, his tone calm and composed.

Elara nodded quickly and hurried away, leaving me fuming. "Why did you agree to that?" I demanded, my voice barely restrained.

Cole sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Alexander's not someone we can just ignore. We have to play his game if we want to stay ahead."

"I know that," I snapped, pacing the room. "But it feels like we're walking into a trap."

Cole crossed the room and took my hands in his, forcing me to stop and look at him. "I know you're worried. So am I. But we need to face this head-on. Together."

His words, as always, had a calming effect. I took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "Okay. But if anything feels off, we leave."

"Agreed," he said, pressing a quick kiss to my forehead. "Now, let's get this over with."

Moments later, as we stepped into the dinning room Cole's quarters, the air was thick with tension. Alexander stood by the window, looking every bit the imposing figure he always was, his presence almost oppressive. Next to him, Lady Melissa stood with a self-satisfied smirk plastered across her face.

"Ah, there they are," Alexander said, his voice dripping with faux warmth. "Just in time. I'd like you to meet Lady Melissa, although I believe the two of you are already acquainted."

Melissa's eyes sparkled with malicious delight. "Hello again," she said sweetly, but her words were a dagger aimed at my past. "It's been too long."

I felt a surge of anger rise within me, memories of her taunts and cruelty flooding back. Before I could respond, Cole squeezed my hand, grounding me.

"Melissa," Cole greeted her with a cold politeness. "I see Alexander has decided to surround himself with familiar faces."

"Indeed," Alexander interjected smoothly, his eyes never leaving mine. "Melissa and I were just discussing old times. How lovely it is to reminisce."

I clenched my jaw, struggling to maintain my composure. "Some memories are better left in the past," I said tightly, refusing to let him see how much his words affected me.

"Oh, but the past shapes who we are today," Alexander countered, his gaze turning predatory. "Don't you agree, Cole?"

Cole, ever the calm anchor, pulled me closer to him, wrapping an arm around my waist. "Absolutely," he agreed, his tone light yet firm. "It's why I'm so grateful for where we are now. The past led me to her, after all."

Melissa's smile faltered, her eyes narrowing at the sight of Cole's tenderness toward me. "How charming," she said, her voice laced with bitterness. "But surely, the past also holds lessons. Don't you think?"

"Lessons, yes," Cole said, his voice steely as he looked at Alexander. "And we've learned to be wary of false friends and hidden motives."

Alexander's expression darkened, his façade slipping momentarily. "Let's not dwell on negativity," he said, forcing a smile. "We're here to enjoy a meal together, after all."

"Of course," I said, matching his insincere tone. "Let's not spoil breakfast."

We sat down at the table, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife, and my eyes locked with Melissa, my blood boiling at the sight of her.

"You know, Melissa," I said, smiling as I buttered my toast. "It's interesting how people change. Some grow stronger, and more resilient. Others... well, they just stay the same."

Melissa's eyes flashed with anger. "And some people shouldn't never forget where they come from," she retorted.

"True," I agreed, my gaze never leaving hers. "And some people never forget the kindness they've been shown, even when others have been less than gracious."

Alexander's eyes flicked between us, a calculating look on his face. "She's my guest... I advise you to treat her as such."

"Thank you for the advice," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "I love to treat others as they treat me."

The tension at the breakfast table increased. Alexander's eyes never left mine, his expression an inscrutable mask. Lady Melissa, however, was more transparent, her emotions flickering across her face like shadows. Cole's presence beside me was the only thing keeping me grounded, his steady hand a reminder that we were in this together.

As if on cue, the door swung open, and two women entered, carrying trays laden with food, and seeing Elara, my jaws clutched at the sight of the drinks she was carrying.