Chapter 16
Sophia was at school. The penthouse was quiet. A heavy silence filled the rooms. Its sleek lines and tall windows felt like a cage. Not a home. The city's hum buzzed faintly outside. A call to the world I was cut off from.
Alexander's rules felt like a chokehold.
No unauthorized outings. No changes from the plan.
No room to breathe. I promised myself I would stay out of trouble.
After the club disaster. But staying another day.
Pacing these marble floors. Trapped in his world.
It bothered me too much. I needed air. Freedom.
A taste of the old Elena. Before I got tangled in the Sterling web.
My phone buzzed on the counter.
I paused. I looked at the clock. 9:15. Sophia would not be home for hours. Her school day ended at three.
Alexander was at his office. Downtown. Buried in meetings. Or whatever secret deals kept him on edge.
What harm could a quick coffee do? My fingers hovered. Guilt pricked me.
A worn leather satchel. Slung over my shoulder. I slipped out the door. Before I could change my mind.
The elevator ride down felt like shedding skin. I stepped onto the busy sidewalk. The crisp March air hit me. Like a discovery. Horns blared.
Pigeons scattered. The smell of roasted coffee. From a nearby cart. Mixed with car exhaust. It was busy.
Alive. Mine.
For the first time in weeks. I felt the knots in my chest loosen. My steps quickened. I moved through the morning crowd. Toward the café.
Mia was already there. She sat in a corner booth.
Our favorite spot. With its mismatched chairs.
And chipped mugs. A steaming latte sat in front of her.
Her dark ponytail swung. She waved me over.
"There you are!" she said. Her grin was wide and cheerful.
Her freckled cheeks rosy from the walk. "I was starting to think you had left me.
Or that Mr. Penthouse had you on house arrest."
I laughed. I slid into the seat across from her. The vinyl creaked. As I dropped my bag. "Sorry," I said. I brushed my hair back. "It has been... a lot lately. I barely got out the door. Without feeling like I was breaking parole."
Mia leaned forward. Her hazel eyes narrowed. With curiosity. As she stirred her latte. "Okay, so tell me. What happened the other night? After Alexander dragged you out of the club. Like some mob boss? I mean, I tried to stop him. But that look of his. It could freeze hot rock. Are you okay?"
I sighed. I wrapped my hands around my cappuccino. For warmth. The memory of that night was fresh. "Yeah, I am fine. Just... annoyed. He acted like I was a wild child. Who did not know how to handle herself. He actually pulled me out of there, Mia. Like I was his property."
Mia raised an eyebrow. Her face showed worry and humor. "Okay, but let us be real. You were in a bad club. And you know Alexander's whole... way. He is not the type to let you wander into danger. Without getting mad. What did he say when you got back to the penthouse?"
I rolled my eyes. Leaning back in the booth.
"Oh, he gave me the whole 'you are a problem, my enemies will use you to hurt me' speech.
Like, I get it. His world is dangerous. But does he have to treat me.
Like I cannot make my own choices? He even said he would lock me down.
If I 'went against' him again. Can you believe that? "
Mia smirked. Her tone was teasing. "Sounds like someone is a little overprotective. And maybe a little... caring? I mean, come on, Elena. The guy tracked you down. In a club. To pull you out. That is big drama. Are you sure there is not more to it. Than just him being controlling?"
I groaned. Shaking my head. "It is not like that, Mia. He is just... complex. One minute he is barking orders. Acting like I am a piece in his messed-up world. And the next he is looking at me. Like I am the only thing. Keeping him from falling apart. It is tiring."
Mia tilted her head. Her grin widened. "Okay, but let us not ignore.
The fact that he did look at you like that.
And the whole 'if I lost you' thing? That is not just about protecting his business, Elena.
That is personal. Admit it. There is something between you two.
Even if it is hidden. Under all that moodiness and bossiness. "
I hesitated. My cheeks grew warm. As I stared into my coffee. "I do not know, Mia. Maybe there is... something. But it does not matter. He is Alexander Sterling. He does not let anyone get close. Not really. And I am not sure I want to be the one to try."
Mia reached across the table. She squeezed my hand. "Hey, I get it. He is intense. And his world is a mess. But you are not just some nanny or pawn, Elena. You are strong. And you deserve to have a say. In your own life. If he cannot see that. Then maybe he does not deserve you."
I smiled faintly. Grateful for her support. "Thanks, Mia. I just... I need to figure out. How to deal with this. Without losing myself. Because right now. It feels like I am stuck in a cage. And I do not know how to break free."
Mia leaned back. Her tone lightened. "Well, for what it is worth. I think you are handling it better. Than most people would. And if Alexander ever tries to drag you. Out of a club again. Just call me. I will stop him. With my latte art skills."
I laughed. The tension eased. As I sipped my coffee. "Deal. But let us hope it does not come to that. I would rather not explain to Sophia. Why her dad got taken out by a coffee maker."
We burst into laughter. The kind that drew curious looks. From the couple at the next table. For an hour.
The world shrank to just us. Two friends. Swapping stories. Over coffee-stained mugs. Mia told me about her latest dating disaster. A guy who brought his pet ferret to dinner. I told her about Sophia's obsession.
With turning the living room into a pirate ship. It felt like old times. Before Alexander. Before Sophia. When life was lighter. And less complicated.
---
When I finally pushed open the penthouse door. My mood was light. A rare feeling. It stayed with me. Until I stepped into the foyer.
And saw Alexander standing there. A dark shape. Against the shiny marble. His arms were crossed. His broad shoulders were tense. His suit fit perfectly.
His jaw was set so tight. I could have chipped a tooth. His gray eyes locked onto me. Cold and firm. My stomach dropped.
"Where have you been?" he demanded. His voice was low. Filled with danger. It made my heart race.
I froze. My bag slipped slightly. My hand tightened on the strap. "I... I went out for coffee. With a friend," I said. The words tumbled out fast. "Sophia is at school. And I thought. I did not think it would be a big deal."
He stepped closer. His shiny shoes clicked.ominously. Against the floor. His presence filled the space between us. "You thought what?" he interrupted. His tone was sharp. "That I would not find out? That I would not care? Do you know what could happen? When you just leave. Without telling me?"
I lowered my gaze to the floor. My cheeks burned. Shame and defiance fought inside me. "I am sorry, Alexander," I whispered. Barely audible. "I did not mean to go against you. I just needed... I needed a break."
His jaw clenched. A muscle twitched. As he stood over me.
For a moment. I braced for the yell. I had come to expect.
But instead, he moved closer. His voice dropped.
To a threatening murmur. It sent chills down my spine.
"You need to understand, Elena," he said.
Each word clear. Heavy. "You are not just an employee here.
You are Sophia's caretaker. Her anchor. And you are under my protection.
That means you follow my rules. Whether you like them or not. "
I nodded. Fear spiked through me. Mixing with a strange urge. To calm the storm in his eyes. "I understand, Alexander," I said. Swallowing hard. "It will not happen again. I promise."
His face softened. Just a bit. A crack in the steel.
He reached out. His fingers brushed a stray lock of hair.
From my face. The touch was light. Almost gentle.
But it carried the weight of his worry. Unspoken.
"I know you are trying," he said. His voice was quieter now.
Rough around the edges. "But you have to be more careful.
For Sophia's sake. If not your own. There are things.
People out there. I cannot shield you from. If you do not let me."
I lifted my eyes to his. Caught in the intensity of his gaze. A live wire crackling between us. "I will," I said. My voice steadier now. Filled with a promise. I meant to keep. "I will be careful, Alexander. I promise."
For a moment, we stood there. The air was thick with tension. Anger. Fear. Something softer. Neither of us would name.
His hand lingered near my cheek. Then dropped. As he breathed out sharply. Running it through his dark hair. In that familiar gesture of frustration. "Good," he said. Softer still. Almost resigned. "I am glad we understand each other."
I nodded. Relief washed over me. Like a tide. Though the hidden meaning of his words lingered. A reminder of the risks.
I could not fully grasp. He turned away. Retreating to his office. With a final glance. That felt like a question. Leaving me to catch my breath. In the empty foyer.